The President stands as the single strong leader of the executive branch Americans have looked to the President for leadership on complex issues As commander in chief, the President has been asked to take decisive action in times of national emergency Congress has granted the executive branch the authority to carry out many of its laws and has thus strengthened the presidency The President has used the mass media to capture public attention Expanded Presidential Power

Major Diplomatic and Military Powers of the President May make treaties with other nations, with senatorial approval May make executive agreements with the heads of other nations May extend and withdraw recognition of other countries May send U.S. troops into combat without congressional authorization for 60 days

Foreign Policy

 U.S. offers aid mostly to support struggling democracies  President has power to make undeclared war, and that was limited by War Powers Resolution Act of 1973  President can use armed forces abroad at his own discretion Basics

 Humanitarian Aid- rapid assistance given to people in immediate distress by individuals, organizations, or governments to relieve suffering, during and after man-made emergencies (like wars and natural disasters).  Security Treaty- treaty between 2 countries or more to secure peace  Economic Treaty- treaty between 2 or more countries to ensure stability of economic growth and trade  Sanctions-A coercive measure adopted usually by several nations acting together against a nation violating international law. Key Vocabulary

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.

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.  State Department is in charge of creating passports and visas for citizens  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.

Other Foreign and Defense Policy Agencies S E C T I O N 3 Other Foreign and 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.

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.

 The United States began practicing foreign aid during World War II; early aid was economic, but military aid has become increasingly important. Foreign Aid

Defense Alliances  Since World War II, the United States has forged a number of security alliances  NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization  The Rio Pact- Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (an attack against one is to be considered an attack against them all)  ANZUS- Australia, New Zealand, United States Treaty- protect the Pacific Ocean

 The United Nations seeks to maintain peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and find a fair solution to international problems United Nations

Foreign and Defense Agencies NASA Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Department of Homeland Security Selective Service System