Foreign Policy under Eisenhower 1953-61

The election of Eisenhower as US President in 1953

• Stated he would end the war by going to Korea
• His reputation- Supreme commander in WW2
• Threats to use nuclear weapons

Attitude of the Chinese 

• War cost a great deal
• War accounted to half there budget 
• Keen to focus on domestic problems 

Attitude of the North Koreans 

• US bombing caused damage
• Agriculture and country close to famine 

ARMISTICE signed on 16th June 1953

• 33,651 US soldiers died and 103,284 wounded 
• NSC-68 put into practise- American defence spending increase
• Increased defence spending led to stimulation of US economy and increasing prosperity 
• US had shown determiniation and willingness to stop the spread of Communism 
• Anti-communist paranoia in the US- allowed McCarthy to gain strength 

Eisenhower committed to cut federal spending- $40 billion a year on defence spending. 

'New Look' 

• Cut back conventional forces 
• More dependent on nuclear forces
• Massive retaliation- just as threatening to the enemies 
• 'More bang for your buck'

'Domino theory' 

If one country in a region falls to Communism, surrounding countries likely to fall as well.

America had to confront all communist expansion. 

Reffered as the 'thaw' as relations improved between the superpowers:

• The death of Stalin and change in Soviet leadership. Khrushchev spoke of 'peaceful co-existence'
• End of the Korean War
• End of McCarthyism in the US

1955 seen as improved relations:

• Soviets agreed to give up military bases in Finland 
• Lifted veto of 16 countries in UN (United Nations)
• Cominform was abandoned 

Tension between superpowers remained:

• No agreement over the future of Germany
• Eisenhower suggested there should be arms control- Khrushchev rejected this 

Dulles spoke about 'roll back' in Europe because people did not support the Communist governments. 

October 1956 revolt in Hungary:

• New government under Imre Nagy
• Hungarians spoke about leaving Warsaw Pact
• Soviets crushed the revolt killing 30,000 Hungarians 

The Hungarians asked for US support (accepted 25,000 refugees)

• Eastern Europe Soviet Sphere of influence
• Geographically could do little 

Hungarian uprising showed unrealistic ambition of liberation in the Cold War 

Constant stream of people leaving Soviet sector- 'Brain Drain' skilled workers needed in the US sector. 

Khrushchev ultimatum- peace treaty and US troops leave Berlin or USSR sign own treaty with East Germany. 

Eisenhower made it clear he would not abandon Berlin. Deadline passed and nothing happened. 

Paris summit 1960

Soviets shot down U2 spy plane and captured pilot (Gary Powers). America lied and said it was a weather plane that got lost, exposed when Soviets exposed wreckage and pilot. American lies exposed and the summit broke up.

Defeat in civil war, Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-Shek fled to the island of Taiwan, occuped islands of Quemoy, Matsu and Tahcen. The US 7th fleet blocked Chinese attempt to retake the islands. 1954 treaty promised US protection of Taiwan. 

Republicans not to recognise Mao as legitimate leader of China. Chinese bombardment of Quemoy and Matsu, invasion Tachen. 

January 1955 approval to deploy troops in the region. Eisenhower threatened nuclear weapons against China if the bombardment of islands continued. 

Eisenhower and Dulles made it clear to Chiang that he had US support but could not expect unlimited support. 

The Geneva Conference on Indochina 1954
French defeat meant Vietminh looked to take over all of Vietnam. Ho forced to attend due to pressure from China and the USSR:

• End of Korea war previous year, end fighting in indochina
• New Soviet leadership decrease level of tension in Cold War
• China fovoured negogiations 

The Geneva Accords 1954

• Communist rule in the North, Diem would govern the South
• French withdraw from North, Vietminh from the South- truce between sides
• Democratic elections in two years time, united Vietnam
• Northern nor Southern allowed to make military alliances

America created South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO), guranteed security for South. 

Ngo Dinh Diem backed by the CIA, USA agreed to extend massive aid to government of South Vietnam. 

Iran 1953:
Democratically elected governemnt investigated American and British domination of oil industry. Oil companies refused to comply so Iranians nationalised them. CIA orchestrated overthrow of the government, military took control with the Shah ruling the country.

Guatemala 1954:
CIA again involved in overthrow of democratically elected government. Arbenz headed government and stopped United Fruit Company using labour practices. Fruit company wanted action, CIA orchestrated the overthrow of the government and a military dictatorship.

Lebanon 1958:
Crisis developed when Lebanon under pressure to join United Arab Republic, created by Nasser and consisted of Egypt and Syria. Eisenhower sent US troops to stop them joining to make sure Communism didn't spread.

Cuba
1952 military seized power led by General Batista. Fidel Castro led opposition to Batista, Eisenhower didn't respond with military intervention. Economic sanctions, refuse to buy sugar, Castro turned to USSR for economic assistance