Lesson Report:
# **Lesson Report: Cold War Policy Analysis and Rhetoric**
## **Synopsis**
In this session, students explored Cold War-era policy documents to understand how language, rhetoric, and framing shape foreign policy decisions. The class focused on two key documents—George Kennan’s *Sources of Soviet Conduct* and Ronald Reagan’s *Evil Empire* speech—analyzing their intended audiences, strategic objectives, and rhetorical techniques. The session also included a detailed discussion on an upcoming assignment, emphasizing historical perspective-taking in policy analysis.
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## **Attendance**
– One student, Hamdam, was mentioned as potentially absent but later participated.
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## **Topics Covered**
### **Assignment Overview and Deadline Extension**
– The instructor introduced an upcoming policy analysis paper, extending the deadline from February 26th to March 5th.
– The assignment requires students to assume the perspective of a U.S. foreign policy actor from 1776-1990 and analyze a specific policy decision from their viewpoint.
– Formatting requirements:
– 3-page minimum, 5-6 pages recommended.
– Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins.
– Citations must follow APSA style.
**Assignment Structure:**
– **Introduction**: Identify the actor and the foreign policy decision; establish the historical context and the main thesis.
– **Body Paragraphs**:
– Analyze the actor’s responsibilities, constraints, and decision-making process.
– Discuss the theoretical or ideological influences shaping the decision.
– Consider internal and external pressures (Congress, international relations, contemporary debates).
– **Conclusion**: Reflect on the decision’s immediate impact and potential long-term consequences.
**Student Questions and Clarifications:**
– Students must write in the first person from the actor’s point of view.
– They do not need direct quotes from historical figures but must cite sources used.
– Any foreign policy decision from 1776-1990 is acceptable, including perspectives of generals, congresspeople, or diplomats.
– Students should avoid anachronistic analysis (e.g., considering historical hindsight when writing from a leader’s contemporary perspective).
– If citing political theories not explicitly named at the time, students should explain their reasoning in footnotes if necessary.
### **Primary Lecture and Activity: Cold War Policy Analysis**
**1. Introduction to the Documents**
– Two Cold War policy documents were assigned for group analysis:
– George Kennan’s *Sources of Soviet Conduct* (The X-Article) (1947).
– Ronald Reagan’s *Evil Empire* speech (1983).
– Groups were tasked with identifying:
– The primary problem each document addresses.
– The strategies proposed to resolve the problem.
– How rhetoric and framing influence policy recommendations.
**2. George Kennan’s *Sources of Soviet Conduct***
– **Context**: Written in 1947 at the early stages of the Cold War.
– **Problem Identified**: Kennan argues that the Soviet Union’s geopolitical strategy is rooted in paranoia and insecurity, driving expansionist policies.
– **Key Ideas**:
– The USSR views itself as under constant threat, necessitating expansion to secure its borders.
– Communist ideology prevents cooperation with Western democracies.
– **Proposed Solution**: Containment strategy.
– Avoid direct military confrontation.
– Apply “long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containmentâ€� using diplomatic and economic means.
– Prevent communism from spreading to key geopolitical regions.
– **Rhetoric and Framing**:
– Analytic, neutral tone directed at U.S. foreign policymakers.
– Emphasizes geopolitics and long-term strategy rather than ideological or moral judgments.
**3. Ronald Reagan’s *Evil Empire* Speech**
– **Context**: Delivered in 1983, during the peak of Cold War tensions.
– **Problem Identified**: Reagan presents the Soviet Union as a moral and existential threat, focusing on its atheism and suppression of individual freedoms.
– **Key Ideas**:
– Contrasts American values (religion, freedom, capitalism) with Soviet collectivism and authoritarianism.
– Frames the Cold War as a battle of good versus evil, with the USSR labeled as the “Evil Empire.â€�
– **Proposed Solution**:
– Calls for moral resistance to communism rather than detailed policy strategies.
– Advocates strengthening American resolve and maintaining ideological superiority.
– **Rhetoric and Framing**:
– Highly emotional language aimed at the general public.
– Focuses on moral arguments rather than strategic analysis.
**4. Comparative Discussion**
Students examined thematic differences between the two documents:
– **Format & Language**:
– Kennan: Analytical, policy-oriented, and strategically neutral.
– Reagan: Rhetorical, emotionally charged, and morally absolute.
– **Target Audience & Purpose**:
– Kennan: U.S. foreign policy elites, influencing long-term strategy.
– Reagan: The American public, reinforcing ideological unity.
– **Policy Implications**:
– Kennan seeks long-term geopolitical containment.
– Reagan aims to bolster national morale and justify continued Cold War efforts.
### **Conclusion and Next Steps**
– Discussion ended with the question:
– Why did each author choose their particular rhetorical strategy, given their roles and historical contexts?
– Students should be prepared to apply these insights to future discussions on post-Cold War policy development.
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## **Actionable Items**
### **Immediate Tasks**
– **Post Assigned Reading**: Instructor will upload Henry Kissinger’s Fawcett reading on e-course.
### **For Next Class** (Week 6)
– **Read and Analyze Post-Cold War Foreign Policy**:
– Students should consider how rhetoric changed after the Cold War’s conclusion.
– Prepare for discussions on how U.S. foreign policy shifted in response to Cold War-era doctrines.
– **Begin Drafting Assignment**:
– Select an actor and policy decision.
– Develop a clear thesis and outline using the instructor’s structure recommendations.
– Reach out for guidance if uncertain about sources or actor choice.
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### **Key Deadlines**
– **Policy Analysis Paper Due**: March 5th, 12:45 PM.
Homework Instructions:
ASSIGNMENT #1: Foreign Policy Actor Role-Play Analysis
For this assignment, you will assume the role of a U.S. foreign policy actor who was in a decision-making position between 1776 and 1990. You will analyze a significant foreign policy decision from the perspective of that actor, considering their challenges, motivations, and implications. The purpose of this exercise is to develop your ability to analyze historical decisions from the viewpoint of those who made them, rather than from a modern perspective.
Instructions:
1. **Select a U.S. foreign policy actor** – This person must have held a decision-making role between 1776 and 1990. They could be a president, a congressperson, a general, or a notable diplomatic figure.
2. **Choose a significant foreign policy decision** – This should be an event that your selected actor was directly involved in. Examples include the Cuban Missile Crisis, the writing of the Monroe Doctrine, or a major Cold War strategy.
3. **Adopt their perspective** – Your analysis must be written from a first-person viewpoint. For example, if you choose James Monroe, you should write as though you are Monroe, explaining why you made a particular decision based on the circumstances at that time.
4. **Provide historical context**:
– Describe what the world looked like from this actor’s position at the time of the decision.
– Identify key geopolitical situations, domestic pressures, and influences on the decision.
– Reference contemporary policies or ideologies (e.g., containment policy, diplomatic constraints).
5. **Analyze your actor’s responsibilities and limitations**:
– Discuss what their role allowed them to do and what constraints they faced.
– Identify possible alternatives they may have considered but ultimately rejected.
6. **Discuss the decision’s impact**:
– Reflect on how the decision influenced foreign policy or international relations in the short and long term.
– If applicable, consider how this decision was perceived by Congress, the public, or international actors.
7. **Use appropriate citation style**:
– The paper must be formatted in **American Political Science Association (APSA)** style.
– Cite all sources used, whether primary documents, books, or journal articles.
8. **Follow structural guidelines**:
– The paper must be **a minimum of three full pages**, but should not exceed six pages.
– Use **Times New Roman, 12-point font**, and **double spacing**.
– **One-inch margins** should be maintained throughout the document.
9. **Submit by the extended due date**:
– The deadline for submission is **March 5th at 12:45 PM**.
10. **Ensure clarity and originality**:
– Your argument must be well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs presenting your analysis, and a concluding reflection.
– The writing must be your original work, and all claims should be substantiated with evidence.
This assignment is designed to enhance your ability to critically engage with historical perspectives and foreign policy decision-making processes. If you need assistance in selecting an actor or an event, feel free to reach out for guidance.