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168 Cards in this Set

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Great Compromise
1787, also CT Compromise, proposed by Sherman and Ellsworth, provided for bicameral Congress
New Jersey Plan
1787, proposed by Patterson, provided equal Congressional representation for each state
Virginia Plan
1787, proposed by Randolph and Madison; provided Congressional representation for states on the basis of population
American System
1820s, Clay's policies, calling for high tariffs, internal improvements, and a strong national bank

Plan of Iguala
1821, Iterbide and Guerrero's plan for Mexican independence from Spain

Monroe Doctrine
1823, Monroe's statement that European powers should not interfere in the affairs of nations in the Western Hemisphere
Doctrine of Nullification
1832, Calhoun and SC declared a state could suspend federal laws; Webster argued the issue with Hayne in the Senate
Freeport Doctrine
1858, Stephen Douglas's support for popular sovereignty on the slavery issue, espoused during his debates with Lincoln in Illinois Senate election
Open Door Policy
1899, Secretary of State Hay negotiated for equal trading rights in China
Square Deal
1903, Theodore Roosevelt's policies of treating everyone equally
Roosevelt Corollary
1904, Theodore Roosevelt's assertion that the US could intervene in affairs of Latin American nations, such as Venezuela
Dollar Diplomacy
1909, Taft's policies of investing money in Latin America; led to military involvement in places such as Nicaragua
Plan of San Luis Potosi
1910, Madero's plan for revolution in Mexico
Plan of Ayala
1911, Zapata's agrarian reform plan for Mexico
New Nationalism
1912, Theodore Roosevelt's policies as Progressive Party candidate
New Freedom
1912, Wilson's policies of limited government, low tariffs, banking reform, and antitrust laws
Dawes Plan
1924, plan to reduce reparations imposed on Germany at Versailles
Young Plan
1929, further reduced reparations imposed on Germany after WWI
Stimson Doctrine
1932, Hoover's Secretary of State said the US would not recognize territorial changes resulting from Japan's invasion of Manchuria
New Deal
1933, FDR's plan for economic recovery during the Great Depression
Fair Deal
1945, Truman's plan for social legislation
Marshall Plan
1947, also European Recovery Program, allotted $13 billion for rebuilding Europe after WWII
Containment
1947, plan to limit spread of Communism; outlined by Kennan

Schumann Plan
1950s, idea to form European Coal and Steel Community
Hundred Flowers
1956, Mao encouraged intellectuals to criticize the government for a short time
Great Leap Forward
1957 – 1962, Mao tried unsuccessfully to rapidly increase China's industrial and agricultural production
Great Society
1964, LBJ's policies of fighting poverty and racial injustice
Cultural Revolution
1966 – 1976, Mao attempted to rekindle revolutionary fervor, organizing students into groups of Red Guards; ended with arrest of the Gang of Four (including Mao's wife Jiang Qing)
Shuttle Diplomacy
1973, Secretary of State Kissinger traveled back and forth between nations in the Arab–Israeli War
Treaty of Hartford
1638, Ended Pequot War, slowly dissolved the Pequot nation, outlawed their language/alphabet, forced them to assimilate, divided land among survivors
Treaty of Ryswick
1697, formal agreement between France and Spain dividing the island Hispanola into two halfs. The east side was Spanish and called the Dominican Republic. West side was French called Haiti. Both grew cotton, tobacco, sugar, coffee and cattle. They had a trade triangle and the 3rd leg was slave and transportation.
Treaty of Utrecht
1713, Ended Queen Anne's War. France gave Britain Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the Hudson Bay region. Began a generation of peace that allowed Britain to being policy of salutary neglect, allowing the colonies to develop some independence.
Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle
1748, formed after War of Jenkin's Ear and King George's War; dictated that England would return to Louisbourg (Nova Scotia) to the French in return for the French returning Madras (India).
Treaty of Paris (1763)
Treaty between Britain, France, and Spain, which ended the Seven Years War (and the French and Indian War). France lost Canada, the land east of the Mississippi, some Caribbean islands and India to Britain. France also gave New Orleans and the land west of the Mississippi to Spain, to compensate it for ceding Florida to the British.
Treaty of Paris (1783)
This treaty ended the Revolutionary War, recognized the independence of the American colonies, and granted the colonies the territory from the southern border of Canada to the northern border of Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River
Jay-Garoqui Treaty
1789, Treaty between the U.S. and Spain giving the U.S. special privileges at Spanish ports in exhange for giving Spain exclusive rights to the Mississippi River. The U.S. needed access to the Mississippi more than they needed privileged trade with Spain, so this treaty was never signed.
Jay's Treaty (1794)
Agreement that provided England would evacuate a series of forts in U.S. territory along the Great Lakes; in return, the U.S. agreed to pay pre-Revoluationary war debts owed to Britain. The British also partially opened the West Indies to American shipping. The treaty was barely ratified in the face of strong Republican opposition.

Treay of Greenville
1794, Treaty between the Americans and the Native Americans. In exchange for some goods, the Indians gave the U.S. territory in Ohio. Anthony Way was the American representative.
Pickney's Treaty
1795, Treaty between the U.S. and Spain which gave the U.S. the right to transport river and to store goods in the Spanish port of New Orleans.
Treaty of Sam Ildefonso
1800, In this treaty, Spain gave the Louisiana territory back to France (France had lost it to Spain in the Seven Years War).
Treaty of Ghent
1815, signed on December 24, 1814 in Ghent (modern day Belgium) was the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the US and UK. The treaty largely restored relations between the two nations to status quo ante bellum, with no loss of territory either way. Ratified by UK on Dec 30, 1814.
Rush-Bagot Treaty
1817, Treaty demilitarized the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, where many British naval armaments and forts still remained, and laid the basis for a demilitarized boundary between the US and British North America. This agreement was indicative of improving relations between the US and Britain during this time period following the end of the War of 1812.
Adams-Onis Treaty
1819, Defined the western boundary of the US and provided for the cession of the Floridas to the US by Spain. Under the terms of the treaty, Spain gave up all claims to both East and West Florida, territory forming the present state of Florida and the southern part of Alabama and Mississippi. The treaty also clearly definded for the 1st time the western boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. In effect, SPain transferred to the US all its claims to the Oregon country. In return, the US gave up whatever title to Texas it acquired under the terms of the Louisiana Purchase.
Treaty of New Echota
1835, Signed by only 500 Cherokee Indians who were bribed saying that all 17,000 Cherokee's must leave within 2 years to go to land in Louisiana Territory. If not, they would be forced to leave by the US Army on the Trail of Tears
Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842)
Between US and Britain, settled the dispute over the location of the Maine-New Brunswick border between the US and Canada as well as the location of the border in the westward frontier up to the Rocky Mountains - called for a final end to the slave trade on the high seas, to be enforced by both signatories.
Oregon Treaty of 1846
Split the territory in half at 49th parallel. US granted Vancouver Island to Britain and right to navigate Columbia River. Northerners viewed it as a sellout to southern interests because it removed BC as a source of potential free states. Senate voted for it because they didn't want to fight a war with Britain.
Treaty of Guadelupe Hildago
1848, Required Mexico to cede the American Southwest, including New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California, to the U.S. U.S. gave Mexico $15 million in exchange, so that it would not look like conquest.
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
1850, Treaty between US and Great Britain agreeing that neither country would try to obtain exclusive rights to a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. Abrogated by the US in 1881.
Treaty of Kanagawa
1854, Between US and Japan which opened 2 Japanese ports to US ships and allowed the US to set up an embassy in Japan
Treaty of Washington
1871, Settled the Northern claims between US and Great Britain. Canada gave the US permanent fishing rights to the St. Lawrence River.
Treaty of Paris (1898)
Approved by the Senate on Feb 6, 1898. Ended the Spanish-American War. US gained Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Hay-Pauncefote Treaty
1901, Great Britain recognized US sphere of Influence over the Panama canal zone provided the canal itself remained neutral. US given full control over construction and management of the canal.
Hay-Herran Treaty
1903, kept the purchase price of the canal strip in Panama the same but enlarged the area from 6 to 10 miles.

Hay-Bunau-Varilla
1903, US guranteed the independence of the newly created Republic of Panama
Treaty of Portsmouth
1905, Japan had attacked the Russian Pacific fleet over Russia's refusal to withdraw its troops from Manchuria after the Boxer Rebellion (1904-1905). War fought mainly in Kora. Japan victorious, US mediated the war. Negotiating the treaty in the US increased US prestige. Roosevelt received a Nobel Peace Prize for the mediation.
Arbitration Treaties
1913-15, negotiated by US using arbitration, the mediation of a dispute, Taft promoted these agreements as an alternative to war in Latin America and Asia
Lansing-Ishii Agreement
1917, Lessened the tension in the feuds between the US and Japan by recognizing Japan's sphere of influence in China in exchange for Japan's continued recognition of the Open Door policy in China.
Treaty of Versailles
1919, The Palace of Versailles was the site of the signing of the peace treaty that ended WWI on June 28, 1919. Victorious Allies imposed punitive reparations on Germany.
Five Powers Treaty
1921-22, Signed as part of the Washington Naval Conference, US, Great Britain, Japan, France, and Italy set a ten year suspension of construction of large ships and set quotas for the number of ships each country could build.
Four Powers Treaty
1921, US, Japan, Britain and France agreed to respect each others possessions in the Pacific.
Nine Powers Treaty
1922, Reaffirmed the Open Door Policy in China
Kellog-Briand Pact
1928, "Pact of Paris" or "Treaty for the Renunciation of War" it made war illegal as a tool of national policy, allowing only defensive war. The Treaty was generally believed to be useless.
Tripartite Pact
1940, signed between the Axis powers in 1940 (Italy, German and Japan) where they pledged to help the others in the even of an attack by the US
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Chartered April 1949. The 11 member nations agreed to fight for each other if attacked. It is an international military force for enforcing its charter.
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
1954, Treaty to improve US relations and cooperation with Latin and S. America. Fairly successful, similar to ANZUS.
Central Treaty Organization (CENTO)
1955, Members were the US, Great Britain, Turkey, Iran and West Pakistan. Treaty to improve the US relations and cooperation with Latis and S America. Fairly successional, similar to ANZUS.

Paris Accord
January 7, 1973, US signed a peace treaty with North Vietnam and began withdrawing troops. On April 25, 1975, South Vietnam was taken over by North Vietnam, in violation of the treaty.
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
1963, Reacting to Soviet nuclear tests, this treaty was signed on August 5, 1963 and prohibited nuclear testing undersea, in air, and in space. Only underground testing was permitted. Was signed by all major powers except France and China.
Second Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT II)
June 18, 1977 cut back weaponry of the US and the USSR because it was getting too competitive. Set limits on the numbers of weapons produced. Not passed by the Senate as retalization for USSR's invasion of Afghanistan, and later superseded by the START treaty.
Panama Canal Treaty
1978, Passed by President Carter, these called for the gradual return of the Panama Canal to the people and government of Panama. They provided for the transfer of canal ownership to Panama in 1999 and guaranteed its neutrality
Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty
1979, Product of the Camp David Accords, Sadat represented Egypt and Begin represented Israel. Israel returned land to Egypt in exchange for Egyptian recognition. Earned both men the Nobel Peace Prize.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
1918, "separate peace" signed by the Bolshevik government of the new USSR and Germany. The USSR needed to make peace to focust on defeating the "Whites" (royalists) in the Russian Civil War, and it gave up Ukraine, Belarus, and the three Baltic countries after Germany invaded, an outcome worse than a German offer which chief Soviet negotiator Leon Trotsky had rejected. The treaty was negotiated in modern day Brest (Belarus) and was nullified by the subsequent Treaty of Versailles following Germany's defeat.

Treaty of Tordesillas
1494, Divided the New World between Spain and Portugal. Resulted from a bull by Spanish born Pope Alexander VI granting lands to Spain and established a line west of the Cape Verde islands between future Spanish possessions (west and Portuguese possessions (East). The line passed through Brazil, allowing the Portuguese to establish a colony there while Spain received the rest of the Americas.
Peace of Westphalia
1648, collective name for the two treaties ending the Thirty Years' War that were signed by the Holy Roman Empire, minor German states, Spain, France, Sweden, and the Dutch Republic. It confirmed the principle of "cuius regio eius religio" (that a ruler's religion determined that of his country) introduced by the Peace of Augsburg, but mandated relative tolerance of other (Christian) fairths. It adjusted the borders of German states and strengthened their princes with respect to the Emperor and transferred most of Lorraine and some of Alsace to France.
Model Treaty
1776, passed by Continental Congress, became template for future international treaties
Treaty of Alliance
1778, American Revolutional War alliance with France
Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship
1786, First sovereign state to recognize the U.S.; oldest unbroken U.S. treaty.
Treaty of Greenville
1795, Opened most of Ohio to white settlement
Treaty of Cahuenga
1847, ends the Mexican-American War in California
Open Skies Treaty
1955, allow access to other nations' military activities by means of aerial surveillance flights
Nassau Agreement
December 22, 1962, negotiated between President JFK and Harold Macmillan for the UK that enabled the UK Polaris programme. UK Polaris missiles were part of a 'multi-lateral force' within NATO and could only be used independently only when 'supreme national interests' intervened
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I)
1972, two rounds of bilateral talks and corresponding international treaties involving the US and Soviet Union. Led to Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and an interim agreement between the two countries.
Paris Peace Accords
1973, ended direct US military involvement and temporarily stopped the fighting between North and South Vietnam.
Oslo Accords
Set of agreements between the government of Israel and the PLO, resulted in the recognition by the PLO of the State of Israel and the recognition by Israel of the PLO. Created the Palestinian Authority whose functions are the limited self-governance over parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
UN Arms Treaty
2013, multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons.
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
1961– Establishes the rights, privileges and roles of a diplomatic officer of a sending state in a host state. Covers areas such as diplomatic immunity, exemptions from taxes and the establishment of diplomatic posts. Establishes a framework for the protection of each stat's sovereignty in diplomatic relations.
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
1963– Created by UN Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities to further development of friendly relations among nations. States that relations take place by mutual consent and that consular functions consist of protecting the interest of a country's nationals as well as furthering the development of relations.
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
1980– Codifies customary international law with regard to the entry, modification, revoation and evforcement of international agreements. US is not a party but recognizes its principles as a restatement of customary international law.
UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons, Including Diplomatic Agents
This Convention was adopted in response to an increase in the number of kidnappings and attacks on diplomats, state officials and representatives of international organizations, and provides for enhanced criminal penalties for such crimes. It requires states to adopt strict national laws against attacks on diplomats and to either try perpetrators or agree to their extradition.
Convention on the Punishment and Prevention of Genocide
1948– Genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which the signatories undertake to prevent and to punish.
American Convention on Human Rights
1978– Defines the human rights that the ratifying states of the Western Hemisphere have agreed to foster through the Inter–American Commission on Human Rights.(IACHR), an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS) headquartered in Washington, D.C. The IACHR meets frequently, considers cases brought before it and gives priority to stimulating public awareness in such areas as judicial independence, activities of irregular armed groups and the human rights of minors, women and indigenous peoples. The Convention also established the Inter–American Court of Human Rights, located in San Jose, Costa Rica.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is one of the basic documents contained in the International Bill of Human Rights, along with its two optional Protocols (which provide for a complaints mechanism to address violations and for elimination of the death penalty, neither of which have been ratified by the United States). The ICCPR enumerates the core principles that underlie legal rights and the rights of due process for accused persons. It specifies that individuals have on an equal basis the right to life, freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, freedom of movement and freedom of religion and expression, among many others. The Convention established the Human Rights Committee to monitor state compliance. Entered into force in 1976, it had 156 state parties as of 2006.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is one of the basic documents contained in the International Bill of Human Rights. Article 1 states that “All peoples have the right of self–determination, including the right to determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.” The Convenant also affirms individuals’ rights to food, work, housing and education. The Covenant, entered into force in 1976, does not count the United States as a signatory.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which entered into force in 1981, is an international bill of rights for women." The Convention aims to “ensure an immediate end to torture and other forms of degrading treatment and to prosecute and punish those responsible for such practices." With 176 parties as of March 2004, the Convention aims to increase political social, and economic freedoms and opportunities for women throughout the world. The Convention also has provisions against trafficking of women and requires states to take specific measures to prevent their exploitation. In 2006, the United States was one of the 185 state parties to the Convention, but it has expressed objections over provisions relating to family planning."
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, another of the primary international human rights treaties, provides that states parties shall avoid the practice or sponsorship of racial discrimination including “any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent or national or ethnic origin” which has the effect of nullifying or impairing the exercise of basic human rights in any field of public life (Article 1). The Convention also establishes the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to monitor and report on state compliance. Entered into force in 1969, the Convention had 170 state parties in 2006.
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees establishes the basic rights of protection for refugees who are forced to leave their country of origin out of a well–founded fear of persecution. The Convention guarantees rights to those seeking asylum and states that refugees will not be forcibly returned to their state of origin as long as the threat of persecution continues. Entered into force in 1954, the Convention had 140 parties as of 2006. Although the United States is not a state party to the Convention, it is a party to its Protocol, which incorporates all the Convention provisions subject to some limitations.
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child entered into force in 1990, and is one of the primary human rights treaties. It requires States Parties to take “all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members.” (Article 2). The Convention protects children’s’ rights through the juvenile justice system and calls for states to adhere to policies that accord with the best interests of children. The Convention has been ratified by 192 countries. The United States is not a party to this Convention.
Convention Against Torture
The Convention Against Torture, which entered into force in 1987, places an absolute prohibition on the use of torture as state policy. It requires parties to “take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction” (Article 2). The Convention explicitly states that “No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification of torture,” nor can “an order from a superior officer or a public authority.” Considered a codification of the customary prohibition of torture in international law, the Convention also prohibits returning a person to a state in circumstances where he or she is likely to be tortured.
Statute of the International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice, created in 1945 as the judicial arm of the United Nations, was designed to provide a forum for hearing disputes under international law between member states. It functions as an independent court, and also issues advisory opinions on various questions of law. Article 38 (1) of the Statute establishes the sources of international law that it applies: international conventions or treaties, customary international law, general principles of law recognized by civilized nations, judicial decisions and distinguished scholarly writings.
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), ratified by Canada, Mexico and the United States in 1992, is a regional trade accord within the WTO structure. It facilitates the cross–border movement of goods and services by reducing tariffs, duties and transportation costs, as well as by easing investment restrictions and the movement of workers within the free–trade zone.

Convention on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD Convention)
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), founded in 1961 and comprising 30 member countries, is dedicated to promoting increased economic development among its members and with 70 partner countries. It produces international agreements, standards and regulations that promote guidelines to facilitate economic development, trade and good governance. The OECD also publishes authoritative statistics and documents on macroeconomics, education, development and technology issues.
United Nations Charter
The United Nations Charter, which entered into force in 1945, is the founding document of the United Nations. Its preamble states that the goals of the organization are “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.” In 2006, the United Nations had 192 member states.
Maastricht Treaty
Brought into force in 1993, the Maastricht Treaty (officially known as the Treaty of the European Union) formed the basic framework for the EU and established three “pillars”: Economic and Social Policy, Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Justice and Home Affairs. The Treaty also outlined the stages for creating a single European currency (the euro), provided the blueprint for economic and monetary union and gave the people of member countries “European citizenship.”
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (Marrakesh Agreement)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed in 1994 following the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations to encompass the existing General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in an institutional framework, enhance its provisions and provide for a binding dispute resolution mechanism. The WTO, with approximately 150 members, is the principal multilateral forum for addressing international trade issues.
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear weapons tests. Since the Treaty was opened for signature in 1996, some 170 states have become members. Seen as an important step toward reducing the proliferation of nuclear weapons capabilities and promoting progress toward the ideal of nuclear disarmament, the CTBT provides for on–site inspections and periodic reporting by participating states.
Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are a series of treaties enumerating the laws of armed conflict that date from 1864 to 1977. The Geneva Conventions deal with the treatment of prisoners of war, civilians and sailors in times of conflict. The Conventions are the foremost, but not the only, international documents governing the conduct of warring states. The most widely adhered to Conventions are the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols, which regulate most aspects of armed interstate conflict and address the need to accord humane treatment to combatants in noninternational conflicts through the Conventions’ Common Article 3. The Second Additional Protocol of 1977 addresses more aspects of noninterstate conflict, including the noninvolvement of civilians. The provisions of the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949 have been ratified by 192 states and are accepted as Customary International Law. The two Additional Protocols have been ratified by more than 160 countries, but not by the United States.
Biological Weapons Convention
Entered into force in 1975, the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) had 151 member states in 2006. It provides that members of the Convention should “never in any circumstances…develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain…Microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production, of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes.” The Convention also imparts responsibilities on member nations to destroy all such weapons and their means of delivery.
Chemical Weapons Convention
The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997. The Convention prohibits all development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer and use of chemical weapons. It imposes reporting requirements, as well as inspections on chemical weapons sites located inside participating states. In 2006, 179 states were parties to the Convention. The Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons was created by the United Nations to provide oversight for the compliance of participants.
Nuclear Non–Proliferation Treaty
Entered into force in 1970, the Nuclear Non–Proliferation Treaty (NPT) now has 186 signatories. Pakistan, India and Israel are notable nonsignatories, and the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (North Korea) withdrew from the accord in 2006. The Treaty calls for nuclear states to submit documentation on their nuclear facilities to the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA), as well as permit periodic IAEA inspections, and forbids them to sell, transmit or share nuclear technology or devices with nonnuclear states. Nonnuclear states are proscribed from attempting to develop their own weapons technologies. Nuclear technology for peaceful purposes is allowed for all signatories, provided safeguards are put in place to prevent the weaponization of materials, technology and facilities.
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti–Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (1997 Mine Ban Treaty)
The Mine Ban Treaty prohibits the production, use and transfer of antipersonnel landmines, and calls on parties to eliminate existing stockpiles and take measures to remove existing landmines from affected countries. States are also called on to raise awareness about mines and ensure that mine victims are cared for, rehabilitated and reintegrated into their communities. The Convention, entered into force in 1999, had more than 150 signatories by 2006. The United States is not a party to the Convention because of concerns about its impact on the landmines that defend South Korea from a possible attack from the North.
Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
1997, The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an international agreement that attempts to address global warming and climate change. In 2006, 162 countries were parties to the Protocol, which provides for the modernization of greenhouse gas–producing facilities, as well as the buying and selling of pollution credits" known as "emission reduction units" to stabilize and reduce the amounts of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere. The United States is not a state party to the Protocol because, spokespersons say, it does not equitably distribute the burden of reducing emissions and thus would unfairly disadvantage U.S. economic interests. (2001)"
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
The Rome Statute created the International Criminal Court (ICC), located at the Hague, Netherlands. The ICC states that it is a permanent institution and shall have the power to exercise its jurisdiction over persons for the most serious crimes of international concern, as referred to in this Statute, and shall be complementary to national criminal jurisdictions." The court's jurisdiction covers four specific areas of international law: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes (violations of international law, such as the Geneva conventions) and crimes of aggression. The Court, which was entered into force in 2002, has 120 participants. The United States, which was committed to the Treaty under President Bill Clinton, "unsigned" the treaty early in the Administration of George W. Bush, because of expressed concerns over the possibility that American military service members and political officials could be indicted on unfair charges based on political motivations."
Law of the Sea Convention
Officially known as the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), this agreement was opened for signature in 1982 and entered into force in 1994. As of June 2006, 149 countries had signed on to the Convention. Seeking to govern the peaceful use of the seas, the measure covers deep sea drilling, straits used for international navigation, the oceanic rights of landlocked nations and many other aspects of international oceanic interaction. The United States is not an official signatory to the Law of the Sea Convention, but adheres to most of its provisions. The main point of disagreement heretofore has been the limits on deep sea drilling. However, with support from both the White House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in 2006 the United States appeared close to acceding to UNCLOS.
African Union
African Union (AU), international organization established in 2002 by the nations of the former Organization of African Unity (OAU). The AU is the successor organization to the OAU, with greater powers to promote African economic, social, and political integration, and a stronger commmitment to democratic principles. The 53 nations of Africa are all members; the AU's headquarters are at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Third World
Third World, the technologically less advanced, or developing, nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, generally characterized as poor, having economies distorted by their dependence on the export of primary products to the developed countries in return for finished products. These nations also tend to have high rates of illiteracy, disease, and population growth and unstable governments.
Alliance for Progress
.S. assistance program for Latin America begun in 1961 during the presidency of John F. Kennedy. It was created principally to counter the appeal of revolutionary politics, such as those adopted in Cuba (see Fidel Castro). It called for vast multilateral programs to relieve the continent's poverty and social inequities and ultimately included U.S. programs of military and police assistance to counter Communist subversion.The Organization of American States disbanded the permanent committee created to implement the alliance in 1973.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International (AI,) human–rights organization founded in 1961 by Englishman Peter Benenson; it campaigns internationally against the detention of prisoners of conscience, for the fair trial of political prisoners, to abolish the death penalty and torture of prisoners, and to end extrajudicial executions and “disappearances” throughout the world. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for having aided in the release of more than 10,000 political prisoners worldwide.
Anzus Treaty
Anzus Treaty , defense agreement signed in 1951 by Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The name Anzus is derived from the initials of the three signatory nations. As a result of the reestablishment of peace between Japan and the United States in 1951, Australia and New Zealand asked for a treaty making it clear that an attack on any of the three signatory countries would be considered an attack upon all. The pact became effective in 1952. New Zealand's 1985 refusal to allow U.S. nuclear–powered or nuclear–armed ships to enter its ports caused the United States to abrogate its ANZUS responsibilities toward New Zealand in 1986; however, New Zealand has not formally withdrawn from the alliance.
Arab League
Arab League, popular name for the League of Arab States,formed in 1945 in an attempt to give political expression to the Arab nations. The original charter members were Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan (now Jordan), Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. A representative of Palestinian Arabs, although he did not sign the charter because he represented no recognized government, was given full status and a vote in the Arab League. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was granted full membership in 1976. Other current members include Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea (pending in 1999), Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), organization established by the Bangkok Declaration (1967), linking the nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Subsequently, Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos (1997), Myanmar (1999), and Cambodia (1999) were admitted. The organization's secretariat is in Jakarta. ASEAN seeks to promote socioeconomic progress and regional stability through cooperation in banking, trade, technology, agriculture, industry, and tourism.
Atlantic Charter
Atlantic Charter , joint program of peace aims, enunciated by Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt of the United States on Aug. 14, 1941. Britain at that time was engaged in World War II, and the United States was to enter the war four months later. The statement, which was not an official document, was drawn up at sea, off the coast of Newfoundland. It supported the following principles and aims: renunciation of territorial aggrandizement; opposition to territorial changes made against the wishes of the people concerned; restoration of sovereign rights and self–government to those forcibly deprived of them; access to raw materials for all nations of the world and easing of trade restrictions; world cooperation to secure improved economic and social conditions for all; freedom from fear and want; freedom of the seas; and abandonment of the use of force, as well as disarmament of aggressor nations. In the United Nations declaration of Jan. 1, 1942, the signatory powers pledged adherence to the principles of the charter.
Barents Council
The Barents Council. was founded in 1993 by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden to foster cooperation between countries in the region. The council has focused its efforts on improving infrastructure and cleaning up nuclear waste on Russia's Kola Peninsula.
Benelux Economic Union
Benelux Economic Union , economic treaty among Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It arose out of a customs convention signed in 1944, but was not fully established until 1958. The union was established to promote free movement of workers, capital, goods, and services in the Benelux region. All three countries were also founding members of what has become the European Union (EU), which has implemented these same reforms. Benelux was the first entirely free international labor market, but its goal of merging the fiscal and monetary systems of the three countries was only largely fulfilled when most EU nations replaced their currencies with the euro (2002).
Colombo Plan
Colombo Plan, international economic organization created in a cooperative attempt to strengthen the economic and social development of the nations of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Officially the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic Development in Asia and the Pacific, it came into force in 1951 as the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic Development in South and Southeast Asia. There are 24 members and one provisional member, Mongolia. The original formulators of the plan were a group of seven Commonwealth nations; presently Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States are the largest donors.
Council of Europe
Council of Europe, international organization founded in 1949 to promote greater unity within Europe and to safeguard its political and cultural heritage by promoting human rights and democracy. The council is headquartered in Strasbourg, France. The conventions and treaties signed under the auspices of the Council of Europe deal with humanitarian, cultural, economic, and social problems. In 1959 the council established a European Court of Human Rights to protect the rights of individuals in member nations against arbitrary government action.
Council of the European Union
Council of the European Union, branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU) that has the final vote on legislation proposed by the European Commission and deliberated by the European Parliament. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the Council was established as the Council of Ministers of the European Communities in 1967, when the EU's predecessor, the European Community, was formally constituted. Its name was changed to the Council of the European Union in 1993. The council is composed of one minister from the government of each EU nation. Membership is fluid, with each government sending the minister appropriate to the subject then under consideration by the council. The foreign minister is generally regarded as the coordinator and main representative of each government's delegation. The presidency of the council rotates among the member nations. Much of the council's work is prepared by a general secretariat and the Committee of Permanent Representatives, or COREPER, composed of officials from the national governments. Although unanimity of the council is still required in some cases, the Single European Act (1987) expanded the council's ability to make decisions based on a majority vote. Votes of council members are weighted according to the size of the nations they represent.
European Union
European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community. (EC), an economic and political confederation of European nations, and other organizations (with the same member nations) that are responsible for a common foreign and security policy and for cooperation on justice and home affairs. Twenty–five countries—Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany (originally West Germany), Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden—are full members of the organizations of the EU.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),
The treaty, one of the major Western countermeasures against the threat of aggression by the Soviet Union during the cold war, was aimed at safeguarding the freedom of the North Atlantic community. Considering an armed attack on any member an attack against all, the treaty provided for collective self–defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The treaty was also designed to encourage political, economic, and social cooperation. The organization was reorganized and centralized in 1952. In the 1990s, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Treaty Organization, NATO's role in world affairs changed, and U.S. forces in Europe were gradually reduced. Many East European nations sought NATO membership as a counterbalance to Russian power, but they, along with other European and Asian nations (including Russia), initially were offered only membership in the more limited Partnership for Peace,. formed in 1994. Twenty countries now belong to the partnership, which engages in joint military exercises with NATO. NATO is not required to defend Partnership for Peace nations from attack. In 2002, NATO and Russia established the NATO–Russia Council, through which Russia participates in NATO discussions on many nondefense issues.
United Nations Charter
Adopted: June 26, 1945, EIF: October 24, 1945
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Adopted:December 10, 1948
European Convention on Human Rights
Adopted: November 4, 1950, EIF: 1953, Council of Europe
ICERD
International Convention on the Elimiation of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, Adopted December 21, 1965, EIF January 4, 1969, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination, 173 parties
ICESCR
International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Adopted: December 16, 1966, EIF: January 3, 1976, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 157 parties
ICCPR
International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, Adopted: December 16, 1966, EIF: March 23, 1976, Human Rights Committee, 160 Parties
CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Adopted: December 18, 1979, EIF: September 3, 1981, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, 185 Parties
CAT
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Adopted: Decmber 10, 1984, EIF: June 26, 1987, Committee Against Torture, 144 Parties
CRC
Convention on the Rights of the Child, Adopted: November 20, 1989, EIF: September 2, 1990, Committee on the Rights of the Child, 193 Parties, US and Somalia only non–Pary states
ICRMW
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Adopted: December 18, 1990, EIF: July 1, 2003, Committee on Migrant Workers, 36 Parties
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide
EIF: December 9, 1948, 140 Parties

ICCPR–OP2
Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty, Adopted: December 15, 1989, EIF: July 11, 1991, HRC, 60 Parties
ICCPR–OP1
Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, Adopted: December 16, 1966, EIF: March 23, 1976, HRC, 109 Parties
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
Adopted: December 20, 2006, EIF: After 20 countries have ratified, 57 signatures, No ratifications
Convention on the Rights of persons With Disabilities
Adopted: December 13, 2006, 116 signatures, 7 ratifications
Geneva Convention I
Relative to the Treatment of Wounded and Sick Soldiers, Adopted: Auguest 12, 1949, EIF: October 21, 1950
Geneva Convention II
Relative to the Shipwrecked and Wounded at Sea, Adopted: August 12, 1949, EIF: October 21, 1950
Geneva Conventions Additional Protocol I
Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, Adopted: August 12, 1949, EIF: June 8, 1977
Geneva Conventions Additional Protocol II
Relating to the Protection of Victims on Non–International Armed Conflicts, Adopted: June 8, 1977, EIF: December 7, 1978
VCLT
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Adopted: May 22, 1969, EIF: January 27, 1980
OP–CRC–AC
Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. Adopted: May 25, 2000, EIF: February 12, 2002
OP–CRC–SC
Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, Adopted: May 25, 2000, EIF: January 18, 2002
The Hague Convention of 1899
Signed: July 29, 1899, EIF: September 4, 1900: I. Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, II. Laws and Customs of War on Land, III. Adaptation to Maritime Warfare of Principles of Geneva Convention of 1864, IV. Prohibiting Launching of Projectiles and Explosives from Balloons

The Hague Convention of 1907
Signed: October 19, 1907, EIF: January 6, 1910, 13 Sections expanding on Hague Convention of 1899
Geneva Convention III
Relative to Prisoners of War
Geneva Conventions IV
Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
Geneva Conventions Additional Protocol III
8-Dec-05
International Convention on Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid
Adopted November 30, 1973, EIF: July 18, 1976, 107 Parties
OP–CEDAW
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Adopted: October 6, 1999, EIF: December 22, 2000, 23 parties
OP–CAT
Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Adopted: December 18, 2002, EIF: June 22, 2006, 34 parties
Alaska Purchase
1867, US gained Alaskan territory, Russia got $7.2 million
Louisiana Purchase
1803, America acquired Louisiana territory from France; doubled the size of the US.
Platt Amendment
1902, made Cuba a US protectorate
Potsdam Treaty
1945, ended WWII in Europe; carved up and disarmed Germany; eliminated Nazis, punished war criminals
General Agreement on Tarriffs and Trade (GATT)
1945-1995, lowered barriers to international trade; 1994, created World Trade Organization
Korean War Settlement
1953, stalemate, Korea remained split with a demilitarized zone between North and South
Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)
1987, eliminated two classes of weapons; allowed inspection of military installations
START I and START II
1991 and 1993, continued nuclear arm reduction up to 75 percent
Dominican Republic - Central America Free Trade Agreement
Originally, the agreement encompassed the US and the Central American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and was called CAFTA. In 2004, the Dominican Republic joined the negotiations
New Start 2010

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, limits the nuclear arsenal capabilities of Russia and the US while allowing for inspection