Eisenhower and the Cold War Eisenhower’s “New Look”

Essential Questions How is Eisenhower’s handling of the Cold War dramatically different than President Truman’s? How is Eisenhower’s handling of the Cold War dramatically different than President Truman’s? What are the concepts of Mutually Assured Destruction and Brinkmanship? Are they reasonable responses to the Cold War? What are the concepts of Mutually Assured Destruction and Brinkmanship? Are they reasonable responses to the Cold War?

Truman and the Cold War What events had Truman had to face during his stay as President in the White House? What events had Truman had to face during his stay as President in the White House? How had Truman handled the communist threat? How had Truman handled the communist threat? In your opinion had Truman dealt the with Soviets the right way? In your opinion had Truman dealt the with Soviets the right way?

Eisenhower After winning in a landslide in 1952 Eisenhower began implementing a “New Look” for the Cold War. After winning in a landslide in 1952 Eisenhower began implementing a “New Look” for the Cold War. Rather then waste money building conventional weapons, Eisenhower built up America’s nuclear force. Rather then waste money building conventional weapons, Eisenhower built up America’s nuclear force. Eisenhower is quoted as saying nukes provided “more bang for your buck” Eisenhower is quoted as saying nukes provided “more bang for your buck”

Korean War Ends By 1953 people were sick of war. By 1953 people were sick of war. Eisenhower quietly warned the Chinese of nuclear war. Eisenhower quietly warned the Chinese of nuclear war. The tactic worked; the Chinese came to the table and Korea was divided at almost precisely the same line as it had been before. The tactic worked; the Chinese came to the table and Korea was divided at almost precisely the same line as it had been before.

Eisenhower’s Cold War Like Truman, Eisenhower wanted to contain communism. Like Truman, Eisenhower wanted to contain communism. However, unlike Truman he thought fighting small wars was too costly. However, unlike Truman he thought fighting small wars was too costly. To stop communism Eisenhower would threaten massive retaliation. To stop communism Eisenhower would threaten massive retaliation. America’s nukes went from 1,000 in 1953 to 18,000 in America’s nukes went from 1,000 in 1953 to 18,000 in 1961.

Sputnik Eisenhower also began building intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM’s) Eisenhower also began building intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM’s) Americans were horrified when on October 4 th 1957 the Soviets launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth. Americans were horrified when on October 4 th 1957 the Soviets launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth.

Americans’ Freak Many American’s were horrified that Sputnik proved we were falling behind the Soviets. Many American’s were horrified that Sputnik proved we were falling behind the Soviets. Congress forced Eisenhower to create the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Congress forced Eisenhower to create the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) And also the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) which provided high schools with funding for math and science. And also the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) which provided high schools with funding for math and science.

Eisenhower’s Cold War When not threatening nuclear war, Eisenhower loved to use covert operations to put down communism. When not threatening nuclear war, Eisenhower loved to use covert operations to put down communism. Using the Central Intelligence Agency or CIA, Eisenhower was able to secretly influence many countries without going to war. Using the Central Intelligence Agency or CIA, Eisenhower was able to secretly influence many countries without going to war.

Shining Example: Iran In 1953 Eisenhower had the leader of Iran ousted in a CIA led revolution. In 1953 Eisenhower had the leader of Iran ousted in a CIA led revolution. The CIA then had the Shah made King of Iran. The CIA then had the Shah made King of Iran. This U.S. backed Shah was a tyrant; he treated his people horribly and ran his country into the ground. This U.S. backed Shah was a tyrant; he treated his people horribly and ran his country into the ground. Eventually Muslim extremists oust the Shah in 1979 and turn their anger on the U.S. Eventually Muslim extremists oust the Shah in 1979 and turn their anger on the U.S.

Vietnam Vietnam had been a French colony. After WW2 the French fought to keep it that way. Vietnam had been a French colony. After WW2 the French fought to keep it that way. The Vietnamese freedom fighters were led by a man named Ho Chi Minh, who was a communist. The Vietnamese freedom fighters were led by a man named Ho Chi Minh, who was a communist. Eisenhower believed that if one country in southeast Asia became communist they all would. Eisenhower believed that if one country in southeast Asia became communist they all would.

Vietnam Eventually the French are defeated. Eventually the French are defeated. The U.N. decides to divide Vietnam into a communist North and a free South. The U.N. decides to divide Vietnam into a communist North and a free South. Soon Eisenhower begins sending military aid and advisors to the U.S. backed South. Soon Eisenhower begins sending military aid and advisors to the U.S. backed South. Eventually North Vietnamese units begin to secretly invade the south. Eventually North Vietnamese units begin to secretly invade the south.

Eisenhower’s Farewell Eisenhower’s term ended with several negative events Eisenhower’s term ended with several negative events In 1959, the U.S. friendly dictator in Cuba, Fulgencio Batista is overthrown and replaced by the communist dictator Fidel Castro In 1959, the U.S. friendly dictator in Cuba, Fulgencio Batista is overthrown and replaced by the communist dictator Fidel Castro In 1960 a U.S. U-2 Spy Plane was shot down over the Soviet Union and the pilot was captured In 1960 a U.S. U-2 Spy Plane was shot down over the Soviet Union and the pilot was captured This events coupled to keep the tensions between the Soviet Union This events coupled to keep the tensions between the Soviet Union

Homework Read Chapter 22 Section 2 pages Read Chapter 22 Section 2 pages Quiz dependent upon mood! Quiz dependent upon mood!