Unit 9: America in the World

Bush Doctrine/ Preemptive War

Bush Doctrine Definition: George W. Bush's foreign policy principle wherein the United States would launch a war on terrorism. Definition of preemptive war: A doctrine that states the United States retains the right to use its military power against countries that might pose a threat in the future. Significance: The doctrine was developed largely in response to American vulnerabilities exposed by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and provided the rationale for invading Afghanistan, where the local government provided a haven for those who launched the attack, and then later provided the rationale for the invasion of Iraq. Connection: During the course of the destructive and costly World War I, for the first time in history, the concept of the "War to end all wars," began to be seriously considered.As a further expression of this hope, upon the conclusion of the war, the League of Nations was formed. The primary aim of this organization was to prevent war, as all signatories were required to agree to desist from the initiation of all wars, (preemptive or otherwise). All of the victorious nations emerging out of World War I eventually signed this agreement, with the notable exception of the United States.

Iran Hostage Crisis/Iran-Contra Affair

Definition of Iran Hostage Crisis: When Carter in November 1979 allowed the deposed shah of Iran to seek medical treatment in the United States, Khomeini's followers invaded the American embassy in Tehran and seized fifty-three hostages. They did not regain their freedom until January 1981, on the day Carter's term as president ended. Events in Iran made Carter seem helpless and inept and led to a rapid fall in his popularity. Definition of The Contra Affair: Scandal of the second Reagan administration involving sales of arms to Iran in partial exchange for release of hostages in Lebanon and use of the arms money to aid the Contras in Nicaragua, which had been expressly forbidden by Congress. Significance: Its significance is that the US was selling weapons to Iran (whom we had placed an arms embargo on) and were using the money to supply the Contras, an anti-Marxist guerrilla group in Nicaragua. Also it helped cement the image of President Reagan as the "Teflon President" because it could not be proved that he knew anything about it.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Definition: 1989 - Beginning of the fall of communism and the Soviet Union Significance: symbolized the failure of communism and massive socialism in addition to another event ending the Cold War Connection: "Tear Down This Wall"- Reagan Speech and how he wanted the Berlin wall to be tore down.

Saddam Hussein

Definition: As president of Iraq, Saddam maintained power through the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) and the first Persian Gulf War (1991). During these conflicts, Saddam repressed movements he deemed threatening to the stability of Iraq, particularly Shi'a and Kurdish movements seeking to overthrow the government or gain independence, respectively. Significance: While he remained a popular hero among many disaffected Arabs everywhere for standing up to the West and for his support for the Palestinians, U.S. leaders continued to view Saddam with deep suspicion following the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Saddam was deposed by the U.S. and its allies during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Connection: the US and the UK invaded Iraq to depose Saddam, in which U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair accused him of possessing weapons of mass destruction, similar to how in WWI how Germany was suspected having nuclear weapons and dangerous armed forces.

Muammar Al-Qaddafi

Definition: He has been the leader of Libya since 1969.He espoused his own form of Islamic socialism, and his foreign policy was anti-Western and anti-Israel. In 1970 he closed U.S. and British military bases and expelled Italians and Jews. He banned alcoholic beverages and gambling and in 1973 nationalized the oil industry. He made unsuccessful attempts to unify Libya with other countries. Significance: His government was repeatedly linked with terrorist incidents in Europe and elsewhere, and he supported groups trying to overthrow neighboring governments. He narrowly escaped death in 1986 when U.S. planes bombed sites in Libya, including his own residence.

Gulf War

Definition: Military action in 1991 in which an international coalition led by the United States drove Iraq from Kuwait, which it had occupied the previous year. Significance: The Persian Gulf War marks the first time in history that air power played the most important role in deciding the outcome of a war. Connection: back to the cold war, where there was serious threats from Russia about communism and attacks.