Overview of Major Conflicts and U.S. Foreign Policy

World Wars

  • World War I (1914-1918)

    • Caused by longstanding alliances and the assassination of Serbian Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
    • The U.S. joined the conflict on the side of the Allies (UK, France, Russia).

  • World War II (1939-1945)

    • Initiated by the joint invasion of Poland by Germany and the USSR.
    • U.S. entered the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan.
    • Major combatants:
    • Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan
    • Allies: United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union (USSR)
    • Ended with the invasion of Germany and the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
    • Key Leaders: Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler.

U.S. Foreign Policy Philosophies

  • Idealism:
    • Advocates that foreign policy should promote democracy and human rights.
  • Realism:
    • Argues that foreign policy should primarily serve U.S. material and security interests.

Cold War Era (1947-1991)

  • Conflict characterized by political tension between the USSR and the U.S.
    • Notably, the Cold War did not see direct military confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR; rather, it involved proxy wars and indirect conflict between allies.
    • Features included:
    • Nuclear arms race
    • Proxy wars
    • Policy of mutually assured destruction (MAD) which serves as a deterrent against nuclear war.
    • Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD):
    • A doctrine that posits no side can initiate a nuclear attack without facing total annihilation.
    • Discussed in Jonathan Schell’s book, The Fate of the Earth, addressing existential risks of nuclear conflict.
    • Delivery Systems for Nuclear Weapons:
    • Delivery through a Strategic Triad: land-based missiles, submarines, and strategic bombers.
    • Illustrated in the Netflix film House of Dynamite, which explores decision-making in nuclear crises.

Major Cold War Conflicts:

  • Korean War (1950s):

    • North Korea, supported by USSR and China, invaded South Korea.
    • The U.S., under Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, intervened to contain communism.

  • Vietnam War (1960s-1970s):

    • Sparked by a purported attack on a U.S. ship in 1964, leading Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which authorized presidential military action.
    • Skepticism exists regarding the legitimacy of the initial attack report.
    • U.S. aimed to prevent the spread of communism, with North Vietnam being led by communist Ho Chi Minh and South Vietnam being allied with the U.S.
    • Major escalation occurred under President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ), during his term from 1963 to 1969.
    • Anti-war protests erupted nationwide, with significant events such as the Kent State University shooting in 1970, where four protesters were killed.
    • The U.S. withdrew support for South Vietnam in 1973, leading to communist control of Vietnam by 1975.
    • Remarkably, the U.S. later established trade relations with Vietnam and considered an alliance against China.

Contemporary Conflicts and Potential Hotspots (2025)

  1. Taiwan: The People's Republic of China seeks to annex Taiwan.
  2. Ukraine Conflict:
    • Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and attempts to destabilize President Zelensky’s government in 2022, with a prolonged stalemate supported by arms from the U.S. and allies.
  3. Israel-Hamas Conflict (2024):
    • Israel launched significant military retaliations against Hamas and Hezbollah following Hamas's attacks.
  4. U.S. Military Posture:
    • U.S. positioned a large naval presence off the coast of Venezuela as a counter to Nicholas Maduro’s regime.

Economic Context

  • U.S. Economic Position:
    • The U.S. holds the world's largest economy measured by GDP; the People's Republic of China ranks second, linking economic power to military capabilities.
  • Supply and Demand: Principles governing price levels in markets:
    • Demand:
    • Consumer willingness to purchase at various price levels. Lower prices typically increase demand (e.g., a sale on video games).
    • Supply:
    • Producer willingness to sell at various price levels. Higher prices incentivize increased production (e.g., higher prices for sneakers lead to greater production).
    • Equilibrium Price:
    • The point where demand matches supply, creating market balance.
Historical Context of Tariffs and Trade
  • Tariffs were significant sources of U.S. revenue before the introduction of income tax in 1913 (16th Amendment).
  • Protectionism vs. Free Trade:
    • Free Trade: Encourages unrestricted cross-border commerce based on comparative advantage.
    • Protectionism: Implements tariffs, currency manipulations, and restrictions to shield domestic industries.
    • Key Thinker: David Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage emphasizes mutual benefits in trade relationships.
Wars Leading to Territorial Changes
  • War of 1812: U.S. conflict with Britain over maritime rights and colonial claims.
  • Mexican-American War (1846): Resulted from border disputes, yielding territories like California and Arizona to the U.S.
  • Spanish-American War (1898): Triggered by the sinking of the USS Maine, leading to American acquisition of Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam.

Major Trade Agreements

  • NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement): Aimed to remove trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, revised as USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) during Trump’s presidency.
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): Negotiated to enhance trade with Pacific Rim nations, designed to counterbalance China’s influence; modified under the Obama Administration.