United States Foreign Policy from 1945-2015

Post-WWII and Cold War Rise (1945–1973)

KEY IDEA: U.S. emerges as a bipolar superpower opposite the USSR; Cold War dominates foreign policy.

• 1945: U.S. is the only nuclear power and has unmatched economic strength.

• United Nations created (1945), with U.S. playing a dominant role.

• Marshall Plan (1948): U.S. funds European recovery → spreads capitalism, combats communism.

• NATO (1949): Military alliance led by U.S. to deter Soviet aggression.

• Containment Policy: Truman Doctrine (aid to Greece/Turkey), Korea (1950–53), Vietnam (escalates under LBJ).

• Massive nuclear arsenal, space race, and arms race vs. USSR.

• CIA involvement: Iran coup (1953), Guatemala (1954) → shows covert superpower influence.

• Vietnam War (1955–1973): Weakens U.S. image globally; raises domestic dissent.

Crisis of Confidence and Détente (1970s)

KEY IDEA: U.S. still powerful but challenged; power is increasingly questioned.

• Vietnam ends in 1973 → U.S. prestige suffers.

• Détente under Nixon: Eases Cold War tensions with China (1972 visit) and USSR (SALT I).

• Oil crisis (1973) → reveals U.S. economic vulnerabilities.

• Iranian Revolution & hostage crisis (1979) → perception of declining U.S. control in Middle East.

• Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979) → Cold War tensions spike again.

Reassertion of Power (1980s)

KEY IDEA: U.S. reasserts Cold War dominance under Reagan.

• Reagan Doctrine: Support anti-communist movements worldwide (e.g., Afghanistan, Nicaragua).

• Military buildup, Strategic Defense Initiative (“Star Wars”).

• Evil Empire speech, escalates Cold War rhetoric.

• U.S. pushes USSR toward collapse by outspending it militarily and economically.

• 1989: Fall of Berlin Wall, collapse of Eastern Bloc.

Unipolar Moment (1991–2001)

KEY IDEA: Cold War ends → U.S. becomes the sole global superpower.

• 1991: USSR dissolves — U.S. is now unchallenged militarily and economically.

• Gulf War (1991): U.S. leads global coalition against Iraq → shows unmatched military power.

• Clinton Era: Spreads globalization (NAFTA, WTO), pushes for “democracy promotion.”

• U.S. intervenes in Bosnia, Kosovo (humanitarian/military).

• U.S. expands NATO eastward → seen as asserting dominance in former Soviet sphere.

War on Terror and Global Pushback (2001–2015)

KEY IDEA: U.S. still dominant, but facing new asymmetric threats and emerging global powers.

• 9/11 attacks (2001) → shifts U.S. foreign policy toward counterterrorism.

• War in Afghanistan (2001–) and Iraq (2003): U.S. acts unilaterally at times → damages global image.

• "Axis of Evil" speech: Bush promotes interventionist foreign policy.

• Growing anti-American sentiment worldwide, especially in the Middle East.

• 2008 economic crisis: Global power appears shaken; U.S. economy deeply impacted.

• Obama promotes multilateralism: Iran Nuclear Deal, Paris Climate Agreement.

• Rising challengers: China (economic power), Russia (military influence), EU (diplomacy).