Kennedy's Foreign Policy 1961-63

Kennedy was decorated war hero and strongly anti-communist. During election campaign, he accused Republicans of letting things drift, saying Communists were winning the Cold War. 

Defence Spending
During election campaign, Kennedy spoke of missle gap. Defence budget increased by 15% in 1961. Introduction of 'flexible reponse' would enable the US to fight any kind of war, entailed building up of coventional forces, special forces and nuclear weapons. 

Kennedy's Cold War strategy

• Peace Crops- established in 1961. Young people volunteered to work in poor places teaching English, improving facilities and providing medical care. Hope would deter countries turning to Communism.
• Food for Peace- surplus agricultual products given to Third World countries. 
• Alliance for progress- programme for Latin America which gave money for food, medicine and education. 
• Counter insurgency- Green Berets formed for 'flexible response'. 
• CIA- Continued to act against countries who opposed US interests. 
• Space programme- NASA budget increased. Space race important element of Cold War competiton. 

Berlin

4,000 people a day leaving East to go to West, propaganda problem for Communists and economic issue. 'Brain Drain' skilled and educated workers leaving East Germany.

Khrushchev met Kennedy in VIenna 1961. Kennedy refused to stop free movement of people, Khrushchev issued same ultimatum but Kennedy stood firm. 

East Germans threatened to cut off city entirely, Kennedy sent 40,000 troops to Europe, asked Congress for a $3.25 billion increase in military spending.

August 1961, East Germans sealed off West Berlin from the East with wire fences. Wall divided city in half. Wall had desired effect to stop flow of refugees to the West. 

Cuba

Background to the Crisis

• 90 miles off coast of Florida 
• Led by General Batista, overthrown by Fidel Castro
• Castro nationalised US companies 
• US applied pressure by cutting economic aid 
• Castro turned to USSR for aid 

The Bay of Pigs Invasion April 1961 
US policy in Americas based on Monroe Doctrine, gave right to intervene. Persuaded by Cuban exiles in USA that Castro was unpopular. Approved a plan that would involve an army of Cuban exiles, backed by CIA. Invasion easily defeated. 

US had to allow Soviets supply to Cuba, defensive weapons. 

Constant missions by U2 planes over Cuba

Why did Khrushchev place missiles on Cuba?

• Gave Soviets first-strike capability
• Soviets behind in arms race
• Test the new and young President 

Events of the crisis
14th October 1962 U2 plane takes photos of missile bases in Cuba.22nd November 1962 Kennedy chose Blockade option- all ships carrying weapons should turn back or face retaliation. 

24th November, 25 Soviet ships turned back. Khrushchev sent JFK a letter- remove missiles in Cuba for US promise not to invade Cuba, remove missiles from Turkey. 

JFK accepted not to invade Cuba, Soviets removed missles from Cuba, US secretly removed missiles from Turkey.

Consequences of the Crisis

• Direct 'hotline' set up to improve communication 
• Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed to prevent nuclear fallout from tests (US, UK, USSR)
• Victory for JFK, defeat for Khrushchev

Key advisers:

• Robert McNamara (Defence Secretary)
• Dean Rusk (Secretary of State)
• Bobby Kennedy (Attorney General)

The issue of Laos
North Vietnamese never fully withdrew from the country, heavily supported the Pathet Lao (local communist group). Negotiations in Geneva 1961, Laos would be neutral, US military advisors withdrawn. North Vietnamese forces to withdraw but did not happen. 

Kennedy's actions in Vietnam:

• Vice-President Johnson sent- Diem could save South from turning communist 
• Level of aid increased, US troops used to train ARVN
• Taylor-Rostow Report, better training of ARVN, greater use of helicopters and US troops
• Advisors growing- 3205 by 1961, 9000+ by 1962
• MACV, new techniques to reduce threat of the VC
• 'Fortified hamlets' peasants isolated from VC, VC frequently infiltrated these hamlets 
• Importance of Battle of Ap Bac- shattered JFK's belief America was gaining upper hand 

Kennedy repeated same mistakes as Eisenhower. Ignored major problem- unpopularity of Diem's regime. America supporting unpopular dictator, while fighting for freedom and democracy.

The assassination of Diem 1963

Diem created incompetent ARVN despite massive amounts of aid. 

Downfall when clashed with Buddhist majority. Banned use of Buddhist religious flag- Government fired on crowds killing 9. Buddhist monk, doused himself with petrol and burnt himself.

Diem declared martial law.

Despite knowing the plot, CIA and US ambassador didn't warn Diem. Murdered in November 1963