1. U.S. – Soviet Relations

2. 1950s: Relations between the U. S
1950s: Relations between the U.S. and Soviets fluctuated between periods of calm and extreme tension
After Stalin’s Death, Eisenhower proposes the atoms for peace plan
Soviets withdrew from Austria, established peaceful relations with Greece and Turkey
1955: Eisenhower and Soviet premier Nikolai Bulganin meet at the Geneva Conference in Geneva, Switzerland
U.S. –Soviet Relations

3. The Spirit of Geneva Eisenhower proposed an “open skies” policy
Each nation allowed aerial photography by the opposing nation to reduce the chances of surprise nuclear attacks
The Soviets rejected the “open skies” proposal
Even so, the “spirit of Geneva” produced the first thaw in the Cold War
New Soviet leader in 1956, Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin, supported “peaceful coexistence” with the west
The Spirit of Geneva

4. Relaxation in Cold War tensions led many workers in Communist states to demand reforms
Uprising in Hungary succeeded in overthrowing a government backed by Moscow
New liberal govt. wanted to pull Hungary out of the Warsaw Pact
Khrushchev sent in tanks and troops to crush the rebellion and restore Communist control over Hungary
Hungarian Revolt

5. Hungarian Revolt Eisenhower took no action in the crisis
Feared sending U.S. troops to Hungary would touch off another global conflict
Eisenhower’s inaction gave de facto recognition to the Soviet sphere of influence in East Europe
Also ended Dulles’ talks of “liberating” the region
The suppression of the Hungarian revolt also ended the first “thaw” in the Cold War
Hungarian Revolt

6. 1957: Soviet Union launched the first satellites into orbit
Sputnik I, Sputnik II
Suddenly, U.S. technological and scientific leadership were questioned
Public schools were criticized for their math and science instruction
1958: Congress passes the National Defense and Education Act (NDEA)
Millions of federal money for math, science, foreign language programs in school
Sputnik Shock

7. 1958: Congress created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to direct U.S. efforts to build missiles and explore space
Sputnik increased fears of nuclear war because these satellites could carry nuclear warheads anywhere in the world
During this time, there was no defense against them
Sputnik Shock

8. New confidence and pride based on Sputnik led Khrushchev to push the Berlin issue in 1958
Gave the West six months to pull its troops out of West Berlin and turn the entire city over the Communist government of East Berlin
Eisenhower refused, but tried to defuse the crisis by inviting Khrushchev to a summit at Camp David, Maryland in 1959
The two agreed to put off the crisis and schedule another summit in Paris in
Second Berlin Crisis

9. “Spirit of Camp David” never had a chance to produce results
Two weeks before the planned Paris summit, Russia shot down a high-altitude U.S. spy plane flying over the Soviet Union
Incident revealed that even though the Soviets rejected the “open skies” policy, the U.S. still decided to conduct regular flights over Soviet territory
Eisenhower admitted to it only after the fact
Khrushchev denounced the U.S. and walked out of the Paris Summit
U-2 Incident

10. Most alarming development in the early years of the Cold War was the loss of Cuba to Communism
Revolutionary Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuba dictator and nationalized American- owned businesses and properties in Cuba
Eisenhower responded by cutting off trade with Cuba
After Eisenhower cut off trade with the Cubans, Castro looked to the Soviets for support
Communism in Cuba

11. Castro also revealed he was a Marxist and planned to turn Cuba into a Communist state, which he did
Communism was now only 90 miles off the coast of Florida
Eisenhower authorized a plan to train anti-Communist Cuban exiles to overthrow Castro’s regime, but the execution of that plan was left up to the next president, JFK
Communism in Cuba

12. Took credit for checking Communist aggression, keeping the peace without losing American lives
1958: Initiated first arms limitation
Warned the nation to “guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence…by the military-industrial complex”
Fears in the early 1960s the U.S. would turn into a military, or imperial, state
Eisenhower’s Legacy

13. ? What was the “open skies” policy? How did the Soviets react?
Give a brief timeline of events that occurred during the Hungarian Revolt
How did the U.S. respond to Sputnik?
What’s the significance of the U-2 Incident?
What occurred in Cuba in 1959? Why was this alarming to Americans? ?