Category 6:
History of Foreign Relations

A. Task:
Produce a website that teaches about past foreign policy initiatives and significant historical events in diplomacy.
Read rules and instructions.

B. Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to describe major foreign policy initiatives for their county and worldwide.
Students will be able to describe significant milestones in diplomacy and their outcomes.
Students will relate past diplomatic efforts to today’s global situation.

C. Discussion Questions:

These discussion questions are provided to introduce the topic of foreign relations and historical events in diplomacy.

What does the term "foreign relations" mean?
Do the terms foreign policy and diplomacy mean the same thing?
What do you know about your country's role in foreign policy initiatives?
How can you find out more about your county's role in foreign policy initiatives?
What milestones in diplomatic history are most significant in your country?
How do these events affect or relate to current international relations?
Do diplomats and world leaders learn from past events and situations?
What crises could have been prevented by learning from past events?
What role does the media play in influencing foreign policy?
What is the best way to stay informed about foreign affairs?
What does the term "propaganda" mean?
Does a country's position on foreign policy represent the opinion of all of its citizens?
Why was the United Nations established?
What is the current role of United Nations?
What were the major wars? Why were they fought? How did the wars come to an end?
How are civil wars the same or different from "world wars?"
How do children and other citizens in war torn countries cope?
Who are the world leaders today and what are their opinions on foreign policy issues such as "War Against Terrorism"
What political person can you think of today, who will be remembered in the future? What will they be remembered for?
Is there more peace and human rights throughout the world today, than in the past? Why or why not?
What can citizens do to make an impact on how their country handles foreign policy issues?

D. Suggested Starter Activities:

Make a graphical timeline of significant historical events in diplomacy.
Make a list of the foreign embassies in your country and contact them for information and brochures.
Contribute a question to the Online Ask an Ambassador.
Research the United Nations and review the goals .
Participate in a Model UN conference.
Engage in a class debate about a foreign policy issue relevant to your country.
Collect statistical information to compare nations.
Conduct a school survey about a relevant foreign policy issue.
Read biographies and online reflections of people who have been exposed to war.
Invite elders from your community to visit your classroom and discuss their experiences from past wars and armed conflicts.
Identify different ways that wars have been depicted during wartime and after wartime.
Use world maps to mark visual representations of the different wars, and historical events in diplomacy.
Review web projects created by past Doors to Diplomacy participants.