Download 20`s Foreign Policy Asgn

A.P.U.S. History
Foreign Policy of the 1920’s
1920’s – Isolationism – Fact or Fiction?
Following the Senate’s rejection of the Treaty of Versailles and, with it, U.S. membership in the League of Nations,
Wilson’s dream of American leadership of encouraging disarmament and settling international disputes peaceably
ended. The rejection of the Treaty led to the familiar story that during the 1920’s, the U.S. returned to its former
peacetime isolationism. This view has persisted, in spite of studies by various revisionists historians who contend that
we were much more interventionist and internationally minded than has been previous believed.
For several decades our history books have taught us that the U.S. evaded its responsibilities after WWI. As evidence,
authors stress that our repeated failures to join the League of Nations and our consequent withdrawal from world affairs
formed a foreign policy of isolationism.
Carefully read and understand the following. If necessary, supplement information – people’s names, events, etc.
with your text. Then write a well-developed paragraph in which you use supportive evidence to the prompt below.
(Type – double space, or neat and in pen – blue or black ink.) No longer than one page.
Prompt: To what extent was the foreign policy of the 1920’s one of isolationism?
1.
Ratification of the League Covenant, Article X: Preservationists saw this as a threat to their role in declaring
war. Wilson regarded this provision as essential to the League’s effectiveness. The two sides were unable to
reach a compromise, and the Treaty (with Article X) was rejected. This action appeared to some a return to
isolation. (see your notes for details/review)
2.
The World Court: Set up with the Treaty to settle and/or arbitrate disputes among members. All 3 Republican
Administrations of the 1920s favored joining, but the U.S. never joins because of problems in Congress.
However! We’ll send more judges than any other nation to hear cases brought before the court.
3.
Dealing With War Debts
Foreign Debt Commission: Created in 1922 to negotiate agreements with various nations on the basis of
their ability to pay
The Dawes Plan: Provided a U.S. loan to Germany to help that country establish an orderly payment of
reparations to European Allies.
The Young Plan: Reduced substantially the amount Germany was expected to pay.
The Hoover Moratorium: (After the stock market crash) Hoover proposes a one-year postponement on all
war debts & reparations
The above initiatives by the U.S. were intended to facilitate trade with Europe in order to protect the
American economy.
4.
The Washington Conference (1921): The Big Five nations (U.S., Britain, Japan, France, Italy) agreed to a 10year moratorium on the building of large warships and agreed to maintain an established ratio of large
warships. The idealistic and temporary expedient required the U.S. to do most of the scrapping of large vessels
and included no provisions for enforcement. It’s hoped result was the guaranteed political independence &
territorial integrity of China & reaffirm the Open Door. – Seemed to appeal to many American taxpayers too.
5.
Geneva Naval Conference (1927): The U.S. called this conference to try to extend the ratio arranged at
Washington to smaller vessels. This attempt failed completely and led quickly to naval expansion by the U.S.
6.
Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact (1928): The pact between France and U.S. which outlawed war “as an instrument
or national policy.” Although it was signed by most nations of the world, its lack of provision for enforcement
led one historian to compare it to a “letter to Santa Claus”.
7.
The London Naval Conference (1930): Great Britain, former master of the seas, worries of the danger of new
naval race. Britain invites the US, Japan, France, & Italy to take part in naval disbarment. Italy and France
drop out, but the US, Japan, & Great Britain vote to extend naval holiday to 1936 set at the Washington
Conference of 1921.
8.
Relations with Asia:
The Four and Nine Power Pacts: These pacts committed major nations to respect each other’s interests
in the Pacific and reaffirm the Open Door in China.
The Manchurian Crisis: Japan defies all the treaties they take part in during the 1920’s, but especially
defies the League Covenant. They seize control of Manchuria and set up a puppet government at
Manchuko
Stimson Doctrine (1932) (Your textbook calls it the Hoover-Stimson doctrine_: The US
tells Japan & China that we would not recognize any territorial acquisitions that were
achieved by force
The Lytton Report: Hoover announces he will cooperate with League of Nations in
Manchuria Crisis. However! He opposes using economic sanctions against Japan. The
League appoints British Earl of Lytton to investigate. Lytton’s committee condemns
Japan, but also proposes that Manchuria become an autonomous state under Chinese
sovereignty, but Japanese control. In February, 1933, the League adopts Lytton Report;
Japan withdraws from League
9.
Relations with Latin America:
Mexican Petroleum Law: In the 1920’s the new Mexican government seeks to enforce a provision of
their 1917 constitution stating that all mineral resources belong to the Mexican people; however, most
Mexican oil fields & mines are owned an/or controlled by American firms. Calvin Coolidge sends in
friend, and NYC banker Dwight W. Morrow, and he successfully mediates problems.
Pan-American Conferences:
Santiago, Chile (1923): Treaty states that disputes between republics of the Western
Hemisphere should be settled by peaceful means.
Havana, Cuba (1928): Coolidge opens conference with “All nations here represented
stand on equal footing.” Treaty made there provides for the arbitration of virtually all
types of disputes in the western hemisphere.
The Clark Memorandum (1928): This semi-official statement of the Undersecretary of
State repudiated the interventionist slant of the Roosevelt Corollary and improved
opportunities for favorable trade relations with Latin America. (This will pave the way
for the “Good Neighbor Policy” of the 1930s)