Kennedy's Cold War Strategy

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following most accurately describes the U.S. strategy in the Cold War under President Truman?

  • Employing containment through political and economic means, such as the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. (correct)
  • Implementing a policy of brinkmanship, relying on the threat of massive retaliation.
  • Direct military intervention in satellite states of the Soviet Union.
  • Focusing primarily on covert operations and nuclear proliferation.

How did Eisenhower's Cold War strategy differ from Truman's?

  • Eisenhower completely abandoned the policy of containment.
  • Eisenhower increased economic aid to communist countries to foster diplomacy.
  • Eisenhower decreased military spending and focused on diplomatic negotiations.
  • Eisenhower relied more heavily on the threat of nuclear weapons and covert operations. (correct)

What was a key difference in Kennedy's approach to Cold War strategy compared to Eisenhower's?

  • Kennedy decreased the use of special forces and the Peace Corps.
  • Kennedy increased reliance on the CIA for foreign policy initiatives.
  • Kennedy stepped back from the 'brink' and focused on covert operations and winning hearts and minds. (correct)
  • Kennedy reduced military spending to focus on domestic programs.

Which initiative was a part of Kennedy's 'New Frontier' domestic policy?

<p>Increasing aid to education, health insurance for the elderly, and urban development. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event most immediately preceded and influenced the beginning of the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union?

<p>The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary motivation behind Kennedy's decision to launch the Apollo Program, aiming to land a man on the moon?

<p>To demonstrate U.S. technological superiority in response to Soviet space achievements. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did television impact the 1960 presidential election between Kennedy and Nixon?

<p>It played a significant role, with Kennedy's telegenic presence potentially swaying voters. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main idea behind Kennedy's 'Flexible Response' foreign policy?

<p>To develop a range of diplomatic, political, and military options to respond to different situations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event is regarded as a foreign policy disaster during the Kennedy administration?

<p>The Bay of Pigs invasion. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion?

<p>Closer ties between Cuba and the Soviet Union. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors motivated the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961?

<p>To prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the immediate cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962?

<p>The U.S. discovery of Soviet nuclear missile sites in Cuba. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary fear driving the U.S. response to the Cuban Missile Crisis?

<p>The threat of nuclear attack from missiles stationed close to U.S. soil. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Cuban Missile Crisis ultimately end?

<p>The Soviet Union and the U.S. reached an agreement where the Soviets removed missiles from Cuba, and the U.S. secretly agreed to remove missiles from Turkey. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

<p>The signing of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'Brinkmanship' as it relates to Cold War strategy?

<p>The act of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the 'Missile Gap' issue during the 1960 election?

<p>The perceived superiority of the Soviet Union in the number of nuclear missiles. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a domestic policy initiative associated with Kennedy's 'New Frontier'?

<p>Tax cuts for the wealthy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the intended purpose of the Peace Corps, established during the Kennedy administration?

<p>To promote American culture and goodwill through volunteer work in developing countries. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Checkpoint Charlie during the Cold War?

<p>It was a border crossing point between East and West Berlin. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the Kennedy administration, what was the U.S. policy towards a potential nuclear attack from Cuba?

<p>To respond with a full retaliatory strike upon the Soviet Union. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of President Kennedy's Alliance for Progress?

<p>To promote economic development and stability in Latin America and prevent the spread of communism. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events is considered the closest the world has come to nuclear war?

<p>The Cuban Missile Crisis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a direct outcome of the agreement that resolved the Cuban Missile Crisis?

<p>The United States pledged not to invade Cuba. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Lyndon B. Johnson became president, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. What was Johnson's key domestic agenda known as?

<p>The Great Society (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Containment

A U.S. strategy during the Cold War focusing on containing Soviet influence.

Brinkmanship

A Cold War strategy under President Eisenhower relying on nuclear weapons.

Flexible Response

Kennedy's strategy of being prepared for both conventional and guerilla warfare during the Cold War, reducing reliance on nuclear threats and covert ops.

Space Race

A term describing the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

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Sputnik

The first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking a significant milestone in the Space Race.

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New Frontier

Kennedy's domestic agenda, including social and economic reforms, and expansion of initiatives like Medicare and education.

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Equal Pay Act

Legislation championed during Kennedy's administration to ensure equal pay for women.

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Peace Corps

John F. Kennedy's program to send American volunteers to developing nations to assist with education, health, and economic development.

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Bay of Pigs Invasion

A failed military invasion of Cuba in 1961, aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro's government.

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Cuban Missile Crisis

A major confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1962 over the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba.

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Berlin Wall

Military and political barrier constructed by East Germany starting in 1961 to separate East and West Berlin, preventing the flow of people between the two.

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Race for the Moon

Kennedy pledged U.S. would land a man on the moon.

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Study Notes

  • President Kennedy allowed students to sit in the seat of their choice
  • He stated that he would relocate students for some "teachery" reason if necessary

U.S. Cold War Strategy

  • During the Truman administration, Cold War strategy involved containment
  • Containment included the Iron Curtain in Europe and a containment perimeter in Asia
  • The Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, and NATO's formation, were elements of containment
  • The OSS was replaced by the CIA in 1947
  • Under Truman, the U.S. engaged in a Limited War through conventional proxy wars
  • Eisenhower's Cold War strategy after 1952 centered on containment, the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan
  • Eisenhower's strategy involved brinkmanship with the threat of Massive Retaliation and Nuclear Proliferation from 1953-1961
  • Eisenhower also utilized covert operations
  • Kennedy's Cold War strategy utilized containment, the Truman Doctrine, and the Marshall Plan
  • Kennedy implemented brinkmanship with the threat of massive retaliation and nuclear proliferation
  • Covert operations were also used
  • Kennedy's strategy emphasized fighting conventional limited wars and conflicts against guerrilla forces
  • Special forces and the Peace Corps were heavily utilized
  • Kennedy stepped back from the "brink", increased covert operations, and decreased reliance on CIA
  • The goal was to win hearts and minds

Kennedy Administration (1960-1963)

  • Kennedy's administration launched the "New Frontier" and "The Great Society" initiatives
  • Kennedy made the jump from "Ike" to Kennedy with pre-WWII leadership into the 60s

Kennedy Domestic Policy

  • Kennedy's domestic policy included the Space Race to compete with Soviets
  • The "New Frontier" initiatives aimed to increase aid to education, health insurance for the elderly (Medicare), as well as urban development and low-income housing
  • Kennedy advocated for Women's Rights with the Equal Pay Act
  • Kennedy supported Aid for the Disabled, including the Special Olympics
  • Kennedy addressed the Civil Rights Movement as JFK, RFK and LBJ were active supporters
  • U.S. involvement in Vietnam increased significantly under Kennedy

Space Race

  • Soviets launched Sputnik in 1957, the 1st artificial satellite
  • In 1957 the Soviets launched the 1st Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
  • The U.S. launched its 1st ICBM in 1959
  • The Soviets put an unmanned craft on the moon in 1959
  • Yuri Gagarin was the 1st cosmonaut to orbit Earth in 1961
  • John Glenn was the 1st American to orbit Earth in 1962
  • Kennedy launched the Apollo Program on May 25, 1961
  • Kennedy's "Race for the Moon" speech, occurred on Sept. 12, 1962
  • The Apollo Program increased emphasis on math and science in schools which was part of the “New Frontier” initiative
  • The Saturn V Launch occurred
  • Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969

Election of 1960

  • Key issues in the election of 1960 included the Cold War, religion (Kennedy was the first Catholic President), and Civil Rights
  • The "Missile Gap" was an issue related to STEM
  • The election included the Kennedy/Nixon Debate
  • Kennedy delivered his “ask not” Inaugural Address in 1961

Kennedy Foreign Policy

  • Flexible Response involved preparing to fight both conventional wars and conflicts against guerilla forces
  • Heavy support for Special Forces/Green Berets was provided

Bay of Pigs

  • Fidel Castro overthrew U.S. supported dictator Fulgencio Batista in Cuba in 1959
  • Castro established close ties with the USSR including Castro/Khrushchev
  • Cuba is only 90 miles from U.S.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

  • The Eisenhower administration setup the Bay of Pigs
  • Kennedy had to clean up the mess
  • "La Brigada" CIA trained Cuban exiles to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs to inspire rebellion
  • The Bay of Pigs invasion on April 17-19, 1961, was a complete disaster
  • The invasion weakened Kennedy’s image internationally
  • Castro further strengthened ties with the Soviets

Berlin Wall

  • The Berlin Wall was built in 1961
  • Khrushchev tried to stop East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin
  • Khrushchev demanded that the U.S. withdraw forces from West Berlin
  • 3.5 million fled East Germany
  • This mass exodus created a Brain Drain
  • East Germany's economy was on the verge of collapse

Cuban Missile Crisis (Oct. 15-28, 1962)

  • The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred between Oct. 15-28, 1962
  • U.S. spy planes spotted Soviet missiles in Cuba
  • The Bay of Pigs and Operation Mongoose (CIA intervention) caused this
  • The U.S. had Missiles in Turkey/Italy
  • Soviet missiles previously could only hit Europe
  • This was an attempt to deter U.S. attack on USSR
  • Khrushchev viewed Kennedy as weak
  • EX-COMM advised Kennedy
  • Kennedy announced a Naval Quarantine
  • He vowed a "Significant" response if a missile was launched from Cuba
  • This included massive retaliation and brinkmanship
  • Kennedy demanded the removal of missiles
  • The world came closest to nuclear war
  • The U.S. promised not to invade Cuba and remove U.S. Missiles from Turkey
  • The Soviets removed missiles from Cuba

Aftermath

  • The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed
  • Khrushchev fell out of favor in the Soviet Union
  • Kennedy delivered a Peace Speech on June 10, 1963, five months before his death
  • President Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963 in Dallas, TX
  • Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as President, and enacted his plan known as "The Great Society"
  • The nation was in mourning

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