International Organizations

Question 1

Understand: NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)

Answer 1

During the Cold War, the nations of Western Europe and North America feared the power of the Soviet Union, so they banded together to create the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO members agree to protect each other - an attack on one is considered to be an attack on all.

Question 2

Understand: NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND (NORAD)

Answer 2

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is an alliance between Canada and the US. The purpose of NORAD is to maintain the security of North American air space.

Question 3

Understand: NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA)

Answer 3

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1994. It is designed to reduce trade barriers between its member nations: Canada, US and Mexico. Many international trade agreements have been signed between nations in the hope that promoting internationalism in this way, it will create a trickle-down effect. A trickle-down effect is an idea that if people in developed countries have more money to spend (Canada & US), they will buy stuff from less developed countries (Mexico) which will strengthen the economies of these poorer countries.

Question 4

Understand: EUROPEAN UNION (EU) and the Euro (example of supranationalist organization)

Answer 4

The EU is a supranational organization. EU members agree to give up some control of their national affairs in order to be a part of the organization. They get some international benefits as a result. For example, most Europeans Union members discarded their own national currency in favor of a common currency: the Euro. The adoption of the Euro is a supranationalist step that helps to ensure economic stability across Europe.

Question 5

Understand: La FRANCOPHONIE

Answer 5

La Francophonie is an organization of nations where French is an official language. This is not limited to national governments - Canada is a member but Quebec is a separate member. The intent of La Francophonie is to promote French language and culture worldwide.

Question 6

Understand: ARCTIC COUNCIL

Answer 6

The Arctic Counsel is composed of representatives from the world’s eight Arctic countries - Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the US, and Russia as well as Indigenous Arctic people. These 8 Arctic countries (and Indigenous People) met to discuss strategies for protecting the fragile Arctic. The meeting of the Arctic Counsel is one of the first major collaborations between Arctic Indigenous groups and government, and many are hopeful that it will lead to increased cooperation.