Ch 17: AP US Government and Politics: Foreign and Defense Policy
About This Chapter
Foreign and Defense Policy - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
Foreign and defense policy refers to the way the American government interacts with foreign nations as well as its strategies with regard to international security and dispatching the armed forces. After you have watched these Foreign and Defense Policy video lessons, you should have an understanding of:
- The need to protect the American public
- How the President develops foreign policy
- American military power
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| A History of U.S. Foreign Policy from the Cold War to Post 9/11 | Explain how foreign policy developed during this time period. |
| Developing Foreign Policy: The President, Congress and Interest Groups | Explore the factors that influence the development of foreign policy in the United States. |
| Foreign Policy Powers of the President and Congress | Discover the extent of these presidential and congressional powers. |
| The Use and Capabilities of U.S. Military Power | Explore national security policies and the use of military forces. |
| Ideals, Interests and Needs of Protecting the American Public | Learn about national defense controversies and American ideals. |
| The Economics of National Security Policy | Explore national security policies as they relate to American economics. |
1. A History of U.S. Foreign Policy from the Cold War to post-9/11
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States have caused fundamental changes to U.S. foreign policy. In this lesson, you'll be provided a brief overview of U.S. foreign policy during and after the Cold War.
2. Developing Foreign Policy: The President, Congress & Interest Groups
Foreign policy is not developed in a vacuum or by only one actor in the United States. In this lesson, you'll learn about how the president, Congress and interest groups help develop U.S. foreign policy. A short quiz follows.
3. Foreign Policy Powers of the President & Congress
In the United States, both the president and Congress have influence over the development and implementation of foreign policy. In this lesson, you'll learn about the powers that the executive and legislative branch exerts over foreign policy.
4. The Use & Capabilities of U.S. Military Power
One of the most powerful foreign policy tools that the United States possesses is military force. In this lesson, you'll learn about the capabilities of the United State military and how it can be used to advance national interest.
5. Ideals, Interests & Needs of Protecting the American Public
Foreign policy is often a place where values, reality and necessity collide. In this lesson, you'll learn about the concepts of national ideals, national mission and national interests and see how they work together and sometimes even in opposition.
6. The Economics of National Security Policy
The national security interest of the United States is broad, complex and involves far more than mere military security. In this lesson, you'll learn how economics fits into the overall national security policy of the United States.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AP US Government and Politics: Exam Prep course
- AP US Government and Politics: Introduction to the Study of American Government
- AP US Government and Politics: Constitutional Democracy
- AP US Government and Politics: Federalism in the United States
- AP US Government and Politics: American Political Culture
- AP US Government and Politics: Political Parties
- AP US Government and Politics: Voting and Elections
- AP US Government and Politics: Interest Groups
- AP US Government and Politics: Mass Media
- AP US Government and Politics: The Legislative Branch
- AP US Government and Politics: The Executive Branch
- AP US Government and Politics: The Federal Bureaucracy
- AP US Government and Politics: The Federal Judicial System
- AP US Government and Politics: Civil Liberties
- AP US Government and Politics: Civil Rights
- AP US Government and Politics: Public, Social, and Environmental Policy
- AP US Government and Politics: Economic and Fiscal Policy
- AP US Government & Politics Flashcards
