The Use of the Instruments of National Power in the 20th Century
Abstract
American statesmen in this century have made use of a variety of instruments of national power in the pursuit of what they have identified as important national interests. By the end of the 19th century, the United States had emerged as a global power with a thriving economy looking for overseas markets, a mature political system that had weathered the test of the Civil War, and a national ethos that stressed democracy and economic opportunity. As the beneficiary of its geographic situation, the United States avoided the wars and intrigues of Europe while expanding across North America. With its defeat of Spain in 1898, the United States seemed to serve notice to the world that it was ready to play on a larger stage. U.S. military successes against Spain reinforced the notion that it could and would use its military strength to further its interests abroad. President McKinley's successors in the 20th century had confidence that, if necessary, they could call on capable military forces to protect and further U.S. interests abroad. This paper examines the use of the instruments of national power in World War I during the Wilson Administration, during the Vietnam War, during the Dollar Diplomacy of the Taft Administration, during the Truman Administration's Marshall Plan following World War II, and in the use of public diplomacy by the Wilson and Reagan Administrations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 05, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA437644
Entities
People
- William H. Itoh
Organizations
- National War College