A Political History of American Foreign Policy: From Constitutional Foundations to Global Leadership

This paper examines the historical development of U.S. foreign policy from the perspective of its domestic political system. From the early doctrines of neutrality and isolationism to today's global involvement, American foreign policy has been influenced not only by international factors but also by the structure and functioning of its constitutional institutions. The study examines major historical events, including the Monroe Doctrine, World War I and World War II, the Cold War, and the War on Terror, to illustrate how the relationships between the executive and legislative branches, public opinion, and political parties have influenced foreign policy decisions. Special focus is placed on institutional changes, such as the War Powers Resolution and the Authorisation for the Use of Military Force, emphasising the ongoing tension between presidential independence and congressional oversight in determining America's role worldwide.