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American Government - Foreign Policy

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Study GuideAmerican Government–Foreign Policy1.Background of American Foreign PolicyForeign policyrefers to the actions the United States takes to protect itsnational interests,security, and well-beinginternationally. These actions may involve maintaining a competitiveeconomy, defending borders, and promotingpeace, freedom, and democracyat home and abroad.Foreign policy is never static—it evolves in response to global and domestic circumstances.1.1Early American Foreign Policy: IsolaƟonism•George Washingtonwarned against foreign entanglements in his Farewell Address.•From theWar of 1812to theSpanish-American War (1898), the U.S. generally followed anisolationist approach, avoiding involvement in European conflicts.•Monroe Doctrine (1823): The U.S. would oppose European colonization in the Americas andnot interfere in European affairs.1.2The Spanish-American War and Expansion•Marked the emergence of the U.S. as aworld power.•Territories gained:Guam, Puerto Rico, Philippines;Hawaiiannexed separately.•Theodore Rooseveltintervened in Central and South America, supporting Panama'sindependence and overseeing construction of thePanama Canal.•Open Door Policy: Promoted equal trading rights for all nations in China.1.3World WarsWorld War I•U.S. entered in1917after three years of neutrality.•PresidentWoodrow Wilsonproposed theFourteen Points, but the U.S. never joined theLeague of Nationsdue to Senate opposition.

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Study GuideWorld War II•Initially neutral;Pearl Harbor (1941)forced U.S. entry.•Allied powers includedGreat Britain, free France, Soviet Union, and China.•Key conferences shaping postwar world:Casablanca (1943), Teheran (1943), Yalta (1945),Potsdam (1945).•Soviet control over Eastern Europe led to theIron Curtain.1.4The Cold War•Containment Policy: Proposed by George Kennan to resist Soviet expansion.•Implemented through alliances:NATO, SEATO, CENTO.•Key policies and events:oTruman Doctrine (1947): Aid to "free peoples" threatened by communism.oMarshall Plan: Economic aid to rebuild Western Europe.oKorean War (1950–1953): Military action under containment.•Domino theoryjustified U.S. involvement inVietnam, resulting in 58,000 U.S. deaths anddeep domestic divisions.•Summit diplomacyand treaties (e.g.,1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty) occasionally easedtensions.1.5Détente and the End of the Cold War•1970s Détente: Reduced U.S.-Soviet tensions, increased trade, and led toSALT I(1972).•U.S.-China Relations: Nixon normalized ties with the People’s Republic of China.•Reagan Era: Strong anti-communist stance; military buildup pressured the Soviet economy.•Gorbachev’s reforms:GlasnostandPerestroikaeased tensions.•By theearly 1990s, theSoviet Union collapsed, creating new independent nations.

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Study Guide1.6The New World Order•Conflicts continued despite the Cold War's end:oPersian Gulf War (1991): Coalition under theUNexpelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait.oBalkans Conflict: U.S. and NATO intervened, culminating in theDayton Accords(1995); later actions inKosovoinvolved NATO bombing of Serbia.Key Takeaways1.U.S. foreign policy balancesnational interests, security, and global ideals.2.Policy has evolved fromisolationismtoactive global engagement.3.Alliances, military interventions, economic aid, and diplomacyhave been central tools.4.Thepost-Cold War eracontinues to present challenges in conflict resolution, peacekeeping,and international cooperation.2.Making Foreign Policy2.1ConsƟtuƟonal RolesForeign policy in the United States is shaped byboth the president and Congress, each withdistinct powers:2.2The President and Foreign PolicyPowers:•Negotiatestreaties(Senate must approve treaties, but the president can also useexecutiveagreementswithout Senate approval).•Appointsambassadors.•Serves ascommander in chiefof the armed forces.Presidential Flexibility:•Presidents can engage U.S. forces in conflictswithout a formal declaration of war.
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Document Details

University
Texas A&M University
Course
American Government
Subject
Political Science

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