USFP - Important Events

Notre Dame - US Foreign Policy with Prof. Joe Parent. Have fun and God bless you if you have to take this class.

French & Indian War

1754-63

War between French/Ind & Eng/American Colonies. Resulted in Eng victory and French withdrawal from N. America. Eng put taxes on colonies to pay for war. Colonies no longer had an outside force threatening them (France), so they turned their grievances internal (Eng and their taxes).

Independence

1776

Colonies no longer a part of England. Foundation of our confederation. We were established as a very loose country in the Dutch model, which set the stage for later unification debates.

Peace of Paris

1783

Ended the Revolutionary War. We originally made a separate pact with Britain, but made a new treaty (Treaty of Paris) to ask the French for forgiveness and more money.

Mount Vernon Conference

1785

Basically the start of the movement for a constitution. Instigated because Madison made up a story about a river dispute between Maryland and Viriginia. ML showed up, but Wash had to deputize reps fr VA because no one did. Invited them to his place. Nothing really happened but Madison said it was a success and proposed an even bigger meeting in Annapolis. Important because start of push for consitutional conventions.

Annapolis Convention

1786

Bigger meeting about interstate commerce, only a few ppl show up though. Madison still proposes an even bigger event in Philadelphia. Again, no one really cares. Basically just sets up the next meeting.

Shay’s Rebellion

1786

Hevaily dramatized, served as propaganda against Art of Confed. Basically the Masshole Governor denied Rev. War vets their gov’t issued IOUs to pay for taxes so he could privately short them to get rich. They symbolically took over a weapon store and the governor called in the army. Small skirmish at weapons store. Again just a propaganda tool.

Philadelphia Convention

1787

Constitution revealed and details over ratification pounded out. More people show up, but a selection bias in place where only Federalists really attended. Super secretive because this was technically treason. Madison showed up w/Const. already drafted. Had Great Compromise and 3/5ths Clause. Decide on using “special ratifying conventions” because pop vote would’ve been disasterous. Decide need 9/13 states so they could militarily invade the remaining 4 if they disagree. Important because groundwork and plan for unification.

Unification

1788

Constitution ratified! Heavily pushed through, even coerced to be signed. Became viable b/c of Shay’s Rebellion “posing a threat” and Washington & Madison’s clout/private info. They were more cohesive and willing to pass it in shady ways. Passage driven by fear of foreigners; states hated e/o, but hated England and France more. Madison originally opposed to Bill of Rights b/c enumeration is dangerous, but flips because he’d prefer he write them than anti-federalists. BoR extremely effective in flipping last few states, along w/coersion.

Judiciary Act

1789

Explained Article 3 of the Constitution. Set up the Judiciary Branch’s structure

Northwestern Ordinance

1789

Solved how states joined the union. Every state was equal, no matter when they join.

Naturalization Act

1790

If you’re a white male in the country for more than 2 years, you’re a citizen. Set framework for how one attains citizenship, racistly of course but still.

Bill of Rights Ratified

1791

Important because its the Bill of Rights. enumerates basic constitutional liberties

Hamilton’s Report on Manufactures

1791

Later becomes blueprint for US Economy. About need to industrialize and produce higher value goods. Protectionist and advocates high tariffs

Genet Affair

1793

A french minister wanted US to support the French war against Brits, goes to Carolina where Dem-Reps are dominant instead of to DC to lobby Washington. Washington gets upset and kicks him out. Important because it starts cracking at US unification and further formation of political parties.

Jay’s Treaty

1794

Settles our border with Brit/Canada, gets brits out our NW territory, gets us better trade deal. Important also for those same reasons; establishing US further against Brit encroachment/stabilize our independence.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794

Hamilton puts excise tax on whiskey, which makes the poors upset. Basically a couple thousand people go to Pittsburgh to protest against the tax and go home. George Washington treats it as serious and sends 15k troops to quell it. Showed that Fed gov’t not afraid to use its power to ensure unity and enforce the laws it passes.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

1794

Important because basically end of Indian resistance to westward expansion. Also partially leads to Whiskey Rebellion because the rebellers were militiamen who fought here and saw a tax collector trying to tax a poor farmer on their way back home and no like.

Pickney’s Treaty

1785

Important because we get to navigate the Mississippi legally. Done w/Spain. They also can’t fund indian rebellions.

Washington’s Farewell Address

1796

First half: “Thank God we’re united”. Second Half: “Don’t get into permanent alliances, don’t get involved in foreign shit until we’re bigger and stronger”. Basically stressed unification and expansion and neutrality. Important because that’s the IR we used. We ignored the 1st bit about no factions but

XYZ Affair

1797-98

Basically important because almost got us into war with France. We sent 3 ambassadors to get our cargo ships back from France and they try to make us pay to meet with them and seduce us with whores. Important because we void our treaties and alliances with France, bulk up the army and navy, and pass Alien and Sedition Act as a result.

Quasi-War

1798-1800

Important because almost fight war with france. We win because france sent shitty ships. fought for 2 years and then france sued for peace. Felt we had to prove ourselves that we were a nation to be taken seriously

Alien and Sedition Act

1798

Basically targeted at France. Limited freedom of speech and press, raised years to citizenship req., could deport ppl now. Important because part of domestic response to Quasi-War

Fries’ Rebellion

1799

Basically protested against a window tax by a peaceful jail break. Fries was tried twice without a lawyer and sentenced to death. Important because kinda led to demise of Fed party b/c they were super harsh against Fries.

Louisiana Purchase

1803

We bought huge amounts of land from the french. Basically jumpstarts western expansion/turbulent frontier. We originally were going to fight the Fr for the land but we calmed down and just bought it. Mostly bought it because we were worried the British would get it. Important because we basically doubled in size as a nation.

Haitian Independence

1801

Haiti = first successful slave revolt. Important because it scared the shit out of slave owners. They started wanting closer control of slaves. Remeber that at this time slaves made up approx 1/3 of the souther population.

First Barbary War

1801-1805

US’ first interaction with Arab states. Basically fighting pirate ships. We weren’t strong enough to KO them and not rich enough to pay them off —> war. Ended in a draw. Important because our first sort of overseas war, built up the navy.

Battle of Tippecanoe

1811

Importantt because Tecumseh politically died. Indians crushed. Effectively marked the end of violent Indian resistance east of the Mississippi.

War of 1812

1812-15

Basically a fight over British trying to pull us into their war against the French. Important because we tried waging economic instead of military war for the first time. It was a very shitty plan, so we eventually switched to military plan because we were getting our asses kicked. Heavily crushed our economy because we were dependent on British trade. Jackson takes New Orleans when victory seems inevitable. Ends in draw. Two big things: fed gov’t’s power increased heavily, and we tried economic warfare for first time.

Second Barbary War

1815

More successful than the first, we won! Important because no longer have pirate ships bossing around THE united states.

Transcontinental Treaty

1819

Spain “sells” us Florida. Thing is we intimidated the shit out of them (Jackson’s “accidental” invasion in 1812 war, we then kept threatening more of that). Spain didn’t want to, but we intimidated them into it.

Monroe Doctrine

1823

Important because we are establishing ourselves as the defenders of Western Hemisphere. No further colonization, 2 spheres and the western sphere is ours, and no european intervention. No one takes it seriously in Europe but Amns love it. We don’t start enforcing it though until 1890s because we were too weak to actually do it.

Indian Removal Act

1830

Started the trail of tears. Expanded the white man’s frontier but also led to about 1/3 of indian population to die on the way. Got 100k acres of land, put indians on 32k acres in the west. Important because expanded frontier and just fucked the indians out of their land.

Texas Independence

1836

Basically happened because the Amns who moved to this part of mexico didn’t like that Mexs declared slavery illegal. They try to join us originally but we didn’t want them because it’d imbalance slave-free state balance.

Texas joins Union

1845

Important because we get more land and also directly caused the mex-am war. We only allow it when we start fearing that Tex would cozy up with Brit. We offer to buy from Mex, Mex says fuck no, then we fight a war over it.

Mexican-American War

1846-48

Important because we get hella land, got 1/3 of our land. Started over Texas and then we said, eh throw in this other stuff. Absolutely an unfair fight, but mexico just refused to surrender. Important because we just took a bunch of land to take it; example of turbulent frontier.

Opium Wars

1839-42

Basically caused because the Chinese didn’t want to trade for tea with Britain and wanted to stop heroin trade. Brits said “oh yeah fuck you” and won twice. Somehow the US got in on the deal and could trade in China. Important because begins US’ involvement with China

Oregon Treaty

1846

We got Seattle, Can got Vancouver. Basically the Brits relent because we have the same population as them by that time so it’d be hard to fight us, esp if we have homefield advantage. Important because it was the only real expansion North against the Brits, albeit limited, and settled our border with Canada.

Taiping Rebellion

1851-64

Led by Jesus’ brother. First of like 5 top “rebellions” (actually more like civil wars). Tens of millions of people died, most b/c of being forced to farm most comp. advantageous crop, leaving them susceptible to blight and starvation. The treaty to end this in 56 let US in on Chinese trade more. Important because US get in on Chinese trade, West involvement to keep China weak under Qing, shows effects of refusing to modernize.

Perry at Tokyo

1853-54

Basically a front for the US to set up trade port in Japan. Show up with his fleet in their harbor and they negotiate treaty after 2nd time he comes. Important because 1st time Japan starts to falter on isolationism, leads to Japan opening to the world and modernizing quickly. Leads to Meiji Restoration.

Boxer Rebellion

1900

Basically nativist rebellion to keep foreign powers out of China, W. or otherwise. Europe collectively sends an army to punish Chinese. Important to US because the punitive measures after its end let the US get more trade and money in China.

Civil War starts

1861

Important becauase it’s the test of whether the union will stay as a union. Happened when it did because the US was strong enough internationally to allow for infighting at home. Also b/c the center of power moved to the north fr. VA/the south b/c of industrial revolution. Last straw was Lincoln, who was voted in w/o any southern support —> “we are doomed if we don’t act” —> Ft. Sumter

Emancipation Proclamation

1863

Basically, “we will pay any price to keep this country together”. Moment where the states turn into a single nation. Makes war about slavery, meaning Brits cannot support CSA.

End of Civil War

1865

Important because Union stays together. The North’s flexibility in centralization was better than the South, so the N won. About 2% of US pop dies in war. Creation of 13-15th amendment, where Bill of Rights gets actually enforced. Leads to Reconstruction

Meiji Restoration

1868

Basically, Japan becomes ruled by modernizers. “Western means for Eastern ends”. Takes best parts of West and adapts it to Japan. Important because successful example of reform/modernization/emulation of success creates more success.

Frontier Closes/End of Indian Wars

1890

Important because we have a consolidated land from coast to coast. Now, we start looking to grow externally/enter empire building era.

Spanish American War

1898

Another example of turbulent frontier. Originally over Cuba, but then we get PR, Philippines, Guam, Wake Islands, etc. We always thought Cuba would be ours, basically war b/c we try buy it but Spain wouldn’t sell and we find apretext to get into war. Roosevelt and Rough Riders. Originally over Cuba, but then we get PR, Philippines, Guam, Wake Islands, etc. Creates the basis for our overseas empire building.

Philippine American War

1899-1902

Philippines doesn’t want us there and do guerilla war against US. US combats this by inventing concentration camps. Important because this is the point where we turn into the European Imperialists we hate. We won tho.

Hay’s 2 Open Notes

1899&1900

Basically in response to Boxer Rebellion: everyone should get equal access to Chinese trade. Established US as part of Chinese trade, “no more spheres of influence let us in”. Invented the Open Door policy in china. Important because tied our policy to open trade in China and “self-determination” (within US’ wants) for them.

Panama Canal Treaty

1903

US builds the Canal!! Imp bc we declare open door for everyone to trade, but not really because we still want keep Europe out of South America.

Russo-Japanese War

1904-5

Does two things: shows Russia’s weakness and Japan’s strength due to different rates of modernization. Japan wins, but in regotiotiation they get gypped out of spoils of war. Important because Japan shows its a rising power, Japan learns with the West there is no way to play fair and win.

Roosevelt Corrolary

1904

Not only should Europe leave western hemsp. alone, US has the duty to protect the o/natns from intervention. Important bc Sets stage for US’ muscular policy for next 25 yrs in Latam.

Great White Fleet

1907

US sends ships to go intimidate Japan. A little racist, but meant to scare Japs and discourage Jap hegemony in E. Asia. Builds on homeland policy of targeting Asian immigrants so they always feel excluded in US.

Bosnian Crisis

1908-9

Austro-Hung absorbed Bosnia. Led to rising tensions b/w Slavs (Serbs, russians, etc) and Austro-Hung/Germ. Imp because heightened tensions w/ of balkan instablility. Contributer to start of ww1

WWI starts

1914

Outbreak because of Franz Ferdinand Assasination by Princip. Basically coalitions lead entire European continent to get involved. A-H decl. war of Serb. Rus decl. war on A-H, then DEU decl. war. THen france and Brit decl. war.

Lusitania Sinks

1915

US didn’t really do anything, but ppl started calling for US to get into war. Not the actual reason US gets into war. We were totally carrying weapons on the ship tho

Wilson Corollary

1917

Adds onto Monroe Doctrine that no Euro intervention into Latam to collect on debts. Further bick sticking in Latin America

Zimmerman Telegram/Note

1917

Imp b/c it makes US get into WWI. We enter as an associated pwr tho so we seem neutral but we were effectively allied power. Caused US pop to HATE on DEU ppl. Amn entry swiftly ends WWI.

Russian Revolution

1917

Important because its the origin of the Soviets. Basically anti-tsar revolt that succeeds, so the new guy comes in. New guy continues in WWI, which gets him revolted against and the bolsheviks win out. Red army wins because more unified and ruthless, despite US backing of white army. Caused first red scare in US.

Brest-Litovsk Treaty

1918

Between DEU and Russia, Rus concedes a lot of land. Important because DEU thinks they are winning WWI b/c they j got all this land —> pride b4 the fall. In reality, they losing on W. front. This leads to DEU self-pitying after WWI ends.

Russian Civil War

1918-22

Continuation of Revolution basically. Red army wins because more unified and ruthless, despite US backing of white army. Caused first red scare in US, which created the FBI. Cemented Bolsheviks as winners and created USSR.

WWI ends

1918

Important because DEU loses, but since we don’t crush them they blame the Jews for losing; “It can’t be that we lost, its gotta be the Jews’ fault; we are at fault for nothing”. Hitler take advantage of this attitute later. Also perceptions of LT power loom large; still indeterminate whether DEU or RUS will be main pwr in Euro; DEU and Rus want to check each other but don’t end up executing the check

Versailles Treaty

1919

Ends WWI. Imp. because it is a hodge-podge of shit. Says self-determination, but then lets Fr. and Brit. carve world up. Japan is once again screwed —> more frustriation. Creates Weimar Republic. Creates Eastern Pwr vacuum

Washington Naval Treaty

1922

Set up ratios of how many ships ppl can build. Japan, DEU gets screwed in treaty. Important b/c reaffirms US naval dominance and Japan once again screwed

Kellogg Briand Pact

1928

Idealist treaty saying “let’s dearm!” but there was no way to enforce it in the treaty. Basically useless attempt at de-escalation post WWI.

Great Depression

1929-39 to 41

Hugely impactful for world economy. Basically great instability causes more instability. Partially caused hyperinflation in DEU which eliminated middle class —> Hitler. Made people sympathize with assasinations, which were common during the era.

Second Sino-Japanese War Starts

1937

Japan’s army builds a pretext to invade China. They’re high off victory from ther long line of successes post-Meiji reformation. Toyko like “oh shit, well ig we’ll go w/ it”. Basically continuing to emulate empires by building Empire. Rape of Nanking also here. Important because complicates our relationship w/Jap to where we value Chinese>Jap in WWII

Anschluss

1938

DEU annexes Austria. Ppl were against it, but not that against it. Imp because start of DEU expansion throughout C. Europe.

Sudentenland Crisis

1938

DEU puts troops in Sudentenland, which has a bunch of industry and resources. Important because DEU expansion + they get resources.

Munich Putsch/Beer Hall Putsch

1938

Failed coup by Hitler. Basically expanded Hitler’s career. Later becomes a (weak) justification for US intervention to prevent tyrannical dictators in Cold War.

Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact

1939

Plan b/w Russia & DEU to carve up Poland. Important b/c once executed, DEU would basically start WWII b/c of it.

WWII Starts

1939

DEU invades Poland. This is the point where the allies end appeasement and declare war. Ardennes originally gets Hitler a jumpstart in the war against Fr via blitzkrieg. Sets in motion that Hitler will just keep going because he hasn’t received negative feedback yet.

Operation Barbarosa

1941

DEU finally gets some negative feedback. Betrays USSR. Drags USSR into the war. Hitler’s first major defeat. Causes US to ramp up defense spending.

Pearl Harbor, start of Pacific WWII

1941

Japan bombs Hawaii. We kinda provoked it but it was basically Japan kicking Andre the Giant in the nuts. Wouldn’t end well for them. Gives US pretext to join WWII. Jap attacks US b/c history of belittling and think they have to do something desperate or die, need oil and US cut them off. Japan does quick battle to expand across SEA and tries to hold on for dear life, which was short sighted plan. US wins Pac front despite Japanese pluckiness. Start of end of WWII

Bretton Woods

1944 

International monetary agreement. Created the IMF and World Bank. Important because a part of (semi) post-WWII Leage of Nations type stuff.

WWII Ends

1945

Ends in Europe before it did in Pacific. Only ended in Pacific after the nukes. The war was practically over once USSR and US were in the war though. Important b/c after war the US proved to be a superpower and US became worried about regional power balances.

Yalta Conference

1945

B/w USSR, US and UK. About how to split up land post war. Creates the UN. Included morgenthau plan, which was to turn DEU into a big farm, which would lead ppl to starve b/c they don’t know how to farm (wasn’t implemented heavily).

UN First Convenes

1945

Important because establishes international community of nations, trying to prevent WWIII

Long Telegram

1946

Written by George Kenon (exp on Russia). Important because lays groundwork for post-war relations w/USSR. About containing USSR, only people who can take out USSR is russian cits when they see how bad it is.

Iron Curtain Speech

1946

Done by Churchill. Marked moment where the bipolarity lines were being drawn along US vs USSR lines

Baruch Plan

1946

Plan for US to give up nuclear monopoly & give them to UN. Fails because USSR doesn’t think we’d actually do it. Important because US’ first flirt with nonproliferation and denuclearization.

Truman Doctrine

1947

“Free people resisting foreign powers” aka USSR. Basically says we won’t let USSR play dirty; want to contain communism. Important because basis for containment policy

National Security Act

1947

Created foundational structure of US nat’l security system. Unified DOD; created CIA, National Security Council (NSC); formalized Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Berlin Blockade

1947-8

Basically showed USSR we won’t back down. Did the air lifts to give food (with soviet help). Eventually relented b/c USSR just gave up.

Marshall Plan

1948-52

Gives $13 bn to Europe in hopes they’ll share it and economically rebuild/recover. Important because it worked; it rebuilt W. Europe’s economy and helped stop spread of communism.

NATO Formation

1949

US’ first permanent alliance. We didn’t really want to be in it; it was set up so we could leave it and Europeans defend Europe. Goal was to keep USSR out and keep DEU down.

USSR first tests nukes

1949

Basically US no longer the only nuclear power. starts the arms race

PRC established

1949

China becomes a communist state. We could’ve driven a wedge between USSR & PRC, but we were too focused on creating a single-image boogeyman of communism. Important because communism spread to big country, threatens our presence in Asia.

Nitze’s NSC 68

1950

Basically an attempt to scare US into spending more money on defense, only taken seriously when Korean War broke out. Important because we did start spending a lot on defense (11% of GDP), gave big boost to Japanese econ b/c we buy stuff from them for K. War

Korean War

1950-53

We kept pushing until we got to China, and then China pushed back. Ended in a stalemate. MacArthur blunders everything, threatens to nuke China —> they now want nukes. Imp b/c first real war for containment, makes China think they need nukes.

McCarthyism

1950-54

Basically a fraud, said a bunch of communist infiltration in gov’t. A big witch hunt occurs. Imp b/c Fed pwr grew & violated civ rights, amplifies Cold War anxieties.

US Hydrogen Bomb

1952

Far more powerful than nukes. Just so advanced we don’t even know how to practically use it. USSR was close behind. Important because its the fucking H-bomb

EDC, ECSC

1952

Lays groundwork for EU/possibility of European unification. ECSC = use economics to draw us together so we can become politically united. EDC= defensive pact so Euro defends itself.

Stalin Dies

1953

Important because Stalin was dead set on conflict sooner later than later, so him dying when he did was good.

USSR Hydrogen Bomb

1953

USSR gets H-Bomb. Important because intensifies arms race/Cold War.

Iranian Coup

1953

Instance of couping your way to victory by Ike. Made a bad situation worse. Comes off string of successful coups in Fr. and Italy —>CIA got heady —> coupmania. Imp b/c maybe covert opps isn’t as sucessful as we think.

Guatemala Coup

1954

Same as Iranian. Too many successful coups —> CIA got heady —> More coups. Made a bad situation worse. Imp b/c maybe covert opps isn’t as sucessful as we think.

Warsaw Pact Formed

1955

anti-NATO alliance of Eastern Bloc. Important because it’s USSR’s answer to NATO, allowed USSR more control over satellite states.

Suez Crisis

1956

Brit, Fr. & Israel attack Egypt. One of few times we side against our allies. Ike says withdraw or we’ll wreck you economically. Important because marks the end of the British empire.

Sputnick

1957

Important because scares US into investing into space

Gaither Report

1957

Culmination of hysteria about “gaps” in our military complex, said we were lagging behind USSR.