Task: Identify two events (Monroe Doctrine & Open Door Policy) in U.S History that demonstrate how the U.S has promoted the national interest by taking foreign policy actions and for each event :
.Discuss the historical circumstances that led the United States to take that action.
. Evaluate the success or failure of that foreign policy action in promoting the national interest of the United States.
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Event 1: Monroe Doctrine
The historical circumstances that led the United States to take action with the Monroe Doctrine were primarily motivated by the geopolitical realities of the early 19th century. At the time, several Latin American countries were gaining independence from European colonial powers. The United States, under President James Monroe, saw this as an opportunity to strengthen its position in the Western Hemisphere while also protecting its national interests.
The Monroe Doctrine, declared in 1823, aimed to prevent any further colonization or intervention by European powers in the Americas. It essentially stated that any attempt by European powers to reestablish control over newly independent Latin American countries or interfere in their internal affairs would be seen as a threat to the United States.
In terms of success, the Monroe Doctrine was effective in achieving its immediate objectives. It warned European powers to stay away from American territories and, at the same time, presented the United States as the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere. This allowed the U.S to maintain its sphere of influence in the region and prevented any significant European intervention in Latin America.
However, the long-term success of the Monroe Doctrine is more debatable. While it did establish the United States as a regional power, some argue that it also contributed to a tradition of interventionism in the Americas, with the U.S frequently intervening in Latin American affairs in the years that followed. The Doctrine's success in promoting the national interest of the United States is largely dependent on the perspective taken, with supporters citing the preservation of American hegemony in the region, whereas critics argue it laid the groundwork for later U.S interventions that were not always in the best interest of the countries involved.
Event 2: Open Door Policy
The Open Door Policy, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was a foreign policy initiative aimed at securing American access to trade and markets in China. This policy was driven by the historical circumstances of Great Power competition and the desire to protect American commercial interests.
During this time, China was being carved up into spheres of influence by various Western powers, notably Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Japan. The United States, recognizing the potential economic benefits of trade with China, sought to ensure that it had equal access to Chinese markets and resources.
The Open Door Policy, first articulated by U.S Secretary of State John Hay in 1899, called for all nations with spheres of influence in China to refrain from monopolizing trade and to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China. Essentially, it sought to maintain an open trading system in China that would benefit all nations, including the United States.
In terms of success, the Open Door Policy was only partially effective. It did manage to secure some measure of access for American businesses in China, particularly in the areas of trade and commerce. However, the policy failed to prevent the continued partitioning and exploitation of China by the Great Powers.
Ultimately, the Open Door Policy can be seen as a limited success. While it did help protect American commercial interests to some extent, it was unable to halt the imperialist designs of other powers in China. Nonetheless, it did establish a precedent for the U.S. advocating for open markets and fair trade, something that would become more central to American foreign policy in the 20th and 21st centuries.