Essential Questions – Role of the United States in the World Should the United States be actively involved in world affairs? Should the United States be actively involved in world affairs? Should the United States use military force to protect its interests abroad? Should the United States use military force to protect its interests abroad? Should the United States act alone or with other nations? Should the United States act alone or with other nations?

Should the United States be actively involved in world affairs? Isolationism Isolationism A policy of non- involvement in world affairs. A policy of non- involvement in world affairs. Means avoiding alliances with other states and following a strict neutrality – a policy of not taking sides in a dispute. Means avoiding alliances with other states and following a strict neutrality – a policy of not taking sides in a dispute. Internationalism A policy of involvement in world affairs.

Should the United States be actively involved in world affairs? Isolationism (cont’d.) Isolationism (cont’d.) U.S. isolationism was directed against Europe – no other part of the world. U.S. isolationism was directed against Europe – no other part of the world. Did not mean cultural or commercial separation, just political (Europe’s wars). Did not mean cultural or commercial separation, just political (Europe’s wars). Taken to the extreme, a policy of trying to avoid war may result in appeasement – buying off an aggressor by giving in to its demands, usually resulting in the sacrifice of principles. Taken to the extreme, a policy of trying to avoid war may result in appeasement – buying off an aggressor by giving in to its demands, usually resulting in the sacrifice of principles.

Should the United States use military force to protect its interests abroad? Interventionism Interventionism Policy of using military force, or the threat of force, to interfere in another nation’s internal affairs. Policy of using military force, or the threat of force, to interfere in another nation’s internal affairs. U.S. interventionism has often meant sending American troops into other nations to protect U.S. interests. U.S. interventionism has often meant sending American troops into other nations to protect U.S. interests. Covert (undercover) operations are a form of interventionism. Covert (undercover) operations are a form of interventionism.

Should the United States use military force to protect its interests abroad? Noninterventionism Noninterventionism A policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. A policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. Generally opposed to sending U.S. troops into other countries. Generally opposed to sending U.S. troops into other countries. Pacifism: Opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes (often based on moral or religious grounds). Pacifism: Opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes (often based on moral or religious grounds).

Should the United States act alone or with other nations? Unilateralism Unilateralism A policy of acting alone, with apparent disregard to what the world thinks. A policy of acting alone, with apparent disregard to what the world thinks. Supporters believe that international coalitions and agreements sometimes hamper America’s ability to pursue its foreign policy objectives. Supporters believe that international coalitions and agreements sometimes hamper America’s ability to pursue its foreign policy objectives. U.S. today, though changing. U.S. today, though changing.

Should the United States act alone or with other nations? Multilateralism Multilateralism A policy of acting together with other nations. A policy of acting together with other nations. Means to consult with and work together with other nations to achieve common goals. Means to consult with and work together with other nations to achieve common goals. Means to work and cooperate with international organizations such as the United Nations to solve global problems. Means to work and cooperate with international organizations such as the United Nations to solve global problems. Strength in numbers; collaboration. Strength in numbers; collaboration. U.S. from U.S. from