Organizations & Groups

European Union (EU) a growing group made up of European nations. Its goal is to expand free trade (no tariffs). Use the “euro” as currency.

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Its goal is to create an independent state in Palestine (conflict with Israel)

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Its goal is to control the oil industry by setting production levels & prices. Consists of mostly Middle Eastern countries.

United Nations (UN) Its goals are to promote global peace and encourage economic and social well-being. Created after World War II.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): a growing military alliance between democratic nations and (former communist nations)

Warsaw Pact a counter military alliance made up of the Soviet Union and its satellite nations (Cold War)

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) its goal is to promote free trade between US, Canada and Mexico (pros and cons)

Organization of American States (OAS) Set up in 1948 to promote common defense of Western Hemisphere, democracy, economic cooperation, and human rights. Members- U.S. + 34 other countries. Cuba excluded since 1962. Its members are the thirty-five independent states of the Americas.

African Union (AU) replaces Organization of African Unity (OAU) established - 8 July 2001 aim - to achieve greater unity among African States; to defend states' integrity and independence;

League of Nations Organization for international cooperation established by the Allied Powers at the end of World War I; weakened by the failure of the U.S., which had not ratified the Treaty of Versailles, to join the organization. Discredited by its failure to prevent Japanese expansion into China.

International Criminal Court (ICCt) Agency of the UN – 15 judges with power to settle disputes among nations. U.S. did not sign or ratify this treaty.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) international organization that oversees the global financial system working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty".

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Agreement signed in 1947 to provide for free trade among members & settle trading disputes. In 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed as the successor to this organization.

The Belfast Agreement (Northern Ireland Peace Accord) This Agreement (also known as the Good Friday Agreement and, more rarely, as the Stormont Agreement) was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process. It was signed in Belfast on 10 April 1998 (Good Friday) the constitutional future of Northern Ireland should be determined by the majority vote of its citizens.

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. refers to two rounds of bilateral talks and corresponding international treaties between the Soviet Union and United States, the Cold War superpowers, on the issue of armament control. There were two rounds of talks and agreements: SALT I and SALT II.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 that outlined the basic human rights every person should have.

Kellogg-Briand Pact Agreement made between the United States and France in 1928 that made war "illegal." It could not be enforced.

Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo Group of Argentine women whose family members disappeared due to government-sanctioned violence and abuses that they opposed.

Munich Conference Meeting called by Hitler in 1938 to discuss the Czech problem, which led to the annexation of the Sudetenland by Germany.

Napoléonic Code System of French law under Napoléon’s direction.

Operation Bootstrap Plan for outside investment and industrialization to boost Puerto Rico’s economy.

Operation Overlord Code name for the Allied invasion of northwest France. Also called D-Day.

Rome-Berlin Axis 1936 alliance formed between Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany.

Treaty of Versailles Treaty between Germany and the Allied Powers at the end of World War I.

V-E Day May 8, 1945, the day of Allied victory in Europe in World War II.

V-J Day September 2, 1945, the day the Japanese surrendered to the United States in World War II.

Young Italy Movement Group of Italian patriots dedicated to spreading ideas of nationalism. political movement founded in 1831 by Giuseppe Mazzini. The goal of this movement was to create a united Italian republic through promoting a general insurrection in the Italian reactionary states and in the lands occupied by the Austrian Empire. See also: Giuseppe Garibaldi

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization SEATO; organization created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to halt communist advances in Southeast Asia.

World Trade Center (WTC) New York City office complex that was struck by a devastating attack by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001.