NOTES: U.S. Foreign Policy Foreign policy – is the set of goals, principles, and practices that guide a nation in its relations with other countries
I. Fundamentals of Foreign Policy -Players: the president, the State Department (led by the Secretary of State), and Congress Tools: diplomacy, financial aid, threat or use of military force Influences: realism and idealism Realism – decision making is guided by reason, is motivated by self-interest, and if for your own security Idealism – decision making is guided by morals and ethics, is to help others, and is for the best of the community
II. Early Foreign Policy Pres. Washington advocated neutrality The War of 1812 was an effort to defend neutrality Monroe Doctrine banned European colonization in the western hemisphere
III. Expansion through diplomacy Louisiana Purchase (1803) Spain cedes Florida (1819) Britain cedes Oregon Territory (1846) Russia sells Alaska (1867) Gadsden Purchase (1853) Annexation of Texas (1845) The U.S. gains southwest region through victory in the Mexican War (1848)