On 1797 George Washington told the American people in his farewell address
to stay away from forming permanent alliances with foreign nations and intervening in a foreign conflict. John Adams followed his advice. Others, not so much. Over the span of two-hundred years America has been involved in many foreign entanglements and it has participated in multiple major wars. It is interesting to see how a nation that for a short period of time tried so hard to stay out of war has now become very active at the international stage, and one could point fingers at many different causes that led America to turn into an active participant and even regulator of foreign relationships. In fact, one can even point fingers at different names.
One example is Theodore Roosevelt. During his presidency Russia and Japan
were battling for control of the Pacific, and the victor would then enjoy control of vast amounts of territory. Neither outcome would benefit the United States. The last thing President Roosevelt wanted to see was that Japan or Russia would exert absolute control over the Pacific. Therefore President Roosevelt jumped onto the scene before either side claimed a victory. With his guidance the two superpowers would sign a peace treaty and even distribute all the land of the Pacific. However, that was not it. Even before Theodore Roosevelt became President he would help America expand its territory by defeating the Spanish in the Spanish-American War, and the only reason why there was a Spanish-American War was because the Spanish were upset that the Americans had intervened in the Cuban War of Independence.
Another president that is remembered for his role in foreign relationships
is Woodrow Wilson. Is it very interesting to mention Woodrow Wilson because at the beginning of his presidency he actually admitted to be afraid of having to deal with foreign countries. Unfortunately, as the Great War kept tearing Europe apart President Wilson had no choice but to intervene and put an end to the carnage. After the war President Wilson would try to bring Europe together and form a league of nations that would help regulate conflicts without resorting to warfare. Unfortunately, Wilson would not have much success as he would soon have to battle against the stubbornness of the European leaders and the disapprobation of the Congress and the Senate.
As we keep analyzing the roles that a lot of American presidents have played at the
international stage it becomes very easy to believe that it is the tendency of the President of the United States to intervene in foreign relationships. However, as one also analyzes the causes that led the United States to intervene in wars one would find that a huge driving power behind America’s intervention in almost every issue has been journalism, just like it is in every other country. There have been many different instances where journalism catalyzed the reaction of the American public towards a certain issue, and it has therefore rushed the United States into many conflicts.
A good example can be seen with the sinking of the Lusitania. The view that the
American public had on the German empire changed dramatically after news came out that a German U-boat had sunk a ship full of passengers and journalists began to demonize the Germans for their actions . The American public would become enraged, and Woodrow Wilson quickly decided that it was time for him and the United States to enter the war on the side of the Allied Powers. Before the sinking of the Lusitania there was also the sinking of the USS Maine. As the United States began to intervene in Cuba tensions between the United States and Spain would rise. Tensions would reach an all-time high when Americans learned that the USS Maine had been blown up into pieces. Proof came out later that the explosion of the USS Maine had been an unfortunate accident, but at the time Americans firmly believed that the Spanish had been responsible for the explosion. Journalism would lead the Americans into war, and the use of sensationalism and exaggeration to draw a certain reaction from the readers would then become known as “yellow journalism.”
One can look at many other factors that in the past have caused the United States
to be very active in foreign countries. However, it is difficult to overlook the effect journalism has had on the role the United States has had at the global stage, especially “yellow journalism.”
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