US History - Section 1 The limits of foreign engagement and continuation of isolationism

What term was referred when the USA would seem detached from foreign entanglement ?

Isolationism

How was the USA able to avoid entanglement in foreign issues (3) ?

• Geographical position of the USA - far away from the ‘great powers’ of Europe, this meant it could avoid involvement in international issues

• USA felt itself unique that it was set up as a new republic - born out of rebellion against Britain (imperial power) and it had no desire to get involved with powers who’s values it rejected

• It often populated by people seeking to escape persecution in their own lands who wanted to make a new start, not being involved in the affairs of the countries they had left

Who was President James Monroe and what did he warn about in 1823 ?

• Warned European powers against involvement in affairs on the American continent

What was the reason for the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 ?

• At the time it was largely due to countries in Latin and South America fighting for independence from Spain

Who was the Monroe Doctrine applied against in 1866 ?

• Applied against the French involvement in Mexico in 1866

What led to a rebellion by Mexican forces ?

• While the USA was going through the Civil War, France established a puppet emperor (Maximilian) in Mexico which was supported by French troops

What did US Secretary of State (William. H Seward) demand after the Civil War was over ?

• Demanded that the French withdraw and move 5,000 troops to the Mexican border

What was the French reaction to Sewards demands ?

They acceded to Seward’s demands and withdrew leaving Maximilian to his fate

What were the weaknesses / negatives of the Monroe Doctrine ?

• Not applied consistently

• USA did not prevent Britain from acquiring the. Colonies of British Guiana and Honduras in 1831 and 1832

• Spanish maintained their control of Cuba until the end of the century

How far did USA follow the policy of Isolationism and give examples ?

• Did not follow it strictly

• Had too any interests

• E.g. It went to war with Mexico in the 1840’s to acquire vast stretches of territory north of the Rio Grande which became the states of California, Arizona and New Mexico

What are the examples of US not keeping up with isolationism (5) ?

• William Seward (State of Secretary 1861 - 1868) pursued expansionist policies such as the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867

• Seward acquired the uninhabited Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean in 1867 - originally to obtain supplies of guano for use in the manufacture of gunpowder and fertiliser

• Congress blocked an attempt in 1870 to acquire the Dominican Republic because it saw no advantage from annexation

• In 1884, Republican leader James Blaine advocated closer links with Latin America, especially for trade

• In 1898, the USA acquired its first major Pacific naval base in Pearl Harbour on the island of Hawaii

What notable disagreements did USA have with Britain (2) ?

• Location of borders between Oregon territory and Canada (British Colony)

• Perceived British support for the Confederacy during the Civil War - Britain was blamed for supplying the South wth cruisers which sank 100,000 tons of Northern shipping, only in 1871 was this dispute finally solved with Britain agreeing to pay $15.5 Million compensation

Why and when did USA recognise the potential of East Asia ?

• Trade

• After ports on the Western seaboard like San Francisco were developed in the 1840’s

• Treaty of China (1844) and Japan (1857) opened up their markets

What did the Burlingame treaty of 1868 endorse ?

• Free trade and free movement of people between the USA and China to stimulate Chinese Immigration for work on railway building in the USA (This was negated by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882)