Chapter 23-Making Foreign and Domestic Policy Flashcards
Define “foreign policy”
The goals and strategies that guide a nation’s relations with other countries and groups in the world
The principal goal of American foreign policy is _____________.
To preserve the security of the United States.
Define “National Security”
The protection of a nation-its lands and people-from foreign threats, whether from governments, organized groups, or individual terrorists.
List the goals of U.S. foreign policy.
- Security Interests
- Economic Interests
- World Peace
- Promoting Democracy
- Concern for Humanity
Why is national security a fundamental goal?
Because no nation can achieve other aims such as improving its education system if it is under attack.
Explain “economic interests”
Maintaining trade with other nations and promoting America’s economic interests are basic goals of foreign policy.
Why do American leaders work for world peace?
Because they believe it helps the U.S. avoid outside conflict and aids national security.
Why do American leaders believe in promoting Democracy?
Because they say Democracy aligns with our fundamental values and helps create a more secure and stable global arena AND good trade partners.
Why do American leaders promote concern for humanity (aid to victims of natural disasters)?
This aid serves the strategic interests of the United States by maintaing political stability in the world.
Until the late 1800s, US foreign policy was based on _______.
Isolationism
Define “isolationism.”
Avoding involvement in world affairs
During the 20th century, U.S. foreign policy shifted to _______.
Internationalism
What do “internationalists” belive?
Involvement in world affairs was necessary to pursue many national goals such as national security and promoting democracy.
What caused the move to “internationalism”?
In the late 1890s, the US became an industrial power and needed world markets for its products as well as sources for its raw materials.
What caused a return to “isolationsim” in the early 1900s?
Americans were disillusioned by the terrible cost of war. (WWI)
When WWII FIRST began, what was US foreign policy?
Neutral
What changed US foreign policy from “neutral” to “internationalism”?
The attack on Pearl Harbor
What was the “cold war”?
The war of words and ideologies-primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union.
What events caused the US to believe they needed to halt Communist aggression?
- The Soviet Union imposing communisim on nations in Eastern Europe; AND
- Chinese Communists seizing China.
Describe the policy of “containment”
The Cold War policy of keeping the Soviet Union from expanding its power.
What was the “goal” of containment?
To avoid war with the Soviet Union BUT to tkeep communism from spreading.
Name one way the US deployed its policy of “containment.”
It gave aid to nations that appeared to be in danger of communist revolution or that were threatned by communists countries.
Give the chronology of US foreign policy before 9/11
- Isolationism
- Moving toward Internationalism
- The Cold War
- The Korean and Vietnam Wars
- The Cold War Ends
Describe the Korean war
North Korea was communist, and South Korea was pro-U.S.
Describe the Vietnman war
North Vietnam was communist, and the U.S. fought on the side of the South Vietnamese
What led to the end of the Cold War?
- Communist East Germany reunited with West Germany.
- Parts of the Soviet empire overthrew their Communist governments.
- The Soviet Union collapsed-splitting into Russia and 14 other nations.
Define “terrorism”
The use of violence against civilians to achieve political goals
What new foreign policy was formed after the attacks on 9/11?
Preemption.
Define “preemption”
Instead of waiting for an attack, the US would strike first to prevent nations that support terrorism from developing nations of mass destruction.
Give the chronology of US foreign policy after 9/11
- The War in Afghanistan
- The War in Iraq
- A Multilateral approach
Why did the US start a war in Afghanistan?
Al-Qaeda leaders were based in Afghanistan, and the Taliban refused to surrender them to the U.S.
Why did the U.S. start a war in Iraq?
The Bush administration claimed Iraq had developed weapons of mass destruction and removing Saddam Hussein would help stabalize the Middle East and reduce terrorism.
List the things Obama tried to address in the “multilateral approach”
- Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
- Terrorist groups
- Global economic recession
- Illegal immigration
- Middle East unrest
- Iraninan and North Korean efforts to build nuclear weapons
Name three tools the U.S uses to achieve its foreign policy goals.
- Negotiations and Agreements
- Membership in International Organizations
- Public Diplomacy
What is the G8 Summit
Yearly meeting between the heads of government for eight of the world’s largest economies.
Who for the U.S. represents our country in direct talks with foreign leaders?
- The President AND
- The U.S. Secretary of State
What is the Organizaton of American States (OAS)?
An organization that includes the U.S. and our Latin American neighbors. They meet to resolve conflict and promote economic, social, and cultural development.
What does the Peace Corp. do?
It works to help the people of developing countries, to promote a better understanding of Americans by others, and to promote a better understanding of other peoples by Americans.
Define “public” diplomacy
When governments appeal directly to the people of other countries.
Participating in the Olympic Games is a form of _______.
Public diplomacy
Name three economic foreign policy tools.
- International Trade Agreements
- Foreign Aid
- Economic Sanctions
T or F. The U.S. is the world’s largest trading nation
True. The U.S. is the worlds largest importer and exporter of goods and services.
What is a “bilateral agreement”?
A free trade agreement that is between the U.S. and one other government.
What is a “multilateral agreement”?
An agreement between several parties, like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
Which US agency administers economic aid to other countries?
The Agency for International Development
What does the Foregin Assistance Act mandate?
That aid be frozen or cut off to countries if an elected leader is overthrown in a coup.
The withdrawl or denial of benefits describes this diplomatic strategy.
Economic Sanctions
Define “sanctions”
An action such as withholding loans, arms, or econimic aid to force a foreign government to stop certain activities.
List the military tools employed by the U.S.
- Military Alliances
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Other Military Alliances
- The Use of Military Force
Define “alliance”
A voluntary relationship between different nations in which they agree to support one another in case of an attack
What is a “regional security pact”?
A mutual defense treaty among multiple nations within a world region.
The U.S., through alliances, has committed itself to defending these areas:
- Western Europe
- The North Atlantic, Central and South America
- The island nations of the South Pacific
Define “collective security”
A system by which member nations agree to take joint ation against a nation that attacks any one of them.
Why was the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formed?
The U.S. and leaders of war-torn nations in Western Europe agreed to protect each other from domination by the Soviet Union.
T or F. An attack on one NATO member is considered to be an attack on all NATO members.
True
What is the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (RIO Pact)?
An agreeement between the U.S. and its Latin American neighobrs. The members agreed to aid each other in the event of any foreign attack.
What is the ANZUS Pact?
A regional security pact between the U.S. and Australia and New Zeland.
What is a bilateral treaty?
An agreement that involves only two nations.
What is a “blockade”?
Obstruction for the purpose of isolating an area; during military conflicts a blockade may be used to prevent troops, weapons, or supplies from entering a specific area.
International law governs the conduct of an armed conflict under ___________.
The Geneva Conventions. Under this, the US pledges to follow specific rules about the treatment of prisoners of war, wounded enemy soliders, and medical personnel.
What does the Alien Tort Statute say?
This law says that individuals who are NOT U.S. citizens can file a lawsuit in federal court for an action that violates either international law or a treaty that the U.S. has signed.
T or F. The Constiution balanced the responsibility of foreign policy between the president and Congress.
True
T or F. The President may send troops, ships, and planes or even use nuclear weapons without congressional approval.
True
T or F. The President can formally declare war on a country.
False. This power is reserved for Congress.
What is an “ambassador”?
The government official who represents the nations in diplomatic matters.
Why is “formal recongition” of a government important?
It qualifies a foreign government for economic and other forms of aid.
T or F. The Constitution empowers the President to make treaties.
True
What is a “treaty”?
A formal agreement between the governments of two or more nations.
What two U.S. Cabinet Departments are most involved in foreign affairs?
- Department of State
- Department of Defense
What U.S. official supervises all the diplomatic activities of the U.S. government?
The Secretary of State
What U.S. official supervises the government’s military activities?
The Secretary of Defense
What U.S. official is responsbile for giving the President advice related to national security?
The National Security Advisor
This agency was created to gather and coordinate intelligence data for the president from across the world.
The Central Intelligence Agency
What is the National Security Agency (NSA) responsbile for?
Code breaking and electronic spying
What U.S. official coordinates the work of the different U.S. intelligence agencies?
The Director of National Intelligence
The Constitution balances the President’s powers as commander in chief with _________.
Congress’ power to declare war.
What is Congress’ greatest source of power in foreign policy?
The control that Congress has over government spending
T or F. The President can make a treaty, but a 2/3 vote of the Senate is needed to ratify them.
True
What is an “executive agreement”?
A legally binding pact between the president and the head of a foreign government that does not require Senate approval.
Why would a President use an executive agreement instead of a treaty?
Because they do not require Senate approval
T or F. Executive agreements make up 90 percent of all U.S. international agreements.
True
T or F. The Constitution gives Congress more power than the executive branch in the international trade arena.
True
What does Article I, Section 8 grant Congress?
The authority to regulate foreign commerce.
What is “most-favored nation (MFN) status”?
These agreements reuce tarrif rates on all exports from that nation to the United States.
T or F. Public opinion can influence foreign policy.
True
This U.S. Government department advised the president and helps plan and then carry out foreign policy.
The State Department
This U.S. Department’s objectives are to ensure the security of the U.S. and to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world.
State Department
In addition to ensuring the security of the U.S., what other four important functions does the State Department have?
- To keep the President informed about international issues.
- To maintain diplomatic relations with foreign governments.
- To negotiate treaties with foreign governments.
- To protect the interests of Americans who are either traveling or conducting business abroad.
More than half of the employees of the State Department are in the _____.
Foreign Service. Which means they serve in other countries.
What is an “embassy”?
The official residence and offices of the ambassador and his or her staff.
What is the primary function of an embassy?
To make diplomatic communication between governments easier.
The head of each embassy is called ______.
An ambassador
T or F. Ambassadors are appointed by the President but confirmed by the Senate.
True
What is a “consulate”?
An office located in the major cities of a foreign nation that promotes American business interests in foregin countries and to serve and safeguard American travelers in those countries.
T or F. Consulates are not normally involved in diplomatic negotiations with foreign governments.
True
What is a “passport”?
A document issued by the State Department, with which an American citizen can expect to be granted entry into many countries; American travelers carrying passports are entitled to the priviliges and protections established by an international treaty.
How is a “visa” different from a passport?
A visa is issued by a government of the country that the person would like to enter. It grants the right to enter the country.
This U.S. Department has the greatest voice in foreign policy when issues require the use of military force.
The Department of Defense
The Department of Defense has great influence foreign policy in these three areas:
- Use of military force
- Foreign assistance
- Intelligence
What are the major divisions within the Department of Defense?
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
Who are the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
This group is made up of the top-ranking officers of the armed forces as well as the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Joints Chief of Staff.
The U.S. has two ways to staff its military:
- Conscription
- Volunteers
Define “conscription”
Compulosry military service.
T or F. According to the Selective Service System, males between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for the draft.
True
List all seven U.S. Foreign Policy Goals
- Protect National Security
- Maintain Trade
- Promote U.S. economic interests
- Preserve access to imported natural resources
- Work for a peaceful international environment
- Promote Democracy
- Promote humanitarian aid
What are the three foreign polichy tools?
- Diplomatic tools
- Economic tools
- Military tools
What are can be used as diplomatic tools?
- Negotiations
- International Organizations
- Public Diplomacy
What can be used as economic tools?
- Trade agreements
- Foreign Aid
- Sanctions
What can be used as military tools?
- Mutual Defense Alliances
- Regional Security Pacts
- Threat of Military Force
- Use of Military Force
What Executive Agencies have a role in foreign policy?
- Department of State
- Department of Defense
- National Security Council
- Central Intelligence Agency
- National Security Agency
What are the foreign policy powers of the President?
- Commander in Chief of the military.
- May send forces and weapons anywhere without congressional approval.
- Appoints ambassadors
- Receives foreign ambassadors
- Formally recognizes foreign governments
- Makes treaties
- Issues executive agreements
- Grants most-favored nation status
What are Congress’ powers in foreign policy?
- Sole power to declare war.
- Appropriates money to carry out foreign policy.
- Can decide amount of aid to grant.
- Can set conditions for receiving aid.
- Can overturn most-favored-nation status with two-thirds vote.
What are the Senate’s powers in foreign policy?
- Power of advice and consent on all treaties.
- Two-thirds vote to ratify treaties.
- Confirms diplomatic appointments.
What are the functions of the State Department?
- Informs president on international issues.
- Maintains diplomatic relations.
- Negotiaties treaties.
- Protects interests of Americans traveling or doing business abroad.
What are the functions of the Embassies?
- Facillitates diplomatic communication.
- Headed by ambassadors.
- Specialists help resolve disputes in their area of expertise.
What are the functions of consulates?
- Promotes American business interests.
- Safeguards American travelers.
What are the functions of the Department of Defense?
- Supervises the armed forces.
- Influences foreign policy regarding the use of the military.
- Implements foreign assistance in natural disasters.
- Provides intelligence to president and Congres..
What is the structure of the Department of Defense?
- Each service branch headed by civilians.
- Joint Chiefs of Staff made up of top-ranking officers of each service branch.
- Selective Service System administers concription, if needed.
