During the 1800s and 1900s, the United States had multiple foreign policies. These foreigen policies caused many disagreements among the American people. Two examples are the Louisiana Purchase and maintaining neutrality in World War I. Some Americans agreed with the foreign policy while others opposed them. Throughout United States history, the government has taken foeign policy actions that have resulted in differences of opinion among the American people. These actions have had impacts on the United States and on other countries and regions.
The purchase of Louisiana caused many disagreements between American people. People who support the purchase think that it would benefit America. This purchase would double the size of the US and gain full control of the Mississippi river. Furthermore, the cost of the whole purchase was only 15 million dollars, or approximately eighteen dollars per square mile. It was a very good deal for buying land since presently the whole purchase would have cost almost 21 times the amount it was. In addition, Louisiana would make the US gain more resources and trades from other countries. On the other hand, people who disagree with the purchase thought that the land could be worthless since it was not explored before and full of mystery. They thought that there could be monsters or creatures in the west since they had never been there before. Another reason they oppose the purchase is because the president couldn't spend too much money on land since America just got freedom from British so the US did not have a lot of money. The impact of the Louisiana purchase was that Native Americans lived there when Manifest Destiny took place after Lewis and Clark explored the whole Louisiana Territory. The manifest destiny was a desire for Americans to settle west and expand the United States. People moved to the west because they could claim free land when they settled. Natives were moved out of the territory but the US got more powerful and strong since many people moved into America to settle. Therefore, the Louisiana purchase had an impact on the United States and other countries.
Maintaining neutrality in World War I was very hard for the US. Some Americans wanted peace but others wanted to join the war. People wanted to stay neutral because they don’t want to fight and lose people in the war. Staying neutral can also benefit the US by making money trading with the allies. Moreover, being neutral can make the US isolated and not have problems with other countries. However, not joining the war would make the US seem timid. These people think that America should be confident since they won the American revolutionary war. At last America joined the war because Germany attacked America’s ships with U Boats and made anger in the US. The impact of joining the war is that freedom of speech is limited during war time because information can be heard easily. Another impact of World War I is that America lost many people due to the war, people were fighting for the country. Therefore, maintaining neutrality in World War I had an impact on the United States and other countries.
Many problems were created during the 1800s and 1900s, it made differences between Americans and made impacts to the nation. Purchasing the Louisiana Territory made many conflicts between whether to buy the large territory. Americans were also arguing if America should stay neutral or join the war. Therefore, many problems made an impact on the US and other countries.