Quick Write – November 28/29Brinkmanship is the practice of

pushing a dangerous situation to the verge of disaster, hoping that the opposition will back down and give you what you want. In order for brinkmanship to be effective, the threats used are continuously escalated. 

List 2 benefits and 2 drawbacks to using brinkmanship.

Should the U.S. use brinkmanship when dealing with other nations today? Explain.

The Cold War Begins

Following World War II, an era of high tension between the United States and the Soviet Union emerged.

The United States did not trust the Soviet Union, and as far back as the 1920’s had viewed the Soviet Union as a potential threat.

Americans were hostile to the ideas of communism and had at times feared its spread into the United States.

U.S. overthrows Guatemalan

President, 1954

Cuban Revolution, 1959

Bay of Pigs Invasion, 1961

Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

Korean War, 1950-1953

Iran Prime Minister

Overthrown, 1953

Germany, 1948-1961

Cold War Hot Spots, 1945-1962

U.S. begins to send troops to Vietnam, 1960

Soviet Union Tests Atomic Bomb, 1949

Hungarian Revolution, 1956

National Security Act 1947

Established the National Security Council (NSC)Merged the War and Navy departments into the National Military Establishment (NME) headed by the secretary of defenseRecognized the US Air Force as an independent service from the ArmyEstablishes the role of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Germany

Divided into 4 sectors following WW II Western allies soon merged

3 zones into 1 West Germany – democratic East Germany – soviet-style

socialist

Germany Berlin Wall

1961, Berlin, the last place through which Germans could leave East Germany, was blocked off by the “infamous” Berlin Wall

This wall became a symbol of Soviet control1:06

The Marshall Plan

Marshall Plan United States sent massive

economic aid (13 billion), to European democracies to help rebuild

Between 1948 & 1951, the U. S. government sent aid to 17 different countries

Korea

Proxy war, 1950-1953 Both sides were supported

by external powers North Korea – Soviet Union South Korea – United States

Both North and South Korea were attempting to re-unify Korea under their respective governments.

Iran 1951, Dr. Mohammed

Mossadegh was elected prime minister.

Mossadegh became enormously popular in Iran after he nationalized Iran’s oil reserves.

In response, Britain embargoed Iranian oil and, amidst Cold War fears, invited the United States to join in a plot to depose Mossadegh.

Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh

Iran 1953, President Eisenhower

authorized Operation Ajax. The operation was successful, and

Mossadegh was arrested on 19 August 1953.

U.S. replaced Mossadegh with General Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Rule became increasingly

autocratic. With American support, the

Shah was able to rapidly modernize Iranian infrastructure, but he simultaneously crushed all forms of political opposition with his intelligence agency.

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Vietnam 1954, war to gain

independence from France Split into North and South

by treaty Supposed to hold elections to

reunite country North was Communist, South

was dictatorship Elections didn’t happen and

North attacked south U.S. supported South

Golf of Tonkin - 1964 Anti-War movements in U.S. 1975 Vietnam is united under

Communist government

Guatemala 1954, a freely elected

Guatemalan leader, Jacobo Arbenz, is overthrown in a coup orchestrated by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

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Hungary Following the fall of Nazi

Germany, Soviet troops occupied all of the country and through their influence Hungary gradually became a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union.

The communist rule was nearly unbearable for Hungary’s war-torn citizens.

1956, Hungarian Revolution. The Soviets retaliated

massively with military force, sending in over 150,000 troops and 2,500 tanks.

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CubaFidel Castro leads successful revolution, 1959Bay of Pigs Invasion

Attempt by U.S. trained force of Cuban exiles to invade south-west Cuba and overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro.Planned & funded by U.S. government.The Cuban military defeated the invading force in a matter of days and the event accelerated a rapid deterioration in Cuban-American relations.

Cuba

Cuban Missile CrisisU-2 spy plane discovers Soviet medium-range ballistic missiles in Cuba

U-2 reconnaissance photograph of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. Shown are the transports and tents for fueling and maintenance.

Other Threats Atomic Bomb

U.S. - 1945 Soviet Union - 1949

Thought of Deterrence Arms Race

Develop more Nuclear weapons than the other guy

Space Race Soviets first in space

Sputnik I October 4, 1957 Americans first on the moon

Apollo 11 July 21, 1969