US Foreign Policy: Domestic Politics, Aberystwyth University, 2009, Study notes of History

Download US Foreign Policy: Domestic Politics, Aberystwyth University, 2009 and more Study notes History in PDF only on Docsity! PRIFYSGOL ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY DEGREE EXAMINATIONS 2009 DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND WELSH HISTORY MODULE HY37030: The Domestic Politics of US Foreign Policy Time allowed THREE hours Answer THREE questions 1. ‘When Americans are at peace and believe themselves secure, congressional assertiveness grows. When Americans find themselves at war or fear great peril, congressional assertiveness gives way to congressional deference to the President.’ (James Lindsay). Discuss, with reference to two or more case studies. 2. Discuss the influence of interest groups upon US foreign policy, with reference to two or more case studies. 3. How successful were US presidents in mobilizing public opinion behind foreign policy decisions between the 1890s and the 1990s? Answer with reference to one or more case studies. 4. Why have interpretations of US intervention in the Spanish-American War varied so dramatically? 5. ‘However powerful and ubiquitous, the dominant racial ideas of the period provided no clear direction in foreign affairs’. (Eric T. Love). Discuss with reference to the domestic controversy over the annexation of the Philippines. 6. How far was President Wilson personally responsible for the defeat of the Treaty of Versailles in the Senate? 7. ‘Congress tied the hands of President Roosevelt’. Discuss with reference to EITHER the Nazi refugee crisis between 1933 and 1941 OR foreign policy between Munich and Pearl Harbor. 8. How convincing is the argument that the Truman doctrine marked a key turning point in US foreign policy? 9. ‘United Fruit Company had a motive, and it had the contacts. It is tempting to survey the scene of the crime, find this smoking gun, and arrest the fruit company.’ (Piero Gleijeses). Discuss with reference to interpretations of the 1954 intervention in Guatemala. /Continued overleaf .......