Modern, U.S. Foreign Policy Doctrines
Today we did what we had to do. They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong. – Ronald Reagan
In 1793 the (George) Washington administration faced a significant, foreign policy concern. As a result of the French Revolution and the subsequent decapitation of the French king, Louis XVI, the major European nations declared war on France. France, a critical ally of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, sought help from their erstwhile allies.
American citizens were quite divided about the escalating European war. Whereas many Americans were sympathetic to the French peoples quest to rid themselves of the old regime and to embrace the revolutionary rallying cry, Liberté, égalité, fraternité, the subsequent radical turn of the French Revolution soured many Americans to the French revolutionary cause.
President George Washington, based on the unanimous consent of his executive cabinet comprised of Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph decided that the United States must avoid, at all costs, military involvement on the European continent. (Dehler, n.d.)
Yet, compounding the administrations concerns were the uncertain Constitutional waters regarding the management of the foreign policy. Whereas Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution provided Congress the ability to declare war, Article II, Section 2 allowed the U.S. president to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur. (U.S. Constitution)
Washingtons cabinet argued that the administration must issue some sort of statement regarding U.S. foreign policy concerning the escalating, European war. Thus, asserting the Presidents ability to conduct foreign affairs, the Washington administration issued the first foreign policy document: a proclamation of neutrality. The opening paragraph of the Neutrality Proclamation on April 22, 1793, stated: Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great-Britain, and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and France on the other, and the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent powers. (U.S. Archives, 2002) As a result, the precedent was set: the executive branch could now conduct foreign policy without the consent of Congress.
In 1823, thirty years after the Proclamation of Neutrality, President Monroe famously introduced the Monroe Doctrine which warned European nations to steer clear of U.S. interests in the Western hemisphere. (U.S. State Department, n.d.) Subsequently, from Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality to the G.W. Bushs doctrine of military preemption, presidents have introduced foreign policy doctrines that best articulate U.S. foreign policy interests.
Directions: Using the required, academic readings, and supplemental academic research, please address the following while adhering to the Discussion Board Rubric:

Select a modern, presidential doctrine from the following list:

Truman Doctrine
Eisenhower Doctrine
Kennedy Doctrine
Johnson Doctrine
Nixon Doctrine
Ford Doctrine
Carter Doctrine
Reagan Doctrine
G.H.W. Bush Doctrine
Clinton Doctrine
G.W. Bush Doctrine
Obama Doctrine
Trump Doctrine

Provide a brief summary of the foreign policy doctrine.

Contrast this foreign policy doctrine with pre-WWII U.S. foreign policy.

Explain the historical circumstances that produced foreign policy doctrine.

How did the Cold War or the War on Terror shape this foreign policy doctrine?

Provide a specific example of when the foreign policy doctrine was utilized.

Analyze the short- and long-term result of this specific example.

Evaluate the foreign policy doctrine in terms of U.S. self-interest and Americas international reputation.

References:
Dehler, G. (n.d.). Neutrality Proclamation. Retrieved from https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/neutrality-proclamation/.
Founders Online: Neutrality Proclamation, 22 April 1793. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-12-02-0371.
Monroe Doctrine, 1823. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/monroe.
The Constitution of the United States. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution.