Choices facing the United States during the Cold War

Bell Work: 5/4/09 What constitutes a threat to you?

In-Class Activity – Day 1 The Origins of the Cold War – U.S. Choices after World War II –Reading: “Introduction: Meeting on the Elbe” –Preview Article –Read and Take Notes »Responsibilities

Bell Work: Cinco de Mayo How do you define a threat to the United States?

In Class Activity – Day 2 Assignment of Groups –Hand in Reading Packets –Complete the Question Sheet using ONLY your notes. –Along with your group members, compare answers to questions (You may supplement answers with information received from group members)

Cartoon

The Big Three – Who are these men?

Joseph Stalin Winston Churchill

Option 1 – Impose a Pax Americana (American Peace) The Big Idea: No nation in modern times has had the opportunity the United States has now to shape an entire world order.

Option 1 – Impose a Pax Americana (American Peace) Lay a foundation for an era of peaceful international relations Ensure that the peoples of the world have the opportunity to prosper economically and to develop politically Continue the mission to bring peace and freedom to all peoples. Force the Soviet Union (through U.S. military force if necessary) to free the people they have denied self- determination. Insist that the Soviet Union must accept the new international order based on political and economic freedom.

Option 2 – Contain Soviet Communism The Big Idea: The two world wars have shown that the United States cannot distance itself from European nations that share our economic system and political values

Option 2 – Contain Soviet Communism International relations in the postwar world will be dominated by a struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. Soviet leaders are committed to extending communism throughout the globe. Western Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Japan are to valuable to U.S. national interests to leave them vulnerable to Soviet aggression. The U.S. must work with other free nations to construct a strong barrier of containment. Communism only thrives in conditions of misery, want and strife. Limiting these conditions will limit Communism’s potential to spread.

Option 3 – Co-Exist and Compromise The Big Idea: With the defeat of Germany and Japan, the Allied nations are in a unique position to created a new international order based on the rule of law.

Option 3 – Co-Exist and Compromise History has shown that peace is possible only when the most powerful countries of the world share common goals. Though the U.S. and Soviet Union differ in economic and political systems, both desire peace. The U.S. and Soviet Union must work together to ensure a future of international stability and legality. The U.S. must do its part to maintain peace by refraining from the threat or use of force, whenever possible. The best way to promote the interests of peoples in Eastern Europe is to diminish the Soviet sense of insecurity.

Option 4 – Avoid Foreign Entanglements The Big Idea: With the United States victory in the last war, the security of the U.S. is assured.

Option 4 – Avoid Foreign Entanglements Americans can return to making their lives better without foreign threats lurking over their shoulders. Our geographic position, with great oceans isolating us from the strife of Europe and Asia, enable us to defend our shores without bankrupting our economy. Further involvement in world fairs should be avoided. America has no right to shape the world to fit American ideals. With U.S./Soviet relations already strained, such a policy would be expensive and reckless. Americans prosper most when the power of the central government is kept at a minimum. Individual liberties of Americans will be threatened by the unchecked growth of executive power fed by overseas involvement.