Foreign Policy During World War II - 847 Words

Foreign policy, in its most general sense, is the relations of one country to another on the international stage. It can strengthen or destroy administrations, create or tarnish legacies, and ensue or conclude conflicts. But regardless, foreign policy contributes to the creation of significant and noteworthy history that future generations can create precedents from; this includes events and decisions that occurred in the twentieth century. Throughout this time, the United States was involved in numerous conflicts and made difficult decisions that impacted the international community in occasionally significant manners. Of these incidents, the three most important involvements by the United States in world affairs include: the U.S. entry into World War II with emphasis on the European Theatre, the U.S. bombings of Japan, and President Ronald Reagan’s â€Å"Tear Down this Wall† speech. On December 7th, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service bombed the U.S. nava l base of Pearl Harbor in the Hawaii Territory which resulted in multiple destroyed vessels, hundreds of lost aircraft, and over 2,300 human casualties (The WWII Museum). This was quickly followed by a U.S. declaration of war against the Empire of Japan. Then on December 11th, Adolf Hitler, Fà ¼hrer of Nazi Germany, declared war on the U.S. to honor his Tripartite Pact with Japan. This was countered on the same day by the U.S. with its own declaration of war against Germany (The History Place). As a result ofShow MoreRelatedAmerican Foreign Policy During World War II1565 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican foreign policy shifted drastically from the birth of the new nation to the beginning of the 20th century. George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796 left an admonition for the nation and isolationist roots from its founding President; however, by the early 1900s, William McKinley and other American Presidents took part in imperialistic foreign policy that represented a co mplete digression from Washington’s doctrine. After World War I and before the impending Second World War, AmericanRead MoreAmerican Foreign Policy During World War II1909 Words   |  8 Pagesend of the First World War and the start of World War II, American foreign policy gradually changed and evolved in order to fit the beliefs of the country as a whole and adapt to new international situations. World War I had not been particularly well received by the American public, with the vast majority of the people condemning U.S. involvement; they believed that the war had only hurt them and that the glorious country of America should no longer get involved in foreign wars and affairs. In essenceRead MoreU.s. Foreign Policy During World War II Essay1357 Words   |  6 PagesThe turn of the twentieth century brought about changes in all aspects of American domestic society and especially in the course of U.S. Foreign Policy. The factors leading up to American involvement in the S panish-American War of 1898 and in World War II, respectively, mark drastic shifts in domestic attitudes towards America’s role in the world. Ostensibly, the decisions to intervene in Cuba in 1898 and in Europe in 1917 were both products of aggressions against Americans at sea, endangered economicRead MoreHitler s Foreign Policy During The World War II2305 Words   |  10 Pagesofficial start of the Second World War is most commonly linked with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. Nevertheless, there are still ongoing disagreements as to whether Adolf Hitler, the leader of Germany at the time, aspired to spark an extensive world war through his actions in Eastern Europe. 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The inflation had undermined the sanctity of property. The war had shrunk the rights of individuals and enhanced the power of the State. The politicizing of economic and social life means that every dispute and every disagreement were now become the matter of national interest. This rivalry had startedRead MoreThe War Of The Vietnam War1608 Words   |  7 Pageschange was thrust upon them in the form of the Vietnam War. The Vietnam war forced the U.S’s hand in adopting a very aggressive form of foreign policy. The Vietnam war was highly controversial and unpopular with the American public. The United States’ involvement in the Vietnam war lasted from 1965-1972, and it was the first war to fight Guerilla fighters head on in the U.S. This pressured the U.S to adopt a very aggressive form of foreign policy to combat communist guerilla fighters. Vietnam was notRead MoreAmerica, An Ever Changing World Superpower1504 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica, an Ever-Changing World Superpower America has been viewed in a wide variety of ways on the global stage. From the Progressive Era to containment, the view of the United States as a world power has changed dramatically. The country went through a large process of adopting an isolationist policy during the Progressive Era. This isolationist view was also present pre and post-World War I. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, America took a bold stance and using its industrial power pushed itselfRead MoreThe Historical Birth Of The Concept Of Foreign Policy In1527 Words   |  7 Pagesconcept of Foreign Policy in the United States has had a very interesting start. During today s policymaking it may seem like we have our hand and every cookie jar. However, this was not how our nation initially started out. President Washington argued the great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is to have them as little political connection as possible (New Framework for Foreign Affairs, 2013) It would seem that the foun ders did not feel the need to have extensive foreign policies