War and Foreign Policy Study Guide

Washington's Farewell Address

Advised against foreign alliances and entanglements.

Bixby Letter

Famous for its expression of American values.

War of 1812

Conflict between U.S., Britain; revealed U.S. resilience.

Monroe Doctrine

Opposed European colonialism in the Americas.

Westward Expansion

Increased U.S. territory; led to conflicts.

American Civil War

Strengthened U.S. global power post-conflict.

Seward's Folly

Purchase of Alaska; initially seen as foolish.

Annexation of Hawaii

Strategic expansion; increased U.S. influence in Pacific.

Mahan's Military Strategy

Emphasized naval power for global influence.

Spanish-American War

U.S. intervention in Cuba; gained territories.

Panama Canal

Facilitated trade; strategic military advantage.

Roosevelt Corollary

Asserted U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Dollar Diplomacy

Promoted U.S. economic interests abroad.

WWI Impact

Elevated U.S. status; economic boom followed.

Neutrality Acts

Legislation to prevent U.S. involvement in wars.

Quarantine Speech

FDR urged nations to confront aggressors.

Cash-and-Carry Policy

Allowed U.S. to supply allies during WWII.

Lend-Lease Act

Provided military aid to allies pre-WWII.

Four Freedoms Speech

Outlined essential freedoms; influenced U.S. policy.

Pearl Harbor

Attack that led to U.S. entering WWII.

European vs. Pacific Theater

Different fronts of WWII; unique strategies.

Tuskegee Airmen

African American pilots who fought in WWII.

Navajo Code Talkers

Used native language for secure communications.

Japanese-American Internment

Forced relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Harry Truman

Became President; made decision to use atomic bombs.

Marshall Plan

U.S. aid to rebuild Europe post-WWII.

Containment

U.S. strategy to prevent spread of communism.

Domino Theory

Belief that communism would spread in Asia.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Expanded U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.

My Lai Massacre

Mass killing that shifted public opinion on Vietnam.

War Powers Act of 1973

Limited President's military engagement powers.