Lesson 5: Global Challenges Flashcards
Arab Spring Definition
2010 protests against undemocratic Arab governments
European Union Definition
an economic and political union of European nations created in 1993
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Definition
(NATO) an alliance formed in 1949 by the United States and Western European nations to fight Soviet aggression
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Definition
a treaty intended to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving disarmament
Nuclear Proliferation Definition
the spread of nuclear weapons
What is nuclear proliferation? By the early 2000s, which treaty had most countries in the world signed? What did the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty require? What is the goal of non-proliferation?
The spread of nuclear weapons is known as nuclear proliferation. By the early 2000s, most countries in the world, including the United States, had signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT required countries that already had nuclear weapons to reduce their number of weapons. It also prohibited countries that did not have nuclear weapons from acquiring them. All countries, however, could use nuclear power for peaceful purposes. The goal of non-proliferation is to reduce the chance of nuclear war.
In 1985, which treaty did North Korea draw? What did this mean? In the 1990s, what did North Korea claim would make them stop their nuclear program? When did they reach an agreement with the United States and other nations? In 2001, what did President Bush say concerning North Korea? What did Korea do in response? What did they do in 2006? How about in 2009?
As the United States and the global community monitored nuclear proliferation, North Korea was one country that attracted attention. In 1985, North Korea joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Since North Korea did not have nuclear weapons when it joined the NPT, it was prohibited from obtaining them. International concern about its nuclear program led North Korea to use the program as a negotiating tool. In the 1990s, North Korea offered to end its nuclear program if the United States and other nations assisted North Korea with the construction of nuclear power plants. Both sides reached an agreement in 1994. However, both sides accused each other of failing to live up to the agreement. In 2001, President George W. Bush announced that he would not negotiate with North Korea until it met a list of conditions. In response, North Korea resumed its nuclear program. In 2003, the country withdrew from the NPT. In 2006, North Korea conducted its first nuclear weapon test, but many experts believed that the weapon had failed. In 2009, North Korea conducted its second nuclear weapon test. This time, most experts agree, the North Korean weapon successfully exploded.
How did the United States responded to North Korea’s ongoing nuclear program, after 2009?
The United States responded to North Korea’s nuclear program through its own efforts and through international organizations such as the United Nations (UN). North Korea’s nuclear program caused international concern because of the possibility of nuclear attacks or a nuclear disaster. The UN Security Council, including the United States, condemned North Korea’s nuclear testing and imposed sanctions, or restrictions, on trade with North Korea. Even China, North Korea’s closest ally, supported UN Security Council resolutions requiring North Korea to end its nuclear program. In spite of this, North Korea continued constructing and testing nuclear weapons.
What were the three pillars of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
Non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses
How was Iran’s nuclear program a cause of concern? How did the United States seek to solve this problem? What was the result?
Iran’s nuclear program also alarmed the United States and other countries. Because Iranian governments expressed strong hostility to Israel, a U.S. ally, Israel voiced special concern. Iran began its nuclear program in the 1950s with American assistance. As an NPT member, Iran originally focused on developing nuclear power plants for peaceful purposes. In the late 1970s, however, evidence suggested that Iran was developing a nuclear weapons program. The United States and other countries worked to convince Iran to end that program. The U.S. government asked other countries not to sell nuclear technology to Iran. It imposed sanctions that harmed Iran’s economy. And, the United States partnered with other countries, as it had done in attempts to end North Korea’s nuclear program. The European Union (EU) joined in imposing sanctions against Iran. Major Western powers moved to restrict Iran’s access to the international financial system. These efforts limited Iran’s ability to sell oil, its most important export. This caused economic problems for Iran. In 2013, Iranians elected a new president, Hassan Rouhani, who was willing to negotiate with the United States and other powers over nuclear weapons. Negotiations to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons began in 2013, but mutual trust was difficult to establish, and the prospects for any deal were uncertain.
Which regions did the United States have strong ties to? Where is this region? Which religions are practiced in this area? What conflict did the United States experience in this region? What was the United States committed to doing?
The United States had strong ties to North Africa and Southwest Asia. This region lies where the continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe meet. It is a region inhabited by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. As in past years, old conflicts in this region continued after 2000, and new conflicts emerged. The United States was a close ally of Israel, a mainly Jewish nation. At the same time, the U.S. economy relied on the oil production of Muslim nations, such as Saudi Arabia. The United States tried to resolve conflicts in this region. It remained committed to supporting democracy, its allies, and its own national interests.
In 2003, what was President George W. Bush’s policy “road map to peace” in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict? What was the goal? What lead to the abandonment of this plan? Despite this, what did Israel do?
In 2003, President George W. Bush presented a “road map to peace” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The goal was an independent Palestinian state and peaceful relations between Palestinians and Israelis. Bush called for an end to the violence and for Israel to withdraw its troops permanently from Gaza and the West Bank, which Israel had occupied in 1967. However, resistance on both sides led to an abandonment of the “road map.” Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, nonetheless, announced that he would withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, home to more than 1.5 million Palestinians. Israel continued to control Gaza’s boundaries, waters, and airspace. Israel also continued a policy of building Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
In 2006, why did Israel invade Lebanon? Why did the U.S. government support the invasion? How long did the war last, and how did it end?
In 2006, missile attacks from an armed group had led Israel to invade Lebanon. The U.S. government supported Israel’s action as defensive. The war only lasted a month but caused deaths and physical and economic damage. The UN negotiated an end to the war, but tensions between Arabs and Israelis remained.
In 2007, what caused tensions between Gaza and Israel to reach a new high? What was Hamas? Why did Israel attack Gaza in late 2008 and early 2009? Why did the United States again support Israel’s actions?
In 2007, tensions between Israel and Gaza increased when Hamas, an organization labeled as terrorist by Israel and the United States, came to power in Gaza. When rockets launched from Gaza killed Israeli civilians, Israel attacked Gaza in late 2008 and early 2009. These attacks also resulted in deaths among Palestinian civilians. Israel continued to restrict the flow of supplies and people across Gaza’s borders. The U.S. government again supported Israel’s actions as justified in terms of self-defense and continued to try to ease tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.
In 2014, what caused another conflict between the Hamas in Gaza and Israel? What did this signify?
In 2014, another round of violence flared up between Hamas in Gaza and Israel. Hamas once again fired missiles into Israel, killing some civilians. Again Israel bombarded Gaza and sent troops into the territory, resulting in many civilian deaths there. An end to the cycle of violence seemed far away.
