Origins of the Cold War 1945-1962

Opposing Perspectives Alliance of Britain and U.S. with Soviet Union was pragmatic: need to defeat Germany Lack of trust of Stalin. Neither Churchill nor FDR told Stalin about the atomic bomb Many Allied leaders hoped USSR could be persuaded to join a new, stronger League of Nations organization

Opposing Perspectives cont. Communist leaders feared capitalist nations Expected European and then world domination by communism. Hoped for collapse of capitalist economies and societies Both countries seeking hegemony

Problems with USSR United Nations Troubles Free elections promised in Poland by Stalin following the war Communist government formed with no elections Border nations pressured into establishing communist governments Churchill responded with "Iron Curtain" speech in March 1946, USSR's intentions were to control Eastern Europe and expand power throughout the world

Problems with USSR cont. American diplomat George Kennan proposed a "containment" policy to prevent spread of communist ideology. Truman Doctrine--Truman asked for major economic aid to Greece and Turkey to oppose communism Marshall Plan--Western Europeans nations provided $12 billion to rebuild economies and resist Soviet pressures NSC 68

European Crises: Berlin Blockade and Airlift Partition of Germany among Allies had resulted in Berlin being a divided city within the Soviet sector. In June 1948, Soviets blockaded West Berlin and halted all traffic into the city. Allies responded by airlifting massive amounts of food, coal, and other supplies to keep West Berlin open. Soviets backed down and allowed traffic to resume

European Crises cont. Formation of NATO Twelve nations (10 European nations plus Canada and the U.S.) created in April 1949 attempt to establish collective security and resist Warsaw Pact (formed in 1955) nations expansion The number of pacts mushrooms over the next decade

Cold War Spreads to Asia China becomes communist--1949 Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai Shek Mao Tse Tung assumes control US refuses to recognize the new government Korean conflict Korea split at 38th parallel North Korea enters South Korea UN and US fought in a police action Push the North back to the 38th MacArthur wants to expand the war into China 1953 the conflict ends

Eisenhower’s Foreign Policy Continues efforts to contain communism Global concerns John Foster Dulles—Secretary of State The “New Look” Policy Massive retaliation—“More bang for the buck” Brinksmanship Nuclear Arms Race Use of the CIA to intervene Guatemala Iran

Kennedy’s Foreign Policy Develops the policy of “Flexible Response” Alliance for Progress (1961) Berlin Wall (1961)—Symbolized growing tension between US and USSR Execution of the Bay of Pigs Embarrassment for the US Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Missile silos being constructed in Cuba Tense negotiations. . .both countries move missiles

Vietnam—Cold War Intervention? 1870’s French Indo China Stayed this way until World War II Hitler takes France in 1940 Vietnam is handed to the Japanese Pro-Independence movement emerges After the War France wants it back 1946--fighting between the Vietnamese and the French

1946-1954 French do the fighting, the US does the funding Many French casualties SEATO develops 1954--Dienbienphu Capture the high ground Viet Minh win Geneva Accords French want out Domino Theory

Impact of the Cold War at Home Anti-Communist foreign policy causes fear at home McCarren Internal Security Act Federal Loyalty Program HUAC Spy trials Alger Hiss Rosenberg's Trial Joseph McCarthy

1954--Geneva Accords French want out--establish peace Divide Vietnam in 2--North and South In 2 years an election was to establish a unified Vietnam Eisenhower fears communist victory—domino theory Open borders so everyone can move where they want Viet Minh becomes the Viet Cong Diem put in power

Anti-Communist Fears Government promotes “civil defense” “Duck and cover” drills in schools Federal Loyalty Program Reviewed “loyalty” of federal employees By 1952 200 had been dismissed and 2000 resigned Colleges and schools want to root out communist sympathizers.

The “Red” Scare HUAC Created by FDR in 1938 1947—Republicans investigate to link Democrats with subversion Film industry is investigated The Hollywood Ten

Spying and the Red Scare Alger Hiss—former State department employee who was accused of spying. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Convicted of atomic espionage Evidence is controversial Makes infiltration of communists seem real

Joseph McCarthy Republican Senator from Wisconsin 1950 speech he claimed to have a list of 250 known communists Attacked Truman and Eisenhower for allowing communists to hold government positions Never produced evidence Eisenhower remained silent on the subject Army McCarthy Hearings