After The Civil War And By The Mid-20th Century The United S

After The Civil War And By The Mid 20th Century The United States Had

After the Civil War and by the mid-20th century, the United States had become the dominant force in international relations. Some have argued that the United States' military functions as the world's "police." This assignment covers the manner in which this shift occurred and the consequences the United States faces as a result of its status as "policemen of the world." Using the Internet, research two (2) real-life international incidents from the past five (5) years in which: The U.S. used military action abroad. Controversy existed within the American public regarding U.S. involvement. Controversy existed within the country or countries affected by U.S. involvement. For the first part of this assignment you will create a thesis statement. A thesis statement is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your main idea to the reader. The body of the essay organizes the material you gather and present in support of your main idea. Keep in mind that a thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. (Note: Please consult the Purdue OWL Website with tips on how to construct a proper thesis; the website can be found at: For the next part of this assignment you will create an outline of the main points you want to address in this paper. This will serve as the basis for your Assignment 2.2 Final Draft. (Note: Please use the Purdue Owl Website to assist you with this assignment; this website can be accessed at: Part 1 1. Write a thesis statement that is one to two (1-2) sentences long in which you: State your thesis on the significance of the two (2) real-life international incidents that you have researched. Justify your response. Part 2 2. Write a one to two (1-2) page outline in which you: Determine two to three (2-3) international events from the past five years that can be traced back to a foreign policy created after the Civil War. List three(3) aspects of US history since 1865 that have led to the US's rise as a world super power policeman. List three to five (3-5) international incidents since World War II where America has taken on a policing role. List three to five (3-5) driving forces that fueled international policy decisions involving the international incidents you outlined previously. (Consider treaties, exit strategies, elections, wars, etc.) Use at least three (3) academic references besides or in addition to the textbook. Note : Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Paper For Above instruction

The transformation of the United States into a global hegemon with military prowess comparable to a policeman of the world has been a complex process unfolding over several decades. This shift was notably accelerated after World War II and has been characterized by U.S. interventions across continents, driven by a combination of strategic interests, ideological motives, and geopolitical concerns. In this essay, two recent international incidents will be analyzed to illustrate the U.S.'s role in global policing, focusing on the controversies they sparked domestically and internationally.

One significant incident from the past five years is the 2020 drone strike that resulted in the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. This operation, authorized by the U.S. government, aimed to counter perceived threats from Iran but ignited widespread controversy. Within the American public, debates centered around the legality, morality, and potential consequences of unilateral military actions without clear congressional approval. Internationally, Iran condemned the strike, asserting it destabilized the region and risked broader conflict, which immediately heightened tensions. The controversy exemplifies the tensions inherent in U.S. military interventions where national security interests clash with public opinion and international peace considerations.

The second incident involves the U.S. military involvement in the 2018 missile strikes in Syria. The strikes targeted alleged chemical weapons facilities, purportedly in response to the use of chemical agents by the Assad regime. While some segments of the American public supported action to prevent chemical weapon use, others argued it was escalation that could lead to broader conflict, especially given the complex Syrian civil war. Internationally, allies debated the legitimacy of the strikes, with some viewing it as necessary enforcement of international norms, and others seeing it as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and a violation of international law. These incidents underline the controversial nature of U.S. military interventions in recent years and reflect ongoing debates about American unilateralism versus multilateralism in international security.

Tracing these incidents back to post-Civil War foreign policy reveals several key aspects of U.S. history contributing to its role as a global policeman. First, the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 established an early assertion of U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere, framing the continent as within American sphere of influence and opposing European colonialism. Second, the emergence of the U.S. as an industrial power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fueled by technological advances and economic expansion, facilitated military strength and global reach. Third, the concept of manifest destiny and territorial acquisitions, such as the Spanish-American War of 1898, created a foundation for American expansionism and influence abroad.

Since World War II, additional elements have reinforced America's policing role on the world stage. The establishment of NATO and other international alliances committed the U.S. to collective security and intervention role. The Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union fostered numerous military interventions, such as in Korea and Vietnam, aimed at containing communism and maintaining global influence. The adoption of a policy of deterrence through nuclear and conventional forces, coupled with strategic interventions in the Middle East and elsewhere, further cemented America's position as a global enforcer and protector of order. These aspects, combined with economic dominance and technological innovation, have positioned the U.S. as a superpower acting as the world's police.

Driving forces behind U.S. international policies include strategic interests such as protecting trade routes, access to resources, and preventing hostile regimes from gaining influence. Treaties like NATO and regional alliances committed the U.S. to intervention under collective security agreements. Domestic factors also played a role, such as public opinion shaped by media, election cycles influencing foreign policy decisions, and ideological commitments to democracy and free markets. Wars and conflicts often resulted from the perception of threats to national security and the desire to maintain global stability or protect allies. These driving forces reflect the complex web of motivations that influence U.S. policy decisions in international incidents, continuously shaping its role as an international policeman.

References

• Crouch, M. (2018). U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1945: Creating the Postwar World. Routledge.
• Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Books.
• Kaplan, R. (2017). The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts. Random House.
• Leffler, M. P., & Westad, O. A. (Eds.). (2010). The Cambridge History of the Cold War. Cambridge University Press.
• Snyder, J. (2017). Power and Purpose: US Policy Toward Russia After the Cold War. Brookings Institution Press.