After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. was legendary in the world of war, scraggly colonists having defeated the world superpower: the British Empire. Having been the underdogs, and then a new country, the U.S. spent a lot of time trying to figure out the whole concept of democracy, and put forth their best effort to create the perfect government. As a new country in its early stages, many of the founding fathers thought the
US should have minimal international relations given their status, and remained in a relative state of isolation until they no longer could.
Decades passed, and isolationism ideals continued. It was not until 1917 that the US made its first step towards earning the status of powerhouse.
A major benchmark in the US foreign policy was the first world war, followed by the second. In both, the US joined the wars late, and in both cases, especially World War I, the US declaring war was a turning point. It was the first time the United States had been willing to turn away their neutrality and turn to war. By World War II, the once neutral and peaceful America was prepared for war. By the end of WWII, the country was widely considered the most powerful nation in the world.
Fast forward a couple more decades. In the Cold War, the U.S. Armory had enough firepower to destroy the world. The US wielded modern weaponry and diplomacy as their sword, enforcing their will on other countries. During the controversy of Vietnam, the once isolationist ideals were abandoned in the past.
Because of this shift from non-threatening underdog to world superpower, the U.S. has approached foreign policy in varying ways over the past two and a half centuries. Throughout this time, the United States expanded international involvement beyond its own borders. As the US's involvement has evolved, so has the American public's opinion of their country's decisions.
US should have minimal international relations given their status, and remained in a relative state of isolation until they no longer could.
Decades passed, and isolationism ideals continued. It was not until 1917 that the US made its first step towards earning the status of powerhouse.
A major benchmark in the US foreign policy was the first world war, followed by the second. In both, the US joined the wars late, and in both cases, especially World War I, the US declaring war was a turning point. It was the first time the United States had been willing to turn away their neutrality and turn to war. By World War II, the once neutral and peaceful America was prepared for war. By the end of WWII, the country was widely considered the most powerful nation in the world.
Fast forward a couple more decades. In the Cold War, the U.S. Armory had enough firepower to destroy the world. The US wielded modern weaponry and diplomacy as their sword, enforcing their will on other countries. During the controversy of Vietnam, the once isolationist ideals were abandoned in the past.
Because of this shift from non-threatening underdog to world superpower, the U.S. has approached foreign policy in varying ways over the past two and a half centuries. Throughout this time, the United States expanded international involvement beyond its own borders. As the US's involvement has evolved, so has the American public's opinion of their country's decisions.