Event Title
History of U.S. Foreign Policy in Southern Africa During the Ford Administration (1975)
Presentation Type
Panel
Presenter Major(s)
Criminal Justice, International Relations
Mentor Information
James Goode
Department
History
Location
Kirkhof Center Area 51
Start Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
Keywords
Historical Perspectives
Abstract
What factors govern the foreign policy decisions of our nation? Are the considerations that go into them wholly altruistic or somewhat nefarious, or are they something in between? An examination of the Ford Administration's policies in Southern Africa reveals some of the factors that motivated US policy makers in the 1970s. This presentation will include two case studies, one on the US role in the conflict in Angola and the other on US relations with neighboring Zaire. They will explain how these policies were related and how domestic factors influenced American policy. It will also examine how the shape of current foreign affairs was influenced by the two situations. We expect to impart to the audience an appreciation for the complexities involved in foreign policy decisions that are often not visible to the public at the time.
History of U.S. Foreign Policy in Southern Africa During the Ford Administration (1975)
Kirkhof Center Area 51
What factors govern the foreign policy decisions of our nation? Are the considerations that go into them wholly altruistic or somewhat nefarious, or are they something in between? An examination of the Ford Administration's policies in Southern Africa reveals some of the factors that motivated US policy makers in the 1970s. This presentation will include two case studies, one on the US role in the conflict in Angola and the other on US relations with neighboring Zaire. They will explain how these policies were related and how domestic factors influenced American policy. It will also examine how the shape of current foreign affairs was influenced by the two situations. We expect to impart to the audience an appreciation for the complexities involved in foreign policy decisions that are often not visible to the public at the time.