Evaluate U.S. foreign policy and its role in the world since the 1800’s, explaining why the U.S. became involved in the wars and conflicts of the 20th and in the beginning of the 21st centuries.

One and half pages essay.

Details:

There are two parts to the question:

1) Evaluate: has American foreign policy been a success?

2) Explain: why has American foreign policy been a success or a failure?

Let’s take a closer look at the explanation:


• American foreign policy, including war, has been guided by realism and self-interest – nothingexceptional
•

American foreign policy, including war, has beenguided by idealism – American “exceptionalism,” a model for the rest of the world

Let’s write a thesis statement:

Answer the question: has American foreign policy been a success?

Let’s expand the thesis statement to a thesis paragraph:

Has our foreign policy, including war, been guided by realism or idealism?

What wars or conflicts will be the subject of the topical paragraphs?

• Spanish-American War


• Philippine Insurrection

• Panama Canal


• Mexican Intervention

• World War I


• World II

Final thoughts on the thesis paragraph:

• Why is this an important question


• Include the thesis statement


• Introduce the explanation – realism or idealism

• Introduce the topics – specific conflicts and wars

Standard for evaluation (total 10)

0-2: Thesis sentence (answer)

0-2: Thesis paragraph (how you are going to support your answer)

0-2: Supporting paragraphs

0-2: Quality of supporting paragraphs including citing sources

0-2: Historical relevancy overall quality