While restrictions and limitations may seem essential in maintaining control, depending on the situation, it may also be detrimental in preventing exploration for the purpose of advancement and progression. A prime example of this would be the Articles of Confederation, which caused inflation, prevented Congress from taxing the people, and rendered a president inadmissible. The effects of each one of these actions ultimately restricted America to a useless system headed for failure. Luckily, that same “America” segued into a country that supported liberation, exploration, and expansion. The love and devotion the American people has had for these fundamental elements, as well as for their country, has caused major events to result. The Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Dynasty, Trail of Tears, and the Mexican- American War were all costly, but successful attempts in defying the notion that restriction was needed. America’s journey to advancement (expansion) through the actions that stemmed from nationalism has had an extraordinarily positive and major role in the formulation and application of foreign policy in the early nineteenth century.
Most may believe that in no way did nationalism have a positive role in the application of U.S. foreign policy. This belief is understandable, but is unfortunately wrong. Federalists believed that war, a form of nationalism, would only create more damage than help in foreign policy issues. Mainly, as a result of war of 1812 in addition to other events, the U.S. economy was worsened and destruction came about (large areas of the white house were destroyed). However, Federalists, like most, neglect to notice what was obtained- what was gained. Respect, military careers, continued protection of the Western Hemisphere, California and New Mexico are just a few of the things gained that supports the notion that nationalism has had a positive and extraordinary role in foreign policy issues. These events alone defy all negative connotations as it pertains to nationalism in the nineteenth century.
Insidious is the correct term in describing Britain’s actions. After the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, Americans were primarily concerned that the British would dominate and colonize the Western Hemisphere, land that “belonged naturally to the United States”, according to John Quincy Adams. Through the Monroe Doctrine, an ultimatum was established: Europe would stay out of the Western Hemisphere and the U.S. would stay out of Europe. This was not only fair, but wise. Fair because neither side could impose on the other; wise because these were the initial steps American needed in formulating foreign policy. The Monroe Doctrine also allowed Americans to exercise their beliefs, which stemmed for the Manifest Destiny: an attempt to rationalize U.S. foreign policy, to imply that the Western Hemisphere was the United States’ God-given land. If the Europeans happened to disobey this doctrine, it would have been a threat to U.S. national security: an unwise move considering the fact that Americans proved their military capabilities at the War of 1812. Luckily, the Europeans obeyed. Fairness and wisdom, two positive features, played an extraordinary role in formulating U.S foreign policy.
The application of foreign policy was for expansion, which resulted in necessary confiscation and vast deaths. Though Europeans served to be a significant obstacle, they were not the only one to do so. Because expansion was extremely fundamental for the Americas, the removal of the Native America tribe, known as the Cherokees, was indispensable. The irrepressible Cherokees inhabited Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi. Since there were over twenty thousand Indians in the Georgia area it would be a task to get rid of them. Thankfully, the Supreme Court (Cherokee Nation v. Georgia) and the Indian Removal Act were two keen rudiments that would promote permanent removal. They were eventually removed from George to a western area, Oklahoma. Americans had to make tough decisions in accessing the Cherokee's removal and in the process would not predict that four thousand of them would die in the Trail of Tears. Nationalism was the answer to expansion and the Americans would not let a single obstacle prevent them from their desires. Nationalism, in this incident was also positive, because even though Indians were killed, American found gold: an element that could be used to boast the economy and help America's financial well being.
After the War of 1812 one would believe that Americans would try to avoid as many battles as possible. Some may also see America as a greedy country that is was trying to obtain too much territory. Both accusations are false for very obvious reason. America primary purpose was to expand as much as possible, making it apparent that Texas was just not enough land. President Polk wanted more: the California-New Mexico territory, which was owned by the Mexicans. Because President Polk, and others, had self pride in America, war was not a question in acquiring more land. Throughout the Mexican - American war victory after victory came about ranging from the defeat of Santa Anna’s force to Americans final attack on Mexico City. Upon signing the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Americans claim the area north of the Rio Grande and the U.S obtained California and New Mexico Very much so did nationalism played a major and positive role in U.S. foreign policy. Even though President Polk was not satisfied with the amount of land eventually obtained, the United States still agreed to assume Mexico’s debt to us as a way of creating peace.
To be frank, nationalism was an inevitable necessity that American needed for expansion. Most may believe that nationalism in the nineteenth century played a negative role in U.S. foreign policy, but the things that were obtained because of it greatly outweigh this notion to say the least. In order to avoid restrictions (that dark and controlling determent), costly effects may have to result (death), but can be overlooked, depending on the situation, when our desires are meet. America’s desires and aspirations were met, and as a result the obtainment of the Western Hemisphere, land east of the Mississippi River, and the California- New Mexico territory came about. Major and positive are two adjective that actually underestimate the role of nationalism on U.S foreign policy, especially because the advancements were so plentiful and needed.
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