Until the end of the nineteenth century, American foreign policy essentially followed the guidelines laid down by George Washington, in his Farewell Address to the American people: The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations isin extending our commercial relationsto have with them as little political connection as possible. Together, they represented a profound break with American traditions of government. The turning point was signaled by a series of military adventures: the war with Spain, the war for the conquest of the Philippines, and, finally, our entry into the First World War. Eventually, this change affected all areas of American life, so that today our nation is radically different from the original ideal, and, indeed, from the ideal probably still cherished by most Americans. One idea of America was abandoned and another took its place, although no conscious, deliberate decision was ever made. The process of distortion started about a century ago, when certain fateful steps were taken that in time altered fundamentally the character of our republic. War has warped our constitutional order, the course of our national development, and the very mentality of our people. The major cause of this transformation has been Americas involvement in war and preparation for war over the past hundred years. Were the Founding Fathers somehow to return, they would find it impossible to recognize our political system. With the end of the twentieth century rapidly approaching, this is a time to look back and gain some perspective on where we stand as a nation. Single Issues of The Independent Review.Podcast: Independent Outlook / Conversations.International Economics and Development.
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