Foreign Policy and Affairs

After World War I, the League of Nations was rejected by people because of the possibility of another war. The Washington Conference took place in the middle of Harding’s term to reduce tensions growing in the Far East and the naval arms of the nations. There were three major pacts signed to “effectively limited the naval arms, provided self-respect in the Pacific, and calmed the tensions growing over the territory of China” (Thinkquest), so called the Open Door policies. President Harding took his election as a call for the U.S. to stay out of the League of Nations.

Harding’s foreign policy was mostly guided by Charles Evans Hughes, the secretary of state. Although his election was popular against membership in League of Nations, “his administration involved nonpolitical activities of the League” (Answers). Harding favored American membership on the World Court. Unyielding in demanding full repayment from war debts, he was flexible in arranging terms. Attempts were made to restore good relationships with Mexico and Cuba. There were also attempts made to cease military involvement in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Washington Conference was one of Harding administration’s most important political achievements, which devised series of treaties, secured Senate sanction, and amended ratios of warships for United States, Britian, Japan, France, and Italy. It guaranteed the territory in the pacific and “reaffirmed the independence of territorial integrity of China in commercial equality” (Answers) in the open-door policy. Moreover, he helped assure peace for Americans by normalizing relationships with adversaries. Harding concluded separate peace treaty with Germany, Austria, and Hungary by giving loan for the reparation, so called the Dawes Plan.

Harding did his best to satisfy the people by concentrating more on domestic issues rather than foreign, obeying George Washington’s farewell speech, “Stay out of Europe.” He did great job building good relationships before stepping out of Europe by offering Germany and Austria loans for reparation, and agreeing on the controlled number of naval with Great Britain, France, Japan, and Italy, which was called the Five-Power Treaty. Moreover, thi treaty covered the agreement to respect one another’s interests in the pacific. As you can see, Harding’s moves wasn’t just taking U.S. out of Europe and leaving all the problems behind him. Instead, he held his patience and solved the problem before hand to avoid future conflicts. As a result, U.S.’s ties with Europe were completely broken.