Pols 321 Midterm Study Questions
S. Majeski
Summer 2003

 

1. U.S. foreign policy during and after the Cold War is arguably about maintaining order and stability so as to foster free trade and economic growth -- with the containment of communism and support for democracy as side benefits. How has the creation and maintenance of client states helped U.S. policymakers achieve these basic goals?

2. In the summer of 1965 George Ball presented a very persuasive argument why the U.S. should not send large numbers of combat troops to Vietnam? Why did he lose the policy debate?

3. Compare and contrast the two models of decision-making (rational choice, and bureaucratic/governmental politics) to explain the U.S. decision during the Cuban Missile Crisis. That is, what are the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two models and which one provides the best explanation of the U.S. decision-making in this crisis?

4. Describe how the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, and NATO fit together into a coherent U.S. foreign policy strategy.

5. Why did the United States become so tragically involved in Vietnam during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations? What other factors beside containment appeared to play a role?

6. Suppose the isolationists had won in key Congressional Battles in the late 1940s and the Truman administration's efforts to provide economic and military aid to Greece, economic aid to Western Europe, and join NATO had been defeated in Congress. What would likely have been the results in international affairs in the late 1940s and early 1950s? Based on your assessment would U.S. policy likely have remained isolationist or returned to an aggressive activist internationalist policy? Defend your answer.