“ germany is finished. the real problem is the russians. i can’t get the americans to see it.”...
TRANSCRIPT
“Germany is finished. The real problem is the Russians. I can’t get the Americans to see it.” Winston Churchill
1. Agree on division of Germany
2. Division over Japanese invasion
3. Poland is the main issue
1. International peacekeeping force
2. Try to settle things peacefully
3. Promote justice
4. U.S, Soviet Union, Britain, France, & China given permanent seats
Truman takes over after unexpected
death of RooseveltFDR funeral
Soviet View American View-protect own -bring
democracy interests & economic
opportunity-establish satellite nations -provide new
markets-spread communism
1. Albania & Bulgaria
2. Czechoslovakia
3. Hungary & Romania
4. East Germany
A. Tone set by Churchill & Stalin
B. Competition builds b/t U.S. & Soviets
C. Characterized by1. political conflict2. economic conflict3. military tensions
A. Keeping communism from spreading
B. Seen as too moderate
C. Cornerstone of American policy
A. Support countries fighting conquest
B. Approves aid for Turkey & Greece
C. Leads to involvements worldwide
“We have entered the atomic age & war has undergone a technological
change which makes it a very different thing than what it used to be. War today b/t the Soviet empire and the free nations might dig the grave not only of our Soviet opponents but of
our own society.” Harry S. Truman
1. Strengthen European democracies
2. U.S. would support w/ financial aid
3. Open new markets
4. 17 nations join; Soviets refuse
A. Allies merge zones to form West Germany
B. Berlin divided1. Many flee to West Berlin2. Stalin blocks access3. U.S. & Britain airlift
supplies
A. U.N. becomes ineffective
B. Truman seeks to avoid isolationism
C. Goal is collective security
D. Soviets form Warsaw Pact
A. Soviet atomic threat1. Americans fear attack2. Develop hydrogen bomb3. U.S. worlds leading
nuclear power
B. China falls to communists
Andrei Sakharov
1. House Un-American Committee (HUAC)
a. investigate disloyaltyb. includes govt. & movie
industry
2. Studios compile a blacklist(The Hollywood Ten)
America’s Forgotten
War
1. China split b/t nationalists & communists
2. Long March inspires communists
3. Communists fully in power by 1949
1. Divided at 38th parallel
2. Communist regime in N. Korea
1. Took U.S. by surprise
2. Blame Soviets
3. Truman determined to respond
1. U.S. blocks Chinese admission
2. Resolution brands N. Korea an aggressor
3. Truman begins military buildup
4. MacArthur to lead UN forces
1. UN forces attack weak supply lines
2. Chinese aid N. Koreans
3. MacArthur wants 2nd front in China
4. Truce signed in 1953a. Korea left divided
1. Americans doubt limited results
2. Military integrated
3. Increase in military spending
4. Shape U.S. policy in Asia
1. Issue of communism brings attention
2. Launches attacks on govt. officials
3. Army-McCarthy hearings bring downfall
4. No longer credible
1. Korean War ends in 1953
2. Vietnam divided
3. U.S. gives aid to S. Vietnam
1. Problems b/t Israel & Palestine
2. U.S. backs Iran
3. Crisis over Suez Canal
1. Intervene for business interests
2. CIA aids Guatemala
3. Fuels Cold War
Gain Weapon
Superiority
1. Soviets test hydrogen bomb
2. U.S. steps up weapon development
3. Deterrence becomes main policy
“The ability to get to the verge w/o getting into the war is the necessary
art. If you cannot master it, you inevitably get into war. If you try to run away from it, if you are scared to
go to the brink, you are lost.” Sec. State John Dulles, 1956“I am shocked that the Secretary of
State is willing to play Russian roulette with the life of our nation.”
Sen. Adlai Stevenson
1. Risk war to protect interests
2. Relied on by Eisenhower
administration
1. Soviets charge ahead in missile development
2. Sputnik launched by Soviets
3. Soviets shoot down U-2 spy plane
4. U.S. willing to spend money