The Purpose of American Foreign Policy Essay Example

the German’s threatened the security of the United States.

The British intelligence intercepted the Zimmerman telegram that was sent to the German minister in Mexico that reflected the attempt to get Mexico to rise up against the United States. The Zimmerman message went on to say that Germany would help Mexico recover the territories that they had lost in 1848. Although the telegram content later was found to be untrue it stiffened President Wilson’s resolve.

(Norton, 638) The reality of the situation ultimately forced the United States to join in the battle of WWI because they feared Germany victory which would destroy free enterprise and government by law. Norton, 633) They also wanted the right to seas to be able to control this access of foreign trade at their leisure. One repercussion of World War I was it violating United States citizens’ civil rights. The citizens of the United States were unable to speak badly about the war or they would be punished.

Was it justified? Based on the passage of the Espionage and Sedition Acts it was justified. The individuals in political power had a personal agenda with the need for things to go a certain way in regards to our participation in the war.

They made it legal to violate a person’s basic right to speak freely in regards to the war. I feel that they abused their power to control media and universal outcome. The Espionage Act and the Sedition Act were not in the best interest of the United States citizens.

Many people were arrested, prosecuted, and found guilty of making “false statements” as defined by these Acts. The government did

not want citizens talking against the war or the draft and made examples of many individuals that tried to share beliefs that did not align with the current administration.

It was a clear violation of the 1st Amendment, but it worked to gain peoples support by keeping many individuals in opposition quiet. They needed the Espionage and Sedition Acts in place to help promote and support the war.

They wanted to win and didn't care what toll it was taking on the people. I believe these wars happened because the United States was worried about their financial investments that were being affected by the slowing of free trade across the seas. Our government officials wanted to maintain control and ensure the United States remained an economic power.

I think they were using the foreign policy as a way to get better economic authority. They used the expansion of improving other countries as an excuse to gain control of the foreign trades.

They weren't using the control to better other countries or help them create self government. The politicians at this time were using these developments for their own advantage. In looking at the response of our political leaders during this time frame it leaves one to wonder if they truly acted responsibly based on factual information that outlines some of the events that occurred.

The United States seemed to put “blinders” on and attempted to avoid any conflict with both the Spaniards and the Germans.

In both cases it appears the reasons for declaring war on the parties may have been unfounded. The Zimmerman telegram and the sinking of the USS Maine seemed to be the events that

triggered the United States into war. It seems to me that our political representatives “reacted” to events and acted on “emotions” that may or may not have been accurate. It is possible that they should have waited out the ighting amongst other countries and not have been so worried about being a “powerhouse.

” Through out the years the United States foreign policy has been the subject of much debate, criticism, and praise, both domestically and abroad. We will truly never know all the facts as to why America decided to intervene in these wars. It could have been because the United States really felt passionate about helping the Cubans gain their independence or maybe the U. S.

was really only worried about the loss of trade business. It depends on your “vantage point. ”