The USA: A G20 Country and Superpower

National Modern StudiesInternational Issues

Aims:

• Identify the role of the G20.• Examine the reasons why the USA is a

superpower.

Success Criteria:You Can:

• Explain the purpose of the G20 and name five key members.

• Write a definition of the key terms – superpower, capitalism and communism.

What Is the G20?

• The Group of Twenty or G20 is made up of the world’s largest economies and includes countries from all over the globe.

• Members of the G20 meet once a year and talk about the most important financial and economic issues of the day and ways they can work together to create stability in the world.

• The last G20 meeting was in Russia in September 2013.

• The next one is due to take place in Australia in November 2014.

Current G20 Members

A IA JB MC RC S AE U S AF S KG TI UI U

The USA: A Global Superpower

• A superpower is a powerful and influential nation.

• It dominates (has huge influence) over its allies (friendly countries) or neighbours.

• It has the ability to influence the world in three key ways

1. Military – army (nuclear weapons)

2. Politically – government3. Economically - wealth

The Cold War: Two Rivals

• From the end of the Second World War to the 1990s the world was dominated by two superpowers – the USA and USSR (Soviet Union).

• They competed for influence around the world.

• Both countries had nuclear weapons and this made people worried that a nuclear war could happen.

• This was known as the ‘Cold War’ – war never actually happened but both countries wee hostile to one another.

The Cold War: Two Ideologies

• Both countries had different ideologies – they believed their own system of government and economics was the best way to run a country.

• Each country want to dominate the world and encourage other countries to follow them.

• The USA was a Capitalist country and the Soviet Union was a Communist country.

Even Europe became divided into the ‘Communist East’ and ‘Capitalist West’. The USA and USSR competed for influence in other areas of the world such as Korea and Vietnam.

Capitalism

• The country’s resources or means of production e.g. businesses, factories are owned by private individual.

• If you are successful you make a profit.• There is minimal government

interference in peoples’ lives and the economy.

Capitalism In The USA

• People can own their own business• People have freedom to express

their own views and religious beliefs• People can elect their own

government.• People can choose to pay for

private education and health care.

Communism

• The country’s resources or means of production e.g. businesses, factories are owned by the community or society.

• Any profits are shared equally by all the people.

• In reality, in a Communist system of government there is huge government control and interference in peoples’ lives and the economy.

The USA Today

• The USA is still the most powerful nation in the world but China is fast emerging as a rival.

• The GDP (total wealth produced) of the USA is $15 trillion a year.

• Around 29 million Americans (9%) have Scottish heritage.

• In the past, many Scots emigrants have played a key role in politics and the economy.

• 6th April every year is National Tartan Day – a celebration of the contribution of Scottish Americans.

Tasks:

• Read pages 3-4 of your International Issues textbook.

• Answer questions 1-4 on page four.• Now answer question 5 below.

5. Describe the impact that capitalism has had on the USA – give four key examples.