The Reluctant Empire? U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century

Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

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Ruprecht-Karls-Universität HeidelbergCurt-Engelhorn Chair in American History Prof. Dr. Manfred BergWinter Term 2008/2009

The Reluctant Empire?

U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century

Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

Economic Diplomacy and Political Isolationism, 1921-1938

The Economic Stabilization of Europe

Disarmament and International Security

The Expansion of American Culture

Neutralism and the Rise of Fascism


Warren G. Harding, 1865-1923

U.S. Senator, 1914-1921 U.S. President, 1921-1923

“Back to Normalcy”


Charles Evans Hughes, 1862-1948

Gov. Of New York, 1907-1910 U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1910-

1916 U.S. Secretary of State, 1921-1925

“We do not wish to see a prostrate Germany. There can be no economic recuperation in Europe unless Germany recuperates.”


Charles G. Dawes, 1865-1951

U.S. Vice President, 1925-1929

U.S. Ambassador to Britain, 1929-1931


Dawes Plan of 1924

Fixed annual reparation payments Transfer Agency headed by U.S. expert Evacuation of the Ruhr $200 million loan to jumpstart German

Economy

“A Triumph of Common Sense and Justice” New York Tribune, 1924


J. P. Morgan, 1867-1943

U.S. Banker and Financier

Played an Important Role in the Reparation Plans of the 1920s


The Financial Merry-Go-Round American private loans go to Germany! Germany pays reparations to the Allies! The Allies pay their war debts to the U.S.!

Problem:The Europeans needed to earn U.S. dollars to pay their debts but the U.S. raised tariffs to protect their industries.


Owen D. Young, 1874-1962

The Young Plan, 1929

Reduction of German Reparations

Bank for International Settlements


Herbert C. Hoover, 1874-1964

Secretary of Commerce, 1921-1928

U.S. President, 1929-1933

Hoover Moratorium, June 1931


Washington Naval Conference, 1921-1922

Ten-year Moratorium on building battleships

Limit on Aircraft Carriers Fixed Tonnage Ratio: U.S. and GB (5);

Japan (3); France and Italy (1.75) Status Quo in the Pacific Guarantee of sovereignty,

independence, and integrity of China


Frank B. Kellogg, 1856-1937

U.S. Secretary of State, 1925-1929

Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 renounces war “as an instrument of national policy.”


Americanism Democracy Individual Freedom Consumerism Efficiency Pragmatism Modernity Science and Technology Mobility


Hollywood

“Hollywoodland” 1923 Metro Studios, early 1920’s


Modern Times

Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times, 1936


Charles Lindbergh, 1902-1974

Capt. Charles Lindbergh in front of the Spirit of St. Louis, 1927


F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1896-1940

The Great Gatsby, 1925


The Crash, October 1929


Henry L. Stimson, 1867-1950

U.S. Secretary of War, 1911-1913/1940-1945

U.S. Secretary of State, 1929-1933

Stimson Doctrine of 1932: Nonrecognition of forcible territorial changes


Adolf Hitler, 1889-1945

German Chancellor Adolf Hitler, 1933


Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1882-1945

One of FDR’s famous “Fireside Chats,” 1933


Senator Gerald P. Nye, 1892-1971

U.S. Senator 1925-1945

Chairman of the Special Committee on Investigation of the Munitions Industry, 1934-1936

“Merchants of Death”


Neutrality Acts, 1935-1936

Embargo on all war materials Prohibition to increase exports of

materials essential for war Buyers pay cash and carry at their

own risk No loans to belligerents Americans must not travel on

belligerent ships

The Reluctant Empire? U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century

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