Jenna+N

Compare and contrast United States foreign policy after the Second World War and after the Vietnam War. Consider the periods of 1945 -1950 and 1975 - 1985. American foreign policy has been vastly changing since the beginning of our country. With every war that we enter our policy gets a few tweaks here and there. Before World War II America’s policy was isolationism. America blocked off everyone, all because America didn’t want to become involved in yet another war, for once America was trying to stay out of everybody’s business. After World War II that mindset dramatically changed. After the Vietnam War, the policy changed yet again. America became everyone’s “best friend”.

The aftermaths of these two wars effects on foreign policy are quite similar. World War II took America out of their isolationist ways and broadened their horizons. America soon came to realize that troubles and problems in the world would eventually find them. America found it in their best interest to protect other countries and use their abilities as a “super power” nation to dissolve conflict when it occurred. As said in a document from the US Department of State, “In the aftermath of the [|Vietnam War], the United States continued to pursue an active policy in world affairs, addressing issues in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.” Overall, America ended up becoming a people pleaser in the end result in both of these foreign policies.

There are some slight differences between the two foreign policies. The differences lie in the small details. After the Vietnam War America got incredibly involved with multiple countries, but this mainly pertained to The Soviet Union. After World War II America didn’t necessarily get all buddy buddy with other countries right away, they were still coming off of their isolationism period. On the other hand, after the Vietnam War, America jumped in head first. They got together with European leaders at the Helsinki Conference, which is the biggest summit in European history.

While the two foreign policies have slight differences, they are incredibly similar. They are extremely more comparable then they are to contrast. Both of the policies involve befriending other countries and having their backs during times of worry and need. These two policies practically mimic each other, other than the fact that World War II was coming out of a period of isolation.

Works Cited "Foreign Policy Outline." //Foreign Policy Outline//. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .

"Staten | U.S. Foreign Policy Since World War II." //American Diplomacy//. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .

"United States History - Post-Vietnam Foreign Policy." //Country Studies//. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .