American diplomatic history and foreign policy

American Foreign Policy

At the conception of the American nation, Americans were told to beware of foreign entanglements, by then-president George Washington, because a body of water separated our nation between Europe and ourselves. However, despite the fact that this caveat has been frequently cited by opponents of expansionist or interventionist policies in its foreign policies, such as World War I and World War II, American foreign policy can hardly be characterized as purely isolationist. Even World War I was defended as making the world safe for democracy and American democratic principles, rhetorically justifying the war in ways beyond mere American national self-interest in Europe.

However, the foreign policy history of the United States, a democratic nation, has been extremely unilateral in nature, rather than reflecting an internationalist sense, or a sense of interdependence upon other states. The Monroe Doctrine defended intervention in South America specifically as the United States' unique sphere of influence, as a way of protecting itself through justified military action within the region. The United States pursued its own military path during the cold war in Europe, dominating the organization of NATO, or engaging in covert operations when it chose. Because the United States is geographically remote and isolated yet has substantial financial and military capabilities, it has been able to go alone in many of its military endeavors, with little military support from international organizations or other nations. Even the League of Nations, as founded by Woodrow Wilson, was not initially joined by the United States because of domestic opposition as well as isolationist sentiment, to becoming entangled in international obligations.