Lesson 20
Compare different political systems and analyze what contributes to conflict and cooperation among nations.
WAY back in lesson 3 you learned about the types of government. You might think that the United States has a pretty good system of government... or maybe you don't. The point is that countries have different forms of government. When you did the WHO RULES worksheet back in lesson 3 you also read about a few different countries and what types of government they have. So how does the United States deal with other countries that have different forms of government ?
This is known as Foreign Affairs or International Affairs. It's a delicate art.
Some people think that as the 'best nation in the world' it's our duty to make sure everyone has a government like ours. Back in the 50's the goal of the United States was to 'save the world from Communism' and 'bring them to the light that is democracy'. But if you remember from studying the different types of government, the United States is a representative democracy not a direct democracy.
Also in our nation's history there was a time that we saw our country as the 'global police'. The idea was that since we were the most powerful nation in the world, it was our job to make sure that another nation wasn't being bullied by a stronger nation.
This is known as Foreign Affairs or International Affairs. It's a delicate art.
Some people think that as the 'best nation in the world' it's our duty to make sure everyone has a government like ours. Back in the 50's the goal of the United States was to 'save the world from Communism' and 'bring them to the light that is democracy'. But if you remember from studying the different types of government, the United States is a representative democracy not a direct democracy.
Also in our nation's history there was a time that we saw our country as the 'global police'. The idea was that since we were the most powerful nation in the world, it was our job to make sure that another nation wasn't being bullied by a stronger nation.
Why is communicating with foreign nations such a problem? Well our history with a country has to do with our relationship with them. For example, our nation's history with Russia is a little rocky. During the Cold War (which wasn't technically a war) we were afraid of starting a nuclear war with them.
So what are the goals of foreign policy?
1. To preserve the national security of the United States
2. Promoting World Peace and a secure global environment
3. To maintain a balance of power among nations
4. To work with allies to solve international problems
5. To promote democratic values and human rights
6. To further cooperative foreign trade and global involvement in international trade organizations
So to sum those 6 things up, there's such a thing as 'foreign policy' so we can make a better world. In election years you hear a lot about foreign policy and domestic policy (what's going on inside the U.S.). Foreign policy/foreign affairs has become more a part of politics. Why ? Because things you buy in the store are made from other countries. Because Americans travel to other countries. Because Americans communicate with people all over the world. We can't ignore that every day we come in contact with something that has to do with another country. We're a globalized society.
So what are the goals of foreign policy?
1. To preserve the national security of the United States
2. Promoting World Peace and a secure global environment
3. To maintain a balance of power among nations
4. To work with allies to solve international problems
5. To promote democratic values and human rights
6. To further cooperative foreign trade and global involvement in international trade organizations
So to sum those 6 things up, there's such a thing as 'foreign policy' so we can make a better world. In election years you hear a lot about foreign policy and domestic policy (what's going on inside the U.S.). Foreign policy/foreign affairs has become more a part of politics. Why ? Because things you buy in the store are made from other countries. Because Americans travel to other countries. Because Americans communicate with people all over the world. We can't ignore that every day we come in contact with something that has to do with another country. We're a globalized society.
To promote a better world there are organizations that help other countries. Have you heard of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ? Read about them here: http://www.nato.int/nato-welcome/index.html
Explore the website a little bit. There's a Frequently Asked Questions page that will give you a better idea of how NATO works: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/faq.htm#A1
Explore the website a little bit. There's a Frequently Asked Questions page that will give you a better idea of how NATO works: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/faq.htm#A1
Now that you know a little about NATO let's look at the UN (United Nations). http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/index.shtml.
You'll notice on both of the pages for NATO and the UN their goal is world peace and nations working together.
People tend to focus on their own country and their government, but these two organizations are 2 of many global organizations whose goal is to make a better world, and not just focus on their own country. Their goals are a lot bigger, but then again they are concerned about a larger population of people.
You'll notice on both of the pages for NATO and the UN their goal is world peace and nations working together.
People tend to focus on their own country and their government, but these two organizations are 2 of many global organizations whose goal is to make a better world, and not just focus on their own country. Their goals are a lot bigger, but then again they are concerned about a larger population of people.
Because I love history, I want to step back and look at a few examples of foreign policy in the United States. One of the coolest President's of the United States (in my opinion) was Theodore Roosevelt. I like him because he was spunky. If you look at the Political Cartoon I put at the top of the page you'll notice that it's Theodore Roosevelt protecting the Republic of Santo Domingo. He's pointing a gun at the king representing Europe. The gun is labeled MONROE DOCTRINE.
Guess what? MONROE DOCTRINE was the United States' foreign policy. It was thought up by James Monroe in 1823 (well really it was more his secretary of state... but it has Monroe's name on it). In the political cartoon Teddy was using the 'Monroe Doctrine' when he was president in the early 1900's. The MONROE DOCTRINE said that the European nations were bullying Latin American countries, and it was the job of the United States to protect those helpless countries. This policy is another example of the United States trying to be the 'global police'.
Teddy Roosevelt had a saying you might have heard of "Speak softly and carry a big stick"
Guess what? MONROE DOCTRINE was the United States' foreign policy. It was thought up by James Monroe in 1823 (well really it was more his secretary of state... but it has Monroe's name on it). In the political cartoon Teddy was using the 'Monroe Doctrine' when he was president in the early 1900's. The MONROE DOCTRINE said that the European nations were bullying Latin American countries, and it was the job of the United States to protect those helpless countries. This policy is another example of the United States trying to be the 'global police'.
Teddy Roosevelt had a saying you might have heard of "Speak softly and carry a big stick"
What he was trying to say was "it's better to be kind with your words, but show everyone else how strong and powerful you are". And Teddy used this ideology in every nation he dealt with. He was a pretty manly president.
T.R. took our Navy and had them sail around the world to intimidate other countries by how strong we were. He also said this:
Whoever is President of the United States has a lot of control over our relationship with other countries. Here are a few important ones:
There are so many examples of foreign policy in history! But I'll stop right there and let you learn about this stuff in your history class. Here's your assignment:
Assignment 20
I want you to look at 2 different news stories that deal with foreign policy. If you don't know where to look you can type 'U.S foreign policy' into GOOGLE and then hit the 'NEWS' option. Anything that involves the United States and another country counts as a story dealing with foreign policy. Once you've read/watched the news stories you have chosen answer these questions in a paragraph:
1. In the stories you read/watched, was the United States promoting peace with their foreign policy ? Why / Why not ?
2. How were the two stories similar to each other ? How were they different ?
3. What do the stories you read tell you about United States foreign policy ?
1. In the stories you read/watched, was the United States promoting peace with their foreign policy ? Why / Why not ?
2. How were the two stories similar to each other ? How were they different ?
3. What do the stories you read tell you about United States foreign policy ?
Now answer these questions (these don't have to be in a paragraph):
4. What is the purpose of NATO?
5. Name 7 countries that belong to NATO and list the year they joined.
6. What is NATO's relationship with Russia?
7. Are they currently involved in Afghanistan?
8. Who pays for NATO to function?
9. What are the 4 goals of the United Nations?
10. Do you think the Monroe Doctrine was the right way to deal with Latin America and Europe ?
11. In U.S. History there are plenty of examples of the United State's interfering in the affairs of other countries. What do you think the role of the United States should be when it comes to dealing with other countries ?
5. Name 7 countries that belong to NATO and list the year they joined.
6. What is NATO's relationship with Russia?
7. Are they currently involved in Afghanistan?
8. Who pays for NATO to function?
9. What are the 4 goals of the United Nations?
10. Do you think the Monroe Doctrine was the right way to deal with Latin America and Europe ?
11. In U.S. History there are plenty of examples of the United State's interfering in the affairs of other countries. What do you think the role of the United States should be when it comes to dealing with other countries ?
Standard 6 Objective 1 B & C
http://www.ushistory.org/gov/11a.asp
http://www.ushistory.org/gov/11a.asp