Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy

Check Your Understanding For more than 150 years, Americans were more interested in domestic affairs—what is happening in this country—than in foreign affairs—events involving other countries. During that time, the United States practiced a policy of isolationism, or a refusal to become overly engaged in foreign affairs. World War II, however, convinced Americans that the well-being of the United States required the nation's ongoing involvement in world affairs.

A nation's foreign policy is every aspect of its relationships with other countries—including military, diplomatic, and commercial. The President takes the lead in making and carrying out U.S. foreign policy. The State Department, headed by the secretary of state, is the President's right arm in foreign affairs. International law gives all nations the right of legation—the right to send and receive diplomatic representatives. The President appoints ambassadors who each represent the nation and head an embassy in a country recognized by the United States. They and other embassy workers have diplomatic immunity—meaning that they cannot be prosecuted for breaking their host country's laws.

What is isolationism?

the policy of avoiding involvement with other countries

What is the main responsibility of the State Department?

to focus on foreign affairs and diplomacy

Governments give passports to citizens who want to leave the country. A passport identifies a person as a legal citizen of a country. Most countries require a person to have a passport to enter their borders. The United States issues more than 10 million passports to citizens each year. A visa is a permit that allows a person to enter another country. It is issued by the country one wishes to enter. Visas to enter the United States are usually issued at American consulates in foreign countries.

Which is one way the State Department works to advance democracy abroad? A) promoting fair voting practices

The secretary of state is the head of the State Department. The President names the secretary of state and the Senate must approve that choice. Thomas Jefferson was the first secretary of state. The duties of the office are now concerned mostly with foreign affairs. The secretary of state is one of the President's top advisors and the most important member of the President's Cabinet. There are many agencies in the State Department. Some of these agencies focus on different areas of the world. For example, the Bureau of African Affairs deals with issues in Africa. Other agencies handle special issues, such as narcotics or law enforcement. An assistant secretary is in charge of each agency.

Who are the overseas representatives? The Foreign Service has about 12,000 men and women, most of whom are serving in other countries. The right of legation, a part of international law, states that countries have the right to send and receive diplomats. International law is a set of rules followed by all countries.

What is the State Department? The State Department is one of the 15 executive departments that are part of the executive branch under the President. Congress created the department in 1789. It handles foreign affairs for the country. The President works closely with the State Department when dealing with foreign countries. The State Department has four goals for its foreign policy: protecting America, advancing democracy, promoting American values, and protecting and supporting diplomatic officials abroad.

The State Department The State Department continuously seeks to achieve its four major goals as it carries out America's foreign policy. It uses the methods described in the graphic. Move through the activity to learn more about the goals of the State Department. How might achieving one of these goals relate to achieving the others?

What is foreign policy? Foreign policy is all the actions a nation takes in dealing with other countries of the world. American foreign policy is carried out by the federal government. The government makes treaties and trade alliances with other countries. The government also provides economic aid to countries and participates in cultural exchange programs. To aid foreign policy efforts, the United States belongs to the United Nations and a number of other international organizations. The President has always been responsible for making and carrying out foreign policy. To do this huge job effectively, the President gets help from many officials and agencies, including the State Department and the Department of Defense.

The plan a country follows in dealing with other countries is called _____. A) foreign policy

Why did the United States go from isolationism to internationalism? The first 150 years of United States history was a busy time for the American people. After winning independence from England, the country needed to take care of domestic affairs. Domestic affairs are events that happen at home. Foreign affairs were not a concern at that time. Foreign affairs are the nation's relationships with other nations. During this time, the United States practiced isolationism. Isolationism is a refusal to be involved with other countries. This policy changed when the country became involved in World War II. After U.S. troops were sent overseas to protect America and help other countries during and after the war, isolationism effectively ended.

The security and safety of America depends on good relations with other countries. If there are conflicts with other countries, the United States tries to find solutions. Effective solutions, however, are not always possible. The United States has fought five major wars over the past century, and terrorism continues today to threaten the security of the United States. Economic conditions worldwide affect the United States economy. The American economy has become global. American corporations and other businesses operate in many countries of the world. Because the world is so interconnected, the United States now practices internationalism, realizing that the well-being of everyone in this country is affected by events everywhere around the world.

An ambassador is a person appointed by the President to represent the United States in a foreign country. Ambassadors are stationed at the capital of each nation recognized by the United States. American embassies are located in more than 180 countries around the world. Consular offices are also located abroad. These offices encourage trade, gather information about other countries, and help American citizens who are abroad. Ambassadors are granted diplomatic immunity. This means they are not bound by the laws of the country where they are serving. They cannot be arrested, sued, or taxed by that country. Diplomats' houses cannot be searched, and diplomats' property is protected. Most countries follow the rules of diplomatic immunity.

There are exceptions, however. An extreme case happened in Iran on November 4, 1979. Radical Iranian students took over the American embassy in an angry protest against United States support of the existing Iranian government. They took 52 Americans hostage and held them for 444 days. The hostages were released when Ronald Reagan became President on January 20, 1981.

What is a passport?

a document that identifies a person as a citizen of a country