What is the orthodox explanation of the Cold War?
puts principle responsibility squarely on the shoulders of Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union. Soviets used the Red Army to make Eastern Europe their own sphere of influence, sought to subvert governments in Western Europe, Blockaded West Berlin, supporte
What is the Revisionist explanation of the Cold War?
Sees the US as trying to build its own empire for the purpose of power and prosperity. Believes that the soviets were just trying to protect their own security by preserving Poland and Eastern Europe. Believes that if the us was more focussed on reassuran
What is the international institutionalism?
A school of international relations theory that emphasizes both the possibility and the value of international institutions an other forms of cooperation for reducing the chance of war and other conflict.
How did post WW2 policy makers draw from the lessons of the League of Nations when crafting the UN?
The first lesson drawn from the League of Nations was the US nonmembership. US membership was key to the UN. The second lesson implemented was that the UN would be a stronger institution. The UN gave more authority to the UN Security Council than its Gene
What is the security council? General Assembly?Which has more influence?
The Security Council is a part of the UN and is in charge of maintaining international security and peace. The fiver permanent members are the US, UK, Russia, France, and China. The General Assembly is the only part of the UN where every country that is p
Who are permanent members of the UN security council? What is article 43?
The permanent members of the security council are China, Russia, France, US, and UK. Article 43 called on all members "to make to the Security Council, on its call with special agreements or agreements... to be negotiated as soon as possible... armed forc
Why did the UN end up being scaled back as compared to FDR's version of it?
Although Congress supported the UN, they feared "world government." The US wanted to have a strong international institution to keep the peace, however, he did not want to risk nation state supremacy or sovereignty. Another reason why the UN was scaled ba
What are examples of how the UN has been prevented from acquiring more influence?
The UN was not able to end the global game of "spheres of influence... alliances... balance of power" and to make break with the unhappy past.
What is nuclear deterrence? What is containment?
Nuclear Deterrence is the prevention of attack through the fear of retaliation. Containment was a doctrine in which the US would counter any attempts by the Soviets to expand their sphere of influence or to spread communism beyond their own borders.
What was the Truman Doctrine? What was its historical influence?
The Truman Doctrine was essentially US commitment to aid Greece and Turkey against Soviet and Soviet assisted threats. This is significant because he says he believes that it is the policy of the United States to "to support the free peoples who are resis
What was the Marshall Plan? What was its historical influence?
The first major US Cold War foreign aid program, for the reconstruction of Western Europe after World War II and during the Cold War. The US pledged a large sum of money to meet this threat of containment.
What is NATO? Why was it formed? What year was it formed?
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) formed in 1949 was the first peacetime military alliance in American history. NATO added the military commitment to keep US troops in Europe and the collective defense pledge that the US would help defend European
What two events in 1949 made the US escalate the Cold War?
Soviets developed nuclear weapons and China became communist.
What was NSC-68? How did it change America's foreign policy strategy?
NSC- 68 was a seminal security planning paper developed by Truman (1950). It called for 3 important shifts in american strategy. First, there needed to be globalization of containment. US containment had to be expanded throughout the globe. Second, there
How did the US integrate Japan and W. Germany into its Cold War alliances?
Western Germany was added to NATO to strengthen the NATO alliance and to keep Germany from rising up again. Japan started functioning as a democracy based on a constitution that was written largely by US officials.
What was the domino theory?
You have a row of Dominoes set up"... "You knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly. So you could have a beginning of a disintegration that would have the most profound influences.
What was the Eisenhower Doctrine?
The Eisenhower Doctrine was used to express US willingness to support countries in the middle east against any armed communist nation.
What was The Bay of Pigs Invasion? why was it launched?
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was the US's failed attempt to help Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro. This event left Castro in power and also intensifying hatreds and fears on both sides.
What was massive retaliation?
Massive Retaliation is an Eisenhower Doctrine in which the US threatened to use nuclear force to counter any Soviet challenge of any kind.
Why was massive retaliation potentially flawed?
If a threat was made and delivered on, then there would be nuclear war and if a threat was made and not delivered on than it would not be credible.
What are ABC democrats? Why did the US adopt this approach?
ABC democrats had a political stance that supported anything but communism. Their mentality was very manipulative due to the fact that they viewed all ideals as either communist or good. The US adopted this mentality due to the rising fear of communism.
What are ABC democrats? How is Vietnam an example of this approach?
ABC democrats had a political stance that supported anything but communism. Their mentality was very manipulative due to the fact that they viewed all ideals as either communist or good. Vietnam was an example of this because the US supported Boa Dai as o
Why did the CIA help overthrow the Iranian Prime Minister in 1953?
He began to nationalize foreign owned oil companies and developed closer relations with the Soviet Union. Also, the US supported the exiled shah and wanted him back in power.
What was the Liberal Economic International Order? What were its three principle components?
LEIO was a system put into place after world war II to promote free trade among nations and to discourage protectionist policies that limit economic growth. The three parts consist of, free trade under the General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), I
What was the Liberal Economic International Order? What were the goals of the GATT? IMF?And World Bank?
LEIO was a system put into place after world war II to promote free trade among nations and to discourage protectionist policies that limit economic growth. The goals of GATT were to promote free trade through periodic rounds of negotiations and to provid
What are critiques of the LEIO?
Promoted American economic dominance, and also corporate influences drive US policy (often stressed by revisionists as the catalyst of the Cold War). US had more voting rights in the world bank because the US has more capital.
What was the Cold War consensus? What were its three fundamental components?
The Cold War Consensus was the US foreign policy during the Cold War period. The three fundamental components include: presidential dominance over congress, the growing foreign and defense policy, and also growing public opinion on anti-communism (McCarth
What was the Cold War Consensus?
The Cold War Consensus was the US foreign policy during the Cold War period. The three fundamental components include: presidential dominance over congress, the growing foreign and defense policy, and also growing public opinion on anti-communism (McCarth
How was the president dominant in war powers, covert action, and international commitments?What is the NSC?
During the Korean War Truman never went through congress. Eisenhower claimed that he could use military force whenever he deemed it necessary.
What led to the Bay of Pigs fiasco?
Fidel Castro was a communist leader in Cuba and the US viewed it as a threat to democracy. Also, Soviets were giving missiles to Cuba.
What are the dangers of the Cold War consensus especially from the media interest groups and the public?
The media could send out messages to the public which created pressures. For example, the media could display more info on the Bay of Pigs Invasion but they chose no to. Also, interest groups would sometimes protest, which could be dangerous. Some of thes
Why did the US lose the Vietnam War? Why was America's loss in the Vietnam War a failure of America's foreign policy strategy (Be sure to address power, peace, principles, and prosperity)?
The US lost the Vietnam War because we underestimated the power of nationalism to motivate a people, we overestimated the power of technology, and had little public support. US foreign policy suffered due to the fact that there were many casualties, US cr
How did Vietnam shatter the Cold War consensus? Especially between the president and congress?
Congress became more assertive and less deferential. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was passed in order to ensure that the President consults Congress before using presidential war powers. However, this resolution didn't work well due to its lack of en
How did Vietnam shatter the Cold War consensus? What was the War Powers Resolution? What does it do? How did it attempt to limit presidential power?
Congress became more assertive and less deferential. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was passed in order to ensure that the President consults Congress before using presidential war powers. However, this resolution didn't work well due to its lack of en
How did Vietnam shatter the Cold War consensus?
Congress became more assertive and less deferential. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was passed in order to ensure that the President consults Congress before using presidential war powers. However, this resolution didn't work well due to its lack of en
What was the Vietnam trama? How did it affect public opinion?
There was a big credibility gap. The public had less trust in the US government and put less faith in its leaders.
What is Detente? What led to Detente?
Detente was foreign policy that was devised by Kissinger and Nixon. The goal was to relax tensions with the Soviet Union and hoped to end the Cold War. Peace was the driving force behind Detente.
What is Detente? What are the major components of Detente?
Detente was foreign policy that was devised by Kissinger and Nixon. The goal was to relax tensions with the Soviet Union and hoped to end the Cold War. Peace was the driving force behind Detente. There were to be increased contact between East and West Be
What is MAD? SALT? Why are they significant?
MAD was mutually assured destruction. Neither side could elicit a first strike without receiving the second strike. assuring an endless armed race with mutual consequences. SALT1, Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty, set limits on strategic nuclear weapons.
Why did Detente fail?
The Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Also the US and Soviets never really had relaxed tensions in the first place because they didn't trust each other. Both sides wanted power more than peace and SALT 2, which limited future growths on arms. SALT two was not
What did Carter emphasize in his foreign policy?
He said that any outside attempt to gain control of the Persian Gulf will be regarded as an assault against the US interests and would be repelled, even with military force if necessary. His doctrine was more talk than action because he mainly focused on
What is the falling domino theory in regards to the Cold War and Vietnam?
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What is isolationism?
Isolationism isolates the country from other countries
What is internationalism?
Internationalism is a country's decision to be involved in the world.
What was Washington's advice for America's foreign policy?
Washington believes the US should be isolationist. However, he does see the need for trade so the US could prosper.
Prior to the Cold War, when was the US isolationist? Internationalist? Why?
The US was isolationist from the country's beginnings until the Spanish American War, then was isolationist until WW1. After WW1, the US became increasingly more internationalist because the US the US became more economically prosperous and was put in a p
What is the mobilization-demobilization pattern of the US military prior to the cold war?
The military would be relatively small until there was conflict . Once conflict arose, the military would increase in size. After the conflict, the size of the military would decrease again.
Why did this mobilization-demobilization pattern occur?
This mobilizations-demobilizations occurred because the US would need more military assistance during times of conflict.
What is the American exceptionalism? Manifest Destiny? How did these two concepts affect America's foreign policy?
American exceptionalism was the idea that the US's foreign policy was more grounded in principles than other countries. Manifest Destiny is the idea that the US has the right to overspread culture and Government through the Americas. The Us has a tendency
Has the US always pursued a "principled" foreign policy? When are examples of when the US has and has not?
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Why might one characterize the late 19th and early 20th century foreign policy of he US imperialist?
The Platt Amendment, which allowed the US to intervene and protect the interest of US property in Cuba,
What does evidence from the US foreign policy to Latin America indicate?
The US wanted to have control over the Western Hemisphere, for example the roosevelt corollary had little altruism.
What is the Monroe Doctrine? What is the Roosevelt Corollary?
the monroe doctrine was foreign policy to keep Europe from colonizing in the western hemisphere, the doctrine also claimed neutrality to European issues. It was technically a doctrine claiming US isolationism. The roosevelt corollary was an addition to th
According to Jentleson, why did the US expand into Asia?
The US wanted to trade and commerce with Asia and thought that it would contribute to economic prosperity.
What is the history of US foreign policy to Japan and China prior to World War 2?
Japan refused to recognize Hawaii as a state. US-Japanese relations were very tense. China was relatively unstable after about 50 years of revolution. The US was helpful toward China.
Prior to the Cold War, what has been the relationship between the executive branch and congress in regards to going to war?
Before the Cold War, the US would console congress before going to War. After and during the Cold War, the US would use resolutions from the UN or other excuses to skip the consultation with congress. This precedent was set by truman in the Korean War.
According to Adams, what is America's contribution to the world?
He claims that the US should be peaceful and to accept other countries as they are.
What should America not do according to Adams?
The US should not go abroad to fight wars.
According to Johnson, why should the US fight in Vietnam?What are the reasons he outlines for why the US is in Vietnam?
The first reason was that the United States made a promise to the people of South Vietnam, that they would offer their support, and help them try to receive their independence. The US was not looking to benfit themselves from the situation. Other reasons
What were Ball's objections to escalation of the Vietnam War by Johnson?
Ball didn't think it was realistic to set up a government in vietnam. He also thought that there were too many ways that the US could lose. He references the Vietcong and says believes that they are more powerful than the US credits them.
Why did Ball argue it is more favorable to let Vietnam fall under communist control?
There would be less US causulties. He believed that if the US stayed in than they would be embarrassed by the Vietcong and eventually lose to them. It would damage our pride and credibility. He says that there is no possible way the US could win.
According to Nixon, why could the US not simply withdraw its troops from Vietnam?
He wanted to get out honorably and keeping allies. Didn't want to look weak and damage reputation.
What is the Nixon Doctrine (three principles)?
First, the United States will keep all of its treaty commitments. Second, we shall provide a shield if a nuclear power threatens the freedom of a nation
allied with us or of a nation whose survival we consider vital to our security. Third, in cases involv
How was the Nixon Doctrine supposed to end the Vietnam War (i.e. What was the Vietnamization of the Vietnam conflict)?
Vietnamization was the act of giving aid without force. Under the plan, I ordered first a substantial increase in the training and equipment of South
Vietnamese forces.
What was Nixon's strategy for ending the Vietnam War?
His strategy was to gradually withdraw troops and Vietnamization, which means that aid would be given to the Vietnamese without the use of force.
What was the Nixon shock?
The US dollar was at its lowest since WW2. There was a suspension of the gold standard and there was a 10% tariff imposed on imports. It was aimed toward Japan and Europe.
Why was the Nixon shock significant?
1)projecting responsibilities on allies to fix their own economic problems
2)LEIO had crumbled with the US abandonment of the gold standard
3) free trade vs. protectionist debate was reopened
What is OPEC? What caused the OPEC shocks of 1973 and 1979?
OPEC controls the price of oil. 1973, the US was punished with high oil prices for supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War. 1979 was the Iranian Revolution-oil prices hiked.
What affect did OPEC have on America?
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What is the North South conflict?What is the NIEO? What did it call for?
south was against the industrialized north.
How is the NIEO different than the LIEO (Be specific)?
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What is the fast track authority?
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What is Reagan's approach to America's foreign policy in terms of peace, power, principles, and prosperity?
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What is the Reagan Doctrine? The Weinberg criteria?
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What was Reagan's foreign policy towards Nicaragua?
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What was the Iran Contra scandal?
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What happened in the Iran Contra Scandal? Why was it illegal?
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What problems prevented the War Powers Resolution from being successful?
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How is the language of the War Powers Resolution ambiguous?
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What is the US triumphalism theory of why the Cold War ended peacefully?
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How does US triumphalism explain the peaceful end of the Cold War?
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What are Revisionist and Gorbachev leadership theories of why the cold war ended peacefully (Be sure to know all of them)? How do they explain the peaceful end of the cold war?
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What is the tension between national security and individual rights?
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What are historical examples when the US has limited rights for national security purposes?
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What was Washington's view of what US foreign policy ought to be? Why did he argue that nations should avoid antipathies and passionate attachments toward other nations?
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What should guide US foreign policy according to Washington? Why?
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What is the central theme of the Monroe Doctrine? How did Monroe justify this policy?
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According to lake, what are America's core concepts? What are the four defining aspects of the post Cold War period?
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According to Lake, what is a policy of enlargement? Why should that policy replace containment?
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What are the four components of enlargement?Why is each component important to enlargement?
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According to Lake, how should the US deal with "backlash states" like Iraq?
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Why is it important to define a strategy of enlargement?
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According to Bush, what are the proliferation challenges facing the US?
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According to Bush, what is the first objective in regard to nuclear proliferation? What policies are proposed and why?
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According to Bush, what is the threat posed by Iran and North Korea?
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According to Bush, what is the second objective in regards to nuclear proliferation?
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What policies are proposed (regarding nuclear proliferation) and why?
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According to Bush, what are US deterrence and defense policies in regard to nuclear proliferation?
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According to Bush, what are the lessons learned from the Iraq War in regards to proliferation?
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Historically, which industries, regions, and parties have been in favor of tariffs? Why? Which have been against? Why?
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What are reciprocal trade agreements?
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What does Lippman find problematic with X's analysis of the soviet Union?
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Why according to Lippman is containment unsuited for the United States?
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Why does a policy of containment threaten relations with European states? Why is this a danger for the US?
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According to Lippman, what is the difference between the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall approach?
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Why does Lippman favor the Marshall approach?
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What is Lippman's policy advice for how the US should deal with the soviets? Why does he think this will work?
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According to X, what explains the perception of foreign antagonism by the soviet leadership?
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What motivates Soviet leaders' actions according to X?
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What are the concepts which underlie the Soviet worldview? How do they affect Soviet foreign policy?
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Based on these concepts, what should US foreign policy be generally and towards the Soviet Union according to X? Why?
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What was America's foreign policy following its independence (1776)?
America was more isolationist. They traded which provided a base for expanding the economy. The US also wanted to preserve its independence.
What factors led to the War of 1812? Who was the war fought against? What was the result of the war for America?
The factors that led to the War of 1812 were territory and impressments. The war was fought against the British. The result was the Treaty of Ghent. The consequences were that the US created an identity and confidence in US Navy.
What are broad factors that led to the Spanish American War? What are two specific factors? What was the result of the war for the US? How did this war change American foreign policy?
The broad causes were manifest destiny and domestic pressures of trade. The specific causes were the USS Maine and the yellow press. The conflict was short and not very costly which ultimately put the US in power. The war changed US foreign policy because
Why did the US colonize the Philippines?
The US colonized in the Philippines for economic benefits to US and military benefits.
What was the Open Door Policy?
Claims that China should not be divided but more open. This helped the US put rebellions down in China.
What was the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine? Why was it declared?
The Roosevelt corollary made the US a police power to the Americas so Europe would not have to come to the western hemisphere. The monroe doctrine aimed at keeping Europe from colonizing in the western hemisphere. Also, the US claimed to be neutral from E
What was dollar diplomacy? How and why was force used during this period?
Dollar Diplomacy was geared toward promoting the US economy. Force was used to create emphasis on economic interests in latin America and China.
What was the US policy at the outset of World War I? Prior to US entry into World War I, what was the main dispute between the US and Germany? What was the Zimmerman telegram? How did these two events lead to US entry into WWI? What was the US policy towa
Originally the US believed that WWI was a European war so the US claimed neutrality. Germany kept sinking US trading vessels because they suspected a breach in our neutrality. The Zimmerman Telegram was a telegram that claimed that Germany has formed an a
What was the League of Nations? What was it supposed to do?
The league of nations was created by wilson as a post war plan that allowed universal membership and security. It was supposed to protect each other from invasion, deter future aggression and dissolve disputes.
Why did the US not ratify the League of Nations? What is conservative internationalism? What were the Washington-London Naval Conferences and Kellogg-Briand Pacts? What did they seek to accomplish?
Us did not ratify because the
What was the Smoot-Hawley tariff?
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What was the Lend Lease Act? Why did the US enter World War 2?
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Why did Roosevelt believe that the Soviets would cooperate after the end of WW2? How is the post war settlement of WW2 different than the post war settlement of WW1?
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What did the allies decide to do about Germany? What is the United Nations? What is the UN Security Council? Who are the 5 permanent members and what special privileges do they have in the UN?
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What did the allies decide to do about Eastern Europe? Why was this compromise made?
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How did the Stalin speech in 1946 and the Churchill speech in 1946 deepen the Cold War? What did they say that was so inflammatory?
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What was the Truman Doctrine?
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What was containment? Who was George Kennan?
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What were the ways containment was implemented?
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What crises occurred over Berlin? How were they resolved?
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What events in 1949 made America more fearful of communism?
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What was NSC68? What did it call for?
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What was the post WW2 division of Korea? Where is it divided? Why did the North Koreans attack? How was the US able to get the UN to authorize the use of force against North Korea?
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How did the Korean War end? What was the settlement?
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What was Eisenhower's policy towards China and Taiwan?
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What was the New Look Strategy? Why did Eisenhower implement it?
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How was covert force used by America? Why was it used in Guatemala and Iran?
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What was the CIA's plan for the Bay of Pigs invasion? Why did it fail?
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Why were Soviet missiles put in Cuba?
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What is an ICBM? IRBM? What is MAD and how does it prevent war?
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What was ExComm? What solutions were offered by ExComm? Why was a naval blockade used instead of the other solutions?
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How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?
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How did the Cuban Missile crisis affect US and Soviet foreign policies?
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Who was Vietnam a colony of? What were Ho Chih Minh's goals for Vietnam? Why did he mistrust the West?
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What changed American public opinion towards the French war in Vietnam? What policy change did this lead to? Why did the US not intervene in 1954?
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What was the settlement of the French Vietnam War? Who led South Vietnam? Why were elections called off?
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Why did the US intervene in Vietnam?
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What did Operation Sunrise do? Why was it implemented?
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What happened at the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964? What was the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, what did it do?
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What was the North Vietnamese goal for the Tet Offensive? What happened at the Tet Offensive? What was the result of the Tet Offensive?
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What happened at the Democratic Convention of 1968? What happened at the My Lai Massacre?
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What was Nixon's stance towards Vietnam when he campaigned in 1968?
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How did Nixon plan on getting the US out of Vietnam? How did events in Cambodia complicate his plans? What was Nixon's proposal to the North Vietnamese? What happened in Vietnam after US forces left?
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Why did the US fail to defeat the North Vietnamese? What were the consequences of the Vietnam War on America?
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What problems faced America during Nixon's presidency? Describe each problem briefly.
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What was Nixon and Kissinger's foreign policy based on? How did they plan on dealing with the Soviets? What were the two main aspects of their strategy? What was d�tente?
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How did the US implement this new policy in regards to China? Why was China willing to ally with the US? What replaced formal US diplomatic recognition with Taiwan in 1979?
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How did the US implement its new policy in regards to trade with the Soviets? What arms control policies had taken place prior to SALT? What were the goals of SALT? Briefly describe each goal. What two big agreements came out of SALT? What did SALT II cal
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Why was Carter particularly interested in the Middle East in 1976? Why did the US pressure Israel to accept a UN ceasefire in the 1973 war?
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Why did Israel and Egypt pursue bilateral negotiations instead of return to Geneva? Why did these bilateral talks falter? Who were the heads of state of Israel and Egypt at the time?
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What were Carter's goals for the Israel Egypt talks? What prevented Carter from achieving all 3 goals? What was the eventual agreement that came out of the Camp David Accords? What did Egypt, Israel, and the US pledge to do? What effect did this peace hav
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Why was the shah unpopular in Iran? Who led the overthrow of the shah's regime? What prompted the takeover of the US embassy in Iran?
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What did Iran initially demand in return for the hostages? What did Carter do initially? Why did his military operation fail? What was the effect of the Iran Hostage Crisis on Carter's presidency? Why did Iran eventually negotiate and release the hostages
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What platform did Reagan run on in terms of foreign policy in 1980? How did Reagan change American foreign policy? Briefly describe each policy. What effect did these policies have on the Soviets? What happened in 1989-1990? Why did the Cold War end?
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How did US and Soviet relations change in the developing world after the fall of communism?
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What is START? What does it do? What is the CFE? What did it do?
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What major changes occurred in the Soviet Union between 1990-1? What is the CIS?
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What did ***uyama mean by the "end of history?" What was the "new world order"?
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Why did Saddam invade Kuwait? How did the US respond? Why did the US respond? What did the UN do? Why was military force contentious at home?
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Why did the US not overthrow Saddam at the end of the Gulf War in 1991?
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What is UNSCOM? What is its mission?
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What are the three main elements of Clinton's early foreign policy?
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What is NAFTA? WTO? GATT? What do they do?
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Who is the Secretary of Homeland Security? National Security Advisor? Secretary of State? Secretary of Defense? Secretary of Homeland Security? Director of National Intelligence
Janet Napolitano, Thomas Donilon, Hilary Clinton, Leon Panetta, James Calpper
Who is the Secretary General of the United Nations?
Ban Ki-Moon
Who is the leader of North Korea? Who is the President of Iran?
Kim Jung Il,Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Who is the President of Afghanistan?
Hamid Karzai
Who is the President of the Palestinian Authority? Prime Minister of Israel?
Mahmoud Abbas, Benjamin Netanyahu
Who was the leader of Libya? Why is he no longer the leader of Libya?
Muammar Gaddafi has been ruling libya since 1969, which did not ensure democracy. He was greedy. Libya is a rich country with poor population.
What is the Palestinian leader reportedly going to do (or what did he do) at the UN meeting? What will be/ was the US response?
he asked for palestine to be recognized as a state but the US will not recognize them because the US is allies with Israel.
Who is the current leader of Syria? Why have there been calls for this leader to resign?
bassar al assad. There have been calls for him to resign because he is a dictator and represses his people with the use of violence. There is also a call for a more democratic system that preserves the rights of the people.
Why is there currently a crisis in Yemen?
The turning point in Yemen occurred on March 18th after Friday prayers, when tens of thousands of protesters in the streets calling for Saleh's ouster came under a heavy crackdown that reportedly left some 46 people dead and hundreds wounded. It is unclea