United States and the Cold War How did the United States attempt to Contain Communism?

Origins of Cold War: U.S. – Soviet Relations Bolshevik Revolution; Red Scare (1919); U.S. recognition (1933) WW II – allies, “Big Three” Broken promises of Yalta – Satellite states in Eastern Europe Occupation zones in Germany – Soviets tighten control in East Germany “An iron curtain has descended across the continent” – Churchill George F. Kennan (U.S. State Department) – called for “long-term…containment of Russian expansive tendencies.”

Marshall Plan (1947) – Economic aid to help European nations revive their economies (bolstered both U.S. and European economies)

Truman Doctrine (1947) – Requested $400 million in economic and military aid to assist the “free people” of Greece and Turkey against totalitarian regimes.

Berlin Airlift (1948) – Truman orders U. S Berlin Airlift (1948) – Truman orders U.S. planes to fly supplies to people of West Berlin, which Soviets had attempted to blockade.

NATO – military alliance of Western, democratic countries vs NATO – military alliance of Western, democratic countries vs. Warsaw Pact – military alliance of Soviet Bloc countries

National Security Act Centralized Department of Defense to coordinate with Army, Navy, and Air Force Replaced War Dept. Created National Security Council and CIA

Arms Race Soviets acquire weapons in 1949 NSC authorizes increase in defense spending and a costly nuclear weapons buildup

Korean War, 1950-1953 Korea was divided @ 38th parallel 1950 – N. Korea invaded S. Korea U.N. Security Council authorizes force U.S. troops led by Gen. MacArthur “police action” N. Korea, with China’s help, pushed back U.N. forces MacArthur called for invasion/bombing of mainland China. Truman disagreed and fired MacArthur for insubordination Important concepts: (1) civilian control of military and (2) limited war 1953 - Armistice – 54,000 Americans died and country remains divided