Magruder’s American Government C H A P T E R 17 Foreign Policy and National Defense Copyright, 2000 © Prentice Hall

C H A P T E R 17 Foreign Policy and National Defense SECTION 1 Foreign and Defense Policy: An Overview SECTION 2 The Departments of State and Defense SECTION 3 Other Foreign/Defense Policy Agencies SECTION 4 American Foreign Policy: Past and Present SECTION 5 Foreign Aid, Defense Alliances, and the United Nations Chapter 17

S E C T I O N 1 Foreign and Defense Policy: An Overview Historically, America’s relationships with other countries were shaped largely by the policy of isolationism. Today, the United States understands that its security is directly linked with that of other nations. Governmental leaders carefully shape American foreign policy, and the President plays the leading role in foreign and military affairs. Chapter 17, Section 1

S E C T I O N 2 The Departments of State and Defense The State Department, headed by the Secretary of State, works closely with the President on foreign policy. The State Department includes the Foreign Service and ambassadors who represent the United States around the world. The Defense Department assists the President in making and conducting military policy; its secretary must be a civilian in keeping with the principle of civilian control of the military. Chapter 17, Section 2

S E C T I O N 3 Other Foreign/Defense Policy Agencies There are several agencies, other than State and Defense, that are closely involved with foreign policy: (1) The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) coordinates the government’s intelligence gathering. (2) The U. S. Information Agency promotes American policy and way of life around the world. Chapter 17, Section 3

S E C T I O N 4 American Foreign Policy: Past and Present For much of our first 150 years, isolationism was the main foreign policy. By the end of the nineteenth century, the United States turned away from isolationism and became an active world power. World War I led to a renewed spirit of isolationism in the 1920s and 1930s. World War II put an end to isolationism, and the cold war brought a commitment to collective security and deterrence. During the cold war, the United States pursued containment of communism, particularly through armed conflict in Korea and Vietnam. A period of détente in the 1970s led to better relations with the Soviet Union and China. By the 1990s, the cold war was over. Chapter 17, Section 4

S E C T I O N 5 Foreign Aid, Defense Alliances, and the United Nations The United States began practicing foreign aid during World War II; early aid was economic but military aid has become increasingly important. Since World War II, the United States has forged a number of security alliances such as NATO, the Rio Pact, and ANZUS. The United Nations seeks to maintain peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and find a fair solution to international problems Chapter 17, Section 5