American Foreign Policy 1800s

After learning about the broad concepts of foreign policy and the specifics of American history from the 1800s to the present day, I believe that the scope or arc of the policy has been progressive and interrelated. Foreign policy builds off the past mistakes and successes this has led to a transformation from isolationism to engagement. Power can be seen as a driving force in the change in the U.S’s approach to international relations and as a main method of foreign involvement.
Manifest Destiny and the Monroe Doctrine are two early examples of this shift to engagement. Acquiring possession of land and other nations puts the U.S into the concerns of other nations. Personally, I believe there can’t truly be a growing and dominant U.S without interaction and cooperation between nations. With the desire to advance and expand foreign affairs becomes imperative. The progress from isolationism to a world power is built from policies that gradually frame this ideal. For example, the U.S tried to bypass direct involvement in World War I for as long as possible but, as the U.S became a more prominent figure on the world stage and furthered engagement it was almost impossible to stay out of World War II. With the values and goals that America holds, expansion and engagement are necessary. Foreign policy has progressed to multilateralism …show more content…
Within that subjectivity is the overarching goal to progress and learn from past policies. Each nation wants the best for themselves and this inevitably means cooperation because a greater extent of benefits can arise from international relations whether it be trade, economics, or other issues. The ideologies that forward foreign policies are formed through the past policies and their consequences. American foreign policy will continue to develop through American values along with adjusting the implementation of policies and the policies