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Explore the intensification of the Cold War through the Berlin Crisis, the formation of NATO, and the Chinese Civil War. Learn about the impact of these events on the arms race and US foreign policy.
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The Cold War Crisis Deepens 1948-1962
Berlin Crisis 1948 • American-Soviet disagreement over Berlin led Soviets to blockaded access to West Berlin • West Berliners became hostages of the Soviets • What could the US do? US had two choices: • (1) Use army and possibly risk WWIII or • (2) Do nothing Neither option was acceptable US chose airlift which lasted 11 months US & allies airlifted food, coal, everything Berliners needed
Impact of the Berlin Crisis & Airlift • World opinion turned against the USSR • Was propaganda victory for the US which was seen as rescuing starving victims from Soviets • Berlin became symbol of the US struggle against Communism and leader of the Free World. • When the blockade was lifted Germany became officially divided into West and East Germany • Will lead to NATO
Major effect of Berlin Crisis was formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949 This was 1st alliance the US entered into since the American Revolution If USSR attacked any of the 12 member alliance this would act as a tripwire bringing each to the defense of the other. The Soviets responded with an alliance of their own in 1954 called the Warsaw Pact.
Cold War in China • Two rival groups competed for power in China before the war (Nationalists and Communists) • In 1937 they joined forces against the Japanese who invaded country. • The Nationalists lost much of their power during the war whereas the Communists expanded their control and support by the people • The US supported the Nationalists led by Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek) in the civil war that followed WWII • This was opportunity to apply containment & stop what the US saw as Soviet aggression • US also wanted to maintain markets for American products
Truman supported Nationalists and gave them $3 billion • Told Chiang to end corruption & solve domestic problems • Chiang continued to ignore those problems while support for Mao Zedong grew because he did address the peasant’s problems • Eventually Chiang fled to Taiwan • This represented a failure of containment • Truman admin was blamed for “losing China”
NSC-68 & the Arms Race • High level study of US defenses resulted in the NSC-68 report • Conclusions were: • USSR was bent on world domination • US as leader of the free world had duty to prevent Soviet expansion • Required massive defense system and buildup of arms • How did the Korean War affect NSC-68?
Korean War 1950 - 1953 • Background: 38th parallel • How did the Korean War seem to validate the NSC-68 Report? • What policy did Truman want to apply to Korea? • Did Truman act alone or with the UN? • What exactly was the role of the UN? • What prompted Chinese involvement? • Over what did Truman and General MacArthur disagree? • Do you agree with Truman’s decision to fire MacArthur?
Impact of the Korean War • Accelerated the arms race. • Defense spending increased from $22.3 billion in 1951 to $50.4 billion in 1953 • Confirmed findings of the NSC-68 report. • US troops remain there today.
Eisenhower’s Cold War Strategy • New Look • How did this policy differ from NSC-68? • Massive retaliation – Balance of Terror • This was different from Truman’s willingness to engage in limited Wars • Brinkmanship • Did massive retaliation ever take place?
Arms Race & Geneva Talks • Eisenhower first meets with new Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1954 Geneva. • Main purpose was to smooth relations and address the arms race. • Eisenhower proposes Open Skies idea which is rejected by Khrushchev who saw it as an attempt to spy on the USSR
The CIA • National Security Act 1947 • How did the CIA affect the ability of presidents to act in foreign affairs? • Covert operations • Congressional role and the CIA? • CIA involvement in Latin America and Iran will generate resentment
The CIA in Iran • Importance of Anglo-Iranian Oil Company • What were CIA objective’s in Iran? • Why was Mossadeq considered a threat to Western interests? • How did the CIA intervene in Iranian affairs? • Analyze CIA actions in Iran. Did Iran benefit or lose from CIA activity?
Third World Nations • LDCs • Misperception by US that struggles for self-determination were orchestrated by the USSR. • Failure to understand need to throw off the colonial past • Many LDCs wanted to be non-aligned • Soviets reminded LDCs of poor race relations in the US
The Suez Crisis 1956 • What were the chain of events that led to Suez Crisis • Aswan Dam >Czech Arms Deal>Renege on Aswan Dam > Nationalization of the Canal >1956 Suez Crisis. • How did the Suez Crisis threaten US interests in the Middle East? • What were American objectives behind the Eisenhower Doctrine 1957
Soviets launch the first satellite to orbit the globe Leads to “missile crisis” Americans fear they have lost the advantage to the Soviets Leads to massive R&D in science & math Sputnik 1957
La Brigada & the Bay of Pigs • La Brigada was formed during Eisenhower admin to overthrow Castro regime? • Why did the USG object to Castro’s government? • Not until JFK did the Bay of Pigs fiasco take place? • What effect did the Bay of Pigs have on Cuba and the US?
Cuban Missile Crisis • The CMC is a consequence of what event? • Identify key issues in the CMC. • What were Soviet objectives? • What were American objectives? • How was it resolved? • Did brinkmanship succeed? • What lessons are to be learned from this crisis?
Who are these two people?What are they doing?What is trying to get out of the box?
