The Age of Empire, spanning from 1890 to 1914, significantly influenced American foreign policy as the United States sought to expand its global influence and secure resources and markets abroad. During this period, the U.S. adopted an imperialist approach, motivated by factors such as economic interests, nationalism, and a desire for strategic dominance. The acquisition of overseas territories, such as the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam, reflected America’s emergence as a colonial power. The Monroe Doctrine, originally intended to prevent European intervention in the Western Hemisphere, was expanded to justify U.S. intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean. This expansionist foreign policy, characterized by interventions in countries like Cuba and Panama, aimed to promote American economic interests and assert U.S. hegemony in the region.
The outbreak of World War I in 1914 further shaped American foreign policy as the U.S. initially pursued a policy of neutrality. However, economic ties with Allied powers, particularly Britain and France, and concerns over German submarine warfare gradually led to U.S. involvement in the conflict in 1917. The impact of the Great War on Americans was profound, with millions of young men enlisting in the military and significant social and economic disruptions on the home front. The war also accelerated the pace of technological innovation and transformed the role of women in society as they entered the workforce in large numbers to support the war effort.
Following the end of World War I in 1919, the United States experienced a period of cultural and social upheaval known as the Jazz Age. This era, characterized by economic prosperity, technological advancements, and changing social norms, redefined the nation in the aftermath of the war. The Jazz Age was marked by a flourishing of arts and culture, with the rise of jazz music, literature, and visual arts contributing to a sense of liberation and modernity. The Roaring Twenties witnessed significant shifts in lifestyle and values, including the embrace of consumerism, the rejection of traditional Victorian morals, and the rise of youth culture. However, the Jazz Age was also a time of deep social divisions, as racial tensions, immigration restrictions, and economic inequalities persisted beneath the surface of cultural dynamism.
In conclusion, the Age of Empire shaped American foreign policy by expanding U.S. influence abroad, while the experiences and impacts of Americans during the Great War highlighted the nation’s evolving role on the global stage. The Jazz Age that followed World War I redefined the nation through cultural innovation and social change, leaving a lasting legacy on American society in the years to come.