Should The U.s. Continue Its Role As A Global Police Force? Essay

After the Second World War, American foreign policy was, for the most part, different then post World War 1 foreign policy. As a result of the war, we decided that threats to peace and freedom elsewhere in the world did affect us, that if we ignored serious trouble in the world it would probably eventually find us. Thus, after the war we became internationalist using our power and prestige to help and protect our friends and acting to prevent wars wherever possible or to minimize them when they did break out.

During the twentieth century the United States of America became involved with three major conflicts that resulted in the nation shifting from a regional power into a global power. Through these conflicts the United States grew territorially, economically and industrially. Foreign policies were altered to allow the United States to gain ground on the world stage and to make their mark on the world. Through careful analysis of primary sources and scholarly document s it is clear to see that the United States involvement in the Spanish American war was the first step for the United States to grow on the world stage. The American victory in the war led to the acquisition of island territories and expanded economic and military capabilities in the both the western and eastern hemisphere as well as an increased involvement in Asia. World War I ended with American democratic ideals to be spread all across Europe. Led by President Woodrow Wilson, the United States led a one sided foreign policy that used intervention, peace treaties and military intervention to endorse international order. Despite a limited role in the war President Wilson was able to outline the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations and both of their presences can be found today.

The United States subsequent to WWII has kept on growing its realm through outside issues and the approach of country building. Much like the British Empire, which happened before it, at its tallness of force the British Empire controlled double the measure of area masses than that the United States. (identified with one effective individual or nation controlling others) influence with America is additionally clarified through cash based achievement. By Finance, the annihilation brought about by WWII permitted America to expect cash based control all through the world. This was the aftereffect of the debilitating of numerous (identified with Europe) nations included in the war, by that/in that way permitting the United States to create half of the world 's GDP.

Prior to World War 2, America was in a Great Depression that cause politicians to focus on domestic issues. At the start of another world war the United States declare neutrality, but it shows sympathy to democracies. When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor America stop being isolationist to combat external threats. The United States didn’t address the domestic issues that plague the country for years. However, Proxity wars, Truman’s policies, and rising tensions shaped the world and US. Therefore, the role of the US would change from managing the Americas to supporting democracies and governments around the world to stop the spread of communism.

Though the United States was the military power of the world prior to World War II, its foreign policy was one of detachment. The government was determined not to get involved in other countries affairs barring unusual circumstances. A World War provided big enough means to become involved, as many Americans became enraged with the military ambitions of Japan and Germany.

Following World War II the alliance between the U.S., Britain and The Soviet Union began to unravel as the USSR pushed for the spread of communism which threatened America and the free world. For the next few decades, America’s leaders would need to strategically combat the expansion of the iron curtain and communism. Issues broke out all over the world but the most significant “battles” were that of Berlin, Korea and Cuba. The U.S. contained communism in Berlin by remaining persistent, in Korea by battling, and in Cuba by taking caution.

Over the course of the history of the United States, specific foreign policies have affected the methods in which the U.S. involves itself around the globe. Specifically, certain policies have affected U.S. involvement in Latin America.

In Kinzer’s book, Overthrow, we are taken through the events of United States foreign intervention. We see how the United States plays a direct role in the overthrowing of leaders of countries who are not doing as the U.S. pleases. The U.S. goes about overthrowing in some very similar ways and some differing ways. However, as a whole, the U.S. shows many similar actions and reasons behind their attempts at overthrowing another country’s leader. The U.S. is trying to greater their sphere of global influence and they are using military force when needed in all the overthrow attempts. Although, the U.S. does have a slightly different reason from Part One and Part Two, and that reason is changed from being anti-colonial to being anti-Communist. Lastly, the U.S. also uses a new agency that was not at their disposal in Part One of Kinzer, and that is the CIA.

Throughout history, the United States has been portrayed as the same nation that it was when it was formed over two-hundred years ago (Loewen, 209). However, that proves not to be the case when taking a closer look into American involvement in various historic events. Author James Loewen investigates how most history textbooks try to cover-up government action in these events. One example of this is the government’s involvement in the attempted assassinations of Fidel Castro. Throughout the early 1960s, the CIA attempted to assassinate Fidel Castro in numerous schemes. In chapter eight of Loewen’s book, Lies My Teacher Told Me, Loewen investigates six events the government tried to cover-up, including the assassination attempts on Fidel Castro.

When World War II began, the United States was not initially apart of it. What sparked the beginning was Nazi Germany’s attack on Poland in September 1939. Even though we were not at the center of the action, our country did take steps to assist and protect weaker countries, like the United Kingdom. Roosevelt felt it was important to “be the great Arsenal Democracy…[he believed] we must apply ourselves to our task with the same resolution, the same sense of urgency, the same spirit of patriotism and sacrifice as we would show were we at war.” Because of this, the zeal and patriotism America showed was greatly increased. We took advantage of the power we had and the American Industry began to put forth collective efforts in supporting the Allies.

The Second World War was one of the most terrifying events in the world’s history. The U.S.A fights back like never before against Italy, Japan and Germany. Previously the WWII by the 1930’s America was completely poor and lost. By entering in the War, The U.S. becomes a superpower in just four years. The disruption of World War II arouses the mobilization of American industrial and in the military section. The preparation for the battle and the mobilization of the War was a complete success; purpose and determination led the U.S.A to win the WWII.

„Should the U.S. use its military and financial power to act as the world’s policeman?”

The United States has been a heavily involved in Latin American affairs for a long time, and there is great controversy surrounding how good of a neighbor we have been. As the “Colossus of the North”, this country holds enormous power. The question is; have we used our power for good or for evil? At times, we have been generous to Latin American countries. We returned the Panama Canal to the Panamanians and created free trade with Mexico through NAFTA. However, the negative impact we have had outweighs the good. Time after time, the United States has put dictators into Latin American countries out of the fear of growing communism. We have meddled, taken the situations of our neighbors into our own hands with force, and vilified them for situations like the drug trade dilemma that are partially at the fault of the United States. Due to the selfish overstepping upon Latin American governments, our discrimination and blame upon immigrants and foreigners as well as patronizing actions like the Cuban embargo and the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, the Colossus of the North has historically been a poor neighbor to Latin American countries.

It can be argued convincingly that the United States emerged from World War I as the world superpower because of U.S intervention and President Woodrow Wilson’s diplomatic leadership. America had now become the ‘saviour of Europe.’ The United States left World War I with a major confidence boost. The war resulted in the death of empires, the birth of nations and in national boundaries being redrawn around the world. It ushered in prosperity for some countries while it brought economic depression to others. It influenced literature, changed culture and politics; social and economic climate was also impacted.

Between the times when the United States declared its independent from Great Britain until WWI, the US isolated itself from the rest of the world (Brinkley 604). This had all changed right after WWI where we became much more involve in the world, taking on lead roles in all international events or international crisis, for example the Vietnam war, the Persian Gulf war, and last but not least the recent war Afghanistan and Iraq; which still continues today. Today the United States continue to secure its title as the world leader, and continue to lead the world in all major aspects; military, economy and cultures.