Exam 1 Flashcards
Why is foreign policy important for the United States?
Security depends on external factors, the US economy is more internationalized, domestic issues have become interconnected globally, and growing ethnic diversity means more groups are interested in FP
What were the two models of US leadership before 1945?
Promised land vs crusader state
What does promised land mean?
The US is a city upon a hill, a special place where humans could start anew, and an example
What does crusader state mean?
The US practiced internalized colonialism and imperialism in the continent
Why is the assumption that the US was isolationist before WWII not very accurate?
Of the first 9 presidents, 6 were Secretary of State, we were very dependent of foreign trade, and US forces were used abroad 163 times before WWII
What was the strength of US power in the 18th century?
Geographic isolation from Europe
What were the weaknesses of US power in the 18th century?
Small territory and population, limited national resources, weak government, poor transportation infrastructure, exposure to European ambitions, divisions within US society
What were the guiding principles of US FP until 1861?
Accumulation of federal state/government power, no entanglement in Europe, territorial expansion, postponing decisions on slavery
What were George Washington’s goals on FP?
Build the central state, raise state revenue, small army, and steer clear of permanent alliances
What were Thomas Jefferson’s FP accomplishments?
Strengthened the central state, reduced national debt, purchased the Louisiana territory
What was the cause of the War of 1812?
British provocations and war hawks in Congress
What were US failures in the war of 1812?
British troops sacked Washington and the US failed to expand to Canada
What were US successes in the war of 1812?
Extinguished major Indian enemy tribes, earned Britain’s respect, growing national cohesion, domestic consensus on need to reinforce federal state
What was the US British relationship like in the 19th century?
Rivalry, but accompanied by British overstretch, British protection of the Atlantic, economic ties, and ideological convergence
What was the context behind the Monroe doctrine?
There was a decline of European powers in America, but there were signs of plots to reclaim Latin America
When was the Monroe Doctrine created?
1823
What was the Monroe Doctrine?
A warning to Europeans that they should not project influence into Latin America anymore, it led to US domination over LA
What was manifest destiny?
The alleged right of the US to expand westward to the Pacific Ocean
Why did the US practice manifest destiny?
Material goals, civil religious dimensions (remake the world in America’s image), security dimensions
What were the key milestones in westward expansion?
1845: annexed Texas, 1848: acquired California, Nevada, Utah after Mexican American War
What were the origins of the Civil War?
Dispute over slavery, economic anxiety in the South
What did Confederate strengths look like?
They had a revolutionary zeal, huge territory, Jefferson Davis had a lot of military experience, Northern states like Maryland or Kentucky could switch sides
What were Confederate weaknesses?
Demographic inferiority, questionable economic potential, Lincoln’s strategy
What was Abe Lincoln’s strategy in the Civil War?
Wait for the South to declare independence, strangle the South (maritime blockade and continental offensives), ensure Europeans would not intervene, emancipation proclamation
What was the outcome of the Civil War?
The union was saved, bolstered America’s image abroad, increase of power to the central state, and a quick recovery
Why was the US a rising power after the Civil War?
The US had 50m people, a large territory, natural resources, and a huge domestic market
What percent of the world’s manufacturing output did the US have after the Civil War?
20%
Why did the US declare war on Spain?
Cubans were rebelling against the Spanish empire, instability in Cuba was bad for US business, implementing the Monroe Doctrine, Spain owned lands the US wanted for itself, growing nationalism, and yellow journalism
Why did war break out with Spain?
The USS Main blew up in the Havana harbor, which the US blamed on a Spanish mine (really an accident)
What did the US get out of the Spanish American War?
Liberation of Cuba and the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Phillipines
Why did Teddy Roosevelt dismantle capitalist monopolies?
They hampered US innovation and stirred inequality, so breaking them up would increase US power
Who was Alfred T. Mahan?
A theorist of sea power who convince Roosevelt that a great navy was important to US power
What was the Great White Fleet World Tour?
When Teddy Roosevelt built up the US navy, he wanted to show it off to increase diplomacy and US credibility
Why did the US want to build the Panama Canal?
US foothold to increase influence near the Caribbean, inter-oceanic trade, inter-oceanic defense, boost of US reputation
When did the US back Panama’s independence?
1903
When did Teddy Roosevelt become president?
1901
When did war with Spain break out?
Feb 15, 1898
What was the Roosevelt Corollary?
The US would protect Latin America if they defaulted on their debt
When was the Roosevelt Corollary announced?
1904
Why was the US concerned about Eurasian power?
A Eurasian power might be able to dominate a big portion of Eurasia and exploit the resources to become more powerful than the US
What was Roosevelt’s strategy to contain Eurasia?
Entrench US influence in the rimland
How did Roosevelt exercise constraints in East Asia?
He negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War to constrain Japan’s rise
How did Roosevelt exercise constraints in Europe?
He mediated the end of the Moroccan crisis to try to constrain Germany’s rise
What was Wilson’s initial stance on WWI?
Keep the US out of it
When did the US intercept the Zimmerman Telegram?
Jan 1917
When did Germany resume unrestricted submarine warfare?
Feb 1917
Why did the US enter WWI?
Germany would fight at all costs, which was bad for US business, there was a fear Germany would control Europe, and there was an opportunity to reshape the international system on liberal lines
When did Wilson ask Congress to declare war?
April 2, 1917
How was WWI a major victory for the US?
The end of the war was accelerated, there were few US casualties, and the age of oil dominated by the US began
What did Wilson want in Europe after WWI?
Peace without victory and self-determination for all nations
Why did Wilson’s post WWI plans fail?
There were heavy reparations imposed on Germany, no self-determination, and the Senate opposed US involvement in the League of Nations
When did the Bolshevik Revolution occur?
Nov 1917
Why was the US worried about the Bolshevik revolution
Communist ideology was considered a threat to American interests and America’s way of life
What did US-British-France cooperation do to buffer the Soviet Union?
Created Eastern European buffer states and blunted the Soviets in the Black Sea
Why did some think the US took an isolationist turn in the 20s?
No involvement in the League of Nations, recurrent critiques of European moral bankruptcy, 1924 immigration act, severe Congressional import tariffs
What are the signs that the US did not take an isolationist shift in the 20s?
The US led naval agreements that weakened the British navy and prevented military buildups, supported Europe’s economic resurgence, made Europe more dependent on the US, and made forays into imperial European markets and natural resources
When did the crash of the stock market occur at the beginning of the Great Depression?
October 1929
When did the Smoot-Hawley tariff occur?
1930
What did the Smoot Hawley tariff do?
Incited other countries to respond with their own tariff
In what ways was there growing instability before WWII?
1931: Japan conquered Manchuria, 1935-36: Italy takes over Ethiopia, 1936: Germany takes over the Rhineland
What did the Congressional neutrality acts say?
The US would not ship arms/money to the belligerents of a future war, and the US would not send ships into harms way
What did the anti war camp think pre-WWII?
Another war would aggrandize federal power and they feared provoking Germany and Japan
What did the New Deal (1933) do?
revived banking/industry, improved social safety
How did Roosevelt help prepare America for war?
Rebuilt economic power, rebuilt military potential, helped Britain resist Germany, sanctioned Japan in the Pacific, convince the people was was necessary, leased supplies to the allies, formed the Atlantic Charter
What was the turning point that caused the US to enter WWII?
Pearl Harbor, Dec 7, 1941
What did it mean that the US would “win the battle of the Atlantic” in WWII?
Help supply Britain and prepare offenses against the German blockade in the Atlantic
What was operation torch?
An operation to help the allies secure North Africa and access to the Mediterranean, and give the allies a better position to pin the Germans in
When did operation torch occur?
Nov. 1942-May 1943
When did the Battles of Normandy occur?
Jun 1944
How did the US exploit Japan’s overstretch?
They knew that Japan had too many entanglements to keep, and the US was economically and demographically superior
What were the milestones of the US in the Pacific theater?
June 1942: Battle of Midway
1943-45: Island hopping strategy
Mid-1944: Strategic bombing of Japan
Aug. 1945: use of the atomic bomb
How was WWII an unprecedented US victory?
The US would produce almost 50% of the value of the world’s goods and services, only had .3 m dead, and had prestige
What was the domestic impact of WWII?
1942: internment of Japanese Americans, but more responsibilities for women and integration
How did FDR cultivate allies in WWII?
He provided transparency and coordination, the British provided bases and intelligence, the Soviets offered the war industry and 30 m lives
What was the major US goal after WWII?
Create the UN, create international economic organizations, and tolerate Soviet influences in E. Europe and China
Was FDR naive about the Soviet threat?
No, the US was dependent on Moscow’s war contribution and FDR wanted to build a stable order
What was the lesson for the US of the Pearl Harbor attacks?
The US must remain engaged in Eurasia and protect the Rimland
What did the traditionalists think was the beginning of the Cold War?
Communism seeks ideological universalism and Stalin was paranoid, so the Soviets committed several aggressions after WWII, including not withdrawing from Iran, interfering in Central/Eastern Europe, and pressuring Turkey and Greece
What do revisionists think was the beginning of the Cold War?
The US had attempted to strangle the communist revolution after WWI, while the Soviets were weak and the US was strong after WWII. Additionally, the US provoked the Soviets by nuking Japan, and interfering where communists were making advances
Why do revisionists say WWII was used as an opportunity to dominate Eurasia?
The other great powers were exhausted, leaving the US to dominate the international order and promote their ideals
What do post-revisionist say started the Cold War?
There are no easy answers, the world was left with bipolarity, there was a security dilemma, and power vacuums in Germany and East Asia
Who came up with containment and in what was it written?
George Kennan, Feb. 1946 Long Telegram and July 1947 X Article
What did Kennan’s Long Telegram say?
There can be no peaceful coexistence with the Soviets due to their ideology and regime, and the Soviet prospects are not great, so they need to expand, or unravel
What were Kennans recommendations?
Don’t attack the Soviets, but contain their expansion, protect key industrial centers, secure raw materials in third world, wage a political war, and ensure the health of American society
What were the two strategies of the US during the Cold War?
containment of communism and expansion of Us-led international order
What were the three axes of promoting the US led international order?
Promote democracy, promote free trade, and promote international organizations
Why did the US promote democracy during the Cold War?
Because democracies don’t fight each other, they enhance economic development, and are good partners in international organizations
Why did the US promote free trade in the Cold War?
It creates peace and facilitates the emergence of democracies
Why did the US promote international organizations in the Cold War?
They constrain and socialize states and promote America’s political and economic views
What were Truman’s foreign policy hardships post WWII?
Growing US-Soviet tensions, Western European hardships, decline of European empires, and domestic resistance to foreign policy initiatives in the US
How did Truman move to overcome foreign policy challenges?
convincing the American people communism must be stopped, impose the National Security Act, prioritize economic measures over military, and keep costs and containment limited
What was the Truman Doctrine?
The US must support free peoples who are resisting subjugation
What did the National Security Act (1947) do?
Created the NSC to coordinate all agencies/departments, created the State department policy planning staff for the long term, and unify military services into one department (DOD)
Why did the US make more commitments abroad during Truman’s terms?
Soviet provocations, communism advances, difficulty defining defense perimeters, allies concerns, and domestic politics
When was NATO created?
April 1949
What communist advances were made during Truman’s time in office?
Aug 1949: Soviet nuke
Oct. 1949: creation of communist China
When did the Korean War begin?
June 1950
What was the outcome of the Korean War?
A draw
What did NSC-68 say?
A defeat of free institutions anywhere is a defeat of free institutions everywhere
What did NSC-68 mean for US strategy?
Skyrocketing alliances and security commitments, skyrocketing military capabilities, skyrocketing troop numbers abroad
What were the risks of the strategy of NSC-68?
Overstretch, Manichaeism, red scare and McCarthyism at home
How did decolonization movements around the world affect the US Soviet rivalry?
There was an increased competition for the new states created
Why was competing with the Soviets in the third world tricky for the US?
They had the dilemma of supporting their best allies in Europe, at the expense of betraying their values and angering third world countries, or support decolonization at the expense of angering their allies
What was Eisenhower’s new look?
He was concerned about the impact of the Cold War on the US, so he asked American allies to do more and promoted massive retaliation
What was the domino theory?
A US defeat to communism in any country would lead to defeats in other countries
Why did the US become involved in Vietnam?
Widespread belief in the domino theory made Eisenhower increase assistance in South Vietnam
What was the official start of the Vietnam war for the US?
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Aug 1964), an attack that served as a pretext for a US declaration against North Vietnam
What did the US want in South Vietnam?
A stable, independent, noncommunist society, able to sustain itself without the US
What were the obstacles to US nation building in South Vietnam?
Corruption, language/culture barriers, racism, it was during a war, social engineering takes time
Why was it difficult for the US to fight in Vietnam?
Enemies are fighting in their own land, they have knowledge of local terrain, enemy support in local population, enemy supply lines in neighboring states, and enemy assistance
When did the Tet offensive occur?
Jan 1968
What was the Tet offensive?
A coordinated attack on 100 S. Vietnamese cities, that shifted perspectives on the war
What was the context for Nixon’s administration?
They were aware of America’s relative decline, with the fiasco in Vietnam, growing Soviet power, and relative US economic slowdown
What did the Nixon Doctrine (July 1969) say?
No more US wars in distant lands and reliance on regional proxies
Why did Nixon open relations with China?
To contain the Soviets at a lesser cost
What problems did Nixon and Kissinger encounter?
US-Soviet competition disrupting detente, oil crisis in the Middle East, human rights controversies, and Nixon’s abuses of power (which led to his resignation)
When did South Vietnam fall?
April 1975
What did the revisionists say about the Vietnam War?
It was winnable and a noble cause, but the military was betrayed by Washington politics
What does the orthodox school say about the Vietnam War?
It was unwindable, unnecessary, and cause the US to lose itself morally and strategically
What was the context of Carter’s presidency?
He was post-Vietnam and post-Watergate
How did Carter initially attempt to transcend the Cold War?
Reducing the risk for nuclear war, reduce global economic inequalities, protect the environment, and base American FP in values
What were the biggest successes of Carter’s administration?
March 1979: Israel-Egypt peace
June 1979: SALT II
What were Carter’s problems?
He had no strategic vision for the US, was unable to impose discipline in the White House, was an outsider in DC, had to deal with an economic recession, Soviets made gains in the third world, and there was a perception that the Soviets were about to be number 1
How did Carter lead to a return of the Cold War paradigm?
Iran’s islamic revolution led to the loss of the greatest ally in the Middle East, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, and the budget of the military began going up again
What did the Carter Doctrine lead to?
Large scale US involvement in the Middle East
What assumptions did Reagan make?
A more assertive US could induce change in the Soviet Union, exhaust the Soviet’s economically, and regain areas where Soviets had gained influence
What main measures did Reagan take against the Soviets?
Raising US defense budget, supporting anti-Soviet movements, and using bellicose rhetoric
Why did Reagan turn towards moderation on the Soviets?
Cold War tensions were too severe, and Mikhail Gorbachev was rising to power
What did Reagan do after the turn to moderation?
Toned down rhetoric, nuclear agreements, and encouraged Soviet reforms
In what way was the end of the Cold War a surprise for the US?
It happened very fast; Nov 9, 1989: Berlin Wall fell; Dec. 25, 1991: the Soviet Union was dissolved
Why did the Cold War end?
Dominant: Soviet weaknesses, also: Gorbachev’s reforms, mass protests, US containment
What was the unipolar moment?
The US was the only major power globally after the end of the Cold War, and was in a league of their own
Why do some scholars argue there was non unipolar moment?
Military was unipolar, but economically the world was multipolar and there was a rise of transnational phenomena that weakened national states
What was the end of history theory?
Globalization of the world and politics would lead to the spread of western liberal democracy as the final form of human government
What was the clash of civilizations theory?
Globalization increases identity conflicts
What was the renewal of great power competition theory?
It was only a matter of time after the CW ended that another power would oppose the US
How did Bush Sr manage the end of the Cold War?
Accompanied the peaceful breakup of the Soviet Union, supported German reunification, and led the START treaty for disarmament
What was Bush Sr.’s New World Order?
Rule of law, freedom, multilateralism
How did the invasion of Kuwait illustrate the new world order?
Aug 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait which was a violation of US sovereignty, and the US led led an international coalition to a major victory
What were Bush Sr.’s foreign policy problems?
Bush’s lack of vision, post CW disorientation, domestic political turn inwards, and economic recessions
What were Clinton’s foreign policy priorities?
Globalization of trade and ideas increasing interdependence, humanitarian interventions, and a belief in multilateralism
What was the strategy of entanglement (Sept. 1993)?
Using globalization to expand the US-led liberal order
What were the problems with Clinton’s foreign policy?
Focus on domestic issues, lack of strategic vision, growing partisanship, ambiguities on humanitarian intervention, excessive financial deregulation, inability to define the main threats to America, neglected terrorism
What were Clinton’s achievements?
No major wars, NATO expansion in E. Europe, ended ex-Yugoslavia wars, decent relationship with China, expanded US prosperity
Did American FP lose its purpose in the 90s?
Yes, because there was no clear enemy, an isolationist turn, and declining bipartisanship, but there were also major continuities
What did Bush Jr.’s foreign policy look like before 9/11?
Focused on domestic politics, withdrew from ABM, withdrew from Kyoto treaty, China’s rise becoming a priority
How did bush bolster domestic security post 9/11?
Streamlining various agencies and administrations
Why did Bush launch the global war on terror?
To hunt down terrorist groups until they are defeated
How did Bush target the terrorist rogue states?
He wanted to target states that allegedly funded and hosted terrorists
What did it mean for Bush to launch preemptive interventions?
Take the battle to the enemy before they emerge
Why did Bush want to fix failed states post 9/11?
To prevent them from becoming safe havens for terrorists
Why was the war on terror based on flawed decision making?
There was intellectual rigidity, meaning that there was an intolerance of dissent, the facts were fixed, and flawed strategic thinking
What were the flaws of the war on terror?
Endless scope led to strategic exhaustion, it legitimized terrorists, human rights scandals hurt the US reputation, unilateralism led to isolation, military centric foreign policy, failed to address complexity of democratization, and it facilitated the resurgence of great power competition
What were Bush Jr.’s fp achievements?
No more 9/11s, convinced Libya to abandon its nuclear program, free trade agreements, rapprochement of India against China, health campaigns in Africa
What were the failures of Bush Jr.’s fp?
Strategic overreach and the financial crisis (due to deregulation)
What led to the end of the unipolar moment?
Failed war on terror, 2008 financial crisis, China’s rise, growing domestic partisanship
What were Obama’s main fp objectives?
Re-ignite the American economy, restore America’s image, engage the enemy when possible, wind down the global war on terror, prepare for tomorrow’s challenges
What did Obama pivot from the Middle East to?
Asia-Pacific
How did Obama deal with the resurgence of great power competition?
“Reset” with Russia, nuclear deal with Iran, growing US presence in Asia pacific
What was Trump’s style?
Impulsive personality, confrontational approach, not interested in policy details, based on instincts, role of personal advisors
How did Trump reject traditional elites?
With his talk of draining the swamp
What were the constraints of Trump?
Lack of foreign policy qualifications, the “adults in the room” constrained Trump, unelected national security experts (the blob), Congress (especially after democrats took the house), low popularity
What were the main themes of the Trump presidency?
immigration as a threat, opposing free trade, questioned the utility of alliances and partnerships, opposed international organizations, befriended dictators, opposed major wars, Russia and China as strategic competitors
What is QUAD?
A 2017 alliances with India Japan and Australia
Why did Trump support NATO’s buildup against Russia?
he was under huge political pressure to do so
Why do some scholars think that continuities with the past prevailed under Trump’s foreign policy?
There was persistent pushback, persistent militarization, border control existed long before Trump, and tensions with NATO are not new
Why do some scholars say Trump made foreign policy worse?
The US is weaker, more divided, less safe, less loved, and less respected, and US led liberal order
Why do some scholars think Trump had some successes?
Put great power competition at the center of US FP, sound economic policies, pressure on allies is necessary
Why did scholars think US elites are responsible for Trump?
The global war on terror and dysfunctional economic policies led to a de prioritization of the middle class
What is Biden’s foreign policy like?
An establishment figure that would revive the liberal order, winding down the war on terror, revival of Ukraine crisis, China as a US priority
How did Biden compete with China?
Reforms to strengthen US competitiveness, repairing and strengthening alliances and partnerships, reassuring the world about US commitments to multilateralism, diplomacy, and democracy
What is positive power?
The power to initiate or implement
What is a negative power?
The power to block or constrain
Why is the president considered the most powerful political actor in the US?
He is the head of state, the chief diplomat, the commander in chief, the chief legislator, and the chief of the executive branch
What does it mean to be head of state?
The president represents the US abroad
What does it mean to be the Chief diplomat?
Appoints the SecState, appoints ambassadors, offers/withdraws diplomatic relations, and negotiates treaties
What does it mean that the president is the commander in chief?
He is the civilian authority over the military, they must take his orders, and although congress declares war, they rarely do that
What does it mean to be chief legislator?
The president can propose and veto legislation, though congress can override the veto
When was the executive office of the presidency created?
1936
What are the components of the EOP?
WH office, NSC, NEC, Office of the DNI, OMB, Us trade representative
Who are the key foreign policy advisors?
The NSA, SecState, SecDef, Directors of central and national intelligence, SecTreasury
What is the selection criteria for the executive branch?
Knowledge of policy issues, views, personal affinity with president, DC connections
What are the biggest informal sources of the President’s leadership?
Singularity (elected nationally), can make decisions and issue orders quickly, bully pulpit, access to classified information
What factors influence presidential style?
Education, experience, personality
What qualities are required to be a good president?
Public communication, organizational capacity, political skills, cognitive style, emotional intelligence, vision
What is the inherent cognitive limit of the president?
Given the complexity of the world, we oversimplify and distort, especially during crises
What are traditional human limits that can hurt the president?
Selective memory, Manichaeism, ignoring events that don’t validate existing beliefs, reliance on historical analogies
What are some qualities about the presidency that can constrain a president?
No job training, not enough time, information, the bureaucracy, and other actors
What does it mean that the president does not have enough time?
He only has one or two terms, and too many tasks to handle
How do information problems constrain the president?
Information gaps and overabundance of information
How can the bureaucracy constrain a president?
While it is crucial, it is large, unresponsive, forms a deep state, and has long term commitments
What other actors can constrain a president?
Congress, interest groups, the media, public opinion
What is the key to success for a president?
Power to persuade
Is the president strong or weak on foreign policy decisions?
Strong
Is the president strong or weak on domestic issues?
Weak
Is the president strong or weak on intermestic issues?
Intermediate
What is the presidential power cycle?
The president starts off fairly popular in an initial honeymoon, then public support gradually declines throughout the presidency, only to be boosted by occasional crises
