American Domestic and Foreign Policies (1953-1991)

Complete a search either in the Chamberlain Library or internet for domestic and foreign polices of four (4) of the following Presidents. Please incorporate at least one primary source of either a policy or act that you have chosen to write about.

Eisenhower
Kennedy
Johnson
Nixon
Ford
Carter
Reagan
Then, compare domestic and foreign polices of your four (4) presidents by answering the following prompts:

Explain how your selected presidents worked to improve the United States economically and socially. Give at least one example of each president.
Assess if the policies of your choice of presidents strengthen or weaken the United States.
Explain how you see your choice of presidents served the public interest and further the cause of democracy.
Determine if it is constitutional for the United States to fight preemptive wars.
Determine if human rights and morality should be the cornerstones of United State foreign policy.

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Sample Answer

 

Foreign policies

  • Reagan: Reagan’s foreign policies were based on the principles of anti-communism and rollback. He increased military spending and intervened in conflicts in Central America and Afghanistan. He also negotiated arms control agreements with the Soviet Union.
  • Eisenhower: Eisenhower’s foreign policies were based on the principles of containment and deterrence. He supported the creation of NATO and the Marshall Plan to contain the spread of communism. He also authorized the use of military force in Korea and the Middle East.
  • Kennedy: Kennedy’s foreign policies were focused on promoting democracy and human rights around the world. He authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also supported the Vietnam War.
  • Johnson: Johnson’s foreign policies were largely focused on continuing the Vietnam War. He also authorized the use of military force in the Dominican Republic and Cambodia.

Assessment of the policies

The policies of these four presidents had a mixed impact on the United States. Some of their policies, such as Reagan’s tax cuts, led to economic growth. However, other policies, such as Johnson’s intervention in Vietnam, led to war and instability.

Overall, the policies of these four presidents strengthened the United States in some ways and weakened it in others. They also served the public interest in some ways and not in others. For example, Reagan’s tax cuts benefited the wealthy, while Johnson’s civil rights legislation benefited African Americans.

Constitutionality of preemptive wars

The constitutionality of preemptive wars is a complex issue. Some people argue that the United States has the right to use military force to prevent an attack, while others argue that this violates the principle of self-defense. The Supreme Court has never ruled on the constitutionality of preemptive wars.

Human rights and morality in foreign policy

The role of human rights and morality in foreign policy is also a complex issue. Some people argue that the United States should only intervene in other countries when it is in its national interest, while others argue that the United States has a moral obligation to promote human rights and democracy around the world.

The policies of these four presidents reflected different views on the role of human rights and morality in foreign policy. Reagan’s policies were more focused on national interest, while Kennedy’s policies were more focused on promoting human rights.

Conclusion

The domestic and foreign policies of these four presidents had a significant impact on the United States. Their policies strengthened and weakened the country in different ways, and they served the public interest in different ways. The role of human rights and morality in foreign policy is also a complex issue that these presidents addressed in different ways.

Full Answer Section

Here is a comparison of the domestic and foreign policies of four presidents, including Ronald Reagan:

Domestic policies

  • Reagan: Reagan’s domestic policies were based on the principles of supply-side economics, which argued that tax cuts would stimulate economic growth. He also cut government spending and regulations. These policies led to a period of economic growth in the 1980s, but they also widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
  • Eisenhower: Eisenhower’s domestic policies were largely focused on maintaining the New Deal programs that had been created during the Great Depression. He also supported civil rights legislation and increased spending on education.
  • Kennedy: Kennedy’s domestic policies were ambitious and included proposals for civil rights legislation, healthcare reform, and tax cuts. However, he was only able to achieve some of these goals before his assassination.
  • Johnson: Johnson’s domestic policies were focused on expanding the New Deal and creating a Great Society. He signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

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