Primarily the United States entered the world political spectrum following its comprehensive victory over Spain in the Spanish-American War (1895-1898) and it was to prove the forbearer of American foreign policy for the foreseeable future. An aggressive imperialistic dictum immediately followed the victory as America sought control of Latin America and the Caribbean. This successful annexation of her own backyard was followed by a more subdued economic imperialism using a 'Dollar diplomacy' instead of a 'big stick' ethos, extending her influence across the Pacific and towards Asia. America turned inwards upon herself with a trend of isolationism whilst she continued to build the infrastructure, which would eventually propel her to major world power classification. America continued a predominate isolationist policy, with exception towards beneficial economic ventures, until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, where once again matters were forced upon her.

A new form of imperialism can be accredited to America during the earlier years of the century. A capitalistically driven imperialism focussed primarily on Latin America, t

Coolidge was the President who took America from prosperity to recession in rapid time. Brogan argues that there was simply too much spare capital in existence, much of it was invested unwisely abroad, especially in Germany and this contributed significantly to the breakdown of the American Stock Market. As the American financial institutions went into freefall the whole country became caught up in a savage and non-discriminate recession, therefore attitudes towards foreign affairs became even more complacent. As the Twenties passed into the Thirties the American economy collapsed, Franklin D

It established the American right to 'protect' Latin America and encouraged a later aggressive expansionism into the region by America fuelled extensively by economics and big business. When President Roosevelt amended the Doctrine with his own personnel brand of imperialism, the 'Roosevelt Corollary', he gave America carte blanche to interfere in its own 'backyard'. Superseding an American legality regarding influence over ruling foreign regimes to, 'do what it liked to, with or in Latin American countries, so long as it could plead its own interests or an ill-defined duty to police the western hemisphere on behalf of the western world'.

Roosevelt, a distant cousin of Theodore, assumed the presidency and began his radical 'New Deal' policies, namely to offset recession massive public spending was the answer as opposed to the restriction demonstrated by European countries. Roosevelt could ill afford to pay too much attention to foreign affairs whilst experiencing financial downfall at home. Essentially he needed to gain and nurture the support of both the Senate and Congress. Throughout the Thirties the American public continuously considered themselves as isolationist and the politicians were compelled to recognise this influential mood. The rise of totalitarianism and fascism in Europe was perceived as too distant to be of any concern. Therefore the desire for peace and neutrality and a prevention of the still bitter memories of World War One were the overriding feelings of America, the government responded to this public mood with a succession of Neutrality Acts. Despite the very loud isolationist rhetoric from his rivals, Roosevelt believed different, so much so he was labelled a 'warmonger' and 'hysterical internationalist' following a speech in Chicago in 1937. Again America greatly benefited from the hostilities in Europe, supplying war materials and financial aid to such an extent that justifies an active participation accusation. This proved to be the tonic needed for the recovering Wall Street and the manufacturing oligarchy. Pearl Harbour settled in an hour the differences of opinion that had tied Roosevelt's hands, the nation realized it could ill afford an Allied defeat and still maintain a state of neutrality, thus America became a combatant of the war.

When war broke out on mainland Europe in 1914, America immediately distanced herself from it, a nation-wide reaction of neutrality and impartiality to the war enveloped the mass population. Woodrow Wilson, having entered office in 191

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Approximate Word count = 2111
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)