Irmgard

ok, here we go...
I have to make a presentation about American foreign policy with focus on isolationism and interventionalism for school

I would be grateful for any help

thanks

Vulgano Brother

Here's something to start with!

YouTube - Sendung mit der Maus: Amerikanische Aussenpolitik

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Manny Laureano

In order to actually help you and not have this turn into a political debate about the US being or not being the police of the world, it would be helpful to know what you need help in. Your question is a bit vague.

What, specifically, is your assignment?

Is there an aspect of American foreign policy that you understand less than others?

Where else are you getting your information from?

If you can answer those questions, I think we can help. Otherwise, I can well guarantee an unhelpful argument about the topic will start up between posters.

ML

Jon Kratzer

das Video war wirklich urkomisch, aber es vermittelt meines Erachtens den falschen Eindruck...

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Manny Laureano

Isolationism

Ernie,

This is a very basic and readable outline of the history of American Isolationism. As I say, it's very basic but you'll get a good idea of why we abandoned our isolationist tendency until WWI and II. With the Cold War, the beginning of NATO, the UN, and global oil interests it became pretty difficult to stick to the policies of the 19th century.

So, we have been called the world's police. Mostly we get called that by countries that have benefited handsomely from our having military bases in those countries. During the Cold War no one seemed to object to those bases. We also share a lot of military technology with them, too, and they with us. Some countries aren't always happy to return the favor. When we bombed the North African country of Libya after an act of terrorism on their part, we were denied the quicker route over French air space by the French government. I watched a video recently where Libya's leader praised France for her decision.

The point is it's a terribly complex subject even though many look at it in a very simplistic way and I wish you all the best in your assignment.

ML

Irmgard

ok, I don't want this to turn into a poltical debate, but maybe someone got a link (that one was already very helpful, thanks, Manny) where i can find good information, because the internet is just so ful of stuff on this.
If someone wants to say something to it which would probably turn this into a political debate,you couldjust pm me

I didn't get my assignment very specifically, my teacher just told me I have to focus on Isolationism and interventionalism


I have got some information from the American Government web sites and some school books(which are not extremely helpful).

And there's one thing I don't quite get: were there problems between Americans with different European ancestors? (e.g. German and English during WW1)? Or did they feel so American that they didn't relate to their countries of origin?

Thanks a lot

Manny Laureano

That's great question and is the subject of much conversation today about the immigrants of today versus the immigrants of generations ago.

It seems that what the common thread of generations past is that they came here to become Americans. That is to say they embrace the ideals of the founding fathers from the 1700s. The point is that they had an affection for their countries of origin but felt very strongly that they were in a new world and were eager to assimilate to America.

My father-in-law was born in Frankfurt yet he fought in the Battle of the Bulge on the American side in WWII. He was also an interrogator and questioned many German prisoners. Many, many new Americans found themselves in similar positions in both wars. They loved their mother countries but were fiercely loyal to their new adopted country.

This is not to say that there were not problems between Americans of different bloodlines. Many German-descended people changed their names just before and during the 2nd World War. Japanese could change their names but not their appearance. Italians were only slightly more successful at assimilating. Many of these folks went far to "prove" to others that they were just as American as they were by displaying the flag, learning the language, encouraging their children to join the military... things like that. But they often held affection for their native countries.

I hope that helps a little.

ML

Irmgard

Thanks Manny, that definitely was helpful. :)