Foreign Policy 1865-1877

Question 1

The Monroe Doctrine

Answer 1

1823
- announced by President James Monroe
Established the scope of US interests abroad. Stated that:
- US policy was to avoid becoming involved in European wars unless American interests were involved
- The American Continents were not to be colonised by European powers- attempts at colonisation would be regarded as unfriendly acts
Indicated disinterest in foreign affairs- USA didn’t want to fight overseas until 1898

Question 2

Isolationist view of America

Answer 2

Detached from Foreign entanglements
Europe, home to major powers such as britain, France and Germany, were miles away- USA felt superior to those involved in expansion + empire building
USA became populated by those escaping persecution + discrimination in their own lands- USA didn’t want to get involved in old regimes
Inward looking attitudes from a rural, agricultural nation- USA had sufficient raw materials not to need imports
Pacific + Atlantic Oceans = immense natural barriers
USA was never totally isolationist- prepared to intervene when American interests were threatened
Involvement in Mexico in 1860s over threat to Monroe Doctrine- USA preoccupation with Civil War allowed France to establish a puppet emperor- ruler controlled by others- supported by French troops- France backed down

Question 3

Expansionism: The Far East + The Dominican Republic

Answer 3

1867- USA uninhabited Midway Island in the West Pacific- originally obtained supplies of guano used in manufacture of fertiliser + gunpowder
Burlingame Treaty signed- promoted trade with China- endorsed free movement of people + free trade between USA + China- stimulated Chinese immigration to work on railroad building in the USA
1869- Dominican Republican offered itself for colonisation but Congress refused
Federal Govt.attempted to annex the Republic stimulated a debate over imperial expansion in Congress
Those in favour argued USA able to exploit the wealth + resources of the Dominican Republic + sell its goods to a ready market there
Those against it argued USA wouldn’t deal with ‘savages’
Fear that those regarded inferior to Congress may have to be admitted to the Union or former colonies might become states + reduce the traditional white American states
Senate rejected the annexation of the Republic

Question 4

Expansionism: Alaska

Answer 4

Purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million
Russia keen to sell it due to few resources + settlers
America wanted Alaska for:
- Seward felt development of Alaskan harbours would provide a gateway to Northern Asia where US merchant ships could fuel
- It would expand the Pacific coastline of USA, spread US rule + keep British out
- Made sense to maintain good relations with Russia

Question 5

American relations with Britain + Canada

Answer 5

Strained relations between US + Canada- support given to the Confederacy by Britain + Canada during the Civil War
Union objected to the building of Confederate ships in British dockyards
End of the Civil War- USA demanded compensation from Britain
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee wanted $2 billion or the ceding of the whole of Canada to the USA
Canada became a self-governing Dominion(with the British Empire) in 1867
USA retaliated by allowing Fenian Raids (Irish Republican organisation fighting for independence from Britain) across the border into Canada from 1866 to 1872
Britain agreed to pay $15.5 million to USA for damage caused by Confederate commerce raiders built in Britain to the US merchant fleet during the Civil War