NSC-68 (1950) A central document of the Cold War, the National Security Council 68 laid out the strategic underpinnings for American foreign policy in the aftermath of World War II. In this excerpt, the authors approve a call for a permanent military build-up to enable the United States to pursue a global crusade against communism. Describes the Cold War as an epic struggle between “the idea of freedom” and the “idea of slavery under the grim oligarchy of the Kremlin.” The NSA originated as an agency that was responsible for deciphering communications during WWII, and was officially formed by President Truman in 1952. It is an intelligence gathering agency, but not in the “human espionage” type of work that the CIA does; it gathers data (i.e. communication – internet traffic, cell phone, email, messaging on the internet, snail mail), and attempts to translate and interpret it. This involves surveilling much of the world, including citizens of the United States, which means that they often place eavesdropping devices (on computers, servers, phones) throughout the planet. The are six times the size of the CIA, and up until the Edward Snowden released documents, relatively less known and less accountable. This foreign policy statement by the NSA was not made public until several years later, but had a very strong impact in government circles and helped spur a sharp increase in military spending.

NSC-68 (1950) A leading scholar has described this official report by the National Security Council (to President Truman) as “the bible of American national security and the fullest statement of the new ideology that guided American leaders” during the Cold War. NSC-68 begins with a popular myth of good versus evil – i.e. virtue and innocence (US) being confronted by pure evil (USSR). (for excerpt see note 1 below) Argued that the USSR was attempting to spread its ideology globally (for excerpt see note 2 below) Argued that the USSR rules by enslaving its own people. (for excerpt see note 3 below) It claimed that the US should accept “the responsibility of world leadership.” This means mustering “clearly superior overall power in its most inclusive sense.” Argued that we must engage in a Cold War. (for excerpt see note 4 below) 1)” …the Soviet Union, unlike previous aspirants to hegemony, is animated by a new fanatic faith, antithetical to our own, and seeks to impose its absolute authority over the rest of the world.”   2) “The issues that face us are momentous, involving the fulfillment or destruction not only of this Republic but of civilization itself. They are issues which will not await our deliberations. With conscience and resolution this Government and the people it represents must now take new and fateful decisions.” 3) “The system becomes God and submission to the will of God becomes submission to the will of the system” 4) There must be an “intensification of affirmative and timely measures and operations by covert means in the fields of economic warfare and political and psychological warfare with a view to fomenting and supporting unrest and revolt in selected strategic satellite countries.”

NSC-68 (1950) Argued that since the USSR is “secretive” and “amoral” (i.e. does not feel compelled to act morally) and thus the US should feel less constrained as well. What can we conclude from this? The US, as it adhered to the tenets of this document, had adopted the same goals as the USSR: global supremacy and regime change by subversive/espionage/covert activities. In other words, it was using the tactics of the USSR against itself. (for excerpt see note 5 below) At the same time that it calls for nuclear superiority and for covert actions against the USSR, it reasserts American innocence. (for excerpt see note 6 below) 5) “We should take dynamic steps to reduce the power and influence of the Kremlin inside the Soviet Union and other areas under its control…In other words, it would be the current Soviet cold war technique used against the Soviet Union.” THUS, A FANATICAL, REPRESSIVE, TOTALITARIAN REGIME (AS DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT) SETS THE STANDARD FOR U.S. FOREIGN POLICY, AND WHICH A FREE SOCIETY MUST DO IN ORDER TO BE PRESERVED!! 6) “A large measure of sacrifice and discipline will be demanded of the American people. They will be asked to give up some of the benefits which they have come to associate with their freedoms.” THESE DEMANDS INCLUDE RAISED TAXES, LESS SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THOSE TAXES BECAUSE MORE WILL BE GOING TOWARDS THE MILITARY, AND ACCEPTANCE OF A LOWER STANDARD OF LIVING.

NSC-68 (1950) Unquestionably the USSR, under Stalin, had become a brutal murderous dictatorship that sought to expand its influence and power globally By encouraging Communist parties in Western Europe and Asia By supporting “satellite nations” in central Europe By liquidating all opposition at home (in Russia) By engaging in espionage THERE WAS THEN, A SIGNIFICANT ELEMENT OF REALITY TO WHAT THIS DOCUMENT WAS CLAIMING. BUT: By labeling it as a “war” it ballooned just how much this was going to affect the lives of Americans and U.S. domestic and foreign policy. (see note below for elaboration) It had serious implications for US citizens: 1)Constant fear (in schools, students had drills in which they hid under desks) 2) Politicians (mostly Republicans) were able to engage in “red baiting” – linking their political opponents (mostly Democrats and their policies) with Communism 3) Very close ties between corporations and government

NSC-68 (1950) Elsewhere the report acknowledges that the USSR is not actively planning to actually attack the United States and its allies, but quickly add “the possibility of such deliberate resort to war cannot be ruled out.” The report rejects the notion that the US should militarily attack the Soviets. (see note 7 below for excerpt) In presenting this conflict as a battle of ideas between freedom and slavery, the report created a scenario in which “it is hard to tell … where war begins and where it ends.” (Hubert Humphrey, Democratic Senator and presidential nominee). Secretary of State John Foster Dulles added that while “in the present state of world opinion we could not use an A-bomb, we should make every effort now to dissipate (reduce) this feeling.” (THIS BEGAN OUR BUILDUP OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS) As a result of this, national defense was declared inseparable from a strong economy. (see note 8 below for elaboration) 7) Even if we were to win a military victory, that “would only partially and perhaps only temporarily affect the fundamental conflict.” There would be “the resurgence of totalitarian forces and the re-establishment of the Soviet system, or its equivalent…We have no choice but to demonstrate the superiority of the idea of freedom.” SO, IN SUMMARY, THE REPORT WAS ADVOCATING SECRETIVE ACTIVITY (ESPIONAGE), BUT NOT OPEN WARFARE. 8) As a result, the government and corporations began to be very cozy with one another. Also, since the enemy was decidely anti-capitalist, every measure that strengthened capitalism was a blow against the enemy, and conversely, anything that was able to be interpreted as “left” was seen as dangerous. This set the stage for the Red Scare of the 1950s. It also set the stage for the Taft Hartley Act (1947) which allowed states to outlaw a “closed shop.” Labor activity (i.e. strikes, boycotts) were increasingly seen as too “left,” and something the enemy would do. Many unions were purged of anyone accused of being a communist (in fact, some unions were led by American Communists – the difference being, now they were seen as too dangerous and attempting to overthrow the capitalist system). As a result, domestic dissent was silenced.