Unit 8 - American Foriegn Policy Issues Flashcards
How did WWII transform the goal of American foreign policy?
shifting it away from isolationism and towards a desire to protect and secure the newfound power and leadership of the United States as a global power and leader of the “free world.”
how did diplomacy during WWII solidify America’s influence over the globe through economic power?
By establishing institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, this diplomatic effort laid the groundwork for a new international financial system aimed at preventing economic depressions and addressing global stability. One of the key outcomes was linking exchange rates to gold reserves, a move that effectively made the U.S. dollar the world’s reserve currency, strengthening America’s economic dominance. Furthermore, the conference’s emphasis on trade partnerships as a means to prevent future conflicts highlighted America’s role as a leader in promoting international commerce and cooperation. Through these diplomatic initiatives, the United States not only emerged as a post-war economic powerhouse but also solidified its position as a key player in shaping the global economic order and stability.
what was the goal of the United Nations? How did the U.S. play a key role in its creation and in its leadership?
The goal of the United Nations was to prevent the outbreak of another world war and protect basic human rights globally. The United States has played an important role in the creation of the UN, by supporting this idea through conferences during World War II and becoming one of its most significant members. The United States has also become a member of the five permanent members of the Security Council and remains one of the largest financial contributors to the UN, highlighting its leadership and active participation in operations and initiatives.
Why does WWII alter American foreign policy? How does it make US leaders feel like we “need” to take on a greater leadership role?
By highlighting the interdependence of global events and the need for proactive leadership, World War II fundamentally altered US foreign policy. The shift from isolationism has been facilitated by the global impact of this war, the rise of superpowers such as the United States, safety concerns and a need for humanitarian aid. The US leaders have acknowledged an urgent need to take a more active role in shaping global order, promote stability, protect the rights of individuals and prevent further conflicts, which has given rise to greater assertiveness and engagement with foreign policy.
The Cold War is “fought” through… Proxy wars
Proxy wars (influencing foreign wars so the “right” side wins)
The Cold War is “fought” through… a and n
Arms race & nuclear proliferation
The Cold War is “fought” through… Space race
Space race (who can expand their influence to space?)
The Cold War is “fought” through… Espionage
Espionage (use of spying to gain intelligence about the other side)
Timeline-`1945-1953
Truman- (Containment policy; Truman Doctrine)
Timeline- 1953 - 1961 -
_______Eisenhower________________ (Containment; Domino theory; Guatemala; Iran
Timeline- 1961 - 1963
JFK________________ (Cuban Missile Crisis, Peace Corps, Apollo Program)
Timeline- 1963 - 1969 -
________LBJ_______________ (Vietnam War - “Americanization;” Middle East)
Timeline- 1977 - 1981 -
1977 - 1981 - _________Carter______________ (more treaties! But is seen as a failure)
Timeline- 1969 - 1974** -
________Nixon_______________ (Vietnam War - “Vietnamization;” detente)
Timeline- 1974 - 1977 - ________Ford_______________ (treaties!)
________Ford_______________ (treaties!
Timeline- 1981 - 1989 -
________Reagan_______________ (Cold War renewed, “Empire of Evil,” Iran-Contra Scandal)
How did the early years of the Cold War have a significant impact on the U.S. domestically?
Hundreds of people were interrogated on TV about having ties to communism. Those people has their lives ruined because no one would associate with them causing them to suffer unemployment.
-House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) is created to investigate possible communist infiltration in the U.S.
-Joe Mcarthy- claimed to have a list of individuals that were working against US interests.
In general, what’s happening across the globe to previous empires? Why does this matter?
Most of the major empires began to crumble. It matters because it was what the soviet union and the united states wanted to influence all the world. Democracy US. Communism Soviet.
What did the U.S. do in Guatemala? Why?
The U.S. played a role in Guatemala during the Cold War. They supported a coup in 1954 to overthrow the democratically elected president, Jacobo Arbenz, because they were concerned about the influence of communism in the region.
latin am- What happened in 1959 in Cuba?
Fidel Castro overthrew the government and took power while being a communist.
How did Eisenhower plan to “fix” this problem? cuba
He gathered a campaign for the US to train an army with a group of Cuban exiles to overthrow the castro requiem.
What was the name of the attack launched under JFK? Did it work?
Bay of pigs Invasion and it was a failure.
What crisis did this Bay of pigs Invasion lead to in 1963? Why did it inspire so much fear in Americans?
Cuban Missile Crisis. It inspired fear in America because the soviet has nuclear weapons being stockpiled in Cuba. They feared that they were going to get hit.
middle east- What did the U.S. do in Iran in 1953? Why?
The CIA conceived and implemented a plot to overthrow the democratically elected prime minister in order to return Shah Mohanmmed Reza Pahlavi to the throne. They did this because the minister wanted to nationalize Iran’s oil industry and take firmer control over it. This was bad because the US and other nations were dampened on the oil. Shah was very friendly with the US.
asia- What happened to Vietnam after WWII?
It was divided until an election could be held after fighting off its own war. The north was communist while the south was democratic.
How did Eisenhower start the U.S.’ involvement in Vietnam?
1 billion dollars aid was given to the south Vietnamese people in order to stabilize economically.
What is “domino theory?” How did it influence American foreign policy?
If south vietnam fell into communism it would be like a domino that fell and knocked over every other domino in the region and soon communism will be widespread over there.
Tonkin Incident-
This refers to two alleged attacks on U.S. Navy ships by North Vietnamese forces in the Gulf of Tonkin. The incident was used by the U.S. as justification for escalating military involvement in Vietnam, including the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution by Congress, which gave President Johnson broad powers to use military force in Vietna
Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers were a classified study conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense that revealed the extent of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, including secret bombing campaigns and the true assessment of the war’s progress. Their unauthorized release to the press exposed government dishonesty and contributed to public disappointment with the war, leading to increased calls for withdrawal.
Vietnamization-
Vietnamization was a policy introduced by President Nixon, aimed at transferring more responsibility for combat operations to the South Vietnamese forces while gradually withdrawing U.S. troops. It marked a shift in U.S. strategy towards de-escalation and reducing American involvement in Vietnam, reflecting a recognition of the war’s unpopularity at home and the desire to seek a negotiated settlement.
What was the cost, in terms of human life and suffering, that the Vietnamese people “paid” during the Vietnam War? On the doc itself
What was the cost, in terms of human life, suffering, and dollars, that Americans “paid” for their involvement in Vietnam? on the doc itself
. Voting Age Reduction to 18
the Vietnam War led to the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18 through the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allowing younger Americans, many of whom were affected by the draft and the war, to participate in the democratic process.
The War Powers Act
This legislation was passed in response to concerns about the “imperial” presidency and aimed to restrict a president’s ability to send American forces into combat without explicit Congressional approval.
How did the Vietnam War affect the U.S.’ economy and economic plans?
The Vietnam War severely damaged the U.S. economy, as President Johnson opted not to raise taxes to pay for the war, leading to a cycle of inflation. The war’s cost, combined with competing priorities such as President Johnson’s Great Society programs, strained economic resources and contributed to economic challenges during and after the conflict.
How did the Vietnam War change the Democratic Party and voter alignment?
The Vietnam War deeply split the Democratic Party, alienating many blue-collar Democrats who became political independents or Republicans due to their dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of the war. The war also influenced voter alignment, with some former Democratic Party supporters viewing the party as weak on foreign policy and uncertain about America’s role in the world.
How did the Vietnam War change the way people felt about government in general?
The Vietnam War made many Americans deeply suspicious of government and authority. Competing priorities between the war effort and domestic programs led to skepticism about the government’s ability to effectively manage resources and address societal needs. This skepticism contributed to a broader trend of cynicism (doubt) and decreased trust in government institutions among the American public, particularly among the baby boomer generation.
how did the Vietnam War leave a lasting imprint on American culture and social life? Anti-War Movement:
Anti-War Movement: The Vietnam War sparked a significant anti-war movement involving various groups and tactics.
how did the Vietnam War leave a lasting imprint on American culture and social life? Protest Tactics:
Protest Tactics: Students, veterans, and activists used tactics like nationwide strikes, draft card burning, and returning war medals to protest the war.
how did the Vietnam War leave a lasting imprint on American culture and social life? Cultural Figures’ Involvement:
Cultural Figures’ Involvement: Celebrities like Eartha Kitt and Muhammad Ali spoke out against the war, influencing public opinion.
how did the Vietnam War leave a lasting imprint on American culture and social life? Veterans’ Activism:
Veterans’ Activism: Vietnam veterans, through groups like Vietnam Veterans Against the War, protested against the war and its impact.
what was the focus of Carter (and Ford’s) presidency?
The focus of President Carter’s and President Ford’s presidencies, as reflected in the quote, was on a shift in American foreign policy and the reevaluation of tactics and principles in response to international challenges, particularly in light of the Vietnam War’s aftermath. Carter emphasized the need to return to American values and principles, suggesting a departure from previous adversarial approaches and a renewed emphasis on moral and intellectual integrity in foreign affairs. This shift marked a period of introspection and recalibration in U.S. foreign policy during their presidencies.
how did most Americans feel about Carter’s foreign policy? Why?
Most Americans had mixed feelings about Carter’s foreign policy. Some appreciated his emphasis on human rights and diplomatic efforts, while others criticized his handling of international crises like the Iran hostage crisis.
