How has America’s foreign policy changed over the course of its history? What do you see as America’s role in foreign policy today?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students should mention that the primary foreign policy of the United States for more than its first century was one of isolationism. However, even in the early years of our history, the nation became involved in foreign operations in places such as Tripoli (North Africa) in order to protect our national interests. Later policies based on the Monroe Doctrine became those of continued American isolationism so long as other nations would stay out of the Western Hemisphere. After World War I and World War II, American foreign policy shifted to one of internationalism, in which the United States continues to maintain a presence throughout the globe. Following World War II was the Cold War, a war in which no military action was taken against our stated enemy (the Soviet Union), American policy changed to one of containment in which the goal was to stop the spread of communism wherever it may appear through direct military intervention and proxy wars. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new foreign threat appeared with the rise of international terrorism and the post–9/11 war on terror (which is, by default, a war without a truly defined enemy). The shift was toward nonstate actors such as al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Student responses to the second part of the question will vary.