us forum crises chair letter

UNAR 2017 United States Forum on the Cold War (1962)


Committee Description

The United States Forum on The Cold War is a fictional gathering of national leaders tasked with resolving the topics outlined below. This committee will be run crisis-style. This means that topics will not be addressed separately, but instead will generally be addressed through a series of cases that will be presented to committee. The majority of committee will be run as moderated caucuses to keep up with the fast pace of debate and the ever -changing landscape of the crisis. The committee as a whole will be allowed to pass directives, press releases, and communiques to respond to the crises, and ultimately to help the United States promote democracy around the world. Delegates will also have access to portfolio powers , which are independent directives/press releases/communiques that the delegate’s country carries out independent from the forum. Keep in mind these powers must be within a member's powers and policies.

Chairs

Tyler Gabriel [email protected]

Jeremy Robinson [email protected]

Hello my name is Jeremy Robinson. I am in my fourth year in model UN and this will be my second time chairing. I am a senior at Brockport High School where I play soccer and do tech crew for various performances in our school. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions regarding the topics, position papers or anything else you may have concerns about.

My name is Tyler Gabriel and I am a senior at Jamesville-Dewitt High School. This is my fourth year in Model United Nations and my third time chairing. Outside of MUN, I enjoy playing soccer, running track, and sleeping. I am very excited to chair this committee. If you have any questions feel free to email me or my co-chair.


AVAILABLE POSITIONS

Please email the chairs with your top 3 choices. Positions will be dealt on a first come first serve basis (please include both chairs in your email): - Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-James E. Webb - General In the United States Air Force-Curtis LeMay - Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations-George Whelan Anderson - General of the United States Marine Corps-David M. Shoup - White House Press Secretary- Pierre Salinger - Director of Central Intelligence- John McCone - Secretary of State -David Dean Rusk - Ambassador to USSR - Foy D. Kohler - Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation- J.Edgar Hoover - Speaker of the House of Representatives - John William McCormack - Ambassador to NATO - Thomas K. Finletter - Leader in the African-American Civil Rights movement, the American labor movement, and Socialist political parties- Asa Philip Randolph - Secretary of Defense- Robert McNamara - Attorney General- Robert F. Kennedy


Background The Cold War, as it has come to be known, was the conflict between the United States of America and the Soviet Union (USSR) from the 1940s to 1991. The post-war tensions between the two nations led to half a century of political and military pressure. The United States of America’s fears were exacerbated by Soviet expansionism in Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union’s fears grew due to the proliferation of arms by the United States. The formation of NATO confirmed the USA’s desire for international security. The mutual tensions grew and continued to develop into the 1950s. Instead of engaging directly, the United States and the Soviet Union interacted through alternative means, such as proxy wars, or wars supported by a nation who does not become directly involved. Examples of these wars include the Korean War, the Chinese Civil War, and the Cuban Revolution. Besides international conflicts, the Cold War had many affects on the United States and the Soviet Union. The influence of the war was even felt in sporting events. Hysteria in the United States was rampant over the possible threat of Communists within the government. This hysteria, brought about partly by Senator Joseph McCarthy, was known as the Red Scare. Espionage was also relatively prominent during this time, evident through the use of spy planes; almost 200 Americans were killed or imprisoned flying spy planes over the Soviet Union. The Warsaw Pact was created in 1955 in response to the establishment of NATO by the Soviet Union and other Eastern European nations. At the start of the 1960s, the Cold War escalated with events such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the creation of the Berlin Wall. The date of committee is January 1st, 1962.

Sources: Cold War History: http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cold-war-history

Cold War Timeline: http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/a_us_history/cold_war_timeline.htm


CONTAINMENT OF COMMUNISM Containment is a strategy the United States implemented in order to prevent the spread of communism following World War II. The aftermath of World War II greatly impacted the state of international political affairs. After Germany fell in 1945, the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence became extremely threatening to the United States. Fearing that communism would appeal to Greece and Turkey, President Truman spent $400 million in an attempt to “support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” This was a covert verbal attack against communism and its proponents; Truman’s speech to Congress in 1947 is widely considered the beginning of the Cold War. This idea was subsequently known as the “Truman Doctrine”. Secretary of State, George Marshall, later announced a plan to aid Western Europe, officially known as the European Recovery Program but commonly referred to as the Marshall Plan. This plan targeted democracies specifically to prevent them from turning to a communist government. Both of these actions were clear examples of the United States taking definitive action to prevent the spread of communism. Domino Theory, or the belief that the emergence of one communist state will cause more to emerge, was a central belief of the United States during the early parts of the Cold War . This idea was a primary justification for the policy of containment. Throughout the course of committee, the members of the forum will be responsible for taking action in order to promote and empower pro-democratic governments. Members must also consider the repercussions of other actions with respect to the United States of America’s policy of containment. Is there a precedent that can be established to model ideal interactions with nations who may be in risk of swaying towards becoming a communist state? Are there any actions the United States can make to limit the Soviet Union’s interactions with developing nations? How will the United States maintain healthy relationships with tested and newly democratic nations?

Sources: US Office of the Historian: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/kennan

Domino Theory: http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/domino-theory

Communism: http://www.rationalrevolution.net/war/communism_on_the_world_stage.htm


DOMESTIC UNREST Although the the prior two decades were not as dynamic in terms of social progress, the 1960s were a vital time for civil issues within the United States of America. The 1960s would prove to be a time of great change for citizens of the United States. Despite the United States’ increased involvement overseas, domestic issues became a prominent concern for many Americans. In 1948, President Truman issued Executive Order 9981 which stated that all members of the armed forces would be subject to equal treatment and opportunity, regardless of “...race, color, religion, or national origin.” This action was extremely impactful and signified major progress towards some of the eventual goals of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Events in the 1950s drastically changed the state of race relations in the United States. The Brown v. Board of Education, the actions of Rosa Parks, and the integration of a Little Rock high school all demonstrated the racial tension that existed in America. This tension continued into the next decade. Demonstrations for civil equality, such as the sit-ins of Greensboro, North Carolina, reminded the United States of the issues the affected many of its citizens. The efforts of Martin Luther King Jr., such as the establishment of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, began to solidify the Civil Rights Movement with organized ideals and principles based on nonviolence and civil disobedience. Other developments such as the sexual revolution, the gay pride movement, and hippie/counterculture movement began to take hold during the early 1960s as well. These movements would emerge to prominence in the middle to later part of the decade, but were still influential on American society. All of these movements were clear examples of the domestic unrest found among Americans. Members of the forum will be responsible for implementing solutions to civil issues, quelling domestic unrest, and ensuring public safety. Members should consider the domestic consequences of their foreign actions. How should the government interact with protesters and supporters of various movements? What can the government do to address their concerns? Should the government concern itself over public opinion on foreign intervention and other international matters?

Sources:

Civil Rights Timeline: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html

Civil Movements:

http://www.lessonsite.com/archivepages/historyoftheworld/lesson31/protests60s.htm

Greensboro Sit-In: http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/the-greensboro-sit-in


SPACE RACE

Following World War II, the world was shaken by the military forces that were displayed over the duration of the conflict; the use of nuclear weaponry was unprecedented and alarmed many nations. The desire to master the new technology lead to a contest of industrial might between the United States and the Soviet Union. One of the first major advances in missile technology is the development of the German V-2 , an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile(ICBM) first launched in 1942.The technology used to attack targets from great distances could be used to send rockets into space. The Space Race was in part birthed from the United States and the Soviet Union attempting to recreate the

German missile. The United States, believing that the Soviet Union had more advanced technology, declared the development of missile technology a high priority for the sake of national security; this fueled the Space Race even further leading into the next two decades. As a result of the space race, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was founded in 1958. This foundation of NASA was also brought about by the Soviet’s successful launch of Sputnik, the first manmade satellite. Members of the forum will be responsible for ensuring that the space program continues to be successful. The space program is a reflection of the military power of the United States of America and is vital for a strong position in the international community. What actions can be taken to ensure current and future successes for the space program of the United States? What are realistic goals that can be achieved by the space program? What can be done to ensure “victory” over the Soviet Union?

Sources:

Space Race Timeline: http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/

Military Origins: https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/space-

race/online/sec200/sec200.htm

NASA Timeline: http://history.nasa.gov/brief.html


POLITBURO POSITIONS

Please email the chairs with your top 3 choices. Positions will be dealt on a first come first serve basis (please include both chairs in your email): - Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA)-James E. Webb - General In the United States Air Force-Curtis LeMay - Admiral and Chief of Naval Operations-George Whelan Anderson - General of the United States Marine Corps-David M. Shoup - White House Press Secretary- Pierre Salinger - Director of Central Intelligence- John McCone - Secretary of State -David Dean Rusk - Ambassador to USSR - Foy D. Kohler - Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation- J.Edgar Hoover - Speaker of the House of Representatives - John William McCormack - Ambassador to NATO - Thomas K. Finletter - Leader in the African-American Civil Rights movement, the American labor movement, and Socialist political parties- Asa Philip Randolph - Secretary of Defense- Robert McNamara - Attorney General- Robert F. Kennedy

us forum crises chair letter

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