American Foreign Policy Purpose

The purpose of American foreign policy, theoretically, is to create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the global community. Throughout history individuals could argue whether this has necessarily been the case. Have political representatives elected by the people, for the people, used their political connections and influences in the best interests of United States citizens? In 1895 the Cuban revolution in Spain began. The United States media used newspapers to portray the excessive suffering that Cubans were enduring under the control of the Spaniards. The media also depicted President McKinley as a coward for not intervening to assist the Cubans. (Module 22: War with Spain)
The intriguing question is would President McKinley have declared war on the Spanish if the explosion of the USS Maine had not occurred? It is my opinion that the President used this incident as a reason to declare war. In April 1898 the United States declared war on the Spaniards. Thus began, the “splendid little war” as defined by Teddy Roosevelt (in later years) which ended with a United States victory against the Spaniards which Cubans thought would help them gain their independence.
Another event in American history that happened due to political concern over foreign policy was World War I (WWI).
The United States initially attempted to distance themselves from the war. When the Germans were losing hold of the war on land and took to the sea the United States was having more difficulty maintaining neutrality. The sinking of our tankers by the German U-boats took the United States one step closer to war. (Norton, 637) Early 1917 the German’s threatened the security of the United States. The British intelligence intercepted the Zimmerman telegram that was sent to the German minister in Mexico that reflected the attempt to get Mexico to rise up against the United States. The Zimmerman message went on to say that Germany would help Mexico recover the territories that they had lost in 1848. Although the telegram content later was found to be untrue it stiffened President Wilson’s resolve. (Norton, 638) The reality of the situation ultimately forced the United States to join in the battle of WWI because they feared Germany victory which would destroy free enterprise and government by law. (Norton, 633) They also wanted the right to seas to be able to control this access of foreign trade at their
leisure. One repercussion of World War I was it violating United States citizens’ civil rights. The citizens of the United States were unable to speak badly about the war or they would be punished. Was it justified? Based on the passage of the Espionage and Sedition Acts it was justified. The individuals in political power had a personal agenda with the need for things to go a certain way in regards to our participation in the war. They made it legal to violate a person’s basic right to speak freely in regards to the war. I feel that they abused their power to control media and universal outcome. The Espionage Act and the Sedition Act were not in the best interest of the United States citizens.
Many people were arrested, prosecuted, and found guilty of making “false statements” as defined by these Acts. The government did not want citizens talking against the war or the draft and made examples of many individuals that tried to share beliefs that did not align with the current administration. It was a clear violation of the 1st Amendment, but it worked to gain peoples support by keeping many individuals in opposition quiet. They needed the Espionage and Sedition Acts in place to help promote and support the war. They wanted to win and didn't care what toll it was taking on the
people. I believe these wars happened because the United States was worried about their financial investments that were being affected by the slowing of free trade across the seas. Our government officials wanted to maintain control and ensure the United States remained an economic power. I think they were using the foreign policy as a way to get better economic authority. They used the expansion of improving other countries as an excuse to gain control of the foreign trades. They weren't using the control to better other countries or help them create self government. The politicians at this time were using these developments for their own advantage. In looking at the response of our political leaders during this time frame it leaves one to wonder if they truly acted responsibly based on factual information that outlines some of the events that occurred. The United States seemed to put “blinders” on and attempted to avoid any conflict with both the Spaniards and the Germans. In both cases it appears the reasons for declaring war on the parties may have been unfounded. The Zimmerman telegram and the sinking of the USS Maine seemed to be the events that triggered the United States into war. It seems to me that our political representatives “reacted” to events and acted on “emotions” that may or may not have been accurate. It is possible that they should have waited out the fighting amongst other countries and not have been so worried about being a “powerhouse.” Through out the years the United States foreign policy has been the subject of much debate, criticism, and praise, both domestically and abroad. We will truly never know all the facts as to why America decided to intervene in these wars. It could have been because the United States really felt passionate about helping the Cubans gain their independence or maybe the U.S. was really only worried about the loss of trade business. It depends on your “vantage point.”