International Conflicts SS.7.C.4.3 – Describe examples of how the United States has dealt with international conflicts

Let’s Review the U.S. Constitution! Article I discusses the powers of Congress and gives Congress the power to declare war, the power to approve spending for the military, and the power to raise an army and navy Article II gives the Senate the power to ratify treaties Congress has used its power to declare war 5 times in the history of the United States Article II discusses the powers of the executive branch (President) and gives the president the title of Commander in Chief The president is in charge of the military and has the power to send troops to other countries

How Does the U.S. Deal with Conflicts? Military Action – involves members of the U.S. military having a presence in another country. Typically involves the use of force to stop a conflict. Diplomacy – involves keeping up relations between the governments of different countries. The primary diplomat for the U.S. is the Secretary of State. Humanitarian action – work focused on improving the health and happiness of other people. Peacekeeping operations – involves enforcing a truce between countries or groups by utilizing an international military force.

WW I (1914 – 1918) Who was involved? Why did the U.S. get involved? Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy vs. France, Russia, and Great Britain Why did the U.S. get involved? A British cruise ship was sunk off the coast of England. 128 Americans were killed. Americans were furious and demanded a stop to this type of attack. What method(s) did the U.S. use to deal with the conflict? The U.S. began fighting (military action) What was the outcome? The Allied Forces won the war. The war ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

WW II (1939 – 1945) Why did the U.S. become involved? On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes bombed the U.S. navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, a U.S. territory at the time. The next day, the U.S. Congress declared war Who was involved? United States vs. Germany, Italy, & Japan What was the outcome? Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945 ending the war in Europe. The war in the Pacific did not end until after the U.S dropped two atomic bombs on Japan; Japan surrendered.

Korean War (1950) Why did the U.S. become involved? Who was involved? North Korea invaded South Korea, the United Nations came to help South Korea The U.S. provided most of the United Nations forces Who was involved? North Korea, Soviet Union, & China vs. South Korea, the U.S., Great Britain, & United Nations What was the outcome? A treaty ended the war Both countries would remain independent

Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) Why did the U.S. get involved? In 1961, the U.S. sent trained Cuban exiles to Cuba to try and overthrow Fidel Castro’s government They were trying to prevent the spread of communism to the Americas Who was involved? The Soviet Union and Fidel Castro of Cuba vs. United States What was the outcome? The invasion was not a success and it made the situation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union worse than before. The U.S government, especially the CIA, looked weak

The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Why did the U.S. become involved? The U.S. wanted to prevent the Soviet Union from placing nuclear missiles in Cuba Who was involved? The Soviet Union and Cuba vs. the United States What was the outcome? The Soviet Union would remove missiles from Cuba as long as the United States agreed to never invade Cuba again. In secret, the U.S. also had to agree to remove their nuclear missiles from Turkey and Italy.

The Vietnam War (1964 – 1973) Why did the U.S. become involved? The U.S. got involved to stop the spread of communism With whom was the U.S. involved in conflict? North Vietnam got support from communist China; South Vietnam got support from the United States What was the outcome of the conflict? North Vietnam won and the entire country of Vietnam became communist

The Iran Hostage Crisis (1979 – 1981) Why did the U.S. become involved? The U.S. embassy in Iran was taken captive. The hostages were often shown blindfolded to local crowds and television cameras How did the U.S. deal with the conflict? President Carter stopped oil imports from Iran and froze Iranian bank accounts in the U.S. Began several initiatives to free hostages, all of which failed Attempted a rescue mission, that also failed What was the outcome? The day of President Reagan’s inauguration, the United States unfroze around $1 billion in Iranian assets and the hostages were freed

Gulf War I (1991) Why did the U.S. become involved? Who was involved? The U.S. became involved due to trade concerns and oil resources in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Who was involved? The U.S. was in conflict with Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi troops How did the U.S. deal with the conflict? The U.S. – led coalition of nations began a massive air war to destroy Iraq’s military and their public works system What was the outcome? Iraq was defeated but Saddam Hussein was not removed from power

Gulf War II (2002 – 2009) – “The War on Terror” Why did the U.S become involved? After September 11, 2001, President Bush was not satisfied with the access Iraq was providing the UN so the U.S. went into battle with Iraq. How did the U.S. deal with the conflict? The coalition invasion combined land, air, and water assaults and moved through Iraq until the coalition forces controlled most of the large cities. What was the outcome? The U.S. is no longer at war with Iraq, but there is still a military presence in the country.

Home Learning Project – Worth 200 points! Directions – You are to create an annotated timeline of the International Conflicts from 1914 – 2009 Your timeline must include: a title, each conflict discussed in class (see your notes), a summary statement for each conflict, and at least 5 total pictures. Due Date: “B” day – April 17th “A” day – April 18th