Foreign Policy

Powers of the President

The President is the Commander in Chief, negotiates treaties (with Senate approval), appoints ambassadors, recognizes foreign governments, and directs diplomacy and military actions.

Powers of congress

Congress declares war, approves treaties (Senate), confirms ambassadors, regulates foreign trade, controls military funding, and can impeach the President.

Federal agencies

Agencies like the Department of State, Department of Defense, CIA, and NSA help carry out U.S. foreign policy through diplomacy, defense, intelligence, and national security.

Isolationism

A policy of avoiding involvement in the affairs and conflicts of other countries.

Monroe doctrine

An 1823 policy stating that European nations should not interfere in the Americas, and the U.S. would stay out of European affairs.

Collective security

An agreement where countries work together to protect one another if one is attacked.

Internationalism

A policy of actively cooperating with other nations through diplomacy, trade, and international organizations.

Imperialism

A policy where a country extends its power by gaining control over other territories politically, economically, or militarily.

UN

An international organization formed in 1945 to promote peace, security, human rights, and cooperation among nations.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance in which members agree to defend one another if attacked.

NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement, created to reduce trade barriers between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Kyoto protocol

A 1997 international agreement that committed participating countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.