How did World War 2 affect American foreign policy?

Answer 1

Prior to World War II, American foreign policy was isolationist. We felt that other nations problems, particularly their wars, were their own business and we avoided getting involved unless we felt directly threatened. As a result of WWII though we decided that threats to peace and freedom elsewhere in the world did affect us, that if we ignored serious trouble in the world it would probably eventually find us. Thus after the war we became internationalist using our power and prestige to help and protect our friends and acting to prevent wars wherever possible or to minimize them when they did break out.

Another issue that drove foreign policy post WWII was the spread of communism from both the Soviets and Chinese. No longer could the US afford to be isolationist. The African continent saw decolonization and by the 1960s the fight was under way for countries between democratization and Marxism. Therefore the US supported autocracies and not "freedom fighters" generally aligned with Marxist regimes.

After the second world war, the US emerged as the a "super power" its economic infrastructure was untouched by the war and the US was the only nation with an atomic bomb. Based on these factors and the ones cited earlier in this answer, US foreign policy was shaped upon the US's ability to have a huge influence on world affairs.

Answer 2

The American policy shifted to the policy of 'Containment' and the 'Domino Theory'. America was scared of Communism as it was completely opposite to that of Capitalism. After WWII Soviet troops were already occupying many Eastern European countries whom they had liberated. Soon after the war, the Soviet Union forced Communism upon these countries.

America believed that if one country fell to Communism, others would also soon fall according to the Domino Theory.
Therefore they took upon the policy of Containment, which was to contain Communism and prevent its spread to more countries.

Answer 3

The emergence of the Soviet Union put an end to the US pre-war tendency toward isolationism. Foreign policy turned toward preventing the expansion of communism, which would bolster the political and military strength of the USSR (which already threatened the security of Europe). Acceptance of non-democratic regimes (e.g. Cuba under Batista, South Vietnam) was found preferable to allowing socialist governments to take root.

Answer 4

If you were forein you can only escort bombing planes in your little group with other foreigns.