Cold War And Korean War AS History Exam 2/06/09

• Reports sent back on the US Cold War Policy, an important document was made known as the NSC-68.

..... The Country Saw it in Biopolar terms.

• The Situation of the Cold War had been brought about by the USSR's aim to extend there authority over both Europe and Asia...Hence World Conquest.

• The US Policy would ensure non-communist regimes were Viable

• Military Action would be considered to meet the threat of Communism were needed.

• Both Conventional and Nuclear weapons were being prepaired.

• US Policy of containment focused on the exsistence of Soviet Uninon and containing communism in it's ALREADY exsisting borders.

• Communism NEEDED to be confonted and not ingnored and pushed back to safeguard

• They therefore needed to be more aggresive.

China:

• Communist takeover of China in September Made It Seem like the tide was turning in a favour of a Communist world.

• Why? Second world war left China without anyform of control.

• By 1949 Communist People Republic Of China were strong enough to push Nationalism out.

.....Appeard clear evidence that Stalins work was spreading.

• USA had always seen them selves as guardians of China and had failed it's role.

Korea and Vietnam

• Secure Unifications Collapsed when the Communist forces invaded the Capitalist South.

.... Again clear evidence that Stalins work was spreading.

• The USA had always been very critical of Imperlism in Vietnam however, if France did not regain control Communism would takes it's place.

• Vietnam was also in a secure place to recieve Communist back-up and support.

.... This would create the Dominoe Effect

Missile Gap

• USA was the only country which was in power of Nuclear Power.

• This power was shatter when the Soviet Unioin annouced it had an atomic bomb

• This then began the ' Missile Gap' which arose the fears of Soviets bombing capabilitys.

• Made the USA increase military spending.

The Red Scare And McCarthyism

• Fear that the USA was being undermined by the enemy withing

.... McCarthyism was to represent this fear.

• High suspicions that were communist spies within the US government gained alot of intrest.

- Set up a Loyalty review bored to check up in Govenment emplyoees, of whiched 3000 workers were sacked

- The US senate set up it's own House Un-American Activities Commitee to put pressure on those called as witness of communists.

-Alger Hiss; State Department Official, was convicted of communist, the US public seen this as clear evidence of Commmunist underground.

- There fears were confirmed by the uncovering of a spyring that passed atomic secrets to the USSR

McCarthyism

• McCarthy used is postion of Head Of The Minor Senate Commitee to himulate witnesses, and target individuals.

• However McCarthys influences were shot lived

• As McCarthy was revealed a liar and a crook.

US Foreign Policy In The 1950's

....Had to harden against Communism in this time.

• Dwight Eisenhower was elected president in 1952, Truman had been longly critised for being soft on Communism, It was thought that Eisenhower would adopt a firmer line.

• Eisenhowers secetary of state John Foster Dulles suggest to face up to Communism they had to build up there Nuclear Weapons.

• Other would see then that any agressive actions, would lead to Massive Realiation

...The focus now was on Nuclear arms rather than Conventional arms.

• It was thought that the US wouldnt only be able to contain Communism but Roll it back as well.

...However this would only work as a Detterent, if the enemys thought the USA was prepaired to use them.

US attitudes at home and abroad were more strident in the 1950's than any other era.

• Vulnerability was felt in the USA by 2 Key Influences.

- The percieved strength of the USSR compared to that of the USA... Though Communist strength in the USA was never significant enough to make an impact.

- The percieved technological and military superiority of the USSR... Though this was only ever an Illusion

However, these factors were to have a long term impact on the USA.