Chapter XV: The Making of a World Power Summary and Analysis

By the 20th century, America was the greatest economic and military power in the world and it was no longer possible to stay out of foreign affairs as it had done in the past.

1. A New Diplomacy for a New Era

In colonial times and for many years after, America took pride in being a different force in the world. It maintained an isolationist policy for many years. In Common Sense, Thomas Paine warned against involvement with Europe. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams both considered America morally superior to Europe. Jefferson looked on Europe with disdain and disapproved of war. George Washington warned against foreign entanglements. The Monroe Doctrine set the US policy for years to come. It proclaimed that any efforts to colonize regions in North...