Religion and American foreign policy, 1945-1960
Book Description
In the pivotal decades following World War II, American leaders drew upon profound spiritual convictions to shape the nation's role on the world stage. This illuminating examination reveals how Presidents Truman and Eisenhower viewed their foreign policy decisions through a distinctly religious lens, believing that divine providence had entrusted America with defending human liberty against the forces of atheistic communism.
William Inboden uncovers how these leaders crafted what he terms a "public theology" that served multiple purposes: rallying Americans around a sacred mission, defining the moral boundaries of international engagement, and appealing to believers worldwide to join a spiritual struggle against oppressive regimes. Rather than separating faith from statecraft, these presidents integrated their understanding of God's will into their strategic thinking about containment and global leadership.
This scholarly work demonstrates how religious conviction became a driving force in American diplomacy during the early Cold War period. By examining the intersection of spiritual beliefs and political action, readers gain insight into how personal faith can influence momentous decisions that affect millions of lives. The book offers valuable perspective on the complex relationship between religious conviction and public responsibility, showing how leaders have historically drawn upon their deepest beliefs when confronting existential challenges to freedom and human dignity.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 356 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion and politics
- ✓ Explore Political and social views
- ✓ Explore Truman, harry s., 1884-1972
- ✓ Explore Cold war
- ✓ Explore Foreign relations
- ✓ Explore Christianity and politics
- ✓ Explore United states, foreign relations, 1945-1961
- ✓ Explore Cold War
