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Cold War America By Neil Hammond
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Cold War America Long Term Causes of the Cold WarLong Term Causes of the Cold War –Both the US and USSR believed their economic systems are superior –The US wanted to rebuild Europe’s economies and support democratic governments –The USSR wanted a weak Germany and wanted Communist governments on countries that it bordered
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Cold War America Short Term Causes Short Term Causes – Defeat of Germany in WWII created a power vacuum, and sees the US and the USSR occupying parts of Europe – At the Yalta Conference (February 1945), the USSR promised free elections in Eastern Europe, but gradually allowed Communist governments to take hold – At the Potsdam Conference (July / August 1945), the USSR wanted to impose reparations on Germany. The US wanted to rebuild their economy – After WWII, Soviet troops refused to leave Iran as promised and began to try setting up a Communist government there. American pressure forced the USSR to withdraw.
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“An Iron Curtain has fallen across Europe..” — Winston Churchill
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Containment Containment American officials became increasingly exasperated by the Russians. Officials at the State Dept. asked the American Embassy in Moscow to explain Soviet behavior American officials became increasingly exasperated by the Russians. Officials at the State Dept. asked the American Embassy in Moscow to explain Soviet behavior Diplomat George Kennan responded with what became known as the Long Telegram Diplomat George Kennan responded with what became known as the Long Telegram –Kennan proposed a “long term, patient, but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies”. This became the basic policy followed by the US during the Cold war – Containment = stop Communism from spreading Communists threatened to take over Greece and Turkey Communists threatened to take over Greece and Turkey – Great Britain informed the US that they could NOT continue to support the non-communists – Truman announced to Congress what became known as the “Truman Doctrine”…the US would “support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."
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Containment In June 1947, secretary of State George Marshall proposed the European Recovery Plan, or Marshall Plan. The US would give European nations American aid to rebuild their economies In June 1947, secretary of State George Marshall proposed the European Recovery Plan, or Marshall Plan. The US would give European nations American aid to rebuild their economies
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Containment In response to the Soviet attempt to undermine Germany’s economy, the USA, GBR and France announced they would merge their zones in Germany. In response to the Soviet attempt to undermine Germany’s economy, the USA, GBR and France announced they would merge their zones in Germany. In response, Stalin blockaded Berlin In response, Stalin blockaded Berlin Would Truman attack? Instead, Truman ordered airlifts to supply West Berlin. Would Stalin attack? For one year (1948-1949) the airlift operated. Stalin eventually backed down. Would Truman attack? Instead, Truman ordered airlifts to supply West Berlin. Would Stalin attack? For one year (1948-1949) the airlift operated. Stalin eventually backed down.
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Containment By April 1949, an agreement had been reached to create the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a mutual defense alliance By April 1949, an agreement had been reached to create the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a mutual defense alliance For the first time in its history, the US had committed itself to maintaining peace in Europe For the first time in its history, the US had committed itself to maintaining peace in Europe
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Containment NSC 68 NSC 68 –The National Security Council was created in 1947 to meet the threat of the USSR – NSC 68 called for significant peacetime military build up CIA CIA –“The National Security Act of 1947 established the CIA, affording it no police or law enforcement functions, either at home or abroad. One year later, this mandate was expanded to include sabotage, anti-sabotage, demolition and evacuation measures...subversion [and] assistance to underground resistance movements, guerrillas and refugee liberation movements, and support of indigenous anti- communist elements in threatened countries of the free world".
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The Korean War After WWII, Communist forces led by Mao Zedong and the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai- shek started fighting again After WWII, Communist forces led by Mao Zedong and the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai- shek started fighting again – The US sent the Nationalist government $2 billion in aid beginning in the mid 1940s, but they had squandered the money – By October 1949, the Communists had established the People's Republic of China The Democrats were blamed for “losing China”. One month before that, the USSR announced that it had successfully exploded its first atomic bomb The Democrats were blamed for “losing China”. One month before that, the USSR announced that it had successfully exploded its first atomic bomb Then in the early 1950s, the PRC and the USSR signed a treaty of friendship and alliance Then in the early 1950s, the PRC and the USSR signed a treaty of friendship and alliance
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The Korean War At the end of WWII, General Douglas MacArthur had taken charge of occupied Japan At the end of WWII, General Douglas MacArthur had taken charge of occupied Japan Once the US had lost China as its chief ally in Asia, it adopted policies to encourage the rapid recovery of Japan’s industrial economy Once the US had lost China as its chief ally in Asia, it adopted policies to encourage the rapid recovery of Japan’s industrial economy At the end of WWII, American and Soviet forces entered Korea to disarm the Japanese troops there At the end of WWII, American and Soviet forces entered Korea to disarm the Japanese troops there – The allies divided Korea at the 38 parallel – American troops controlled the Southern part
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The Korean War Truman acted through the UN. Truman acted through the UN. The USSR was boycotting the UN because the PRC was not recognized by the UN The USSR was boycotting the UN because the PRC was not recognized by the UN Truman declared a “police action” Truman declared a “police action” – A UN force was sent to Korea – It was mainly an American force
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The Korean War China joined the war in Nov 1950 China joined the war in Nov 1950 MacArthur demanded approval to expand the war against China (i.e. “go nuclear”) MacArthur demanded approval to expand the war against China (i.e. “go nuclear”) – Truman declined, but M persisted, even coming out in public, criticizing T – Truman fired M for insubordination in April 1951
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The Korean War Peace negotiations began in November, 1951, but an armistice wasn’t signed until 1953 Peace negotiations began in November, 1951, but an armistice wasn’t signed until 1953 The armistice pretty much meant that the three year war had NOT changed the North / South border The armistice pretty much meant that the three year war had NOT changed the North / South border But Korea was a turning point:But Korea was a turning point: – the US began a huge military build up – the Cold War expanded to Asia – the US signed treaties with various Asian countries
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A New Scare Like WWI, the end of WWII saw a “red scare”. As the war ended, a Soviet defector described a “massive effort” of the USSR to gain secrets of the A-bomb Like WWI, the end of WWII saw a “red scare”. As the war ended, a Soviet defector described a “massive effort” of the USSR to gain secrets of the A-bomb In early 1947, the president established a loyalty review program to screen federal employees. This caused more people to panic. J. Edgar Hoover (head of the FBI) urged the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) to hold public hearings on Communist subversion In early 1947, the president established a loyalty review program to screen federal employees. This caused more people to panic. J. Edgar Hoover (head of the FBI) urged the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) to hold public hearings on Communist subversion One of HUAC’s first hearings focused on the Hollywood film industry as a powerful medium that Communist’s could manipulate. In 1951 a pamphlet entitled “Red Channels” was published that contained 151 blacklisted actors, directors, broadcasters and screenwriters One of HUAC’s first hearings focused on the Hollywood film industry as a powerful medium that Communist’s could manipulate. In 1951 a pamphlet entitled “Red Channels” was published that contained 151 blacklisted actors, directors, broadcasters and screenwriters
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A New Scare In 1948 Whittaker Chambers testified to HUAC that several government officials were former Communists or spies In 1948 Whittaker Chambers testified to HUAC that several government officials were former Communists or spies The most prominent official named was Alger Hiss, a diplomat who had served in FDR’s administration. He sued Whittaker for libel but a jury later convicted him The most prominent official named was Alger Hiss, a diplomat who had served in FDR’s administration. He sued Whittaker for libel but a jury later convicted him The FBI arrested Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for passing nuclear secrets to the Soviets. They were executed in 1953 (The Sacco and Vanzetti of the 1950s) The FBI arrested Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for passing nuclear secrets to the Soviets. They were executed in 1953 (The Sacco and Vanzetti of the 1950s) Since the break up of the Soviet Union, new evidence has come to light that indicates that Hiss and the Rosenberg’s were GUILTY Since the break up of the Soviet Union, new evidence has come to light that indicates that Hiss and the Rosenberg’s were GUILTY
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A New Scare Senator Joseph McCarthy used the fear of communism to increase his own power and destroy the reputations of many people Senator Joseph McCarthy used the fear of communism to increase his own power and destroy the reputations of many people In 1950 he proclaimed that 205 men in the State Department were proclaimed Communists. He accused Democrats of protecting Communists In 1950 he proclaimed that 205 men in the State Department were proclaimed Communists. He accused Democrats of protecting Communists After Republicans won control of Congress in 1952, McC became chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on investigations After Republicans won control of Congress in 1952, McC became chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on investigations – McC turned the investigations into witch hunts – His tactics became known as McCarthyism – After 6 weeks of televised hearings, McC went after the army. The army’s lawyer confronted McC about his bullying tactics and the Senate later censured him for his actions
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Life During the Early Cold War Obsessed with the fear of nuclear attack, Americans took steps to protect themselves Obsessed with the fear of nuclear attack, Americans took steps to protect themselves Schools practiced bomb drills and some families built backyard fallout shelters Schools practiced bomb drills and some families built backyard fallout shelters Cold War themes soon appeared in films, plays, television, the titles of dance tunes and popular television Cold War themes soon appeared in films, plays, television, the titles of dance tunes and popular television http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtpCosu- FH4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtpCosu- FH4&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60
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Ike’s “New Look” Dwight D. Eisenhower won the 1952 election. He favored a foreign policy of “massive retaliation,” (also called “new look” policy) Dwight D. Eisenhower won the 1952 election. He favored a foreign policy of “massive retaliation,” (also called “new look” policy) That proposal called for smaller conventional forces backed up by lots of nuclear weapons. These weapons would be delivered by a variety of means: rockets, bombers and submarines That proposal called for smaller conventional forces backed up by lots of nuclear weapons. These weapons would be delivered by a variety of means: rockets, bombers and submarines The limited practicality of Ike’s policy was shown when Hungary rebelled against the USSR in 1956. Hunghary thought they would have American support, but the US did not intervene…why? The limited practicality of Ike’s policy was shown when Hungary rebelled against the USSR in 1956. Hunghary thought they would have American support, but the US did not intervene…why?
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Ike’s “New Look” The US also used “covert operations” by the CIA to counter Communism The US also used “covert operations” by the CIA to counter Communism Two examples would be Iran and Grenada Two examples would be Iran and Grenada – In 1953 the CIA helped to overthrow a democratically elected regime in Iran…who wanted to nationalize the oil industry – In 1979 the regime the US supported was overthrown by an Islamic revolution…we live with that fall out today – In 1954 the US supported an invasion of Guatemala that ousted a Communist government
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Ike’s “New Look” In 1956 because Egypt bought weapons from Communist countries, the US withdrew financial aid toward the building of the Aswan Dam In 1956 because Egypt bought weapons from Communist countries, the US withdrew financial aid toward the building of the Aswan Dam Egypt (under President Nasser) seized the Suez Canal from the Anglo-French company that owned it. In Oct 1956 British and French troops invaded Egypt Egypt (under President Nasser) seized the Suez Canal from the Anglo-French company that owned it. In Oct 1956 British and French troops invaded Egypt The USSR threatened to attack Britain and France…under strong pressure from the US (oil), GBR and France called off the attacks. Soon afterward, Arab nations began accepting Soviet aid, a diplomatic victory for the USSR The USSR threatened to attack Britain and France…under strong pressure from the US (oil), GBR and France called off the attacks. Soon afterward, Arab nations began accepting Soviet aid, a diplomatic victory for the USSR
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Ike’s “New Look” In 1957 the USSR launched Sputnik, the world’s first satellite. The USSR was winning the space race. In 1957 the USSR launched Sputnik, the world’s first satellite. The USSR was winning the space race. Eisenhower invited the Khrushchev to the US, but he canceled the visit after Russian planes shot down a US U2 plane Eisenhower invited the Khrushchev to the US, but he canceled the visit after Russian planes shot down a US U2 plane When Ike left office, he gave a frank speech to the nation: When Ike left office, he gave a frank speech to the nation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRt Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRt Y
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They Liked Ike Truman’s popularity was low in 1952. Eisenhower won the Republican nomination. Richard Nixon became his running mate. The Eisenhower admin set the tone for “modern Republicanism” The Democrats nominated Adlai Stevenson of Illinois for president and Senator John A. Sparkman for VP Modern Republicanism
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They Liked Ike Eisenhower was popular with his “I Like Ike” slogan, his K1C2 formula (Korea, Communism and Corruption), and his campaign pledge to go to Korea to end the stalemate. Eisenhower won 55% of the popular vote, and the Republican Party regained control of Congress, but only until 1954 Modern Republicanism
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A New Foreign Policy With a new president came a “new look” foreign policy Eisenhower believed that the key to victory was not just military might, but a strong economy. Conventional weapons and forces were too expensive. Nuclear weapons offered more “bang for the buck”. The Korean War had convinced Eisenhower that the USA could not contain Communism by fighting a series of small wars. The best way to do this was to threaten to use nuclear weapons (Massive Retaliation). Eisenhower did this by cutting military spending from $50 million to $34 million. He did reduced the size of the conventional army, but built up the US’s nuclear arsenal from 1,000 to 18,000 Modern Republicanism
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“Brinkmanship” Eisenhower’s seeming willingness to use nuclear weapons scared some people. One of the powerful influences behind the policy was E’s Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles Critics called this approach brinkmanship (the willingness to go the brink of war to force the other side to back down) and argued it was too dangerous. Modern Republicanism
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