Foreign Policy of the US: After WW2
The end of World War II and the emergence of communism as a new worldwide threat profoundly altered US foreign policy. The following are some notable characteristics:
- Containment: This ended up becoming the mainstay of American foreign policy. The goal was to prevent communism from spreading outside the nations already influenced by the Soviet Union. This took several forms, such as the Truman Doctrine, which gave Greece and Turkey support in their efforts to quell communist uprisings.
- Building Alliances: The US established alliances like SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation) in Asia and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) in Europe to oppose the Soviet Union. Member states of these alliances are obligated to protect one another from attacks.
- Promoting Democracy and Stability: The US felt that the growth of democracy would undermine communist ideology and that it was a champion of democracy. It supported the governments and economies of allied nations by giving them financial and military assistance.
- Reconstruction and International Institutions: With initiatives like the Marshall Plan, the United States took the lead in helping to reconstruct Japan and Europe after the war. Furthermore, it contributed to the founding of international organisations that support cooperation and stability in the global economy, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- Nuclear Deterrence: The Cold War era was brought about by the US and the Soviet Union developing atomic weapons. The goal of the US doctrine known as Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) was to prevent Soviet invasion by guaranteeing a devastating nuclear retaliation in the event of an assault.
This time frame, which approximately corresponded to the conclusion of World War II and the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, saw fierce rivalry between the US and the USSR. The goals of US foreign policy were to uphold a stable international order, advance American ideals, and restrain communism.
Foreign Policy of United States
Foreign Policy of America: An outline of the main developments in US foreign policy from the American Revolution to the present is provided by US foreign policy. Developing into an “Empire of Liberty,” advancing democracy, spreading throughout the continent, endorsing liberal internationalism, opposing both World Wars and the Cold War, combating international terrorism, advancing Third World development, and constructing a robust global economy with low tariffs are the main themes.
We will talk about American foreign policy, its history, its objectives, and much more in this article below!