Cold War: Containment, Red Scare, and Korean War

Cold War Overview

• The Cold War included containment strategies, the Second Red Scare, McCarthyism, along with conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.

Containment Policy

• The goal was to prevent communism from expanding in Europe and Asia.
• Eastern Europe was under Soviet/communist control, Western Europe was capitalist.
• Containment policies involved providing aid to countries to prevent communism.
• The Marshall Plan was initiated to rebuild Western Europe, with the US providing $17 billion.
• The Truman Doctrine aimed to help Turkey and Greece resist communism.
• NATO was formed to halt the spread of communism.

Red Scare

• Highlighted American fears related to communist expansion in Europe and Asia.
• Hollywood was investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).
• Suspected communists were blacklisted.
• Joseph McCarthy, through "McCarthyism," claimed communists infiltrated the US government.

Korean War

• The war was fought to prevent the spread of communism to South Korea, involving the US and UN.
• The conflict ended in a stalemate.
• South Korea is remains free of communism, while North Korea remains communist.

Vietnam War

• The war divided the US and caused widespread protests.
• Spending on the war took precedence over domestic programs.
• The goal was to contain communism.
• The US withdrew, but Vietnam is communist to this day.

Collapse of the Soviet Union

• Signified the end of the Cold War.
• Led to the collapse of communist governments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
• The collapse was due to an inefficient Soviet economy, central planning, and massive arms race spending.
• Several communist governments gave up power following mass democracy demonstrations.
• The Berlin Wall fell, leading to Germany's reunification.
• The US provided assistance to former communist countries to support economic and educational reforms.
• With the Soviet Union's collapse, the US economy shifted due to reduced defense spending.

Eastern Bloc

• Also referred to as the Communist Bloc, the Socialist Bloc, and the Soviet Bloc.
• Included socialist states in Central and Eastern Europe, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
• The bloc was under the Soviet Union's control and influence, following Marxism-Leninism.
• The ideology was imposed on these states.
• The Eastern Bloc opposed the capitalist Western Bloc during the Cold War (1947-1991).
• The "Second World" refers to the Eastern Bloc.
• The "First World" refers to the Western Bloc.
• The "Third World" included non-aligned countries mainly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Yugoslavia was notably included before 1948.
• Generally, the Eastern Bloc comprised the USSR and its satellite states in Comecon, which included East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania.
• The Soviet Bloc in Asia included Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea, and China.
• In the Americas, Cuba was part of the Soviet Bloc since 1961, with Nicaragua and Grenada for limited periods.

WWII Aftermath

• The Allies were victorious .
• The American army and navy became the most powerful in the world.
• Tom Brokaw termed this generation the "greatest generation".

Soviet Union under Stalin

• The US distrusted the communist regime
• The USSR suffered the greatest loss of life during WWII.
• Stalin was upset by the North African Campaign.

Cold War Origins

• The Truman administration adopted a policy of fighting communism.
• Containment policy became a key strategy.
• Expansion of defense industries drove economic growth.
• Communist witch hunts (McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare) marked the era.
• Vietnam tested containment strategies.
• The US triumphed in the Cold War, but there was initial uncertainty.

Containment Explained

• A US foreign policy doctrine from 1947 under Harry S. Truman.
• Belief that communist governments would collapse if prevented from expanding.

Greatest Generation Defined

• Also known as the G.I. Generation and the World War II generation.
• The Western demographic cohort that followed the Lost Generation and preceded the Silent Generation.
• Individuals born between 1901 and 1927.

San Francisco Conference

• In 1945, Delegates from 50 nations, representing 80% of the world's population, met in San Francisco
• Goal was to develop an organization that would maintain peace and build a better world.
• The UN charter was unanimously approved on June 25, 1945.
• The UN intended to unite nations to bring peace and prevent future wars.

UN Origins and Structure

• The idea for the UN emerged during World War II.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt coined the name "United Nations".
• The term was first used in the “Declaration by United Nations” on January 1, 1942.
• The UN headquarters are in New York City.
• The UN replaced League of Nations.
• It serves as an international peacekeeping organization.
• The Security Council is its executive branch.
• The Security Council has five permanent members: the US, Great Britain, France, China, and the Soviet Union.
• Ten other seats are for two-year terms, elected by the General Assembly.
• The Security Council can enforce economic sanctions, use military force, and deploy peacekeeping troops.
• It has veto power, and can block any official action.
• The General Assembly serves as a "town meeting for the world".
• Various standing committees serve in the UN.
• The UN passes resolutions and makes suggestions.
• The Yalta Conference was held with the "Big Three" (Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin).
• Fair and free elections in Poland were promised.
• Germany was divided into four zones.
• "Globalism" emerged as a response to the failures of isolationism.

Atlantic Charter

• Drafted by Roosevelt and Churchill in 1941 with a WWII connection.
• Sought an international organization to settle disputes (the UN).
• Aimed to end military alliances and spheres of influence.
• The US was a free-market capitalist nation and fought against communism and totalitarianism.
• With 45 years of of existing, the Soviet Union fought expansion into Europe, Asia, and Africa.
• Vietnam, Cuba, Grenada, Afghanistan, and Angola served as battleground locations.
• The US refused to recognize the USSR for 16 years after the Bolshevik takeover.
• The first Red Scare involved domestic fears of communism.

WWII impact and Beyond

• The USSR, under Stalin, was enraged by the war, losing 20 million lives.
• Lend-Lease to the Soviets ended before the war's closure.
• Promises of freedom in eastern Europe were broken

Yalta and Potsdam Conferences

• At Yalta in February 1945, the USSR was granted territorial concessions from Japan and special rights in Chinese Manchuria that had been lost during the Russo-Japanese War.
• The Potsdam Conference in Summer 1945 planned for democracy in four zones of Germany, with the US, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union each administering a zone, but the agreed plan was not followed by the Soviets.
• The Satellite Nations served as a buffer zone controlled by the Soviet Red Army, where "an iron curtain descended across the continent", dividing democracy and capitalism from communism.
• These nations included Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Bulgaria, and they faced environments of mutual mistrust.

Satellite Nations

• A disagreement centered on the political structure of postwar Europe.
• Stalin aimed to control central and eastern Europe and the post-war agreement was VIOLATED during the Yalta Conference, which promised free elections.
• The Tehran Conference in 1943 left the issue unresolved.
• Satellite nations included Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia (under Josip Broz Tito), and Soviet-controlled Germany.

Tehran Conference

• Leaders: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and a Soviet Premier.
• The conference was held November 28 - December 1, 1943.
• The goal to discuss postwar governments.

Yalta Conference

• The same leaders were at this one.
• February 4-11, 1945.
• Discussed Soviet entry into the Pacific, the creation of the UN, the formation of a security council, and the division of Germany & Europe.

Truman Doctrine Details

• Proposed containment with George Kennan.
• He wanted to contain communism within its current boundaries.
• Supported free people fighting against communist expansion in countries like Greece and Turkey.
• $400 million in aid successfully stopped communist aggression.

Marshall Plan

• Secretary of State, George Marshall secured $17 billion in aid to Great Britain, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
• This led to an economic boom in Western Europe, benefiting both European nations and the US.
• Capitalism was promoted, weakening communist support.

The Presidency of Harry S Truman

• Served as the 33rd President of the United States from April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953.
• He believed that Stalin and the Soviet Union were fundamentally untrustworthy.

Cold War Berlin Conflict

• Berlin was a divided capital within Soviet-controlled Germany.
• West Berlin was an island of capitalism.
• The Soviets blockaded Berlin in June 1948, sealing off land routes to unify the American, British, and French areas.
• The US and Great Britain initiated the Berlin Airlift to supply West Berlin.
• Truman decided to stay, transporting 4,000 tons of supplies daily ("Operation Little Vittles") over 11 months, totaling 250,000 missions.
• The initiative was a success for both the US and capitalism.
• The Berlin Blockade ended in May 1949.
• Stalin's actions were viewed negatively as he used civilians as pawns for expansion.

People's Republic of China (PRC) Rise

• Established October 1st, 1949, after the Chinese Civil War, which followed the Chinese Revolution of 1911.
• The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) won, led by Mao Zedong, opposed by the US.
• The US suspended diplomatic ties with the PRC for decades after mainland China fell to communism.
• The Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT), was the defeated party, led by Chiang Kai-shek, with support from the US in the form of money and weapons, but continued at a smaller scale in Taiwan.
• Chinese nationalists led by Mao Zedong influenced the Korean War.

NATO Formation and Significance

• Established in April 1949 as a collective security agreement between Western nations.
• The Berlin crisis accelerated its formation.
• Members agreed to retaliate if any were attacked and to maintain a standing military force in Europe.
• Founding members included Great Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and the US.
• This marked a shift from isolationism to full interventionism, a departure from George Washington’s warnings against such entanglements.

Warsaw Pact

• Formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union in response to NATO.
• The pact was based on a collective security agreement.
• An attack on one state was an attack on all, requiring a united response.
• The goal was to prevent or stop wars.

Context

• On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong declared the creation of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
• The Korean War and US action was greatly affected.

A Divided Korea

• The 38th Parallel divided Korea.
• Kim Il Sung led North Korea without elections, while Syngman Rhee, through a military man, led South Korea with elections.
• the Korean War began June 25, 1950, and ended July 27, 1953.
• North Korea's invasion of South Korea prompted Truman to commit aid.
• A UN coalition aided South Korea.
• The Soviet Union boycotted the Security Council, preventing them from blocking action.
• General Douglas MacArthur commanded forces.
• Northern forces were pushed over the 38th parallel and then beyond to the Yalu River, bordering China.
• 400,000 Chinese forces intervened and pushed back.
• MacArthur wanted to enter the war, but Truman disagreed, fearing World War III.
• MacArthur then spoke to the American people, and Truman fired MacArthur for insubordination.
• The war resulted in 37,000 American deaths and ended in a stalemate with a ceasefire that served as an armistice.
• There were increased tensions between the US and China due to the Korean War.
• Relations improved between the US and Japan.
• Korea remained divided between the communist dictatorship of North Korea and the strong military man of South Korea under Syngman Rhee.

Causes of Hostility

• Bruality of the Government towards its own people
• Mistreatment of the WWII Eastern Europeans.
• There were aggressive expansion policies and the desire to expand communism in the Soviet Union.
• Soviet paranoia caused problems between Americans and Russians.
• The US refused to deal with the Soviet Union
• Ignorance and misconceptions between both nations made things difficult.

The 1950s

• Wartime economy
• Franchises and Conglomerates
• Servant men ready readjustment act

1948 Election

• Truman vs Henry walters, with the moderate party under Truman
• Truman was an underdog but won anyway.

Trumans fair deal

• Raised minimum wage from 45 to 75 cents.
• Expanded the scope of social security
• created National Housing Act of 1949, where it was low income housing

Like ike Presidency

• Eisenhower as 34th president in 1953 when Eisenhower was President
• Used covert operations to achieve with the CIA

2nd red scare

• Executive Order 9835 made all federal employees to be analyzed in order to determine whether they are loyal to the government.

McCarthyism Overview

• Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed that there were communist spies within the government, and used fear, paranoia, and unfounded claims about communism to justify his accusations.
• Many people were losing jobs and ruined reputations.

Hollywood ten

• House un American activities committee tried to investigate alleged disloyalty

Soviet Union

• Ethel and Julius Rosenberg transferred atomic secrets to the soviets and were convicted of espionage
• Public protest Censorship of books

The 1950s boom

• Europe market for American goods to be export
• Consumer middle-class society

1950s suburbanization

• An affordable dream for Americans
• Conformity demanded Vaccines increased lives, which caused increase in births. The Interstate Highway Act of 1956.

Suburbia

• Affordability
• Racism

1950 TV

• Harry Truman=1st televised president

Vaudeville

Variety shows that were on Live and have Musical and Sketches

• Ed Wynn show

Commercials of the 1950

• Luck strike commercial

1982 Tom Brokaw

• Mentioned earlier in the presentation Greatest Generation: people came of age during World War II

Backlash of rock 'n roll

• Churches deemed the song as satanic Kids wanted to shake and rattle

"Operation Wetback"

• Under eisenhower

1960 movies

• Had very controversial ideas that tried to incorporate racism

Third World countries

• Independence lead to decolonization
• proxy armies and proxy wars US v soviets

Yalta doctrine

• Stalin had to approve voting from the soviets.

Communist beliefs

• Government is to come and intervene by force

Gamal Abdel Nasser

• The 2nd president of Egypt (1954- death in 1970) led the 1952 overthrow of the monarchy

Atomic era

Secretary of State John Foster Dulles (and President Eisenhower) policy of brinkmanship o US = larger nuclear arsenal

Taiwanese Islands of Quemoy and Matsu) Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh defeated French in (now communist) Vietnam

massive retaliation?

What is massive retaliation?

• military doctrine and nuclear strategy in which a state commits itself to retaliate in much greater

the CIA

(Central Intelligence Agency)

 Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh nationalized British Petroleum 

Power

• 1951-1953 Muhammad

American beliefs

• Was the U.S fair to the American allies?

Fidel Castro

• Rebel American hero

Hungarian Revolution, 1951

• Overeconomic conditions that led to war

Capitalism and communism described

• They each have ups and downs sides