Foreign Policy :: essays research papers

Progressive era foreign constitution was motivated by a variety of factors including racial and national transcendence, concern and economic interests, strategic concerns, and idealism. Excerpts from For the Record provide various examples supporting the concerns that lead to the Statess foreign policy.The idea of national superiority was unambiguous in the belief of manifest destiny. This doctrine basically stated that the States was a superior nation that was designed to expand. The nationalist argument is lift out depicted in Albert Beveridges The March of the Flag which states, The rule of indecorum that all just government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, applies only to those who atomic number 18 capable of self-government.(For the Record p.117) This supports Americas superior views that it could govern a land better than the countrys native citizens. Frederick Jackson food turner further enhanced the feeling of national superiority in, The Front ier in American History. His writing explained that the frontier had been essential in establishing American freedom and individualism. He likewise claimed, The frontier is the line of most rapid and legal Americanization.(For the Record p.49-50) The implication that expansionism leads to positive Americanization further displays the superior mindset. Racial superiority was obvious in the White Mans Burden. This suggested that it was the responsibility of the American people to spread democracy and Christianity to civilize the savages and inferior races those people include anyone of color.Business and economic interests were also a driving force in foreign policy. The March of the Flag epitomizes the American viewpoint. It explains the problems of overproduction in the country Today, we atomic number 18 making more than we can usethither are more workers than there is work there is more capital than there is investmentwe need more circulation.(For the Record p.117) All of these factors contributed to Americas need to expand to foreign markets. By establishing passel with other countries, America could import natural resources in order to produce manufactured goods at cheaper costs. This expansion of the economy would provide a market for the overproduction of goods and also increase jobs.Additionally, strategic concerns were contributing factors in expansionism. Since the U.S. wanted to expand and trade with foreign countries, it ensured that other countries were stable and open to trade. This was demonstrated in china and the Open-Door market. There was also the belief that Europeans would dominate the market if America did non become involved. Finally, Americans used their involvement in wars with foreign countries to build the U.