Foreign policy 1865-1877 (The Reconstruction Era) Flashcards
The Monroe Doctrine 1823 stated that:
1) US policy was to avoid becoming involved in European wars unless American interests were involved
2) The ‘American continents’ were not to be colonised by any European powers
3) Any attempts at colonisation would be regarded as ‘unfriendly’ acts
Reasons for Isolationism in the 19th century
Name 4 points
1) USA felt superior to those countries that took part in expansion and empire building.
2) When industrialisation began, America had sufficient raw materials available not to need imports.
3) The Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans were immense natural barriers
4) No state on America’s borders, such as Canada and Mexico, was a major threat to their interests.
Example when the US intervened due to its interests being directly threatened.
• War with Mexico in 1846
In 1846 the USA went to war with Mexico to support a rebellion in California for independence from Mexican rule.
How did the USA carried a policy of expansion in the 1860s and 1870s
Name 2 points
1) The movement westward
2) The acquisition of Alaska
Expansionism 1860s
• The Far East
In 1867, the USA acquired the uninhabited Midway Island in the West Pacific.
Expansionism 1860s
• China
In 1868, the Burlingame Treaty was signed to promote trade with China, which endorsed the free movement of people and free trade between the USA and China, in part to stimulate Chinese immigration to work on railroad building in the USA.
Counter point of expansionism 1860s
• The Dominican Republic
In 1898, the Dominican Republic offered itself for colonisation but Congress refused lest that people regarded as inferior might have to be admitted into the Union.
Expansionism 1860s
• Alaska
It was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million
Expansionism 1860s
• Why did the US bought Alaska in 1867
The development of Alaskan harbours might provide a gateway to northern Asia where US merchant ships could fuel and make provision for the long journey across the Pacific Ocean.
