Introduction: Why Foreign Policy Matters in APUSH
Foreign policy is one of the most tested long-term themes in AP U.S. History. From the Monroe Doctrine to the War on Terror, the United States’ approach to the world has shifted dramatically.
On the APUSH exam, you’ll need to:
- Recognize continuity and change in foreign policy.
- Connect policies across different eras.
- Evaluate causes and consequences of war, diplomacy, and intervention.
In this guide — plus RevisionDojo’s foreign policy timelines, case studies, and essay practice tools — you’ll learn how to track U.S. foreign policy shifts and use them as powerful evidence on DBQs, LEQs, and SAQs.
Step 1: Early Republic Foreign Policy (1780s–1820s)
- Washington’s Farewell Address (1796): Warned against entangling alliances.
- Neutrality Proclamation (1793): Stay out of European wars.
- Embargo Act (1807): Jefferson attempted to avoid war but hurt U.S. trade.
- War of 1812: First major war, defended U.S. sovereignty.
- Monroe Doctrine (1823): Declared Western Hemisphere closed to European colonization.
👉 Early U.S. policy = isolationist + defensive.
Step 2: Manifest Destiny & Imperialism (1840s–1890s)
- Mexican-American War (1846–1848): U.S. gained huge territories, fueling slavery debates.
- Opening of Japan (1854): Commodore Perry forced trade relations.
- Spanish-American War (1898): U.S. gained Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam — marked shift to imperial power.
- Roosevelt Corollary (1904): U.S. as “policeman” of Latin America.
👉 Transition = from isolationism to imperialism.
Step 3: Progressive Era & WWI (1900–1920)
- Panama Canal (1904): U.S. built strategic trade route.
- Dollar Diplomacy (Taft): Used economic power in Latin America.
- World War I (1917–1918): Entered to “make the world safe for democracy.”
- League of Nations Debate: Senate rejection = return to isolationism.
👉 U.S. dipped into global affairs but pulled back.
Step 4: Interwar Period (1920s–1930s)
- Washington Naval Conference (1921): Attempt at arms control.
- Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928): Outlawed war (ineffective).
- Neutrality Acts (1930s): Reflected strong isolationist sentiment.
👉 Isolationism dominated, but WWII loomed.
Step 5: World War II (1939–1945)
- Lend-Lease Act (1941): Supported Allies before official entry.
- Pearl Harbor (1941): Pulled U.S. into WWII.
- Atlantic Charter (1941): Basis for United Nations.
- Atomic Bomb (1945): Cemented U.S. as superpower.
👉 WWII = decisive end of isolationism.
Step 6: Cold War Era (1945–1991)
- Truman Doctrine (1947): Containment of communism.
- Marshall Plan (1948): Aid to rebuild Europe.
- NATO (1949): First peacetime alliance.
- Korean War (1950–1953).
- Vietnam War (1955–1975).
- Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).
- Detente (1970s): Nixon → reduced tensions with USSR + China.
- Reagan Doctrine (1980s): Aggressive anti-communism.
👉 Cold War = global intervention + ideological struggle.
Step 7: Post-Cold War & War on Terror (1990s–Present)
- Persian Gulf War (1991): U.S. led coalition to defend Kuwait.
- 9/11 Attacks (2001): Shift to War on Terror.
- Afghanistan War (2001–2021).
- Iraq War (2003–2011).
- Globalism: U.S. role in UN, NATO, climate agreements, trade.
👉 Post-1990s = global leadership role, new threats.
Step 8: Continuity and Change in U.S. Foreign Policy
- Continuity: U.S. always defended economic + security interests.
- Change: From isolationism (1790s) → imperialism (1890s) → global leadership (WWII onward).
👉 Use this framework for CCOT essays.
Step 9: Thematic Connections
- Foreign Policy & Economy: Hamilton’s trade → Open Door Policy → Bretton Woods → NAFTA.
- Foreign Policy & Civil Rights: WWII + Cold War highlighted hypocrisy of segregation at home.
- Foreign Policy & Presidency: Presidential power expanded through foreign policy decisions.
Step 10: Foreign Policy on the APUSH Exam
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
- Compare Monroe Doctrine vs Truman Doctrine.
SAQ
- “Identify one similarity and one difference between U.S. foreign policy in the 1920s and 1930s.”
DBQ
- Example: “Evaluate the extent to which U.S. foreign policy changed between 1898 and 1945.”
LEQ
- Long-term analysis of foreign policy change across multiple centuries.
👉 RevisionDojo’s foreign policy DBQ practice sets cover these themes.
Step 11: Study Hacks
- Create a foreign policy timeline with key doctrines + wars.
- Group by eras: Isolationism, Imperialism, WWII, Cold War, Globalism.
- Memorize key doctrines (Monroe, Roosevelt Corollary, Truman, Reagan).
- Connect to domestic effects (e.g., Vietnam → protests at home).
Step 12: Common Mistakes
- ❌ Assuming U.S. was always interventionist (not true before 1898).
- ❌ Forgetting isolationism between WWI and WWII.
- ❌ Confusing containment with imperialism.
- ❌ Ignoring domestic consequences of foreign policy.
Step 13: The RevisionDojo Advantage
RevisionDojo helps APUSH students master foreign policy with:
- Timelines (1790s–Present).
- Flashcards for doctrines and wars.
- DBQ + LEQ Essay Banks.
- Cause-Effect Charts for wars and interventions.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s APUSH Foreign Policy Resources here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When did the U.S. shift from isolationism to interventionism?
A: 1898 Spanish-American War marked the turning point.
Q: How does the Monroe Doctrine connect to later policies?
A: It established U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere, expanded by the Roosevelt Corollary and Cold War policies.
Q: How do I organize foreign policy for essays?
A: Use the eras: Isolationism → Imperialism → WWII → Cold War → Globalism.
Q: Will foreign policy appear on the DBQ?
A: Yes, often — especially for CCOT and causation prompts.
Q: How does RevisionDojo help with foreign policy review?
A: With timelines, flashcards, and essay prompts designed around cross-era connections.
Final Thoughts
Foreign policy is one of the best cross-period themes for APUSH essays. It connects early republic policies to modern globalism and shows continuity and change over time.
To succeed on the exam:
- Memorize key doctrines, wars, and turning points.
- Organize into eras.
- Connect foreign policy shifts to domestic politics.
- Use RevisionDojo’s structured resources to build timelines and practice essays.
If you can connect foreign policy across eras, you’ll have one of the strongest themes in your APUSH toolkit.
