Foreign Policy Doctrine

Definition

A foreign policy doctrine is a guiding principle or framework that shapes a country's approach to international relations and diplomacy. It outlines how a nation interacts with other countries, defines its interests, and establishes strategies for achieving its foreign policy goals. During the interwar period, various foreign policy doctrines emerged in response to the changing geopolitical landscape and the consequences of World War I.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the interwar period, the U.S. initially adopted an isolationist foreign policy doctrine, reflecting widespread public sentiment against involvement in European conflicts after World War I.
2. The League of Nations was established as part of a collective security doctrine, aiming to prevent future wars through international cooperation and dialogue among nations.
3. Appeasement became a prominent strategy among European powers in the 1930s as they sought to avoid another devastating conflict by conceding to the demands of aggressive states like Nazi Germany.
4. The Great Depression also influenced foreign policy doctrines, as economic struggles led nations to prioritize domestic recovery over international commitments.
5. The failure of various foreign policy doctrines during the interwar period, including isolationism and appeasement, ultimately contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

Review Questions

• Compare and contrast the foreign policy doctrines of isolationism and collective security during the interwar period.
  • Isolationism focused on keeping the U.S. out of international conflicts and emphasizing domestic concerns, while collective security aimed to establish a framework for cooperation among nations to prevent aggression. The U.S. largely adhered to isolationism following World War I due to public desire for non-involvement. In contrast, collective security efforts were embodied by the League of Nations, which sought collaboration but struggled to achieve its goals due to the lack of participation from major powers like the U.S.
• Discuss the impact of appeasement as a foreign policy doctrine on international relations leading up to World War II.
  • Appeasement allowed aggressive states, particularly Nazi Germany, to expand unchecked as Western powers made concessions in hopes of avoiding conflict. This approach created an environment where further aggression was encouraged, leading to significant territorial gains for Hitler. The failures associated with appeasement highlighted the dangers of compromising with dictatorial regimes and ultimately demonstrated the need for a stronger stance against aggression, which shaped post-World War II policies.
• Evaluate how economic factors influenced foreign policy doctrines in the interwar period, particularly in relation to isolationism and interventionism.
  • Economic factors played a crucial role in shaping foreign policy doctrines during the interwar period. The Great Depression caused nations like the U.S. to adopt isolationist policies as they focused on domestic recovery rather than engaging in international affairs. However, as global tensions escalated and economic threats like fascism rose, there was increasing pressure for interventionist policies that prioritized national security over economic concerns. This tension between isolationism and interventionism reflected broader debates about how best to respond to both economic challenges and rising global conflicts.

Related terms

Isolationism:

A foreign policy approach where a country seeks to minimize involvement in international affairs and conflicts, often focusing on domestic issues instead.

Collective Security: The concept that nations should work together to prevent aggression by any one nation, leading to mutual defense agreements and alliances.

Appeasement: A diplomatic strategy of making concessions to an aggressive power in order to maintain peace and stability, often seen in the context of pre-World War II policies towards Germany.