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FOREIGN POLICY

Background and Context

These educational resources will help students develop a thorough understanding of Foreign Policy and make connections between historical events, current conversations, and current policy proposals surrounding the issue. This section includes all of the context and content previously included in Close Up’s public policy chapters.  

 

U.S. Foreign Policy in Historical Context

How has U.S. Foreign Policy changed throughout our history? Learn More >

U.S. Foreign Policy in Current Context

What is current U.S. Foreign Policy? Learn More >

Current Issue Debates

Current Issue Debates are framed by a central question and followed by historical context, an overview of both sides of the topic, and discussion questions to facilitate deliberation in the classroom.

 

Military Strikes Against Drug Cartels

Available for Middle & High School

Should the United States use its military to combat drug trafficking cartels? Learn More >

The Cuba Trade Embargo

Available for Middle & High School

Should Congress lift the Cuba trade embargo? Learn More >

Tariffs Against China

Available for Middle & High School

Should the United States end its retaliatory tariffs against China? Learn More >

Executive War Powers

Should Congress pass legislation to limit executive war powers? Learn More >

U.S. Aid To Ukraine

Available for Middle & High School

Should the United States continue to provide military equipment to Ukraine in its war with Russia? Learn More >

Banning TikTok

Available for Middle & High School

Should the U.S. government ban TikTok? Learn More >

Videos from Policy Makers

Brought to you by ASP HOMEROOM, through a collaboration between Close Up Foundation and A Starting Point, these supplemental videos are an introduction to policy areas that provide an opportunity for students to hear different perspectives directly from lawmakers.

 

Russia – US Relations

Congressmen Jim Himes (D-CT) & Chris Stewart (R-UT)
June 16, 2021

Human Rights in China

Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) & Michael Waltz (R-Fla.)
March 31, 2021

Afghanistan Troop Withdraw

Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) & Congressman Michael Waltz (R-FL)
May 7, 2021

Lesson Plans

These ready-to-use lesson plans can be utilized in conjunction with any of our resources to enhance the quality of student discourse in the classroom. Our supplemental Civic Readiness Guide provides a recommended lesson plan sequence for using our Current Issues resources.

 

Additional & Archived Resources on Foreign Policy

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Unit 5: The Challenges of Power Teacher Guide

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 20, 2021

Words of Ages Teacher’s Guide are designed to supplement your standard classroom history text while offering new, creative perspectives on the nation’s heritage.


Unit 1: A “New World”, A New Nation – Explorers and Early Settlers

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021

Captain John Smith and the English settlers who followed did not shed their attachments to Great Britain when they landed on North American shores.


Unit 1: A “New World”, A New Nation – The Search for a National Identity

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021

Between the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, the United States began to forge a national identity.


Unit 1: A “New World”, A New Nation – Voices of a Revolution

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021

The ideas behind the American Revolution—like many of the colonial era—trace back to Europe.


Unit 2: Nationalism and Sectionalism – A Confident Nation

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021

After the War of 1812, Americans gained confidence and pride in their nation as a spirit of unity and nationalism strengthened the union.


Unit 2: Nationalism and Sectionalism – Slavery and the Abolition Movement

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021

From the 1830s to the 1860s, the economic, political, and cultural chasms between the North and South deepened.


Unit 2: Nationalism and Sectionalism – Civil War and Reconstruction

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021

By the middle of the 19th century, the nation had developed two distinct economies and identities.


Unit 3: Industrializing America – The Closing of the Frontier

Historical Perspective (ELA Unit) | August 19, 2021

Just before the Civil War, writers all across the United States began telling stories about people and places they knew well.


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