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Big Stick Diplomacy
Theodore Roosevelt used big stick diplomacy as his foreign policy to keep European countries from intervening in Latin American affairs. The navy was used in big stick diplomacy to defend the countries the United States was protecting. Big stick diplomacy contributed to the United States asserting its power and therefore gaining a place on the world stage. They were therefore regarded as an important power in the upcoming wars. -
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles attempted to establish a League of Nations that would help to prevent future wars. However, the Treaty of Versailles was rejected twice by the United States since neither Woodrow Wilson nor Congress would compromise. Therefore, the United States was not involved in the League of Nations, which inhibited its power. This helped lead to World War II. -
Fordney-McCumber Tariff
The Fordney-McCumber Tariff raised the tariff from 27% to 35%. The tariff helped to decrease foreign trade with other nations because they also heightened their tariffs on goods.The tariff hurt American relationships with other countries and furthered isolationist policies. -
Immigration Act of 1924
The Immigration Act of 1924 restricted immigration so that only 2% of the people of a nationality could come to the United States. The act demonstrated the want for isolation from other countries and anti-foreign views. These anti-foreign and anti-immigration views helped to promote war against enemies, such as the Germans. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was an attempt to outlaw war. However, the act allowed defensive wars. Therefore, the United States was ineffective at preventing all war, which led to the outbreak of World War II. -
Hawley-Smoot Tariff
The Hawley-Smoot tariff raised the tariff from the Forney-McCumber tariff even higher. The tariff became a steep 60% and was the highest tariff in peacetime. While the tariff did not directly cause war, it deepened the growing issue of trade between countries and relationships between nations. This could have contributed to tension in Europe. -
Stimson Doctrine
The Stimson Doctrine was issued by the United States stating that it would not recognize any territory taken by force. The doctrine was directed towards Japan's takeover of Manchuria. However, nothing was done to stop Japan. Therefore, the United States demonstrated that consequences did not occur for such violent actions, possibly leading to war and America's eventual involvement. -
Good Neighbor Policy
The good neighbor policy chose not to intervene in some Latin American countries. However, this policy was another way of staying isolationist and not being involved in world affairs. -
London Economic Conference
The London Economic Conference attempted to stabilize currencies. However, Roosevelt rejected the propositions because he did not want the American economy being forced under restrictions. Therefore, the conference fell apart and nationalism was heightened. International cooperations were more difficult due to the United States' decision. -
Johnson Debt Default Act
The act attempted to prevent debt-dodging nations from borrowing more money from the United States. The United States was trying to stay out of the war and not create hostile relationships with any other countries. They were remaining isolationist with the new policy, which helped to keep the war going. -
Neutrality Acts
The Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 stated that when the president proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would go into effect. The Americans were to remain isolationist in the presence of a war. By staying out of the war and not helping to stop the aggressors, Americans actually prolonged World War II. -
Havana Conference
At the Havana Conference, the United States agreed to protect Latin American from Germany. The conference set the stage for the United States being dragged into conflicts to protect their interests and defend other countries. -
Trade Embargo on Japan
America decided to impose a trade embargo on Japan to demonstrate that they did not support the Axis powers. However, due to the embargo Japan was upset with the United States and decided to bomb pearl harbor. After the United States entered the war. -
Lend-Lease Bill
The Lend-Lease Bill allowed America to lease arms to democracies that needed them. The bill was seen as an unofficial declaration of war to Germany, which led to American involvement in the war. By attempting to help other nations, they ended up entering the war. -
Atlantic Conference
The Atlantic Conference was when Roosevelt and Churchill met up to discuss the goals for World War II. By starting to discuss the war, Roosevelt was slowly involving the United States into the war without meaning to.
