United States Foreign Policy 1889-1939

Since 1823 American foreign policy was the Monroe Doctorine (Pan-American freedom from European powers)

Spanish-American war showed a more imperialist side to their policy (Cuba was economically interesting)

Big Stick Diplomacy

'White mans burden' to civilise other nations, with diplomacy and christianity

Corollary to the Monroe doctorine: if Europe did any 'wrong doings' in Latin America the US would intervene.

Used during Spanish-American War and Venezuela Affair

Louis Perez (1998)

Big Stick + Tellar Amendment seemed to be masking American attempt at gaining control of, econmoically attactive, Cuba.

Dollar Diplomacy

Simialr to Big Stick (enforcing the American ideology) however also creating financial dependancy

Used in Nicaragua-overthrew the government and gave loans to gain more influencial control over the new government-US military presence for a further 15 years.

Moral Diplomacy - strong but soft America - less threatening, focusing more on the human rights element rather than American gain.

No fixed guidelines.

Maintained isolationist views-however this was stopped by WW1

Isolationist - including Latin America

1925 - Troops pulled from Cuba, Domenican Republic and Nicaragua.

Failed to be isolationist:

• didnt join the League of Nations (but were present at many meetings)
• maintained troops in Haiti and Panama

Good Neighbour Policy - first mentioned in the inaugral address

non-intervention and non-interference in Latin America

This panned out quite well - America withdrew troops however could keep an eye on Latin America without being overbearing

Greg Grandin - 'Latin America was the region most supportive of American foreign policy after WW2'

Good Neighbour Policy worked for Latin America

Big Stick, Dollar + Moral are fairly similar as they follow the same pattern of American military and economic involvement in Latin America.

Big changes occured after WW1 - isolationist

Europe brought about the beginning of American involvement in Latin America (Spanish-American War) and the end (WW1)