Eisenhower’s Adventures in the Cold War: A timeline of key events

Eisenhower “ends” The Korean War Stalin dies in March, 1953, creating lots of uncertainty in the Communist world- will the Soviet Union be there to support North Korea and other nations? Eisenhower seizes on this uncertainty (and threatens to use nuclear weapons) to kick-start negotiations; his diplomacy leads to a ceasefire July 23, 1953: agreement leaves Korea divided near 38th parallel again US-South Korea Security Treaty (1953): Stalin dies in March, 1953, creating lots of uncertainty in the Communist world- will the Soviet Union be there to support North Korea and other nations? Eisenhower seizes on this uncertainty (and threatens to use nuclear weapons) to kick-start negotiations; his diplomacy leads to a ceasefire July 23, 1953: agreement leaves Korea divided near 38th parallel again US-South Korea Security Treaty (1953):

“The New Look” foreign policy Ike’s Secretary of State: John Foster Dulles “The New Look” relied on: Result: the US/USSR arms race takes off and spending on bigger and better weapons explodes Ike’s Secretary of State: John Foster Dulles “The New Look” relied on: Result: the US/USSR arms race takes off and spending on bigger and better weapons explodes

The H-Bomb: The Poster Boy of the Arms Race. mb/ mb/ fd1IFjBNNVo fd1IFjBNNVo March 1, 1954: Castle Bravo test at Bikini Atoll

“Pactomania:” Eisenhower and Dulles’ diplomatic strategy Eisenhower and Dulles sign treaties with 43 countries, surrounding the Soviet Union with military bases in friendly countries “A ring around the Soviet Union” Examples: Eisenhower and Dulles sign treaties with 43 countries, surrounding the Soviet Union with military bases in friendly countries “A ring around the Soviet Union” Examples:

A temporary thaw in the Cold War Ike believed that friendlier relations were possible after Stalin’s death At the same time the U.S. builds up nuclear arsenal, he works for disarmament “Atoms for Peace” plan, 1953 Geneva Summit, 1955: Eisenhower meets Nikita Khruschev “Open Skies” plan, 1955 This temporary improvement ends when the Soviet army invades Hungary, 1956 Ike believed that friendlier relations were possible after Stalin’s death At the same time the U.S. builds up nuclear arsenal, he works for disarmament “Atoms for Peace” plan, 1953 Geneva Summit, 1955: Eisenhower meets Nikita Khruschev “Open Skies” plan, 1955 This temporary improvement ends when the Soviet army invades Hungary, 1956

The Growing Power of the CIA The CIA was seen by many as the “good way” to fight Communism: avoid direct conflict and war The agency was created by 1947 National Security Act Conducted spying and “covert ops” in other countries Given permission to spend unlimited amounts of money in 1949 without Congressional supervision The CIA bribed overseas politicians, hired secret armies, and plotted assassinations in “developing nations” to stop Communism and support our allies; read this for more incredible details: The CIA was seen by many as the “good way” to fight Communism: avoid direct conflict and war The agency was created by 1947 National Security Act Conducted spying and “covert ops” in other countries Given permission to spend unlimited amounts of money in 1949 without Congressional supervision The CIA bribed overseas politicians, hired secret armies, and plotted assassinations in “developing nations” to stop Communism and support our allies; read this for more incredible details:

The CIA in Iran The oil-rich nation of Iran was ruled by an elected Parliament and a Shah (king). The oil fields were controlled by British and American oil companies The newly elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadeg nationalizes the oil and kicks out foreign companies! Operation AJAX (1953): The oil-rich nation of Iran was ruled by an elected Parliament and a Shah (king). The oil fields were controlled by British and American oil companies The newly elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadeg nationalizes the oil and kicks out foreign companies! Operation AJAX (1953):

Mossadeq vs. The CIA Prime Minister Mossadeq and CIA agent Kermit Roosevelt… yes that same family !

Vietnam French Indochina had been a colony since the 1880s Communist leader Ho Chi Minh fights for independence from the French in the years after WWII. U.S. paid for 75% of France’s military effort to retake control after WWII French surrendered at Dienbienphu on May 7, Geneva Peace Accords:

The Domino Theory takes hold. Eisenhower and his advisors believed that if one Asian nation falls to Communism, they all will!

Ngo Dinh Diem: The CIA’s chosen leader for South Vietnam Conduct a Google search for details about Diem’s life. Why was he selected to be the leader of South Vietnam? What was his religion, and why was this problematic? What is his New Jersey connection?

The Suez Crisis Egypt declared itself independent in 1953 Gen. Gamal Abdel Nasser demanded that Britain give up the Suez Canal 75% of Western Europe’s oil traveled through the Canal; $25 million in tolls every year

Suez Crisis (cont.) October, 1956: Britain, Israel, and France invaded Egypt; the Soviet Union threatened to intervene- very close to nuclear war! The UN and US condemn the three allies, they pull out, and the canal was given to Egypt Eisenhower Doctrine: stm stm October, 1956: Britain, Israel, and France invaded Egypt; the Soviet Union threatened to intervene- very close to nuclear war! The UN and US condemn the three allies, they pull out, and the canal was given to Egypt Eisenhower Doctrine: stm stm

The Space Race Begins!!! Soviets launch 184 pound satellite Sputnik into orbit on October 4, 1957 “A technological Pearl Harbor!” Sputnik II launched on November 3, 1957… with a dog!!! Soviets launch 184 pound satellite Sputnik into orbit on October 4, 1957 “A technological Pearl Harbor!” Sputnik II launched on November 3, 1957… with a dog!!!

The Kitchen Debate When did this event (pictured to the right) take place? Who are these two men, and what were they arguing about?

Revolution in Cuba: January 1, 1959 Who is this man? What happened in Cuba, and why was it problematic for America?

The U-2 Incident: May 1, 1960 What happened to this airplane, and what was its historical significance?

Ike’s Farewell Address What did he warn about in this famous farewell address? Was he right to be concerned? ches/dwightdeisenhowerfarewell.html ches/dwightdeisenhowerfarewell.html Watch a trailer for an outstanding film based on the theme of this final address: StxJHv4c StxJHv4c