Transcript Chapter 17 Foreign Policy and National Defense

Chapter 17
Foreign Policy and
National Defense
Foreign Policy
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All of the stands and actions that a nation
takes in every aspect of its relationships
with other countries – diplomatic, military,
commercial, and all others
In other words, it includes everything that
the nation’s government says and
everything that it does in world affairs
The State Department
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The President’s right arm in foreign affairs
Headed by the Secretary of State
Foreign Service
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Every country has the right
of legation – the right to
send and receive diplomatic
representatives
Ambassador – an official
representative of the
United States appointed
by the President to
represent the nation in
matters of diplomacy
Diplomatic Immunity
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In international law, all persons or things
found in with in a state’s territory is
subject to its jurisdiction…
except ambassadors
Ambassadors are not subject to the
laws of the state they are in. They
cannot be arrested, sued, or taxed.
Defense Department
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Unifies the nation’s armed
forces
Secretary of Defense –
Head of the department.
Helps the President in
making decisions about
national defense and
carrying out those decisions
Military Departments
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Army – Largest and oldest of the armed
service. Ground based
Navy – Role is sea warfare and defense.
The Marines are part of the navy.
Air force – Became a branch in 1947 but
originated in 1907. Currently the nation’s
first line of defense.
Director of National Intelligence
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Created after 9/11 to supervise and
operate the federal intelligence community
Includes, among other agencies, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the
National Security Agency (NSA).
Espionage - spying
Department of Homeland Security
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Main task is to protect
the country from
terrorism
Terrorism – the use of
violence to intimidate
a government or a
society, usually for
political or ideological
reasons
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration
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Russian satellite Sputnik 1
launched October 4th 1957
American satellite Explorer
1 launched January 31st
1958.
The space race began
between the two
superpowers
Large military importance
Sputnik and the Moon Landing
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Foreign Policy Prior to WWII
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Prior to WWII the United States had a
policy of isolationism – a purposeful
refusal to become generally involved in
the affairs of the rest of the world
The power of the United States expanded
and became evident during the late 1800’s
Foreign Policy After WWII
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The United States was forced out of
isolationism when Japan attacked Pearl
Harbor.
The United States moved into a policy of
internationalism
Two New Principles
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Collective Security
Deterrence
Collective Security
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America hoped to forge a world where
most nations would agree to act together
against any nation that threatened the
peace.
The United States
took a lead role in
forming the United
Nations in 1945
Deterrence
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The strategy of maintaining the military
might of the United States at so great a
level that the very strength of the military
will discourage an attack on this country
by a hostile power.
Cold War
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The Cold War is a period of over 40 years
during which relations between the two
superpowers (United States and the
USSR) were tense and often hostile.
Containment – if communism could
be kept within its current boundaries,
it would collapse due to its own
weakness.
Cold War
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The Berlin Blockade (1948) – The Soviets
blocked east Berlin off in an attempt to
make the allies turn it over. The U.S.
responded with an airlift of supplies.
The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) – Russian
set up nuclear missiles in Cuba. The
United States responded with a naval
blockade of Cuba. The Soviets backed
down.
Hot Wars in the “Cold War”
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The Korean War (1950-1953)
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UN-sponsored South Korea was attacked by
Communist North Korea.
A cease-fire (not a peace agreement) was
signed
Neither side could claim victory. North Korea
remains a communist country separate from
South Korea. Hostility remains.
Hot Wars in the “Cold War”
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The War in Vietnam (1954-1973/1975)
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France decided Vietnam into two parts. The
North became communist, the South
noncommunist.
A civil war erupted and the U.S. came to the
defense of the South.
Starting in 1969 the U.S. began to pull out
troops.
A ceasefire was signed in 1973 but by 1975 the
two Vietnams became the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam
Vietnam
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Détente and the End of the Cold
War
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Détente – a relaxing of tensions
Relations with Russia and China improved
during the 1970’s and 1980’s
The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and
many of its satellites gained independence
Dangers Around the Globe
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Afghanistan – The Taliban
once ran this country. It
was corrupt and allowed
sanctuary for members of
al Qaida (the terrorist
organization behind the
9/11 attacks). It was
overthrown by the U.S.
and it now an insurgency
group.
Dangers Around the Globe
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Israel and the Middle East – Israel became
a country in 1948. The land was controlled
by Britain. After 1948 the Palestinians lost
their land in a war with Israel. Many of the
countries in the middle east do not believe
Israel has the right to the land.
Palestinians and Israelis periodically attack
each other's settlements.
Dangers Around the Globe
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Iran – The
government is
seeking to create
nuclear weapons.
The country is
sympathetic to
radical Muslims and
does not believe in
Israel’s right to exist.
Dangers Around the Globe
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Iraq – Iraq was lead by the dictator
Saddam Hussein. Hussein had biological
and chemical weapons. The U.S. also
accused him of having nuclear weapons.
The U.S. invaded Iraq and took Saddam
out of power. Since then the country has
been torn by continuing violence.
Dangers Around the Globe
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Africa – Many civil wars are ongoing in Africa,
including multiple genocides. AIDS is killing large
numbers in Africa and many preventable
diseases kill many each year.
Engaged in civil war, resource war, or human
rights abuses: Uganda, Sudan, Sierra Leone,
Congo, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia,
Zimbabwe, Cote d’Ivoire
Without government: Somalia
Dangers Around the Globe
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India and Pakistan – In 1947 when India
gained independence from Britain the
region was partitioned into India and
Pakistan. Pakistan is majority Muslim and
India is majority Hindu. There are still
disputes about the border. Both countries
have nuclear weapons.
Dangers Around the Globe
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North Korea – North Korea is a communist
country led by the dictator Kim Jong-il.
North Korea claims to have nuclear
weapons. The CIA and the UN believe
North Korea not only has nuclear weapons
but also biological weapons. The
government tightly controls the population
and has committed many human rights
abuses.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)
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Created in 1949 – It is a collective alliance
formed initially to promote the collective
defense of Western Europe from the
USSR.
Today it still functions as a security
alliance for its members.
The United Nations
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General Assembly –
“the town meeting of
the world”
Each country has a
seat and a vote in the
general assembly
Resolutions are nonbinding but send a
message about the
will of the world
The UN Security Council
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15 members
5 permanent
members – US,
Britain, France, China,
and Russia
Job is to maintain
international peace