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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 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

12. 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

13. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950
The Korean War began on June 25, 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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