American Foreign Policy: the History Between 1890 and 1920

With the beginning of the 21st century, it is high time to look back and gain some on the past outlook on where America stands as a nation. If the founding fathers of the nation were to come back, they would find it very difficult to understand the administrative arrangement of the country. The main causes of this revolution can be attributed to the involvement of America in war, as well as the preparation of war over the past century. Conflicts have changed the mandate of our constitution, the course of the development of the nation, as well as the mentality of Americans. The distortion process began approximately a hundred years ago when assured significant moves were taken that in time transformed essentially the charisma of our nation. One idea of the republic was dropped and another one was adopted, even though no deliberate, conscious resolution was ever made. This transformation had a significant impact on the lives of Americans in all areas at the end of the day. This is the reason America is different today from the original ideal that was left by the founders of the nation, and without a doubt, from what perhaps is still being cherished by Americans.

The progressive era of 1890-1920 denotes a period when the history of the United States when the nation witnessed several changes. Industry's advances, waves of immigrants, growth in population among other factors significantly contributed to concluding that there was a need for the governmental systems of the nation to undergo some changes to meet the requirements of the Americans. The nation did not only amend most of its domestic policies, but it also came up with a new strategy concerning foreign affairs that were different from traditional stances that had been left by the founders of the nation. Consequently, the country increased the willingness to take military action in conflicts of other countries. Thus, the Progressive Era denotes the period in which America shifted from defending Americans only and their properties. In other words, it started to have the interest of citizens of other countries in terms of protection. This started by fighting with Spain, the war for the takeover of the Philippines, as well as entry into the 1st World War.

America entered into war for various reasons. However, in its heart, the nation was motivated by the urge to promoting freedom, democracy, and civilization around the globe. The policy that was left by the founders of the nation before the Progressive Era promoted these policies internationally. However, America promoted neutrality in these wars unless its citizens or their properties faced duress from the conflicts. The Founders feared the cost of having a large professional army because of costs. Additionally, they feared that the generals might have a lot of power and turn against them. Thus there was a limit of military involvement in foreign policy Military costs and forces did not need to be large thus enabling them to defend rather than focus on the nation. However, several factors, including globalization, Western civilization, and increased strength of the military-led to a change in the policy. America took an extra working role in foreign affairs by fighting across the globe rather than defending the homeland only.

In most instances, Americans believed that countries that involved themselves in the war lost the liberty of being Free states. Therefore, the war had to be undertaken to prevent America to be attacked by the fighting republics. In other words, they were simply preventing the war to spread to their nation. The systems of governing that were left by the Founders - with its power, payment of bills, and divisions of power focused on the regions instead of the national administration – was influenced by on harmony as the usual state of our community. The idea was not only from Madison and Washington, but also Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and other people who took part in the birth of America. For over a hundred years, it was elaborated and adhered to by our leaders. This move can be called America first, or nonintervention, or neutrality. The significant implication on the policy was that, while we took part in ensuring the liberty of other countries, we would not turn to be knight-errant, thinning out our principles across the globe through wars.

Through the Progressive Era and into the 1920s, America adopted a policy of intervention in Central America, as well as the Caribbean. As a result, the United States was able to preserve the social, independence or political stability of the Cubans. Additionally, the government of Cuba approved to give land for the American naval base to be constructed on the land mass of Guantanamo Bay. The government of the United States used this opportunity to send its troops to Cuba. Similarly, an agreement that was signed in 1904 maintained that any country in the Western Hemisphere that was found to be involving itself in 'chronic mistakes' might force the United States to take stern action against them which might involve exercising of 'international policing'; meaning, intervention. Through this principle, the Dominican Republic was placed under the control of America through an agreement after a revolution threated the agreements in the year 1916. This American troops to occupy the country up to 1924. Essentially a similar policy was applied to the Haiti republic where America troops remained for nineteen years from 1915 to 1934.

It has been noted that America has witnessed many changes between 1890 and 1920. Most of these changes were made to meet the requirements of the Americans. The policy that was left by the Founders of the nation could not meet the interests of Americans as well as of foreigners effectively. Several factors can be attributed to the desire to make these changes. The range from population increase advances in the industry, as well as the desire of the nation to solve conflicts in other countries. America had to change its foreign policy. It wanted to promote civilization, freedom, and protection in other republics. It is worth to note that the main reason for interrupting with conflicts of other countries was to prevent the war from spreading to their country. Even the policy that was left by the Founders supported these ideals especially when Americans or their properties were under duress.