American Foreign Relations: A Very Short Introduction

Description

Very Short Introductions have proven to be extremely popular with general readers, as well as undergraduates and their lecturers.

For better or worse, be it militarily, diplomatically, politically, economically, or culturally, Americans have had a profound role in shaping the wider world beyond them. Unsurprisingly, most non-Americans have passionate views about the nature of U.S. foreign policy. America has been a savior to some, a curse to others-and both have good reason to feel that way. And yet, such views are often also based on a caricature of American actions and intentions. For their part, Americans themselves have strong opinions about their role in the world and how it has evolved over time. Yet these views are shrouded as much in myth as they are grounded in fact. American Foreign Relations, then, suffers from being a subject of immense worldwide importance but almost complete misunderstanding; it provokes strong emotions and much debate in newspapers daily, but is accompanied by little comprehension.

Key Features

• A short narrative of the key events, concepts, and people who have shaped American foreign relations from the founding to the present.
• Written by a prize-winning author who has taught in the United States, Canada, and England.
• Part of the Very Short Introductions series – millions of copies sold worldwide

This Very Short Introduction aims to offer analysis of key events, episodes, crises, and individuals in the making of American foreign relations. It will discuss events such as the Revolutionary War, the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, manifest destiny, the Mexican War, the Civil War, industrialization, the beginnings of globalization, the Spanish-American War, imperialism, the annexation of the Philippines, informal imperialism and the Open Door policy, World War I, isolationism, World War II, the Cold War from its origins to its end (including the Korean and Vietnam Wars), the Iraq Wars, 9/11, and Afghanistan. Such topics will be situated within an analytical narrative that follows chronology generally, but not strictly or comprehensively.

Table of Contents

1. List of Illustrations
2. Introduction
3. Chapter 1: First Principles
4. Chapter 2: Expansionism
5. Chapter 3: Global America
6. Chapter 4: The American Century?
7. Chapter 5: Superpower
8. Chapter 6: Hyperpower and Its Discontents
9. References
10. Further Reading
11. Index

About the Series

Oxford’s Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects – from Public Health to Buddhist Ethics, Soft Matter to Classics, and Art History to Globalization. Each volume provides an authoritative and engaging assessment of a concept, field, or body of work, drawing out the central ideas, themes, and approaches. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, new insights, and enthusiasm to make often challenging topics highly readable to develop your core knowledge. With over 700 titles and many more in development, as well as regularly updated new editions, the series is constantly evolving to reflect a contemporary readership. Whatever your area of study, whatever the topic that fascinates you, the series is an indispensable and accessible guide that will enrich your understanding.

Reviews

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Author Biography

Andrew Preston, Professor of American History, University of Cambridge

Andrew Preston is Professor of American History at Cambridge University. He is the author of Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith: Religion in American War and Diplomacy and The War Council: McGeorge Bundy, the NSC, and Vietnam. He is also the co-editor of Nixon in the World: U.S. Foreign Relations, 1969-1977; America in the World: A History in Documents from the War with Spain to the War on Terror; Faithful Republic: Religion and Politics in the 20th Century United States; and Outside In: The Transnational Circuitry of U.S. History.