International Influence of the USA What am I

International Influence of the USA

What am I learning today? How America Influences Other Countries: • Politically • Economically • Militaraly

Economic Influence of USA • The United States of America is the world’s foremost economic and military power. • It has the third largest population in the world (327 million) and its economy produces around one quarter of the world’s wealth - $19. 4 trillion in 2017. Income in 2017 was $59, 500 per capita, one of the highest in the developed world. • Ths US is home to many entrepreneurs and has created many iconic products which are highly sought after around the world, for example Apple and Facebook.

Economic Influence of USA The US also provides the greatest amount of international aid: • it contributes 22% of the UN Budget ($3. 3 billion per year) • U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is involved in 87 missions around the world, has 3500 partnerships and is allocated 1% of the federal budget • private American companies and foundations donate billions of dollars in aid every year

US exports to the UK America’s exports to the UK in 2014 amounted to $53. 9 billion or 3. 3% of its overall exports. 1. Aircraft, spacecraft: $9. 1 billion 2. Machines, engines, pumps: $6. 3 billion 3. Gems, precious metals, coins: $5. 7 billion 4. Electronic equipment: $3. 8 billion 5. Collector items, art, antiques: $3 billion

Military Influence of USA • The US also has a huge influence over other countries because of its military strength. The US has the most powerful military in the world and spends more money on its defence than the UK, Russia and China combined. It also has military bases in many countries around the world including the UK and Germany which adds to its influence.

Military Influence of USA The US remains the world’s only military superpower: • It spends over one third (37%) of the total world's defence spending • US defence spend in 2015 was $600 billion from a world total of $1. 6 trillion • At 3. 3% of GDP, the US does not have the biggest proportion of defence spending in the world. • The US has the largest naval fleet in the world with the most advanced technological hardware. The scale of the US navy allows it to have a military presence anywhere in the world.

Cultural Influence of USA • The US also has a huge cultural influence internationally. In the UK and other Western countries, the cultural influence of the US is visible in many aspects of life including music, food and film. For example, fast food restaurants like Mc. Donalds exist all over the planet and US musicians tour the world.

Cultural Influence of USA The USA's cultural influence extends across the world: • over two billion people speak some English in the world today - the majority speak an Americanised version • US is a major exporter of TV, films, software and music. Intellectual property exports (including these areas) were worth $49 billion in 2017 (Source: CNN Money) • USA has a social and cultural impact on immediate neighbours such as Mexico and Canada and on North/Central America as a whole

International Organisations THE UNITED NATIONS: • The US is an influential member of many international organisations. • For example, the US is a member of the United Nations Security Council. • This gives the US huge influence as they have a key part to play in decisions affecting other countries, including whether to impose economic sanctions or take military action against a country.

International Organisations G 8 & G 20 GROUPS The USA is a leading member of the G 8 and G 20 groups. These groups contain most of the countries in the world with the largest economies. Summits or meetings of the leaders of the G 8 countries offer the opportunity for the US and other group members to develop closer economic ties to expand trade. In addition, it allows the US another forum to discuss issues of global concern such as: • • • environmental issues terrorism conflict poverty In 2014, Russian membership of the G 8 was suspended because of its involvement in the crisis in Ukraine. • The G 20 has similar aims to the G 8 but includes an additional 12 members to reflect the growing economic importance of countries such as Brazil, India and Indonesia.

International Organisations The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO): • The USA has been a prominent member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) since it was established in 1949. NATO is the largest and most powerful military alliance in the world. • In theory, the 28 -nation organisation is made up of members of equal standing, where each country has one vote in decision-making. • In reality, the USA is the dominant player within NATO. It contributes far more troops, resources and finances than any other single member of the alliance. As a result it is the country most able to set the NATO agenda. • For example, it is claimed the USA has kept the pressure up on European countries to look to expand NATO eastwards. US leadership within NATO remains very important: • American military support was crucial in NATO's involvement in Libya in 2011 that led to the downfall of President Gaddafi • The USA played the lead role in NATO's mission to Afghanistan.

2015 Exam Question • Describe, in detail, two ways the World Power you have studied has had an impact on other countries. 6 marks