Peace Corps

The Peace Corps is an independent U.S. federal agency designed to promote mutual understanding between Americans and the outside world. Established by executive order in 1961 and approved by Congress as a permanent agency within the State Department later that year, the program was an outgrowth of the Cold War designed to oppose the Chinese and Soviet political-ideological challenge to Western influence in the widely open Third World arena of superpower competition. More than 168,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps since its inception. Gaddi H. Vasquez is the current director.

Related Topics:
Independent U.S. federal agency - Executive order - 1961 - Congress - Agency - State Department - Cold War - Chinese - Soviet - Third World - Gaddi H. Vasquez

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