PLS 341: American Foreign Policy Foreign Policy Early History of American Foreign Policy

2 / 16 Thus Far… Chittick created a framework with which we can analyze and better understand foreign policies. M/M: –Multilateral/Unilateral C/C: –Coercive/Non-Coercive A/A: –Active/Reactive

3 / 16 Today… Today we will examine the early history of the United States –How did events and reigning theories of government shape our foreign policy? –How did the president influence the foreign policy followed? –What factors are important in determining foreign policy? Important Note: –Your first FPH brief is due by Monday.

4 / 16 Background on Europe Europe was born in the Dark Ages –The ruins of the Roman Empire tended to show Europeans that they were not as good as the Romans before them –Power resided in the land If the ruler was good, the land would prosper If the ruler was bad, the land would decay The converse also held

5 / 16 Background on Europe The Age of Absolutism –Power resides in a single individual King Prince Pope –The commoners do not have power Creation of the idea of state sovereignty –Sovereignty resided with the state (ruler of the state), not with anyone above the state

6 / 16 Background on Europe Protection of the state was central –Raison d’état –Machiavelli –Richelieu Power Politics –Balance of Power –Hegemony –Mercantilism The resulting diplomacy (Old Diplomacy) was MCA –Unilateral, Coercive, Reactive

7 / 16 Background on Europe The Enlightenment –Eighteenth century movement in Europe (and America) –Put reason at the center of philosophy Resulted in placing the individual at the center of the world –Created liberal political philosophy Resulted in placing the individual at the center of political power

8 / 16 Background on Europe Lockean Liberalism became the new best political philosophy –Replaced Hobbes, who held that the state needed to increase its power to protect its citizens from each other and from external threats –Liberalism called for limited government to protect the people from tyrannical government The resulting diplomacy (New Diplomacy) was MCA (the opposite of the Old Diplomacy) –Multilateral, Non-Coercive, Active

9 / 16 The Colonial Period (in US) Prosperity Values: –That’s why they came here Community Values: –Build a new world order –Read the back of your dollar bill: Novus Ordo Seclorum “New Order of the Ages” Security Values: –French and Indian War –Spillover from Continental wars

10 / 16 First War of Independence From what you know about US history, what would our foreign have been? –Why? What would influence it most?

11 / 16 Federalist Period Idealism rules! Washington and Adams –conducted Foreign Policy as they believed US domestic policy should be conducted –This Idealism would rear its head again during the rule of Woodrow Wilson Foreign policy was mainly MCA –Unilateral –Non-Coercive –Active

12 / 16 Republican Period Foreign policy was mainly MCA –Unilateral –Coercive –Active Why the difference? –What changed in our needs for Prosperity, Security, and Community? –Did any events affect it?

13 / 16 Growth and Expansion Foreign policy remained MCA –Unilateral –Coercive –Active Why no change? –Different presidents –Events in Europe affect us –Mexican-American War –Promulgation of the Monroe Doctrine

14 / 16 Identity Crisis Foreign policy became MCA –Multilateral –Non-Coercive –Active Some Events –California Gold Rush (1848–‘55) –The US Civil War(1860–‘65) –European Immigration –Growth of big cities

15 / 16 Theory Are the above reasons enough to explain the change? What should explain changes in foreign policy? Chittick: –Prosperity –Security –Community

16 / 16 Assignment Read: Chapter 3 (Chittick) Monday’s Topic: –From Isolation to Hegemony Do not forget: –FPH Brief #1 is due Monday –It is an online event –Link is “Policy Index” courses/pls341/studentworkind ex.php