69 pages • 2 hours read
Stephen E. Ambrose, Douglas BrinkleyRise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy since 1938
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1971A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
The authors argue that the United States was more secure in the 1930s—before becoming a superpower—than it was during the Cold War and in the early-21st century. Use textual evidence from this book to explain why this is the case.
The complex interplay between public opinion, presidential decision-making, and congressional approval is a recurrent theme in Rise to Globalism. Use at least three examples to illustrate and explain the dynamics of this relationship.
Why was the Vietnam War a watershed moment in American politics—both domestic and international?
In what major ways did America reevaluate its place in international relations in the late 1980s and early 1990s? Did American foreign policy change after the Cold War?
Why is the question of nuclear weapons one of the major themes in the Cold War period in this book? Support your argument with examples from the book about the use of nuclear weapons in Japan, nuclear proliferation, brinkmanship, and nuclear-arms treaties.
Rise to Globalism highlights a trend in American foreign policy of backing dictators if they are friendly to the US and its allies. Use at least three examples to discuss the reasons for and contradictions of this trend.
The authors argue that the Cold War containment policy worked reasonably well in Europe but failed in Asia. Do you agree with this assessment? Support your answer with two examples for each geographic region.
Which president described in the given book was the most successful in meeting his foreign-policy goals? Use textual evidence to support your claims.
Decolonization is an undercurrent in Rise to Globalism. Discuss the relationship between decolonization and American foreign policy by using the example of Latin America (El Salvador, Nicaragua, Cuba, Grenada), Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), and Africa (Egypt, Angola, Somalia).
The challenges and goals of American foreign policy transformed between 1938 and the early-21st century. However, the authors also highlight consistent trends. What are they? Discuss at least three examples, and support your answer with evidence from the book.
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