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History Of U.S. Foreign Relations - Youth To Maturity
- Standard Definition: (24-hr. turnaround)
- SD NTSC -- $449.00
720 x 480 29.97i DV-NTSC Quicktime
keywords: opening of trade with japan, civil war, president abraham lincoln, president theodore roosevelt, intervention
Synopsis: Compilation of major U.S. events and politics beginning with the first half of the 19th century and ending on the eve of World War I...(read more)
- Date: 1800s-1900s
- Duration: 00:29:11
- Sound: Yes
- Color: Color
- Type: Public Domain
- Language: English
- Location: World
US Foreign Relations - Youth To Maturity
This film, a “moving still production”, was produced by the United States Department of State. It is a compilation of events starting in the first half of the 19th century and ending on the eve of WWI. The imbuing of still photographs and paintings with excellent narration of events produces a video-like production. 30 seconds of actual video footage of the construction of the Panama Canal and a ship in a canal lock is used.
During the first half of the 19th century Americans moved westward; a tide of humanity that reached and settled the shores of the Pacific. Even then men looked ever westward across the Pacific Ocean and to the great markets of China and the rest of Asia.
Commodore Matthew C. Perry, U.S. Navy warrior and renowned diplomat, is best known for his trips to Japan. Earlier he help found the state of Liberia for freed American slaves and commanded the African Squadron that hunted down slave traders along the African Coast. He became a hero during the war with Mexico. The annexation of the Texas Republic was approved by Congress in 1845. James K. Polk becomes President running on a national expansion platform. After the war with Mexico the entire Southwest belongs to the United States. The march to the Pacific has been completed and trade with Asia beckoned.
On July 8, 1853 Commodore Perry arrived off the coast of Japan carrying a personal letter from President Fillmore to the Emperor. After several days of negotiations Perry is allowed to land. After short meetings and stating his requests, Perry announces he will return in the spring to receive a reply. Upon his return the following year he brings many gifts, but none more welcomed than the telegraph and examples of American’s industrial revolution. Within 50 years Japan will become one of the leading industrial nations of the world and the strongest military power in Asia. Two years later Townsend Harris established the first American Consulate in Japan.
No more slaves, no more slave territory was the cry in America! In 1808 Congress prohibited the importation of slaves and in 1820 declared it as piracy punishable by death, but the slave trade continued to flourish. By mid-century the slavery debate had become so intense some Southern states had openly threatened to leave the union. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln is elected President after campaigning against the spread of slavery. South Carolina announces its succession from the Union. Fort Sumter is attacked and the Civil War began. Narration of the events of the Civil War and the attempt by the South for the British to become involved. Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in the area controlled by the Union. The British remains neutral and ceases building warships for the South. Robert E. Lee surrenders to General Grant April 9, 1865 ending the Civil War. Five days later Lincoln is assassinated.
The nation turns to the task of rebuilding with little time for world affairs. In 1866 the Atlantic cable goes into operation linking America and Europe by telegraph. America enters the industrial revolution. Immigrants flood to America causing social unrest. America looks for new areas for expansion; Alaska, Samoa, Hawaiian Islands. William McKinley is elected President in 1896. Theodore Roosevelt become Secretary of Navy. McKinley reverses the policy of his predecessor and agrees to the annexation of Hawaii. A campaign to free Cuba from Spanish rule is launched. The Battleship Maine is sunk in Havana Harbor leading to the war with Spain. American forces are now in The Philippine Islands, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. America is now a Pacific power with a mandate to keep trade with China open and growing. In the 1900 Presidential campaign American imperialism is a major issue. Work is started on the Panama Canal.
After McKinley is assassinated Roosevelt become President. Roosevelt quickly became known for his “speak softly and carry a big stick” diplomatic style. Roosevelt launches the concept of American Police Power in Central and South America. In the following years “America Dollar” diplomacy left a legacy of ill will south of the border.
In 1905 Russia and Japan goes to war over Manchuria. Roosevelt mediates a peaceful resolution to the conflict. For his efforts he is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1907 a second Hague Conference is called due to rising tensions in Europe. The conference is a failure and Europe stumbles toward disaster. America had become an industrial giant and the lives of people from all nations had become woven together. However, most Americans did not want to become involved in world affairs believing the oceans were great barriers. As history would tell this would soon become impossible.
