The Early Cold War 1945 -1960 Legacy

The Early Cold War 1945 -1960

Legacy of WWII Wartime Confrences Casablanca/Tehran Yalta Eastern Europe Soviet assistance with Japan United Nations Potsdam Divided Germany Berlin Crisis Stalin blockades West Berlin Airlift Beginning of Cold War

Containing Communism posed an economic threat to the power of the United States Truman placed high priorities on preventing the spread of communism in Europe Marshall Plan (1947) 17 billion in aid to Europe Revived and strengthened capitalism in W. Europe China 1945 Mao begins a campaign against Chiang’s Nationalist government US sends 3 billion in aid to Chiang 1949 Chiang’s gov forced into exile Major foreign policy failure for Truman administration Moral victory for Republican party

Truman’s Failures China (1949) Major blow to the Truman doctrine His failure will shape future events in Asia USSR explodes an atomic bomb (1949) Increases fear of nuclear war Rumors spread of Soviet spies and communist infiltration of the gov Truman forced to escalate the conflict Begins construction of H-Bomb (completed 1952) Matched USSR nine months later Compelled to implement NSC-68 Calls for massive US military and intelligence build up Korea? ?

Korean War Generally referred to as “the forgotten war” Divided Korea divided at 38 th parallel after WW 2 North Korea backed by USSR South Korea supported by US North Korea invades South (June 1950) Truman forced to make a stand Truman gets UN resolution supporting “police action” China and USSR didn’t vote US (UN) forces led by Douglas Mac. Arthur Nearly beaten until Mac. Arthur pulls off military miracle

Korean War Mac. Arthur pushes across Yalu River drawing a counterattack from Chinese forces US forces pushed back to 38 th parallel Mac. Arthur seeks authorization to attack China (nukes) Truman refuses, publicly criticized by Mac. Arthur Truman fires Mac. Arthur (public sides with Gen) War ends July 1953 Peace talks restore territorial status quo 54 k American lives lost Forces permanent US military build up

Massive Retaliation Eisenhower’s foreign policy is more aggressively anticommunist than Truman’s Eisenhower Doctrine Strong believer in brinkmanship Called for constant military readiness in Europe US pledged massive nuclear retaliation to Soviet aggression Drafted in part by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles Believed Cold war was a moral struggle Eisenhower’s policies are largely a failure and result in a swing of the balance of power to the USSR

Ike’s Failures (1953 -1961) Many hoped the death of Stalin was good omen for US foreign policy (replaced by Nikita Khruschev) East Germany 1953/Hungary 1956 Ike refuses to capitalize on anticommunist violence Fear of possible nuclear war Suez Crisis 1956 Sputnik 1957 Soviets gain prestige of first satellite in space Debunks US propaganda U 2 Incident 1960 Ike caught in a lie Forced to acknowledge U 2 program and secret mission of Francis “Gary” Powers Khruschev forced to end relationship with Ike

Anticommunism in the US Second Red Scare in the US Primary causes Containment failures under Truman Soviet demonstration of nuclear power Need for a Republican campaign issue Initial responses were result of political pressure on Truman Loyalty Review Board (1947) Investigation of 4. 7 million gov employees 560 actually fired/denied jobs Violation of civil rights Truman’s actions fan anticommunist hysteria

Anticommunism in the US HUAC (House Committee on Un-American Activities) begins hearings (1947) HUAC hearings lead to imprisonment and blacklisting Hollywood Ten Mc. Carran Act Passed over Truman’s veto Unconstitutional law made it a crime to promote communist ideals Atomic spies US suspected nuclear secrets were leaked to the USSR Alger Hiss Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

Anticommunism in the US Mc. Carthyism Attempt to capitalize on American fears in 1950/1952 elections Initiated Sen. Joseph Mc. Carthy (Wisc. ) Claimed a communist conspiracy had infiltrated the State Dept. Made false claims in televised Senate speeches Attacked figures within Democratic party Attacks appealed to many Americans Democrats lost seats in both elections 1954 Mc. Carthyism ends Mc. Carthy attempts to out communists in the military Censured by the Senate