Chapter 17: Vocabulary and Notes American Government Chapter 17: Vocabulary and Notes

Vocabulary Domestic Affairs – events at home in the U.S. Foreign Affairs – the nation’s relationships with other nations Isolationism – a purposeful refusal to become generally involved in the affairs of the rest of the world Foreign Policy – made up of the stands and actions that a nation takes in every aspect of its relationship with other countries – military, diplomatic, trade Vocabulary

Right of Legation – the right to send and receive diplomatic representatives Ambassador – an official representative of the United States appointed by the president to represent the nation in matters of diplomacy Diplomatic Immunity – regularly granted to ambassadors – they are not subject to the laws of the state to which they are accredited – they cannot be arrested, sued, or taxed. vocabulary

vocabulary Espionage – spying Terrorism – use of violence to intimidate a government or society, usually for political or ideological reasons Draft – compulsory military service Containment – policy rooted in the belief that if communism could be kept within its existing boundaries, it would collapse. vocabulary

vocabulary Foreign Aid – economic and military aid to other countries Cold War – a period of more than 40 years during which the relations between the 2 superpowers (U.S. and Soviet Union) were tense and hostile – it was a time of threats and military build-up Détente – a relaxation of tensions vocabulary

The Army is the largest and oldest of the armed services The army is a ground-based force and is responsible for military operations on land The U.S. Navy was formed for the purpose of sea warfare and defense The United States Marines were established under the Second Continental Congress as a separate armed force service within the Navy Department Notes – Armed forces

Armed forces The Air Force is the youngest of the military services The Air Force was established by Congress in 1947 The USAF is the nation’s first line of defense. It has primary responsibility for military air and aerospace operations. Armed forces

The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) is a key part of our foreign policy. It was created by Congress in 1947. The CIA has 3 major tasks: To coordinate all information-gathering activities of the State, Defense, and other areas involved with foreign affairs Analyze and evaluate all data collected Brief the President and National Security Council on the intelligence collected CIA

CIA The CIA conducts worldwide intelligence operations The CIA is involved in secret, covert activities, such as espionage Much of the work of the CIA is shrouded in secrecy CIA operations/budget allocations are even disguised as different budget areas CIA

Department of homeland security Charged with the task of protecting the U.S. against terrorism It was established by executive order immediately after 9/11/2001 The department also oversees the threat of bioterrorism – the use of biological agents, such as anthrax, as weapons. Department of homeland security

A crisis where the U.S. and the Soviet Union came close to a nuclear conflict in 1962 – known as the Cuban Missile Crisis Cuba slipped under Soviet influence shortly after Fidel Castro came into power in 1959. By 1962, huge quantities of Soviet arms and Soviet ‘technicians’ had been sent to Cuba. Aerial photographs revealed the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba – these missiles were capable of nuclear strikes against the U.S. and Latin America. Cuban Missile Crisis

President Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent the delivery of any more missiles. Cuba and the Soviet Union were warned that the U.S. would attack Cuba unless the Soviet missiles were removed. After several tense days, the Soviets backed down and returned the weapons to the Soviet Union. Cuban Missile Crisis

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 The Korean War began on June 25, 1950. South Korea was attacked by communist North Korea. The United Nations called for UN forces to aid South Korea. Armed forces of several nations fought together under an international effort. The war lasted for more than 3 years China was an ally to North Korea Cease fire was signed on July 27, 1953 – final peace terms have never been agreed upon Korean War

Vietnamese nationalists were seeking independence from France – the nationalists fought and defeated the French in a lengthy conflict. The nationalists were made up primarily of communist forces under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh. Under the truce agreement in 1954, French Indochina was divided into 2 zones: communist dominated North Vietnam and anticommunist South Vietnam Vietnam War

Almost at once, communist guerillas (the Viet Cong), supported by North Vietnamese, began a civil war in South Vietnam. The U.S. provided economic and military aid to South Korea, but the Soviet Union and China provided weapons and aid to North Vietnam. President Johnson, in 1965, committed the U.S. to full-scale war. By 1968, 540,000 Americans were involved in fighting. In 1969, President Nixon began gradually pulling out troops over a 4 year period. Vietnam war

Vietnam War A cease-fire agreement was signed in early 1973. The Vietnam War cost the U.S. $165 billion, and the lives of 58,000 Americans were lost. As the war dragged on, millions of Americans came to oppose American involvement in SW Asia. Vietnam War