as to call forth the best that is in him. In the present undertaking the author after considerable experience in the teaching of American diplomatic history courses, and some essays in the monograph literature of the subject, approaches his task with a conviction that the textbook should be a guide rather than a dictionary, that the establishment, on sufficient evidence, of a point of view, is of greater import than the recounting of innumerable incidents of vastly varying importance. Selection and elimination are the key to emphasis, appreciation, and the formation of judgment. But it is the sincere hope of the author that in availing himself of this privilege, he does no injustice to the political parties, the economic, social, and diplomatic prejudices of the various sections and factions in American history. All have had their influence on foreign as well as on domestic policy. And the foreign relations of the American people when largely viewed are seen to be a reflex of world events upon an American background within which various local conditions and attitudes determined the American reaction. Thus American foreign relations become a part and an everincreasing part of the history of mankind. The reader wishing more detailed information relative to special incidents or topics will find some hints in the Bibliographical Note at the end of the book. In his own choice of material the author has touched lightly on or omitted altogether certain topics appropriate to a survey of this kind. But the chronological table, also appended to the present work, in part supplies the want of more elaborate treatment. It is hoped that the material actually included may awaken an interest in further investigation. If so, the mature reader, or the student under guidance, will prefer to follow his own paths, not too greatly hampered by direction from an author unaware of the local opportunities and conditions. The author is indebted to the Library of Purdue University and the Library of Congress for unwearied kindness in placing their resources at his service. And he acknowledges with warmest gratitude the generosity of Dr. Charles Callan Tansill, of the American University, Washington, D. C., in reading the major portion of the manuscript, and in offering valued criticism. Dr. Tansill's suggestions relative to bibliography have been particularly helpful. Purdue University, LOUIS MARTIN SEARS. CHAPTER CONTENTS Mercantilism-Pioneers of Empire-New Forces Enter-Commercial Restrictions Under the Later Stuarts-Eighteenth Century Wars-George III The Foreign Policy of Louis XVI-Spain Is Sounded-The French Alliance-The Netherlands -St. Eustatius in the War-Peace Preliminaries VI LOUISIANA, THE CONQUEST OF A PACIFIST Napoleon and Santo Domingo-Negotiations and British Overtures-Napoleonic Subterfuges-Pink- Peace Preliminaries-The Negotiations at Ghent- Florida Secured-Relations with Russia-Problems in South America-Preliminary to the Message- The Doctrine and Its Meaning-The Panama Con- gress, 1826-Early Obstacles to Pan-Americanism Unexpected Moderation-The West Indies-Fric- tion with France-John Randolph of Roanoke and the Russian Mission-A Tempest in a Teapot- XII GREAT SECRETARIES AND MINOR PRESIDENTS 213 Diplomacy and the Courts-Problems of the Slave Trade-The_Webster-Ashburton _Treaty-The Ad- Canal Beginnings-The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty- The Eagle Screams-Cuba Coveted-The Black Warrior Affair-The Ostend Manifesto-The Gadsden Treaty-Central America in Ferment- Reciprocity with Canada-The Opening of Japan An Old Issue Settled-Latin-American Policies of Buchanan-Townsend Harris in Japan-Humphrey William H. Seward-Charles Francis Adams and His Mission-Seward and Napoleon III-The Trent Affair-Confederate_Diplomacy-Russia and XVII DIPLOMACY LEADS RECONSTRUCTION The Purchase of Alaska-Seward and the Orient -Neutrality Preserved-Problems of Imperialism XVIII A NEW CONCEPTION OF THE NATION'S HONOR 357 The Virginius Affair-A Diplomatic Scandal- Diplomacy Made Practical-Pan-Americanism- The Big Stick Threatens Chile-A Vigorous Policy in Haiti-Relations with Italy Are Ruptured-The XXI VENEZUELA and OTHER PROBLEMS Hawaii-Insurrection in Brazil-Minor Issues-The XXII THE TRIUMPH OF IMPERIALISM The Cuban Crisis-War with Spain-The New Imperialism-The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty: First Stage-The Open Door-The Platt Amendment XXIII THEODORE ROOSEVELT: THE FIRST TERM The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty: Success-The Second Venezuela Incident-Winning Panama-The Bound- Imperialism Checked-The Arbitration Treaties— The New Liberalism-Neutrality-The Champion- Wilson and Pope Benedict-Idealism Compro- mised-The Fourteen Points-Making the Peace- |