Rationale

Typically, we are used to looking at American history from an exclusively American point of view. However, it is important so see America as just one piece of the world, one piece that can have a drastic influence on its fellow countries. Over the past decade, the United States has been faced with many challenges concerning foreign affairs. America has been faced with the war on terror, strained relations with Communist countries, and other events throughout the world concerning the safety and government of other countries. Sometimes, people tend to focus on the issues specifically in America, and fail to see the other issues the country is trying to handle.

America's relationship with foreign countries is the main cause of change over the past ten years. It is not only the main cause, it is the most widespread cause, since foreign affairs have affected many countries. America has had a lot of influence over the changes in other countries, such as the war against terror in Iraq. It is important to look at how the United States has played a role in aiding foreign countries, and how these countries can rely on America.

This textbook focuses primarily America's interactions with other countries. Most of the time, history classes do not put emphasis on what is going on in the world and how America is a part of this. Over the past decade, America's foreign relations have become extremely important. Foreign relationships have been what has shaped the nation today, more so than other factors of the 21st century, such as American culture and technology. Both culture and technology help shape the nation, but how our country interacts within the world really shapes the nation. Foreign relations determines how other countries view America. It also determines what countries we can depend on for aid, and what countries can depend on us.

The countries featured in this textbook have had major roles in American history. The September 11 attack and how we overcame the challenges presented after this attack will always be remembered in American history. The other issues in this textbook, such as America's responses and relations to Communist countries, like Cuba and China, have been key events not only for Americans, but for the people living other countries. This textbook also places importance on America's response to the violence in Africa, and how America has been attempting to change the quality of life in struggling countries.

Though this may not be a standard textbook, it addresses many key issues of the past ten years. America has had to face issues concerning other countries; however this has helped shape the nation. Looking at American history from a world wide view point helps us see how America is not the center or the world, but it does have an impact on decisions other countries make.