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The Cold War Begins

The Cold War Begins. 1945-51. After WWII:. 2 “superpowers” U.S. U.S.S.R. rest of the industrialized world in ruins Nuclear weapons. Menace in the post-war world. Between 1945 and 1950, numerous events seem to demonstrate an aggressive, expansionist Communist movement. “The Iron Curtain”.

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The Cold War Begins

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  1. The Cold War Begins 1945-51

  2. After WWII: • 2 “superpowers” • U.S. • U.S.S.R. • rest of the industrialized world in ruins • Nuclear weapons

  3. Menace in the post-war world • Between 1945 and 1950, numerous events seem to demonstrate an aggressive, expansionist Communist movement.

  4. “The Iron Curtain”

  5. Berlin Airlift • U.S.S.R closes off land routes between West and Berlin, 1948-49. • U.S. and allies organize air campaign to ferry supplies to the city.

  6. China goes Red! • 1949: Forces led by Mao Zedong install a communist government in mainland China. • Communist movements active in other parts of Asia.

  7. American reactions • 1947: The Truman Doctrine • “it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” • Congress grants $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey

  8. The Marshall Plan • 1948: Congress agrees to plan that provides $13 billion in aid to Western Europe

  9. “Containment” • Term attributed to George F. Keenan, U.S. diplomat

  10. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization • Formed in 1949 • Original participants: • U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Low Countries, Italy, Iceland, Portugal, Denmark, Norway

  11. Modes of Deterrence • Forward, collective defense • NATO, other regional pacts • Nuclear (unilateral) • Relies on threat of retaliation with U.S. atomic arsenal. • Basis of defense JCS planning in 1948 & 1949.

  12. Late 1940’s U.S.:Poor ability to wage nuclear war • Not enough bombs. • Not enough trained crews and planes. • Need bases overseas for bombers. • How bolster nuclear deterrent? • Improve Strategic Air Command • Build a bigger bomb (H-Bomb)

  13. Context of U.S. Military Policy • Post WWII demobilization. • Truman-era defense budgets. • Inter-service rivalry. • Drive to centralize military planning.

  14. National Defense Act of 1947 • Creates the National Security Council. • Creates the National Military Establishment: • Creates Secretary of Defense • Secretary to oversee three military executive departments: Army, Navy, and Air Force • Creates the CIA.

  15. 1949 Amendment to NSA:Department of Defense created • Replaces “National Military Establishment” • Army, Navy and Air Force become subordinated within DoD. • Deputy and assistant Secretaries of Defense created. • Chairman for the JCS created.

  16. Civilian “Encroachment” into Military Affairs • Congress: • Women’s Armed Forces Integration Act, 1948. • Uniform Code of Military Justice, 1949. • The President: • Executive Order 9981 (July 1948) – ordered racial integration of the armed forces

  17. Meanwhile, State Dept. and JCS planners meet in early 1950. • Study results become known as NSC-68. • Presents international communism as implacable enemy to U.S and the West. • Warns of growing Soviet atomic arsenal. • Calls for a great, rapid build-up U.S. and allied defense capabilities to deter communist expansion and risk of war.

  18. Korea • 1945: Had been divided at 38th parallel by U.S. and Soviet occupation forces in 1945.

  19. The North Invades the South • Attacks on June 25, 1950, with: • 90,000 troops • 150 Soviet-made tanks • South Korean army • 95,000 men • Untrained, armed only to fight guerillas

  20. UN & ROK forces pushed back • U.S. throws in forces to help South Koreans stave off defeat. • UN forces hold a perimeter defeating approaches to the port of Pusan at end of July.

  21. Tough fighting along the Pusan perimeter, July-September.

  22. Truman & policy early in the war • Obtained United Nations’ sanction of intervention to defend Korea. • Sought goal of re-establishing pre-war border and ending the conflict (by military means or negotiations).

  23. UN Commander:Douglas MacArthur* • Develops a plan to save the ROK: • Invade at Inchon (Sept. 15, 1950) • Attack successful, 8th Army drives NKPA back towards the 38th parallel. * - 8th Army Commander: Walton H. Walker

  24. October: Change of war goals • Truman allows MacArthur’s troops to pursue NKPA forces beyond the 38th parallel. • Truman, Rhee push UN to accept the reunification of Korea as a war aim.

  25. Chinese Intervention? • Some constraints placed on MacArthur’s drive north. • MacArthur assured Truman Chinese would not enter the war.

  26. "We face an entirely new war." • Nov. 25, 1950: • Over 250,000 Chinese soldiers launch an offensive. • UN forces driven back south of 38th parallel by January 1951.

  27. New Commander for 8th Army • Matthew Ridgway takes command in January 1951. • Rallies UN forces. • Jan. 15: Launches counterattack back up the peninsula.

  28. Meanwhile, back at the UN… • U.S. allies dismayed at China’s entry into the war. • UN agrees to continue the war, reverts back to original war aims: • Restore pre-war borders & end the conflict

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