Civics_Ch11_Homework-One-Guide

=**Guide for Homework #1 - answer the following on notebook paper**=

1. __Goals of Foreign Policy__: As a result of advances in communication, trade, and travel, the world seems to be smaller these days. The nations of the world have become more interdependent, or reliant on each other. And because events in one country can quickly have dramatic effects in other countries, these interdependent nations must cooperate. The plan that a country follows for interacting with other countries is called foreign policy. The success of a country's foreign policy affects its foreign relations, or the way it interacts with other countries. Every country's foreign policy has certain goals. The goals of the U.S. foreign policy include maintaining national security, supporting democracy around the world, promoting world peace, maintaining trade, and providing aid to people in need. Since the 1930s, establishing open trade has become another goal of U.S. foreign policy. Forming U.S. foreign policy is a complex process. The government must strike a balance between cooperation and competition with other countries. The process requires the work of many government officials. __**QUESTION: What are the 5 major goals of U.S. foreign** **policy?**__

2. __Powers of the President__: Presidents have several powers that deal with foreign policy. In terms of the military, the president makes recommendations to Congress about the operation of the U.S. military. As commander-in-chief, the president can order military into action. However, under the War Powers Act, troops sent abroad (to other nations) must be recalled back home within 60 to 90 days unless Congress approves the action. Only Congress can declare war.

Treaties are written agreements between countries. They are an important part of U.S. foreign relations. With the advice and consent of the Senate (a.k.a. Senate approval), the president has the power to make three types of treaties: All treaties must be approved by a 2/3 vote in the Senate.
 * Peace treaties are agreements to end wars. They spell out the terms for ending the fighting and bring about peace.
 * Alliance treaties are agreements between countries to help each other for defense, economic, scientific, or other reasons. The U.S. has established alliances with many countries in the world. An alliance is an agreement in which two or more countries commit to help each other.
 * Commercial treaties are economic agreements between nations to trade with each other on favorable terms.

Agreements between countries do not always require treaties. The Constitution does recognize a distinction between treaties and agreements, so the president may enter into agreements with other nations. The president and the leader of a foreign government may meet and establish mutual understanding, or executive agreement. Often times a Status of Forces Agreement is made with another nation defining rights and responsibilities of soldiers from the U.S. in another nation.

Presidents also have diplomatic powers. The president can appoint ambassadors to represent the U.S. in foreign nations. The president can also receive ambassadors from foreign countries. The president has the power of diplomatic recognition. That is, the president may recognize, or establish official relations with, a foreign government. Sending a U.S. ambassador to that country and receiving that country's ambassador means that official recognition has taken place. The president may refuse to recognize a government whose foreign policies are considered unfriendly or dangerous to the United States or its allies (friends). __**QUESTION: What are some of the president's foreign policy powers?**__

3. __Foreign Policy Agencies__: The State Department is the principal organization for carrying out foreign policy. The Secretary of State is the president's chief foreign policy advisor. This department acts as the "eyes and ears" of the president, obtaining information from around the world on which U.S. foreign relations are based. The State Department is also in charge of ambassadors appointed by the president to represent the U.S. in foreign nations.

The Defense Department is the important source of military and national security with the president's advisor being the Secretary of Defense. This department advises the president on troop movements, placement of military bases, and weapons development. The president and secretary receive information from the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are the highest ranking officers of each branch of the armed forces.

There are other agencies that aid in foreign policy as well. The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) is responsible for gathering information about military and political trends and developments in other countries. The National Security Council (NSC) is in the Executive Office of the President and coordinates U.S. military and foreign policy. The Agency of International Development provides billions of dollars' worth of food, fuel, medical supplies, and loans to help the world's people. __**QUESTION: What are the agencies that are involved in foreign policy?**__

4. __Congress Provides a Balance__: The president leads the country with world affairs, but the president must work closely with Congress when deciding foreign-policy issues. The Senate must approve all treaties between the U.S. and other countries by a 2/3 vote. For example, after World War I, President Woodrow Wilson watned the United States to join the League of Nations. A provision (or requirement) for joining this peacekeeping organization was included as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended WWI. However, a powerful group of senators opposed joining and did not approve the treaty. A majority vote in both chambers of Congress can authorize the president to enter into an executive agreement with one or more foreign countries.

Under the U.S. Constitution, only Congress can declare war. Yet over the years, presidents have sent troops to foreign countries without a declaration of war. In 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Act to reaffirm its constitutional right to declare war. This act limits president's power to send troops abroad without approval of Congress.

Both chambers of Congress must approve all expenditures of public funds. This power also allows Congress to influence foreign affairs. For example, Congress must approve all spending for national defense. The president may recommend new military spending. However these policies cannot be carried out unless Congress votes for the necessary money. __**QUESTION: How does Congress provide a check and balance to the president's powers on foreign policy?**__

5. In 1735, New York publisher John Peter Zenger wrote articles critical of the governor and his colleagues (those who helped and were friends with the governor). The governor charged Zenger with "seditious libel" (a falsehood against the government). The case went to trial, and Zenger's victory in court was the beginning of a strong free-press sentiment that was written into the Bill of Rights 50 years later. Thanks to the 1st Amendment, the American media is free to report whatever it learns and can be critical of the government. Today, we have come to enjoy the benefits of a free press. During the second U.S. war in Iraq, the American government invited some reporters to live with military units in Iraq. Many people believe that these "embedded reporters" program gives the public access to more accurate reporting on the war. Critics claim, however, that the government controls what the reporters can experience, subtly reducing journalistic objectivity - one of the most important features of a free press. __**QUESTION: How do embedded reporters impact free press?**__

6. __Diplomacy and Alliances__: The process of conducting negotiations between countries is called diplomacy. Diplomacy is used to prevent war, negotiate an end to conflicts, solve problems, and establish communication between countries. The president is the country's chief diplomat. To carry out this role, presidents often use personal diplomacy. They travel to other countries to meet with foreign leaders. They also consult with foreign officials in the U.S. One such example of personal diplomacy is a summit, which is a meeting between the leaders of two or more countries to discuss issues that concern those countries. Other government officials also engage in diplomacy. For example, State Department officials often represent the president in trying to settle conflicts between other countries. In recent years, U.S. diplomats have traveled back and forth between different countries so often that this kind of peace seeking has become known as "shuttle diplomacy."

One of the main goals of U.S. foreign policy is to promote peace and stability. One way to do this is to form alliances for defense. The United States and most countires in Latin America (Central and South America) formed the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1948. The goal of the OAS is mutual defense and the peaceful settlement of disputes among member countries. In 1951, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States formed an alliance called ANZUS, with its purpose of providing mutual defense in case of an attack on either of the three nations. Perhaps the most important security alliance the U.S. is part of is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. The U.S. and its allies formed NATO in 1949 to establish a united front against aggression by the Soviet Union and its communist allies. Most Western European nations belong to this alliance. During the 1990s, NATO's focus changed as several Eastern European nations overturned their communist governments and Communist Russia, the Soviet Union, dissolved. In fact, Russia and many of its former allies have either joined NATO or assist the organization in military exercises and peacekeeping operations. NATO often works together against terrorism today. __**QUESTION: How are defensive alliances part of our nation's diplomacy?**__

7. __Foreign Aid__: Another important part of U.S. foreign policy is foreign aid, which is any government program that provides economic or military assistance to another country. For example, the U.S. first gave large amounts of foreign aid during and after World War II. After the war's devastation, the people of Western Europe needed food, clothing, and housing. In 1947, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall proposed a plan to help the war-torn countries of Europe rebuild. Under the Marshall Plan, Congress granted more than $13 billion in aid to these countries. By 1952, the economies of Western Europe had recovered toa remarkable degree. Marshall Plan aid, having accomplished its goal, ended. The United States continues humanitarian aid efforts. The U.S. aids nations hurt by hunger, war, or natural disasters. __**QUESTION: Why does the U.S. give aid to foreign nations?**__

8. __Law 101 - the Draft__: Why is it important for the U.S. to have a military? Do you think every person, male and female, should be required to serve some time in the military - even where the country is not at war? Most countries need a military for self-defense. Many countries draft citizens, or require them to serve several years in the military. In Israel, for example, young men and women must do two to three years of military service. The United States, though, has drafted only men and only at times of crisis in history. The first U.S. draft was issued during the Civil War, followed by another during World War I. The United States has also instituted peacetime drafts before World War II and during the Cold War (rivalry against communist Russia). The draft was also used in the Korean War and Vietnam. Since 1973, however, the United States has had an all-volunteer military, despite some who call for a draft. Although there is no draft today, the Selective Service System (the federal agency that runs the draft) requires that all men between the ages of 18 and 26 be registered in case there is a future draft. Despite their expanded roles inthe military, American women are not required to register. __**QUESTION: Do you think we should have a draft? If so, at what times? If not, why?**__

9. __Economics 101 - NAFTA__: The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, connects Canada, Mexico, and the United States in a free trade zone. This means that tariffs (taxes on imports coming into a nation) on many categories of goods - such as cars, computers, fruits, and vegetables, will not be charged. It has increased trade for the U.S. as American businesses are able to sell more goods to Canada and Mexico since they aren't charging import tariffs. Jobs have increased in America due to the free trade. The negative is that some American businesses have been moved out of the country to Mexico or Canada or either cheaper labor costs (can pay workers less) or less government interference in the business. America's economics have been helped more than hurt by NAFTA. It was started by President George Bush (the older Bush) and completed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. __**QUESTION: Do you agree with NAFTA? Why or why not?**__

10. Use the graph below to answer this question: __**QUESTION: What is the biggest U.S. import?**__

11. United Nations: After World War II, in 1945, representatives from 50 countries met to form the United Nations, or U.N., an organization that promotes peaceful coexistence and worldwide cooperation. According to the U.N. charter, or constitution, countries pledge to save future generations from war. They promise to live in peace as good neighbors and agree to work toward protecting basic human rights. Today there are over 190 member nations. It has 6 major divisions.

The General Assembly is the body that discusses, debates, and recommends solutions to problems. Each member country has one vote. It meets annually (yearly). The Security Council is the body mainly responsible for peacekeeping. It has 15 member nations including the 5 permanent nations - U.S., Britain, France, Russia, and China (the 5 powerful winning nations in WWII). The other 10 nations rotate every 2 years. All measures need 9 of the 15 to agree in order to pass. The 5 member nations each have an absolute veto (if one of the permanent nations disagree with a measure, that one nation can veto the whole measure). This is the body that can recommend U.N. nations go to war if a nation is not working out a solution peacefully. The International Court of Justice is where nations can take legal disputes. There are 15 judges from various countries who are elected by the General Assembly and Security Council who serve 9 year terms with decisions based on a majority vote. Their headquarters are at The Hague in the Netherlands. This court decides boundary disputes and debt payments. The Economic and Social Council is dedicated to improving the lives of the world's people. It conducts studies in areas such as health, human rights, education, narcotics (drugs), and world population. It makes recommendations to the General Assembly. The Trusteeship Council helps various non-self-governing colonies, called trust territories. It suspended operations in 1994 when the last trust territory became independent. The Secretariat manages the day-to-day activities of the U.N. and provides services to other U.N. divisions and also serves as the chief administrator to the U.N. __**QUESTION: How is the General Assembly different from the Security Council?**__

12. __The U.N. in the Modern World__: The United Nations provides a forum, or place where the world's countries can express their views about problems that threaten peace. In its quest for peace, the organization largely depends on the cooperation of its members to settle their disputes diplomatically. This expection of peaceful cooperation has met with great success. Today, the United Nations condemns terrorist activity but has not gotten too involved by force. The United Nations has issued sanctions (monetary or trade punishments) on terror nations. Iran has been pursuing a nuclear weapon and despite U.N. economic punishments/sanctions, Iran continues to pursue its nuclear ambitions. Iran has stated that it wants to wipe out Israel. Israel has said they will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon since Iran would either use one on Israel or allow terror groups access. The U.N. has also recently pushed for more global government aspects. Agenda 21 is a U.N. plan to charge a tax on wealthy from each country to redistribute the wealth to third world nations. This sounds good and humantarian, but it increases global power over nations that go with Agenda 21. The topic has not been presented to the U.S. Senate. In order for Agenda 21 to be approved in the U.S. it would have to be in a treaty signed by the President and approved by the Senate. The U.N. has recently discussed establishing more control over the Internet. __**QUESTION: What are some problems with the United Nations?**__

13-20. Writing question: __**QUESTION: What do you think America's foreign policy should be toward nations that allow terrorists? What do you think America's foreign policy should be toward nations that want to trade with the U.S.**__

Back to the Chapter 11 main page