US FOREIGN POLICY Mexico

Names:______

Class Period:______

US FOREIGN POLICY–Mexico

Directions: You should have read about the history of American foreign policy and its consequences in Chapter 17, section 3. Using that knowledge, consider how the USPresident should respond to the situation below by talking about it with your classmates. As a group, come to a consensus about the answers to the questions which follow and write your answers in complete sentences. Your group should consist of no more than THREE people. Be sure to write everyone’s name on this activity. Your group need only complete one answer sheet.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon telephones President Obama requesting assistance from the United States. The violence created by the drug cartels now targets the children and families of those involved in drug trafficking, and thousands of innocent civilians have been killed in drug wars in Mexico. Some of the violence has spilled over the Mexican-US boarder, causing the deaths of many Americans. Illegal drugs are transported into the United States, where drug abuse remains a significant problem. Once a popular tourist destination, Americans who frequented Mexico are choosing to vacation elsewhere due to fear of drug related violence and kidnappings. Mexico is the third largest trading partner of the United States (behind China and Canada), and the US is Mexico’s number one trading partner. Illegal immigration from Mexico to the United Statesalso causes tension between the two countries.

1. How does the problem affect the United States, if at all? ______

2. What would be the short term and long term consequence of refusingUS assistance?

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3. What would be the short term and long term consequence of providingUS assistance?

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4. What Executive Departments/Cabinet Members (Chapter 15, section 3) would the President rely on for advice and information related to this problem?

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5. In addition to the Cabinet departments you listed in Question4, what OTHER government agencies, departments or organizations (Chapter 15, section 1) would be in the best position to provide assistance in this situation (for example, the US Army)?

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6. Provide a summary of your advice to the President and an explanation of your reasons for doing so.

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7. Is your approach Isolationist or Interventionist? Explain.

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Names:______

Class Period:______

US FOREIGN POLICY – Japan

On March 11, 2011, Japan suffered an earthquake measuring 9.0 and tsunamis that wiped out over 150,000 buildings along the coast. Nearly 14,000 people are confirmed dead, and another 14,000 remain missing after the natural disasters. The total value of the damage has been estimated at nearly 308 billion dollars (25 trillion Japanese yen). Additionally, the cost of damages from the nuclear plant known as the Fukushima-1, which is releasing radioactive substances, has caused another 133 billion dollars of damage (11 trillion Japanese yen).Radiation has been detected in parts of North America, including the United States. A number of countries have pledged to assist Japan by providing search and rescue assistance, clean-up crews, food and water supplies and financial support. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has welcomed such assistance.

1. How does the problem affect the United States, if at all? ______

2. What would be the short term and long term consequence of refusingUS assistance?

______

3. What would be the short term and long term consequence of providingUS assistance?

______

4. What Executive Departments/Cabinet Members (Chapter 15, section 3) would the President rely on for advice and information related to this problem?

______

5. In addition to the Cabinet departments you listed in Question 4, what OTHER government agencies, departments or organizations (Chapter 15, section 1) would be in the best position to provide assistance in this situation (for example, the US Army)?

______

6. Provide a summary of your advice to the President and an explanation of your reasons for doing so.

______

7. Is your approach Isolationist or Interventionist? Explain.

______

Names:______

Class Period:______

US FOREIGN POLICY – Libya

A lawyer who had been critical of the Libyan government was arrested in the middle of February, 2011. In response to his arrest, protests broke out in Benghazi, Libya, and have since spread to other cities. The leader of Libya is Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi, who has maintained power for the last 42 years. Gaddafi ordered the use of deadly force by his military in response to the protests, and troops have gunned down those marching in opposition to Gaddafi’s hard line rule over the nation. There are also reports that snipers and cluster bombs (several small bombs launched together which cause widespread damage) have killed a number of civilians and anti-government protestors. Reports indicate the Gaddafi will not step down, and several news outlets are calling the conflict a “civil war” in Libya. Several countries which make up the United Nations Security Council, including the United States, have passed a resolution (Resolution 1973) authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect civilians under threat of attack in Libya. The United States has participated in air strikes in Libya. Consider what, if any, additional action the United States should take in this matter.

1. How does the problem affect the United States, if at all? ______

2. What would be the short term and long term consequence of refusingUS assistance?

______

3. What would be the short term and long term consequence of providingUS assistance?

______

4. What Executive Departments/Cabinet Members (Chapter 15, section 3) would the President rely on for advice and information related to this problem?

______

5. In addition to the Cabinet departments you listed in Question 4, what OTHER government agencies, departments or organizations (Chapter 15, section 1) would be in the best position to provide assistance in this situation (for example, the US Army)?

______

6. Provide a summary of your advice to the President and an explanation of your reasons for doing so.

______

7. Is your approach Isolationist or Interventionist? Explain.

______

Names:______

Class Period:______

US FOREIGN POLICY – Sudan

Directions: You should have read about the history of American foreign policy and its consequences in Chapter 17, section 3. Using that knowledge, consider how the US President should respond to the situation below by talking about it with your classmates. As a group, come to a consensus about the answers to the questions which follow and write your answers in complete sentences. Your group should consist of no more than THREE people. Be sure to write everyone’s name on this activity. Your group need only complete one answer sheet.

Darfur is a region comparable to the size of Texas and located in western Sudan, an African country south of Egypt. The people of Darfur belong to multiple ethnic groups, and most villages are a mix of several different ethnicities. Until 2003, such groups coexisted in relative peace.

The conflict in Darfur began in the spring of 2003 when two Darfuri rebel movements – the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) – launched attacks against government military installations as part of a campaign to fight against the historic political and economic marginalization [oppression] of Darfur. The Sudanese government, at the time engaged in tense negotiations with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) to end a three decades long civil war between North and South Sudan, responded swiftly and viciously to extinguish the insurgency. Through coordinated military raids with government-armed militia (collectively known as the janjaweed), the Sudanese military specifically targeted ethnic groups from which the [anti-government] rebels received much of their support. The civilian casualties were immense. Over 400 villages [in Darfur] were completely destroyed and millions of civilians were forced to flee their homes.

An immense humanitarian crisis resulted from the mass displacement of these civilians. From direct attacks and the deterioration of living conditions, many experts estimate that as many as 300,000 people lost their lives between 2003 and 2005. In September 2004, President George W. Bush declared the crisis in Darfur a “genocide” – the first time a sitting American president had made such a declaration regarding an ongoing conflict. Despite the world’s growing outcry, the violence continued in Darfur and the number of dead and displaced increased considerably. (Source:

Millions of people have been displaced from their homes because of continued violence. Just last week, 12 Sudanese aid workers were taken hostage, presumably in retaliation for the arrest of a rebel. Gangs of armed men continue to terrorize people, raping, killing and looting at will. The US has banned virtually all trade with Sudanbecause Sudan is a “terrorist supporting country” and as such, Sudan cannot receive US aid (or buy US weapons).

1. How does the problem affect the United States, if at all? ______

2. What would be the short term and long term consequence of refusingUS assistance?

______

3. What would be the short term and long term consequence of providingUS assistance?

______

4. What Executive Departments/Cabinet Members (Chapter 15, section 3) would the President rely on for advice and information related to this problem?

______

5. In addition to the Cabinet departments you listed in Question 4, what OTHER government agencies, departments or organizations (Chapter 15, section 1) would be in the best position to provide assistance in this situation (for example, the US Army)?

______

6. Provide a summary of your advice to the President and an explanation of your reasons for doing so.

______

7. Is your approach Isolationist or Interventionist? Explain in 2-3 sentences.

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