overview of chapter 17 section...

American Foreign Policy

Overview of chapter 17 section 3)

1. Define foreign policy

A group of policies made up of all the stands

and actions that a nation takes in every

aspect of its relationship with other

countries…everything a nation’s govt. says

and does in world affairs

– Usually defined by a President

– Purpose is to protect the security of the US

2. How has FP affected the role of

the President? Power has increased over time

Each new war brings new power and

responsibility, which has caused other

nations to look at us for aid, guidance, and

leadership

US as world police?

Before

After

Foreign Policy timeline

Independence, George Washington, 1796

Isolationism! Very little political connection

Monroe Doctrine James Monroe, 1823

The US told Europe- “Stay out of the W.

Hemisphere, and we’ll leave you alone

too!”

Continental Expansion Beginnings through Lincoln, 1783-1867

US spread across the continent, taking

new lands like Louisiana Purchase, Texas,

Alaska, etc.

Our “Manifest Destiny” to take land!

Good Neighbor Policy

Or bad neighbor? 1900s

The US got involved in Central/South

America’s business (trade, etc.)…Latin

America grew frustrated

Open Door Policy

Late 1800s-early 1900s

The US wanted trade access to China (who

had been “controlled” by Europe)

Heavy US involvement in the East now

WWI, Interwar period, thru 1930s

“Make the world safe for democracy!”

Led to isolationism again, as totalitarian

governments rose to power

US Isolationism

WWII 1939-1940 (Presidents FDR and Truman)

Isolationism OVER!...continue to fight the

Axis powers, genocide

US left in an Arms race with USSR (new

war!)

Cold War-Collective Security

1945-present day

World community to protect the peace

UN created (1945)

Cold War (Deterrence)

1945- present day

Strategy of maintaining the military might of

the US at so great a level that its very

strength will deter (keep away) any attack

Led to collapse of USSR-could not keep up

Cold War (Truman Doctrine)

Harry Truman, 1947

Support free people who are resisting

communism

Cold War (Cuban Missile Crisis)

JFK, 1962

13 days, the closest the US came to nuclear

war with USSR

Ended in peace

Korean War (Undeclared)

1950-1953, Truman and Eisenhower

“Forgotten War”…US tried to stop

communism from spreading to S. Korea

Ended where it started

Vietnam War (undeclared) 1967-1973, Johnson, Nixon, Ford

Vietnam wanted freedom from France, US wanted to stop communism from spreading…US “lost”, many died, US started doubting its government

Passage of the War Powers Act severely limited presidential powers at time of war

Détente 1980s-early 1990s

Improvement in relations between US and USSR, E. Europe started gaining independence from USSR

1980s saw an end of Détente

Cold War policies ended with the fall of the

Berlin wall in1989, starting a new, undefined era of foreign policy

4. Preemption

Hit your enemies before they hit you! (is it

proactive or unfair?)

– Rendition (finding someone else to do your dirty

work!)

How is this policy different than in the past?

Will the Bush doctrine continue, or will

we have something new?...Time will tell!

5.

NATO-North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(created to fight communism)

UN-United Nations (created to bring peace

to the world)

– Current issues: human rights, environment and

peacekeeping

Should the US base its FP more on these

two groups? Explain