American Foreign Policy

Which Constitutional power helps the President in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy?

• the power to declare war on foreign nations

• the power to receive ambassadors from foreign countries

• the power to ratify treaties negotiated with foreign countries

• the power to make final appropriations for the U.S. State Department

Answer explanation

Receiving an ambassador into the US is not only good for the sending country but also serves as a symbol of friendship and negotiating abilities between countries. Ambassadors serve to promote policy agendas, humanitarian needs, and foreign occurrences that could affect our own country.

The diagram shows details about the federal government. Which phrase completes the diagram?

• How Congress influences US domestic policy

• How Congress influences US foreign policy

• How the State Department manages US foreign policy

• How the House Committee on Foreign Affairs investigates issues

Answer explanation

These are all ways that Congress exercises powers when dealing with foreign affairs: Confirm the presidential nominations, passing US peace treaties by a 2/3rds vote, approves funding for foreign needs including military, humanitarian efforts, and State Depart budgets (State Department is in charge of foreign affairs)

The speech was delivered to Congress by President Harry Truman in 1947. Which foreign-policy goal did President Truman have in this speech?

• to prevent genocide around the world.

• to protect the security of the United States.

• to encourage foreign trade with the United States.

• to achieve world peace through international organizations.

Answer explanation

He is encouraging the support of the US involvement in the Korean War as a necessity to stop the spread of communism throughout Asia and other parts of the world while promoting human rights that democracy allows.

What was the primary reason for US involvement in Korea and Vietnam?

• an imperialist longing to annex new colonies

• a fear of the international spread of communism

• hope of expanding American frontiers westward

• a humanitarian desire to help these peoples improve their economies.

Answer explanation

This war began shortly after the end of WW2 when communism was on the rise. Many democracies around the globe were facing devastating reforms. US felt the need to intervene to try to stop the spread of communism . The Korean War ended with North Korea and South Korea signing a treaty to separate leaving North Korea a communist nation and South Korea a democracy.

Which action would be an example of a foreign-policy decision?

• Congress changes eh naturalization rules for immigrants wishing to become citizens.

• The President signs an executive order modifying emissions standards for power plants burning coal.

• Congress passes a law providing tax benefits to companies manufacturing cars using electrical power.

• The President accepts an invitation to mediate between China and Japan over ownership of the Senkaku Islands.

Answer explanation

Foreign-policies are all policies that deals with decisions outside of the US borders not what is happening within our borders.

The two paragraphs below describe an international organization. What was the main purpose behind this organization?

• to create a giant trade zone with Canada and Mexico

• to maintain peace and security while encouraging human rights

• to settle disputes between countries peacefully in the World Court

• to form a defensive alliance against attacks by potential aggressors

Answer explanation

NAFTA=North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement was created as a trade zone between the countries US, Mexico, and Canada.

The UN was created to encourage human rights.

UN established a World Court.

NATO was a defensive alliance against attacks by potential aggressors (created after WW2 during the Cold War)

President George Washington gave the advice below in his Farewell Address of 1796. Which later event most closely followed President Washington's advice?

• The United States annexed the Philippines in 1898.

• Congress supplied ships to Britain for cash in 1940.

• Americans attempted to remain neutral at first during both World Wars I and II

• Americans sent troops to Korea and Vietnam in order to prevent the spread of communism in Asia.

Answer explanation

It was the advise of the first President that many presidents have followed which is. . ., "extending or commercial relations (participating in trade deals), to have with them (foreign countries) as little political connection as possible." Remaining out of other countries politics have helped us to avoid many conflicts over the years.

What was the primary reason for U.S. involvement in Korea and Vietnam?

• an imperialist longing to annex new colonies

• a fear of the international spread of communism

• the hope of expanding American frontiers westward

• a humanitarian desire to help these peoples improve their economies

Answer explanation

Doctors without Borders and International Red Cross are not Government organizations. OPEC is a international organization that US ins not a member of.

The two paragraphs below describe events during the Presidency of Bill Clinton. Which would be an example of the sanctions that President Clinton might have imposed?

• sending U.S. troops to India

• prohibiting U.S. trade with India

• ordering aerial surveillance of New Delhi

• banning news from Indian television stations

Answer explanation

Economic Sanctions are a tool used as opposed to military actions. This is when our government may forbid the buying of certain goods from that country or could come in the form of a fee or tax to that country.

A country that has a military alliance with the United States faces a civil war from ethnic conflict. What would be an appropriate first response by the United States?

• threaten the parties to the conflict

• impose economic sanctions against the country

• send U.S. troops to that country to restore order

• encourage peaceful negotiations between the parties

Answer explanation

Although it is easiest to think of military power in the US first. . .remember military actions are very costly to the United States and is rarely the first source of involvement.