AP US Government : Foreign Relations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Foreign Relations

Gunboat diplomacy refers to what method of approaching foreign relations? 

Possible Answers:

Dissolving the other branches of the military in favor of an increased naval presence

Using shows of military strength to obtain policy objectives

Increasing diplomatic gravitas by moving diplomats to as many embassies as possible

None of these answers are correct.

Manipulating soft power into obtaining policy objectives

Correct answer:

Using shows of military strength to obtain policy objectives

Explanation:

Gunboat diplomacy is most commonly associated with Theodore Roosevelt's aggressive foreign policy. Today, gunboat diplomacy is often used via naval and air deployments to troublesome areas (such as the Strait of Hormuz) to showcase the strength of the American military.

Example Question #822 : Ap Us Government

Dollar Diplomacy refers to what foreign policy strategy?

Possible Answers:

None of these answers are correct

Using economic incentives to improve relations with strategic allies

Using economic sanctions in order to encourage foreign nations to cooperate.

Leveraging your currency in exchange for monetary favors

Switching to a gold standard to improve relations with the United Nations

Correct answer:

Using economic incentives to improve relations with strategic allies

Explanation:

Dollar Diplomacy concerns promising loans and other lucrative economic opportunities to countries to improve diplomatic relations, most commonly associated with William Howard Taft's presidency. Taft's Dollar Diplomacy used incentives, rather than punishments to achieve its goals.

Example Question #51 : Public Policy

What foreign relations policy uses positive and negative reinforcement to gain policy goals?

Possible Answers:

The White Hat/Black Hat Method

All of these are example of positive and negative reinforcement policies.

Touch-and-Go Politics

The Carrot and Stick Approach

None of these are examples of positive and negative reinforcement policies.

Correct answer:

The Carrot and Stick Approach

Explanation:

The Carrot and Stick approach involves offering a carrot (positive incentive for good behavior/improved relations), and striking with a stick (negative punishment for bad behavior). The US often used this method in Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

Example Question #52 : Public Policy

What President is famous for utilizing moral diplomacy?

Possible Answers:

Theodore Roosevelt

William Howard Taft

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Woodrow Wilson

None of these answers is correct.

Correct answer:

Woodrow Wilson

Explanation:

Woodrow Wilson is associated with "moral diplomacy," due to his passionate pursuit of humanitarian policies abroad. Woodrow Wilson accomplished much in his pursuit of a greater global good, winning over countries in agreements many foreign policy experts thought impossible.

Example Question #53 : Public Policy

What 1823 American foreign policy warned European countries against further colonizing the Americas?

Possible Answers:

Interventionism

The Madison Corollary

The Monroe Doctrine

Isolationism

None of these answers is correct

Correct answer:

The Monroe Doctrine

Explanation:

The Monroe Doctrine was coined by President James Monroe in 1823 in an attempt to warn European nations against aggressive actions in the Western Hemisphere. The goal was to strengthen the foreign policy of the United States and to become a real world power.

Example Question #54 : Public Policy

Which of the following presidents originally introduced the Monroe Doctrine?

Possible Answers:

Franklin Pierce

None of these answers is correct

Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Jefferson

James K. Polk

Correct answer:

None of these answers is correct

Explanation:

The Monroe Doctrine was introduced by James Monroe in 1823, the fifth president of the United States. Theodore Roosevelt expanded upon the doctrine during his presidency, but did not introduce the original doctrine. James Munroe is also notable because he was the last Founding Father to be President.

Example Question #55 : Public Policy

Which successful Secretary of State authored the Monroe Doctrine?

Possible Answers:

Henry Clay

Thomas Jefferson

James Monroe

John Quincy Adams

None of these answers is correct

Correct answer:

John Quincy Adams

Explanation:

While the Monroe Doctrine is named after James Monroe, this was simply because James Monroe was president at the time. The author of the doctrine was the Secretary of State at the time, John Quincy Adams. Monroe was the Secretary of State before Adams.

Example Question #56 : Public Policy

The creation and purpose of the League of Nations would best be described as which form of diplomacy?

Possible Answers:

Gunboat Diplomacy

Moral Diplomacy

Dollar Diplomacy

None of these answer is correct.

All of the other answers are correct

Correct answer:

Moral Diplomacy

Explanation:

While the League of Nations was designed for many purposes, it was a dream of Woodrow Wilson for the purpose of ensuring global peace and humanitarianism. These goals were the foundation of the League of Nations, and a clear example of moral diplomacy.

Example Question #19 : Foreign Relations

Which of these do not demonstrate the concept of American isolationism? 

Possible Answers:

The United States as a non-participant in the Spanish Civil War

The creation of President James Monroe's Monroe Doctrine, a policy that has been invoked by multiple Presidents several times

The resistance President Franklin D. Roosevelt received from Congress over expanding the role of the United States in foreign affairs prior to World War II

America's military policy in World War II prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor

The United States not participating in the League of Nations after Woodrow Wilson failed to convince Congress that America should join

Correct answer:

The creation of President James Monroe's Monroe Doctrine, a policy that has been invoked by multiple Presidents several times

Explanation:

American isolationism is when the United States withdraws from international conflicts, trade, and disputes, focusing all economic and political power on domestic issues like the American economy and job market, infrastructural and educational development, and social issues.

 In fewer words, isolationism is when a country limits its associations with other countries, confining itself to try and be self-reliant.

So for this question, the answer that does not demonstrate isolationism is the one that deals with America being involved in foreign affairs. The Monroe Doctrine has shaped American foreign policy a great deal, as evidenced by several Presidents invoking it. The Monroe Doctrine deals with the relationship among the countries of the Americas (North and South) and dictates that any outside nations are to stay out of the affairs among the countries of the Americas - unless they want to face a military response from the United States.

The other answers in this question all represent a form of isolationism by demonstrating a turn away from foreign affairs. The League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations, never had U.S. participation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted to expand the role of the United States on the world stage and engage more deeply in foreign affairs. Congress often rebuffed him (the extreme opposition to the U.S. joining the World Court, for example), and they stayed reluctant to engage in most foreign affairs the attack on Pearl Harbor. This is when America changed military strategy and joined in the Allies' fight in Europe and abroad.

Example Question #19 : Foreign Relations

What was the main argument that the U.S. officials made to justify invading Iraq in 2003?  

Possible Answers:

Saddam Hussein and his regime had WMDs, or weapons of mass destruction

The U.S. would add a dominant force to an EU alliance that was preparing to invade Iraq

Iraq and Iran were on the verge of an alliance that would have destabilized Western interests in the region

The Baathist party's atrocities in the region had reached a boiling point, so the U.S. intervened on a humanitarian level

Kuwait, an American ally, was invaded again by Saddam Hussein and was on the verge of collapse

Correct answer:

Saddam Hussein and his regime had WMDs, or weapons of mass destruction

Explanation:

The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 because the United States believed that Saddam Hussein had WMDs, or weapons of mass destruction (both biological and chemical). The United Nations had sent teams in to investigate and also concluded that Saddam had WMDs, with several other countries supporting this notion.  

The United States and the U.N. had worked well together in 1990 when Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein and Iraq, and authorities for both the U.S. and U.N. believed the WMDs were there.  

Much of Saddam Hussein's behavior as leader of Iraq, both historically and around the time of the 2003 U.S. invasion had been suspicious, if not completely nefarious, which contributed to the U.S. and U.N.'s thought process.

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