
American History-1865 to Present essay
Without a dominating military or need to have a presence around the world, the United
States maintained a low profile in the global community. "From 1865 to 1898, the United
States foreign policy was determined principally by the attitudes and actions of foreign governments." (Chafer, 75) However, with the start of the Spanish American War in 1898, the United
States' policy would never be the same. "As a result of the Spanish American War... the United
States acquired territorial possessions outside its continental area." (Matters, 35) With these territorial acquisitions, it gave the nation problems of colonial governments and control that, together with other factors, compelled it to assume an increasing role in world affairs.
"The outbreak of World War I in 1914 brought a period of diplomatic conflict between the United
States and Britain and the United
States and Germany."