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Communism and Anti-Communism
Part I
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Potsdam Conference July-August 1945 USA, GBR, USSR
Declaration on Liberated Europe Agreed to work together to direct the freed countries after WWII All 3 countries had to agree on the action to take place Essentially gave USSR a veto
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The Soviets Toe the Line
USSR took Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary under their control US demanded that they be democratic countries USSR said they would be “totalitarian democracies” USSR put committees in charge of these countries Leader of the committees was also the leader of the communist army
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What is Communism? Political ideology No private property
In theory, all things are distributed evenly to all Government owns means of production Complete government control of business Believes that it can make a perfect society Often atheistic Controls education Uses propaganda (movies, education, etc.)
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Post-War Germany Original approach to Germany: Keep them weak
People quickly realized this approach would lead to mass starvation Germany divided into 4 zones GBR, FR, USA, USSR They were supposed to work together to prepare for reunification and a new German government Berlin Capital city Located in USSR zone Also divided into 4 zones
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Post-War Germany
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Selfishness Enters In France refused to cooperate with the countries in charge of the other zones Because they wanted the Saar and Rhineland for themselves Wanted to punish Germany for WWII They did not allow rail, mail, or trade with other zones USSR followed France’s behavior Put only pro-communists into office Confiscated large farms/estates Closed private banks Government control of industry Took down many factories and shipped parts to Russia USA and GBR worked together
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The Marshall Plan Europe was destroyed through WWII
US was the only country economically healthy enough to provide aid Marshall Plan (1948) US would aid European nations As long as the country revealed its economic conditions and what it could do to help USSR invited into the program They wouldn’t reveal their economic conditions 16 countries signed up Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Great Britain
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USSR Steps Up the Hostilities
Meeting was held with the 4 powers about how to help Germany USSR left the meeting, didn’t return to another Other countries met to figure out a new gov. for Germany USSR began to make life more difficult Blockaded Berlin Troops and road blocks Cut off flow of electricity from East Berlin to West Berlin
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The Berlin Airlift US and GBR had 3 options to help those in West Berlin (which they technically controlled) Allow USSR to get away with it In which case Berlin would fall to USSR Not seriously considered Resupply city by land Could start a war Resupply city by air Berlin Airlift US planes made 250 deliveries a day At the high point, a plane was landing there every 2 minutes USSR lifted the blockade
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New Governments in Germany
German Federal Republic For West Germany Chancellor Konrad Adenauer Catholic Anti-Communist Economic/cultural resurgence German Democratic Republic For East Germany Strong relationship with USSR
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Truman Doctrine Communists were trying to overthrow governments in Turkey and Greece US decision: Stop it, or let it happen Truman Doctrine US would give economic and military aid to nations threatened by Communist takeover “Containment” Nations should have free say as to what type of government they have US was able to help stop communist takeover of Turkey and Greece
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NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Group of countries who worked together For containment of communism Mutual defense against communism NATO military force to be led by Eisenhower West Germany rearmed as defense against USSR
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NATO During Different Historical Points
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The Cold War Confrontation between Communism and the West
Ideological war Didn’t result in direct battles b/w US and USSR Communism v. Democracy US thought it had an obligation to preserve freedom in the world Opposed to stopping (containing) communism Reactionary Communists intent on expanding They were on the offensive
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Civil War in China Communists led by Mao Tse-tung
Nationalists led by Chiang Kai-shek Both fought together in WWII against the Japanese USSR used their alliance with China to start supplying Mao and the communists Nationalists needed US support to continue the fight Many in US gov. saw Mao as simple farmer and best bet for democracy Chiang appeared to be totalitarian to many US Gen. George Marshall was sent to China to help set up a coalition government with both sides Chiang refused to join US stopped giving any aid to Nationalists
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The People’s Republic of China
Nationalists had terrible equipment, were losing the war US finally approved sending them aid, but it was too late Communists won the Civil War Chiang fled to Taiwan Set up free Chinese government there People’s Republic of China Mao became Chairman Persecuted Christianity Seized the American consulate in China USA decided to acknowledge Chiang as rightful ruler of China Gave aid to Taiwan to prevent it from being taken by the communists
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Map of Asia
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HUAC House Un-American Activities Committee Whittaker Chambers
Investigating influence of communism in US gov. Because of communism’s desire for worldwide revolution Whittaker Chambers Editor of Time Magazine Had been a communist from Called before the HUAC to testify Said he had been a communist Named a bunch of people he knew were communists Listed Alger Hiss
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Hiss v. Chambers (Part I)
Hiss appeared before HUAC Said he had never seen Chambers before Hiss and Chambers were cross-examined Chambers was able to give a lot of intimate details about Hiss life Knew that Chambers had seen a rare bird once Hiss told HUAC that he had seen a rare bird People started believing Chambers
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Hiss v. Chambers (Part II)
Hiss decided to change strategy Said he once knew Chambers as a man named George Crosley Said this explained how Chambers knew him HUAC didn’t buy it Went on offensive against Chambers Led people to believe Chambers might be mentally insane People started siding with Hiss Easier than believing the famous advisor of FDR was communist If Hiss was communist, what does that say about UN? Hiss sued Chambers for Libel
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Hiss v. Chambers (Part III)
“Pumpkin Papers” Chambers had been in charge of keeping government documents for the soviets To prove Hiss innocent, Hiss’ lawyers asked Chambers to turn over all supposed correspondence between the two from their alleged communist days They knew Chambers had destroyed the documents Chambers had kept some hidden in a pumpkin Jury sided with Chambers Hiss indicted on two accounts of perjury Lying in court Couldn’t get him for treason Beyond the statute of limitations
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Trial for Perjury Trial I Trial II Hiss served 5 years in prison
Focus on hard evidence Documents were typed on Hiss’ typewriter Chambers’ knowledge of Hiss’ life Couldn’t come to a conclusion Trial II Hiss found a psychologist who labeled Chambers a psychopath Even though they had never met Chamber’s attorney showed how Chambers’ activity was perfectly normal Hiss guilty on both count of perjury Hiss served 5 years in prison In recent years, the NSA found confirmation of the soviet spy ring Chambers had referred to Found a Soviet message to a spy named “Ales” Probably Alger Hiss
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The Soviet Union and the Atomic Bomb
USSR exploded first atomic bomb in 1949 Shocked rest of the world Didn’t realize they had the technology US suspected espionage Stealing of US’ secrets about the atomic bomb
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Who Leaked the Info? Klaus Fuchs Harry Gold David Greenglass
German refugee scientist Working on British atomic bomb project Supposedly giving info to USSR Gave it to a Soviet agent, nicknamed Raymond Harry Gold “Raymond” American chemist Confessed to passing along info Said he received info from US soldier as well David Greenglass Admitted to passing info Implicated his wife (Ruth), brother-in-law (Julius Rosenberg), and Julius’ wife (Ethel Rosenberg) Told authorities what had happened
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The Rosenbergs They were communists when married in 1939
Dropped from communist party in 1943 Common behavior for those about to spy Met with Greenglass in 1945 for dinner Julius Rosenberg convinced Greenglass to steal info on the atomic bomb and give it to Gold He passed on info regarding a lens that helped the bomb explode Met with Gold in secret Knew who he was because they had matching parts of a jello box Gold passed on the info
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The Story Continues Fuchs was arrested
Julius Rosenberg told Greenglass to leave town David Greenglass didn’t, was arrested Greenglass confessed to everything Thought it was the only way to help his family Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were arrested They claimed innocence Ruth Greenglass was not arrested
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The Rosenberg Spy Case Rosenbergs charged with conspiracy to commit espionage Stealing secrets from one country for another Main witnesses: Greenglass family Julius Rosenberg often pleaded the 5th Even on questions that were of public knowledge Made him look guilty Ethel tried to win sympathy as mother of 2 young children Didn’t work Rosenberg’s lawyer tried to show how “repulsive” it was that David Greenglass testify against his own sister Prosecutor said evils of communism should erase sympathy
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The Verdict Both Rosenbergs found guilty
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg sentenced to the electric chair Judge said their actions were worse than murder Said the selling of secrets helped lead to the Korean War However, they were only found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage No one had ever been executed for that Appealed to the S.C. S.C. upheld ruling Executed June 19, 1953 Seen as martyrs by many David Greenglass sentenced to 15 years in jail Modern evidence shows they were probably part of a larger ring
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Part II
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War Starts in Korea 38th parallel divided N. and S. Korea
Communists had occupied the North at end of WWII Refused to let the two be reunited after the war North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) Supplied by USSR June 25, 1950 – North Korea invaded South Korea South Korea = Republic of Korea (ROK) Two goals Take South Korea See if US would intervene outside of Europe Initial invasion was successful
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The Korean War
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US Response Didn’t expect communists to get involved in a place seemingly out of the way like Korea Thought next war would be nuclear Were not ready for conventional warfare Had downsized military after WWII
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First US Boots on the Ground
Task Force Smith Sent in by Gen. MacArthur to delay the communists Until more US soldiers could prepare and come 500 men They were defeated and fled Delayed communist attack only 7 hours 24th Infantry Division Unprepared for heat Drank from rice paddies Came down with dysentery
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Port of Pusan (Aug. 31, 1950) NKPA had taken all of S. Korea except Port of Pusan US and ROK made last stand at Naktong River Blew up bridges to slow NKPA advance Needed to hold the port Only way to bring in more US troops and supplies US carriers in the port launched plans to bomb NKPA supply lines NKPA crossed river, attacked US Created bulge in US line Marine arrived 240 marines: 23 KIA, 119 wounded Marines forced NKPA back across river
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Port of Inchon (Sept. 15, 1950) Inchon was 18 miles from Seoul (ROK capital) Gen. MacArthur planned to land marines there Extreme tides Landing possible only during a few hours Marines landed at Wolmi Island Connected by causeway to Inchon Secured island in under 2 hours Waited on tide before heading to Inchon Took Port of Inchon while only losing 20 marines
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Into Seoul US entered Seoul on Sept. 25, 1950
Gen. MacArthur and ROK President Rhee rode through city Re-established ROK gov. It was discovered that NKPA had executed thousands before leaving the city
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US and ROK on the Offensive
New goal: Drive out NKPA, reunite country MacArthur assured Truman that there was no change Chinese communists would enter the war Truman gave him permission to push all the way to the Yalu River (border b/w Korea and China) US did not know 120,000 Chinese soldiers were secretly marching on Korea NKPA essentially collapsed US and ROK winning the war
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China Attacks Sub-zero temperatures in November in the mountains
US shed much equipment to move easier through them Chinese attacked on the day after Thanksgiving Actually attacked US from behind US was confused, ordered retreat Right into Chinese ambush US army surrounded and destroyed Marines formed their own line on the other side of mountains Fought for two straight days to defend themselves Counterattacked Destroyed the Chinese flank Took out 4 Chinese armies Allowed marines to escape the ambush Took all wounded marines with them
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MacArthur v. Truman US set up line along 38th parallel
MacArthur wanted to bomb China Allow Chiang to attack China from Taiwan Truman afraid of starting nuclear war MacArthur said he would be OK with using them to end the war Just a matter of speech? MacArthur publically spoke out against Truman Truman fired MacArthur Matthew Ridgeway sent to replace him
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Stalemate Truce talks began at end of 1951 War carried on into 1953
Communists wanted to propagandize prisoners Delayed peace agreement War carried on into 1953 Lines remained same the whole time
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Propaganda “Death Valley” – POW mining camp
US faced poor diet, lack of medical care, communist indoctrination, propaganda ½ the men died Communists were harshest towards chaplains Not a single one survived
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Concluding the War Communists finished extracting propaganda
US refused to force refugees to return to N. Korea or China 80% of Chinese prisoners, 50% communists in US hands refused to return Communists declared all prisoners had to be returned or there was no peace treaty Didn’t want people to know how bad communism was USSR suddenly unable to continue war Stalin died in Russia Russia experienced a bad harvest and resulting famine Armistice signed July 27, 1953
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Lessons of the Korean War
Communists realized the US would follow idea of containment all over the world Communists realized they couldn’t fight the US in conventional warfare Ready to shift towards guerilla warfare and terrorism
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