Examine and discuss a small sample of the critical foreign policy
choices made by American leaders in the course of U.S. history, learning how to evaluate the
conditions, process and outcomes that led to particular choices. Select a “decision” from the 1859 The Pig War.
In writing, identify the key decision-makers – the President, Secretary of State, key advisors, Congressman, foreign interlocutors, etc. – explain the circumstances, background, and history of the issue/question discussed, and lay out the problem(s)/issue(s) decision-makers faced and the choices before them. Better papers will rely on original documents, as opposed academic literature. The key question to ask is: why did decision-makers make one set of choices and not others? Assess and evaluate the other options and alternatives – how would the situation have looked if a different path had been chosen?
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