Crystallizing The Cold War

Crystallizing The Cold WarIran US supported government against Soviet aided rebellionFrom 1945-47 Communist governments installed throughout Eastern Europe Churchills Iron Curtain Speech1947Containment DoctrineGeorge Kennan This was the U.S. policy to prevent the spread of communism

Cold War Europe

Truman DoctrineTruman formally embraces containment in 1947. Crisis in Greece and Turkey. Huge effect if it falls to communism.Truman goes before a joint session of Congress and announces the Truman Doctrine. US policy to support free people trying to resist outside forcesCalled the beginning of the Cold WarAsks for $400 Mill. in aid to Greece.Containment/Truman doctrine drive foreign policy for the next 40 years.Problem with doctrine as basis for foreign policy

Marshall PlanUS fears spread of communism in Western Europe. US responds with the Marshall PlanUS would provide substantial financial assistance. Europeans enthusiastically agree. Eastern Europe is offered aid, too, but Soviets force them to reject. Ends up being 35.3 Billion over 11 years.Huge success as it helps rebuild Western European countries

Recognition of IsraelTruman goes against advice of State Department and recognizes the state of Israel in 1948.Arabs were adamantly against it and threatened to push Jews into the sea.Arabs were important to US strategic interests because of Oil and as bulwark against Soviets.Truman recognized Israel because:Lots of Jewish voters in the USSympathy for plight of Jews during the holocaust.Recognition of Israel vastly complicated US foreign policy.

America Begins To RearmCold War leads America to arm itself in an unprecedented fashion for peace time.US Defense establishment overhauledNational Security Act (1947)PentagonSec. of Defense has cabinet status.Joint Chiefs of Staff National Security Act established the National Security Council and CIA.1948 Draft is reestablished. First peace-time draft.

NATOSoviet threat drives Western European countries together.North Atlantic Treaty Organization 1948. Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and US.West Germany and others join later.End to IsolationObligates each country to defend others Epochal unification of Europe,.

Reconstructing JapanWhy is reconstructing Japan easier?Japanese cooperate with US reconstruction to an astonishing degree.MacArthur.War crimes trials as in Japan.Defense of Japan will be handled by US.Economic consequence?

China Goes Red

China was a mess. Weak and divided Nationalist led by Chang Ki Cheke (Jiang Jieshi). Communists are led by Mao Tse-tung. Chang is corrupt and repressive and ultimately Mao and communists take control.Nationalists flee to Formosa (Taiwan).US recognition of China.

Who Lost China?The loss of China was a huge blow to American Psyche. Who lost China? Many Republicans blame Truman. Allege that the State Department is riddled with secret Communists. Fuels the growing Red Scare.America now sees two largest countries aligned against the US.Myth of Communist unity.Bigger BombsFeb. 1949 Soviets explode an Atomic bomb three years sooner than predicted. Americans shocked; monopoly gone America had counted on the bomb to keep Soviets in check for a few more years.Truman orders the development of the H-bomb. Beginning of the arms race.H-Bomb is exploded in 1952.Soviets explode their own H-bomb in 1953.

Ferreting Out Alleged CommunistsRed Scare hit US.Whiff of truth gives validity to paranoia.Many believed there were home-grown Soviet spies in the US government 1947 Truman launched loyalty program. 3000 federal employees dismissed based on suspicion of disloyalty or communist sympathies.communist sympathizer

Communist Witch Hunts1948 House Un-American Activities Committee formed to investigate subversion.Richard M. Nixon goes after Alger Hiss.1950 Joe McCarthy chairs committee and bursts on the national scene.McCarren Internal Security Bill. Julius and Ethel RosenbergWitch-hunts are occurring in universities and in Hollywood. Black Lists

Truman Limps into 1948

Truman popularity low. ReasonsEconomic readjustment after warTwangy and bluntDemocrats in control for 16 yearsRepublicans get majority in Congress in 1946Most assume he cant win.Democrats nominate him after Ike refuses to be drafted.Nomination splits the partyWhy are southern Democrats so opposed to him.Democratic DivisionsStrom Thurmond. DixiecratsFormer Vice President Henry Wallace runs as a liberal/progressive.Republicans nominate Thomas Dewey, Gov. on New YorkAssumed Truman will lose.Dewey runs safe campaign.

Give em Hell HarryTrumans whistle-stop tour throughout the country.Rails against the do-nothing Congress. Trumans program/platform.Crowds get more and more enthusiastic.Dewey still thinks he is winning. Polling is still not very good.

Dewey Wins! (or not)

Truman wins handily and stuns about everyone.Democrats win House; keep it for the next 44 years.Truman makes the Fair Deal the corner-stone of his second term.This was Truman's economic planCongress guts most of it.

The Korean Volcano EruptsHistory of Korea after WWIIAcheson sends mixed messagesJune 25, 1950, North Korean army rolls over the S. Korean army. Are pushed back to a narrow area around Pusan.Truman sees this as Soviet aggression; Commits US troops to a UN force to support S. Korea. Does this without consulting Congress or a declaration of war.American forces are vast majority of UN forces and MacArthur is appointed U.N. Commander.

NSC-68Korean crisis provides excuse for massive increase in military spending. This proposal had been set out in National Security Council 68 (NSC-68).NSC-68 was a major turning point in the Cold War Committed America to massive military spending.See-Saw in KoreaInchon LandingNervous ChineseMacArthur over-confidentChinese pour inMacArthur defies Truman; MacArthur firedNasty stalemate; support for war erodes.