Nicolas

Sawicky US Modern Foreign Relations Paper 1 American foreign relations have been evolving ever since the isolationist days of

George Washington. Some of the reasons for this gradual change were the proliferation of the United States military and the global expansion of the American economy. Even after the time period of 1865-1913, the United States of America was still searching for more opportunities. It was the action on these opportunities that allowed the U.S. to become the first twenty-first nation in the world. America is currently pushing into new markets in the Middle East. Much like our occupation in the Philippines a century earlier, the United States military is facing resistance from citizens of the subjugated country. Oil, the energy of the American economy, is plentiful in this region of the world. During the time period of 1865-1913, the United States of America began to

drastically change from the nation that was founded in 1776. The U.S. was transforming from its isolationist cocoon into a curious butterfly. This new nation began to search beyond its borders for new sources of trade to help stimulate its continually growing economy. This search for opportunity was accomplished through scientific innovation, rationalized and globalized industrial processes, multinational corporations, centralized political authorities built on modern communications, military intervention, fervent nationalism, racism, and revolution. One of Americas greatest strengths as a nation was its ability to invent and adapt.

Inventors like Thomas Edison found a way to light up America. In the late 19th century, this

knack for great innovation was finally getting financial backing. These inventions had become American power and because of investment, created the new institution of the modern industrial enterprise (LaFeber, 22). With money to back these 20th century ideas, America was able to push these visions to the market much faster. It was with these new technologies and increase in productivity that allowed the U.S. to come out of the twenty- five year world economic crisis on top of the world (LaFeber, 30). Even when America was not the country where a revolutionary idea came about, it

did not hesitate to become the front-runner in adopting the technique. A great example of American technological adoption is the story behind the Bessemer process. This process revolutionized how steel was produced. It made production more efficient, therefore cheaper to the consumer. American businessmen like Andrew Carnegie quickly adopted the new process and was then able to produce cheaper steel compared to his competition. Another key change in America during 1865-1913 was our move from numerous

small companies to globalized industry powerhouses. These moves to huge corporations allowed the companies to be more successful in obtaining capital, gaining political help, and marketing at home and abroad (LaFeber, 22). Standard Oil and the United States Steel Corporation are two great examples of these new huge corporations. The later conglomerate became the worlds first billion-dollar corporation. U.S.S.C. employed the industrial process of vertical operations. Originally conceived by Andrew Carnegie, this process could be achieved by a corporation controlling all the operations needed to create and distribute their product. With more control of the price, the company was then able to under-sell the competition (LaFeber, 32). The actual manufacturing of the product was also

an important process for a corporation. These new mega-corporations were able to secure cheap labor and hard-driving managers to ensure that the product was made as efficient as possible (LaFeber, 40). These new, twenty-first century techniques put America in the lead during the second industrial revolution. With Americans producing cheaper and cheaper goods, they were also looking for

bargain prices on raw materials to import into the nation. Hawaii stepped onto the scene as a great resource for cheap sugar. Although Hawaii was still technically a kingdom at this time, the grandchildren of the original missionaries already had a firm grip over the tiny island nation. To increase profits on their sugar plantations, they brought in so many Asian workers, that the original Hawaiian people became outnumbered. When a higher tariff was put on foreign sugar, the affluent whites of Hawaii saw their profits shrink. It was at that point they decided to overthrow the peaceful monarchy of Hawaii and hand over the nation to the United States of America for annexation. Multinational corporations are commonplace in todays society. Back in the time

period between 1865-1913 they were just beginning to take root. One of the most powerful of these corporations was the United Fruit Company. This for-profit business took control of countries like Honduras so that they could be free to use the fertile land for banana plantations. United fruit owned plantations, railways, and governments in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala (LaFeber, 71). The natives began to view this unstoppable multinational corporation as an Octopus who sole goal was to get a grip on as many Latin American countries as possible and turn them into Banana Republics (LaFeber, 220).

Although this method spelled great profits for American businessmen and cheap fruit for American citizens, it also brought many Latin American countries to the point of ruin. One of the most important factors in successful foreign relations is a strong central

government that has effective communication. With that in place, businesses always had a partner in crime to help as it searched for opportunities in new untapped markets. One of the more helpful government programs was the Department of Agriculture. Created in the 1890s, it became a clearing house for information on foreign markets (LaFeber, 28). This information saved time and money for corporations who could instead focus their energy on conquering new markets. One of the few things corporations during the time period of 1865-1913 could not

control was a tariff. That duty still fell on the laps of the governments of the world. In the case of the American government, the two were almost indistinguishable. Presidents like Benjamin Harrison fought hard to keep American businesses on top of the global market. He would threaten high tariffs on goods from countries that were not giving a favorable tariff on American goods in their country (LaFeber, 78). This economic warfare usually ended with the other country folding into American demands, due to our commitment to exercising military power if necessary. This fear further empowered the seemingly unstoppable locomotive, which was Americans search for opportunity. As the United States military grew in strength, so did its willingness to use military

intervention for economic benefits. The Spanish American war is a great example of this inclination for war. It is true the stories of atrocities committed by the Spanish to the people of their colonies made a war with the Spanish favorable. What some fail to realize is

that Spanish holdings were also very desirable to American companies to further their search for opportunity. One of the biggest acquisitions from the Spanish-American War was the Philippines. The port of Manilla provided a perfect base for American companies to trade with China and Japan. Even after the war, American troops were stationed in the Philippines to protect American interests as well as keep the peace. It was this unwanted presence that caused a devastating war against the local Filipino insurgents. 3,000 American lives were lost just so a few rich men could become richer. The United States military was not just used to fight wars against European powers

and insurgents of occupied territories. U.S. Marines played a role in stopping numerous revolutions that would have hurt American businesses. U.S. Marines also helped support revolutions that would take over an anti-American government. Numerous American lives were lost during these brief campaigns as well. All so that the opportunity for a few rich men could grow and prosper. Racism unfortunately has been a part of America since its creation in 1776.

Southerners believed that blacks were too stupid to learn and were incapable of living a normal American life. These same beliefs were delegated to the people of Latin America and Asia. Many Americans believed these people to be incapable of self-government and it was our duty to rule over them to ensure that their land was used correctly and not made into waste space(LaFeber, 58). Americans has some practice with this type of deception in our own country with the Native Americans. The Dawns Severalty Act of 1887 gave Indians individual ownership to land, making it easier to then buy thousands of acres of

land off of them (LaFeber, 55). These cases of land-grabs clearly show that with each opportunity for Americans, there is an adverse affect on someone else. Racism also played other roles in what America chose to do with territories. Race

sometimes influenced the government on whether it was going to add new territory to its republic or just control the land from afar. In many cases, the United States decided against annexing land due to the influx of non-whites that would become American and move into the continental U.S. When America started to explore the continent of Africa, Senator Morgan of Alabama eyed Congo as place for his states free slaves to be exported while still using the people as cheap labor for textile factories (LaFeber, 85). Both of these situations point to opportunity for American businessmen to gain the labor they need, while keeping America as white as possible. Revolution was a huge mechanism in Americas search for opportunity during the

time period of 1865-1913. Latin America was a very unstable region of the world. It was because of this fact and the many resources the land offered, that the United States became heavily involved in Latin American affairs. The U.S. did not seek order and stability in Latin America. They instead placed the greatest emphasis on obtaining economic opportunity and strategic footholds (LaFeber, 60). When a Latin American government was favorable to United States trade, the U.S. government had no problem helping quell any revolutions in the region. If a Latin American government favored European trade over the United States, then the U.S. government had no problem assisting in or even starting a revolution to overthrow that regime.

Some of this disorder caused by the United States government can be seen in El

Salvador, Honduras, and especially Nicaragua. When president Zelaya of Nicaragua started giving concessions to non-U.S. groups, those Americans groups started a revolt and supported it with Marines (LaFeber, 219). After the flight of Zelaya, Washington put Adolfo Diaz in charge of Nicaragua. Diaz was very loyal to American interests, but this caused him to be very unpopular with his citizens. This caused a revolt lead by the people of Nicaragua. In response to this unfavorable insurrection, president Taft landed 2,600 troops to put down the uprising and keep Diaz in power (LaFeber, 219). This involvement in the affairs of a foreign nation is not the only case, but that does not make it right. Ironically, right after this period of opportunity, Woodrow Wilson would later state that every nation of the world is entitled to autonomy in his 14 points speech. An even bigger revolutionary disaster occurred when America interfered with the

autonomy of Mexico. It all started when the president of Mexico, Porfirio Diaz, began to loosen the U.S. grip on Mexicos economy. He began to favor British interests, including their oil (LaFeber, 222). This caused American businesses to support the young Fransico Madero as a replacement to the unfavorable Diaz. Madero took over after Diaz left office and the people immediately realized he was no different than Diaz (LaFeber, 223). Madero was unable to protect American interests from the angry people of Mexico. The U.S. then helped General Huerta take over and kill Madero (LaFeber, 226). This cycle of revolution after revolution until American interests are protected is something an independent nation should never have to go through. Americans took the idea of a search for opportunity and transformed it into an unnatural opportunity covered in the blood and sweat of non- Americans. 7

Just like in the period of 1865-1913, the United States is occupying foreign soil for

the opportunity of economic wealth for a few rich men. We are an unwelcomed foreign power influencing their culture and draining the country of its natural resources. Our nation never really stopped this practice due to the wealth that is accumulated. This implementation of trade even helped our nation become the first twenty-first nation in the world. Ever since the second industrial revolution, America has continuously stayed ahead of the curve. 8

Works Cited

LaFeber, Walter. The Cambridge History of American Foreign Relations The American Search for Opportunity, 1865-1913, vol. 2. New York: Cambridge UP, 1995. Print.