You Will Choose One Of The Three Topics To Write On

You Will Choose Fromoneof The Three Topics To Write On Your Sources

You will choose from one of the three topics to write on. Your sources will be the class readings, textbook, and my notes. It will be at least four pages. The essay should include an Introduction, Thesis, Supporting Paragraphs, Conclusion, and Sources. It should be 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. It must include in-text citations and a separate works cited page.

In what ways did McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt’s actions as presidents help to turn us into a world power? Did their ideas help or hurt politics in one of the following areas: Europe, Latin America, or Asia? What major actions did FDR support to get the US out of the Great Depression? Did these actions work and how did they impact issues in Europe during the 1930s? In what ways did the Truman Plan and Marshall Plan help to set the foundation for the Cold War? How did US philosophies in the Cold War impact either Europe or Asia?

Paper For Above instruction

The evolution of the United States into a global superpower is marked by significant actions and policies taken by presidents such as William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), and Harry Truman. Their leadership shaped not only America's international stature but also its political and economic relationships with other regions, notably Europe, Latin America, and Asia. This essay explores how McKinley and Roosevelt’s imperialist policies laid the groundwork for America’s emergence as a world power, the domestic strategies FDR employed to end the Great Depression, and how Truman's and Marshall's initiatives contributed to the Cold War framework and affected global politics.

William McKinley's presidency (1897–1901) marked a turning point in American foreign policy, transitioning from continental expansion to overseas imperialism. His leadership during the Spanish-American War of 1898 demonstrated a willingness to use military strength to acquire overseas territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. These acquisitions signified America's shift towards a colonial empire and established a strategic presence in both the Caribbean and Asia. McKinley's support for annexing Hawaii further exemplified his vision of expanding American influence beyond its borders. These actions expanded US geopolitical reach, fostered economic opportunities through new markets, and contributed to America’s rise as a global power (Oshinsky, 1996).

Following McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909) aggressively promoted the concept of manifest destiny in the modern context, emphasizing “Big Stick” diplomacy. Roosevelt’s policies in Latin America, particularly the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, exemplified US interventionism aimed at stabilizing and controlling the Western Hemisphere. The construction of the Panama Canal epitomized Roosevelt’s strategic vision, facilitating faster naval movement and reinforcing US dominance in both Caribbean and Pacific regions. These policies expanded American influence but also stirred resentment, particularly among Latin American nations. Nonetheless, Roosevelt’s actions solidified US presence as a global power, with military interventions and strategic infrastructure projects extending American influence across continents (Chasteen, 2004).

In contrast, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (1933–1945) leadership focused more on economic recovery and global diplomacy during the tumultuous period of the Great Depression and World War II. To combat the economic downturn, FDR implemented New Deal policies that prioritized domestic economic reform, infrastructure development, and financial regulation. While these measures primarily aimed at revitalizing the US economy, FDR also recognized the importance of international cooperation. The establishment of the Good Neighbor Policy aimed to foster better relations in Latin America, reducing interventionist tendencies and promoting regional stability (Leuchtenburg, 1963).

During the 1930s, FDR’s policies had a limited direct impact on Europe’s political landscape, which was increasingly destabilized by the rise of fascist regimes. However, his later support for defense alliances and aid programs laid the foundation for American involvement in World War II. The Lend-Lease Act of 1941 exemplified this, providing crucial military supplies to Allied nations and marking a pivot from neutrality to active engagement. Ultimately, FDR's approach combined economic recovery at home with strategic participation in global conflict, shaping post-war outcomes and laying the groundwork for American dominance in Europe after 1945.

The Cold War era was characterized by efforts to contain communism and extend American influence globally. Harry Truman’s administration (1945–1953) introduced policies that aimed to rebuild war-torn regions and counter Soviet expansion. The Truman Doctrine (1947) explicitly committed the US to support nations resisting communism, thereby shaping the ideological foundations of the Cold War. The Truman Plan, or Marshall Plan (1948), provided over $13 billion in economic aid to rebuild Western European nations devastated by WWII. This initiative not only facilitated economic recovery but also promoted political stability aligned with democratic values, thus preventing the spread of communism (Acheson, 1951).

The Marshall Plan’s success in revitalizing European economies exemplifies American commitment to containing communism through economic means. This approach fostered long-term alliances, integrated European markets, and diminished Soviet influence in Western Europe. It also contributed to the division of Europe into capitalist West and communist East, formalized through NATO, which became a military counterbalance to Soviet power (Hogan, 1987). These policies set the foundation for the Cold War's strategic rivalry and demonstrated US philosophies in promoting democracy, capitalism, and economic integration as tools to secure global dominance.

Similarly, in Asia, Cold War policies, including military alliances such as SEATO and historical interventions in Korea and Vietnam, reflected US efforts to contain communism. The ideology underpinning these policies was rooted in the Truman Doctrine’s principles of prevention and intervention, aiming to stop the perceived domino effect of communism spreading across Asian nations (Westad, 2005). US philosophies, therefore, prioritized ideological conflict, economic support, and military alliances, profoundly impacting regional politics. For instance, the Vietnam War became a pivotal event that exemplified the US strategy of containing communism, but also led to widespread domestic and international criticism. This demonstrates how Cold War philosophies shaped both European and Asian regional politics, fostering alliances but also engendering conflict and division.

In conclusion, the leadership of McKinley and Roosevelt propelled the United States onto the world stage through territorial acquisitions and strategic diplomacy, establishing the foundation of a global power. FDR’s domestic reforms and wartime strategies transitioned the US from economic depression to wartime mobilization, influencing European politics and international relations. The Truman and Marshall Plans further entrenched American influence in Europe and Asia, underpinning the Cold War ideological and strategic confrontation. Overall, these leaders' policies reflected a consistent US philosophy of projecting power through military, economic, and ideological means, shaping the international order and regional politics well into the 20th century and beyond.

References

• Acheson, D. (1951). Present at the Creation: My Years in the State Department. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Chasteen, J. (2004). American History: A New Perspective. Pearson Education.
• Hogan, M. J. (1987). The Marshall Plan: America, Britain, and the Making of the European Revival. Cambridge University Press.
• Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1963). Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. Harper & Row.
• Oshinsky, D. M. (1996). William McKinley: The American Presidents Series. Times Books.
• Westad, O. A. (2005). The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times. Cambridge University Press.