Eisenhower and the Cold War

Brinksmanship John Foster Dulles – Eisenhower’s Sec. of State Brinksmanship- the US could prevent the spread of communism by promising to use all of its force, including nuclear weapons against an aggressive nation. Be willing to go to the edge of all out war! US reduces the size of the Army and Navy and increases the size of the Air Force (planes to deliver bombs) Race with the Soviets to build the first H-bomb (67x the TNT of an A-bomb) – US is first but USSR soon follows. Building nuclear fallout shelters

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) CIA uses spies to gather info. from foreign nations Uses secret, covert operations to weaken or overthrow governments unfriendly to the US. Covert Operations: overthrow of Mohammed Mossadegh – PM of Iran. Kicks Br. And US oil companies out of Iran and nationalizes the industry to build Iran’s economy. US fears that Iran will turn to the USSR for aid, so we stage a coup to overthrow Mossadegh and bring the pro-US Shah of Iran back to power (hated by most Iranians)

1954- US uses the CIA to overthrow the govt of Guatemala Eisenhower believes that the new govt in Guatemala has communist sympathies. Gov’t took 200,000 acres of farmland from United Fruit Company (a US company that JF Dulles has investments in) and gave the land to Guatemalan peasants. US trains an army of rebels to overthrow the new govt. Not very well trained but the Guat. Pres. resigned in fear of war with US.

Summit in Geneva- July 1955 Meeting betw. Eisenhower and Soviet leaders. Open Skies Proposal- Eisenhower proposes that US and USSR should allow flights over their airspace to prevent unintended war. – USSR does not agree.

The Suez War RN p. 625

Eisenhower Doctrine Support for USSR is rising in the Middle East b/c of their support for Egypt in the Suez crisis. President Eisenhower issues a warning that the US will defend the Middle East against an attack by any communist country.

Hungarian Uprising Hungarian people revolt against Soviet domination in their country (satellite country) Wanted a democratic govt. Irme Nagy- agreed to form a new dem. govt and allow for free elections, denounced the Warsaw Pact and demanded Soviet troop leave Hungary Soviet military invades Hungary (Nov 1956) killing 30,000 Soviets overthrow Nagy’s govt and execute him 200,000 Hungarians fled to the West US & UN do nothing to help the Hungarian people.

Cold War takes to the Skies Nikita Krushchev- new leader of USSR after Stalin’s death in Peaceful Coexistence- democracy and communism can exist at the same time and the two can compete economically and scientifically, without threat of war.

The Space Race Oct 4, USSR launches Sputnik – 1st satellite in space. US is afraid we are losing the space race and begins to spend lots of money to build up our space program and on science and math education. Jan 31, US launches 1 st satellite.

U-2 Shot Down!!!! CIA making secret, high altitude flights over USSR to take infared pictures of troop movements and missile sites. Flights are risky b/c many ppl in the press know about the flights and the Soviets also know about them. Eisenhower wants them stopped but is persuaded by Dulles to allow for one me flight. Francis Gary Powers – U-2 is shot down in Soviet territory. Eisenhower denies the U-2 had been spying but the Soviets had evidence & Eisenhower was forced to admit it (that he lied) Summit for arms control is called off by Krushchev and he withdraws his invitation to Eisenhower to visit the USSR.