For years, our foreign policy has been built on the premise of American exceptionalism—that by our very principles and beliefs, we deserve to shape the world as we see fit. This was as true in Roosevelt's time as it is today.
The United States had kept up an unwavering influence over the Western Hemisphere since the Monroe Doctrine, and by the 1930s, this meant the forced occupation of several Central American nations, primarily to protect business interests.
In order to deal with the crisis at home, Roosevelt states in his 1933 inaugural address that he has decided to pull back troops and devote resources internally. But the incoming president paints this as an example of how chill America is. This is the new American way, at least until the country is back on its feet.
Questions About American Exceptionalism
- Why do you think the United States adopted this aggressive attitude toward foreign relations early in its history?
- What does American exceptionalism mean to you?
- What ideals do you think serve as the basis of American exceptionalism?
Chew on This
American exceptionalism means never having to say you're sorry. Roosevelt's policy as outlined in the inaugural address, while sensible ("we need all hands on deck at home!"), also serves as a means of slipping out of a decades-long entanglement with little fanfare.
American exceptionalism truly does give the United States a deserved sense of superiority: where else could a freely elected leader enact an unprecedented turnaround?