US Foreign Policy 1910 1929

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US Foreign Policy 1910-1929 Isolation and War

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Unit 4: American Foreign Policy: War and Isolation. Key issues: Why did the USA enter World War I? $  What were the main features of foreign policy in the post war years. US Foreign policy in 1910; the Monroe Doctrine   The USA and WWI including: Reasons why USA entered WWI ˜    The American war effort at home and in Europe ˜    President Wilson and the Peace Treaties 1919-1920 ˜    The Fourteen Points ˜    The rejection of entry to the League of Nations by the US Congress ˜    The objections of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge to American entry to the League of Nations  Isolationism.

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How far was the USA isolationist     War debts The Dawes Plan The Young Plan Reaction to the growth of Japanese power The Washington Naval Conference Peace treaties.

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Is the USA important in World affairs today? Can you think of any countries that the USA is involved with today? What would you say were the main reasons for USA involvement in world affairs today?

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 The good oil on Iraq's black gold Stephen Mayne and Kate Jackson………… keeping an eye on George Dubya's Oilies 31 January 2003 With war in the Middle East looming we look at the top ten oil producing nations and their proven reserves, and consider just who is influencing foreign policy in the Bush administration.   There has been much discussion of late about the motivation of a US led attack on Iraq. Many people have mentioned oil as a motivation, but who really knows which countries produce the most oil and which have the largest reserves? We have compiled a list of the top 10 crude oil producing countries and the countries top 10 crude oil reserves (and those just outside the top 10).

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World crude oil production by country in 2001 (barrels daily) 1. Saudi Arabia - 8,768,000 2. USA - 7,717,000 3. Russian Federation - 7,056,000 4. Iran - 3,688,000 5. Mexico - 3,560,000 6. Venezuela - 3,418,000 7. Norway - 3,414,000 8. China - 3,308,000 9. United Kingdom - 2,503,000 10.Iraq - 2,414,000 11. United Arab Emirates - 2,422,000 12. Nigeria - 2,148,000 13. Kuwait - 2,142,000 14. Libya - 1,425,000 15. Indonesia - 1,410,000

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World proven crude oil reserves by country in 2001 (thousand million barrels) 1. Saudi Arabia - 261.8 2. Iraq - 112.5 3. United Arab Emirates - 97.8 4. Kuwait - 96.5 5. Iran - 89.7 6. Venezuela - 77.7 7. Russian Federation - 48.6 8. USA - 30.4 9. Libya - 29.5 10.Mexico - 26.9 11. Nigeria - 24.0 12. China - 24.0 13. Qatar - 15.2 14. Norway - 9.4

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These statistsics were taken from BP's Statistical Review of World Energy The key statistic here is that Iraq is the tenth biggest producer but has the second largest amount of proven reserves. Given that the Bush administration is full of oilies, it does suggest that oil is a big motivation in the move to oust Saddam. In other words, Saddam is sitting on proven oil reserves worth an incredible US$3 trillion based on current oil prices (+US$30). At the moment the French, Chinese and Russians are best positioned to exploit this. No wonder they are reluctant to back George W and let Exxon, Chevron, Texaco and the like in there.

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The USA's proven oil reserves have fallen from 36.5 billion barrels to 30.1 billion over the past 20 years, presumably due to all that Yankee gas-guzzling as the economy has boomed.

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Cheney oil firm widens Iraq role Oliver Burkeman in Washington Thursday May 8, 2003 The Guardian Halliburton, the company formerly run by the US vice-president, Dick Cheney, has been granted a far broader role in Iraq than previously disclosed and is already operating oilfields in the country, the US army admitted yesterday. Kellogg Brown and Root, a Halliburton subsidiary, is pumping up oil despite earlier claims that its contract with the American government was for fighting oil fires, a spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers told the Guardian. The bigger role, said corps spokesman Scott Saunders, was being exercised "due to the needs of the Iraqi people". About 125,000 barrels a day were produced, he said, for domestic purposes only.

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So, was the USA important in World affairs at the start of the twentieth century?

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What does the following speech from George Washington suggest about The way in which America is interested in other countries The way in which America is not interested in other countries.

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Following the War of Independence in 1776, where America fought for independence from the British, George Washington set out America’s foreign policy in his farewell speech: “The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.”

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…The Monroe Doctrine James Monroe 5th President of the United States of America President 1817-25 One of the four memorable events he presided over was the writing of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. This was furthered, in 1823, by …..

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Pick out the three key themes in the Monroe doctrine that follows…….

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What the Monroe Doctrine said The Monroe Doctrine, expressed in 1823, proclaimed the United States' opinion that European powers should no longer colonize the Americas or interfere with the affairs of sovereign nations located in the Americas, such as the United States, Mexico, and others. In return, the United States planned to stay neutral in wars between European powers and in wars between a European power and its colonies. However, if these latter type of wars were to occur in the Americas, the U.S. would view such action as hostile toward itself.

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In other words…….. America would not get involved in any European conflicts. It also expected Europe to stay out of American affairs. The United States would view an attack on any American country as a threat to them. Can you turn these into a rhyme or poem or catchy phrase? If not explain what the Monroe doctrine stated about America’s attitude towards Europe.

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This is what we want to see To lead us to full liberty For then we will be truly free: Take away your authority We want the responsibility And our share of dignity All we seek is neutrality So stay out of our community Don’t interrupt our society It’ll be an act of hostility.

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The United States was thousands of miles from Europe The United States was still expanding westwards, and wanted to continue to develop internally. Much of American population was made up of European immigrants. They were trying to escape the turmoil of their own countries. Why did Americans feel like this?

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But, was the USA really isolationist at the start of the twentieth century?

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1887 America signs a deal with Hawaii to build a coaling and repair station at Pearl Harbour, on Oahu Island. This was to ensure American had a trading post in the Pacific Ocean.

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Trade As American business grew, they wanted to sell their goods abroad –to the countries around the Pacific and to Europe and Russia. This meant that America was getting involved with other countries financially. Any conflict in Europe was therefore likely to impact America economically.

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Immigration Before 1914, millions of Europeans had come to America to seek their fortune, and flee from poverty and persecution. Between 1850 and 1914, over 40 million people left Europe for America. In some parts of America over 30% of the population was made up of European immigrants.

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So, what did the Americans think when World War I started in 1914? President Wilson had a problem. Many Americans were European immigrants. Which side do you think the following people would support?

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What about the German Americans So, Wilson found it hard to make a decision about war in 1914. Japanese Americans

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Look at sources 2, 3, and 5 on page 11 in the booklet. What do they suggest about the attitude of Americans towards WW1? What do they all have in common? How useful are they in finding out about the attitudes of the American people towards war? Consider strengths and weaknesses Look at source 4. Find two differences between this source and the others. As this is different from the others, does this mean that it is not useful?

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Now look at sources 6 and 7. What do they tell us about attitudes towards World War I? We are now going to try to find out why the Americans changed their minds about involvement in WWI.? Consider the following developments 1914-1917….

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The sinking of the Lusitania in February 1915………

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The importance of American loans to Europe…..

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The Zimmerman telegram…………….

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Your mission………… Design a poster urging Americans to support American involvement in the First World War on the side of Britain, France and America and against the Germans. Base it on one of the three reasons suggested. Decide what kind of Americans this reason would be most likely to convince. Which reason would appeal to most Americans? Which do you think would be the most convincing reason for the American people?

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Did the Americans make a significant contribution to World War I? What do the following maps suggest?

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The following is an extract from an on-line encyclopaedia. The United States was never a full member of the Allies, but an associated member. Significant numbers did not start arriving in Europe until the summer of 1918, but when they did arrive there were as many as 10,000 a day. This took the Germans by surprise. They thought it would take much longer - they thought the U-boat attacks would prevent them from arriving. General Pershing would not fight as part of the British and French units. He made frontal attacks that the British and French had rejected as too costly in lives. To the astonishment of the Allies, the dispirited German soldiers turned and ran. The American Expeditionary force suffered the lowest casualty rate of the war – most of the deaths were form disease.

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Now Did the Americans make a difference to Allied success in World War I? Would they have felt that the sacrifice of 53, 000 deaths in seventeen months have been worth it?

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What did the American people feel about their involvement in war? Were they proud to serve? Think about American attitudes towards war in Iraq today. The American government is clearly in favour, but does this mean that the people are in favour? What do the following posters suggest?

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It was much more difficult to find posters supporting the Iraq war….

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During World War I, the reverse is the case….. There are many that support the war…… but who produced them?

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So, does this mean that the American people supported the war? Look at the following facts from the ward The War Industries Board was set up to regulate the production of supplies. A Food Administration was set up to control food production. ‘Wheatless Mondays’ and ‘meatless Tuesdays were introduced on a voluntary basis to conserve essential foodstuffs.

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People were encouraged to plant victory gardens.

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Conscription was introduced in May 1917, and as men joined up women filled their places in factories, mills, mines and farms. Taxes were increased to pay for the war, and the public were asked to buy Liberty Bonds to support the war effort.

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However, soon the Americans began to hear news of death and injury.

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What do the following suggest about the soldiers who went off to fight?

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During the war, Native American languages, mainly Choctaw, were used to encode messages. 12,00 Native Americans served in WWI, mainly with the Texas Oklahoma unit. Four of them won the Croix de Gue.rre More than 350,00 African-Americans served in WWI, mainly in support units. In response to protests of discrimination and mistreatment from the black community, several hundred African American men received officers' training in Des Moines, Iowa. By October 1917, over six hundred African Americans were commissioned as captains and first and second lieutenants. These are from other web sites.

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The Committee on Public Information was set up immediately after war was declared. It used propaganda to whip up hatred of Germany and its Kaiser. Schools were banned from teaching German. In Boston music by Beethoven and other German composers was banned. The Espionage Act made it illegal to obstruct recruitment or to encourage disloyalty. The Sedition Act introduced heavy punishment for anyone criticising the Government or armed forces. Over 1500 people were imprisoned under these two acts.

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What did the American people feel about their involvement in war? Were they proud to serve?

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We will now consider………. What was Wilson’s attitude towards the peace? Wilson the American president, was not just interested in ending the war - he also wanted to create a better world. This was very difficult, since the two other international figures who dominated the peace talks …. David Lloyd George of Britain and Georges Clemenceau of France

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wanted to punish Germany and make her pay for the war……

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We can tell what Wilson’s ideals were because in January 1918 he made a speech in which he outlined his Fourteen Points, explaining what he thought the peace treaty should be. It was one of the things that eventually helped the Germans to make up their minds to surrender. Look at the outline of Wilson’s Fourteen Points on page 21 of your booklet. Remember what the two main interests of America in terms of foreign policy were.. To promote international trade, so that the USA could sell…. To avoid war and invasion of the Americas Pick out any of the fourteen points that you think show Wilson shared the traditional interests of the American people. Are they any left over? Do they have anything in common?

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To promote international trade, so that the USA could sell…. Freedom of the seas Free trade between nations To avoid war and invasion of the Americas Replacement of secret treaties with open diplomacy Reductions in armaments Many of the following could go into avoidance of war, however, they seem to be something different.

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Colonies should have a say in their future Germans must evacuate Russian territory Belgium must be free and independent Alsace-Lorraine should be given back to France Readjustment of Italian frontier based on nationality Self determination for the people of Austria Romania and Serbia and Montenegro should be free Self determination for the people’s of the Turkish Empire Poland should be independent and with access to the sea. What do they have in common?

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…………….freedom for all nationalities ……..the right of all nationalities to rule themselves …democracy! and all this was to be safeguarded by the League of Nations, which was to settle any disputes between countries – the USA would have to take an active role in keeping. in Europe.

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Now, Describe what Wilson was trying to achieve through the Fourteen Points. Use source 17 on p22 to explain why Wilson had these aims. Do you think this would tie in with the feelings of most of the American people?

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Were Wilson’s ideas about the League of Nations accepted in the USA? Which part of Wilson’s Fourteen Points would the American people have been most upset by? Colonies should have a say in their future Germans must evacuate Russian territory Belgium must be free and independent Alsace-Lorraine should be given back to France Readjustment of Italian frontier based on nationality Self determination for the people of Austria Romania and Serbia and Montenegro should be free Self determination for the people’s of the Turkish Empire Poland should be independent and with access to the sea. The League of Nations which would safeguard these.

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Why would Americans be unhappy about these? They were likely to lead to war the Germans would be unhappy about losing land- in the Treaty of Versailles they actually lost a lot more than Wilson wanted – to Poland, France, Belgium – there were Germans living in Austria. The Italians were so unhappy with the treaty they left after the first day. Austria would be unhappy about losing land to the nationalities that lived within their border – they actually lost land to Czechoslovakia. Russia had become Communist. Japan was not happy that it had not gained control of German colonies in the Pacific. Turkey would be unhappy about losing Iraq, Jordan, Palestine. America might have to take the lead in stopping all of these, and that might mean paying out – even sending an army, even though the League was not supposed to have an army.

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And Wilson seemed to be so happy about all of this. What does this show us about American attitudes towards Wilson’s involvement in the Leagues of Nations? Who does this represent?

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and this one… The Folks- who does this represent? The Folks, saying ‘I do believe she paints!’ Who does this represent?

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How useful are these cartoons in finding out about what the American public think about Wilson and the League? They are useful in finding out about the attitudes of Congress The Senate (this is like the House of Commons and the House of Lords in Britain) The more conservative members of the public. This does not mean that everyone felt the same – they are only the opinion of some..…. but they would be dangerous for Wilson. Why?

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He would need their support to have the League of Nations accepted. They represented the people. So how powerful were the Congress and Senate in influencing the decision about whether the League should be accepted?

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What does this suggest? This suggests the American people were most important….. But was that really true?

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Hole is the League of Nations Congress Wilson

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Getting a taste of it I don’t like any of these furrin dishes It’s not so bad I ain’t gonna touch it even if it does smell good I want more

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However, there was a strong group of Republican in the Congress and Senate.

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Sword dripping with blood What does this tell us about whether Wilson’s ideas were accepted in America? What does it suggest was the effect of the Senate’s rejection? Humanity Senate Treaty of Peace

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Why did Wilson fail? 1. He was heavily criticised in Congress. The protests were led by the Republican Henry Cabot Lodge, who led a group called the ‘Old Irreconcilables’. He drew up a list of Fourteen Reservations, which ridiculed Wilson’s fourteen points, and which rejected the League of Nations completely. ………..this League is primarily a political organisation, and I object strongly to having the politics of the United States turn upon disputes where deep feeling is aroused but in which we have no direct interest…I wish to limit strictly our interference in the affairs of Europe and Africa………the less we undertake to play the part of the umpire and thrust ourselves into European conflicts the better for the United States and for the World.

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2. In the presidential elections of 1920, Wilson was challenged by the Republicans, whose candidate was Warren Harding. Wilson campaigned on the basis that America should play an important part. …….mothers who lost their sons in France have come to me……they rightly believe that their sons saved the liberty of the World. They believe that wrapped up with the liberty of the World is the continuous protection of that liberty by the concerted powers of all civilised people. They believe the sacrifice was made in order that other sons should not be called upon for a similar gift – the gift of life.

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Warren Harding campaigned on the basis that he would refuse to join the League of Nations.

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Wilson lost the election………… Warren Harding, the Republican won…………. The USA did not join the League f Nations.

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What does this suggest was the reason why the League failed?

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But, was the USA truly isolationist in the period 1919-1929? Sort the cards showing America’s actions in the 1920s in two groups…. Examples where the USA turned her back on the rest of the World Examples where the USA got involved

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High involvement Low involvement Did America retreat into total isolation in the 1920s? Explain your answer fully.