Position of the USA as a world power Flashcards
(8 cards)
ford and foreign policy
There was little new initiatives with his foreign policy, he did initially keep Kissinger and Schlesinger, but the latter was soon fired.
He also fired Colby due to his openness with testifying before congress
Rumsfeld and HW Bush dominated their jobs afterwords
Ford presided over a humiliating final retreat from Vietnam, the infusion of $700 million in militarily and humanitarian assistance towards the south failed to stem the progress of the communist forces
In late April 1975 forces entered Saigon and Ford ordered the evacuation of all US personnel and the SV citizens with connections to the US
This led to the spectacle of US helicopters taking off from the embassy
May 1975- Ford orders US marines to retake an American cargo ship, which had been seized
Despite the death of 40 Americans in the operation the ship was retake and Ford’s approval soared
what was the significance of the church committee?
two committees were ordered to look into the CIA’s conduct following the fallout from the Watergate affair and revelations about their role in assassinations of foreign leaders.
Senator Frank Church of Idaho castigated the agency for its actions
William Colby paid with his job in 1975
Congress agreed with greater congressional oversight of the CIA
the significance of relations with the USSR
There was the continue of Nixons goals of detente with the USSR, which was proving to be a more effective way of containing the force of the USSR, compared to MAD
The Helsinki accords were signed in August 1975, which recognised the established boundaries at the end of the countries, which was established after WW2. Soviet delegates were keen to confirm their standing in Europe
The statements also included reports in support on human rights, to which the USSR reluctantly supported
Ford and Kissinger did see the accords as superficial, Ford argued that the accords were simply a respect between countries
In November 1974 Ford had already agreed to the Vladivostok accords which provided a general outline for the successor treaty to SALT 1, this did lead to criticism from Raegan that the US should take a harder line.
what were key moments from Carter’s foreign policy?
June 1977- SEATO alliance is dissolved
Sept 1977- Carter agrees to hand over Panama Canal to Panama by 2000
Sept 1978- Camp David accords, peace treaty between Egypt and Israel
January 1979- US recognises PRC and passes Taiwan relations act
March 1979- CENTO alliance is dissolved
November 1979- US hostages taken in Iran
December 1979- USSR invades Afghanistan
Jan 1980- US boycott of Moscow summer olympics announced
the significance of Carter’s foreign policy?
Carter believed in rule of law and international affairs and had limited foreign policy experience was very limited. Carter did believe that military intervention should be avoided.
Carter stated that “our policy is rooted in our moral values”
Carter was a key supporter of peace
Though he did want to continue to put pressure on the USSR
Though, it was evident that Carter was out of his depth as he turned to Brezezinki as his national security advisor and Vance as secretary of state, the two clashed repeatedly
Brezinzki was a critic of detente and had strongly anti communist views, he encouraged Carter to adopt a new approach and was willing to allow both SEATO and CENTO to dissolve
Though NATO did remain. unlike, Vance he did want them to be linked to the discussion of human rights
what was the significance of SALT 11
This was signed in June 1979, the agreement promised the limitation on the development of future missiles and a reduction by both sides to 2250 usable weapons, though this was still a powerful force
Though, this was never ratified due to events in Afghanistan
the significance of human rights
This did reflect his moral stance as a staunch Baptist, he explained that he wished to support “human freedom” and that he wished to “protect the individual from the arbitrary power of the state”, this was evident in the 1948 UN universal declaration of human rights
Though, Carter was accused of being hypocritical as he lacked the desire to protect the human rights of the USSR and China. Brezhenev threatened to end talks over the issue
Carter failed to halt aid to the Shah in Iran whose human rights accord had been condemned by amnesty international
People such as Reagan suggested that Carter’s inability to understand diplomacy was threatening relations with allies
His deviation of realpolitik of Nixon and Kissinger never paid the political devidends he might have hoped for.
the significance of relations with China?
Carter continued the work of Nixon and recognised the PRC, Brezinki encouraged this as a way to put pressure on the USSR, the death of Mao in 1976 meant that Deng was the new leader and he was keen to push for the improving economy of China
Carter revoked the 1955 mutual defence treaty with Taiwan, severing ties with Taiwan but he was challenged in the 1979 case Carter vs Goldwater, the SC rejected the case and Carter’s desire to not fully abandon Taiwan
