american national government ch 16

Realists & Idealists

Realists prioritize national interest and power in foreign policy, while idealists emphasize moral values, cooperation, and global justice.

Hard Power & Soft Power

Hard power uses military or economic force to influence others, while soft power relies on culture, diplomacy, and persuasion.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

A U.S. policy declaring that European powers must not colonize or interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

Spanish-American War (1898)

A brief conflict in which the U.S. defeated Spain and gained overseas territories, marking America’s rise as a global power.

Isolationism

A foreign policy approach in which a nation avoids alliances and involvement in foreign conflicts.

World War I

A global war from 1914 to 1918 in which the U.S. joined the Allies in 1917, helping secure victory.

World War II

A worldwide conflict from 1939 to 1945 that transformed the U.S. into a dominant superpower after the Allied victory.

United Nations (f. 1945)

An international organization created to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations.

National Security Act (1947)

A law reorganizing U.S. defense and intelligence by creating the Department of Defense, CIA, and National Security Council.

Cold War (1947–1991)

A long period of political, military, and ideological rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

A U.S. policy pledging support to countries resisting communism, marking the start of containment.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (f. 1949)

A military alliance in which member nations agree that an attack on one is an attack on all.

Bretton Woods Conference (1944)

A meeting that established the postwar global economic system, including the IMF and World Bank.

Foreign Trade & Tariffs

The exchange of goods between countries regulated by tariffs, which are taxes on imports.

Military Power

A nation’s ability to use armed forces to defend its interests and influence global events.

Energy Policy

Government strategies for producing, managing, and consuming energy resources.

Population

The total number of people living within a nation, affecting economic strength, labor supply, and global influence.