How does the USA impact on countries around the world?

First of all, in a group of three or four, list ways you think the USA has impacted (positively or negatively) on countries around the world. You have ten minutes for this task.

America’s impact We can split the impact into three main areas (which we will cover over the coming lessons)

Economic impact – America generates huge amounts of wealth around the world

Cultural impact – Western culture is often heavily influenced by the USA, from the movies we watch to the music we listen to and the clothes we wear

Security – America is often called ‘The World’s Policeman’ as it gets involved in the affairs off other countries in order to protect itself

We will focus on the economic impact and issues to do with America as the world’s policeman

Economic Impact In your groups, each take a brand new page in your jotters.

Create a list which shows how America has had an economic impact on the rest of the world. Be ready to feed these back

You could have said: It’s the world’s largest importer of goods – this makes others lots of money. For example, the UK

Its major companies are multi-national – this means they create jobs and wealth in countries around the world – McDonalds (1.7 million employees in 118 countries), Starbucks, Microsoft, Apple etc

Its not all good news. They US were largely (although not solely) held responsible for the credit crunch in 2008 which the world has still not recovered from (See next slide)

The Credit CrunchRead the note and answer the questions on the credit crunch to get a better understanding of the role the US played in the credit crunch

Before you do, it is important to understand something about DEBT

What is Debt?Debt has helped fuel our economy for the past thirty years. We buy things with debt, from houses to a ticket to the theatre

Also before you read the note, watch the short video clip which will give you an introduction to why the credit crunch occurred

America – The Worlds Policeman

Below are pictures which relate to times when America has become involved in the affairs of other countries. Can you name them?

Korean War First Gulf WarVietnam

The World’s Policeman Discussion question – Can you think of a time where America has used its

military might to positively impact on other countries in the last ten years?

Afghanistan Libya Iraq

All three of the above conflicts have something in common. You have a few minutes to try and figure out the connection

Connection? – They were all conflicts which removed the government or a dictator of the country.

*It is worth noting that all of the above conflicts have their critics and not everyone believes America has done any good by creating conflict in them

The World’s Policeman – Is this always wanted?

While many people have been grateful for the interventions of America, there has also been may criticisms of their role in other countries affairs

Watch the video clip which is a critique of America’s policy of getting involved in the business of other countries

America is still criticised for (amongst other things):1) Carrying out drone attacks in countries like Pakistan and Yemen, which continue to kill civilians along with terror suspects2) Carrying out surveillance on people around the world (and in their own country) including their allies However for now we will concentrate on three areas where the USA has become involved in conflict

The War on Terror In 2001, America came under attack. Around 3,000 people were murdered in New

York, Washington D.C, and Pennsylvania. In response, American launched a War on Terror, as can be seen in this speech by

George W Bush in 2001 The ‘War on Terror’ terminology is no longer used by the US, but it doesn’t mean it

has stopped Task – You will have some time now to go to the library to do some research into

America’s War on Terror. If this is unavailable, your teacher may allow you to use your phones to do some research.