The Beginnings

The The Cold Cold WarWar

The Cold War & US Globalism• A bipolar contest between US and USSR

over spheres of influence/world power; each accuses other of seeking world domination

• US leaders from Truman to Bush intervene to “contain” communism throughout globe

• US leaders interpret Third World conflicts (Vietnam, Korea) through lens of Cold War

• US leaders red-bait critics of containment• US actions generate anger abroad at US

WHOSE FAULT WAS IT?

THE CASE AGAINST THE SOVIET

UNION: 1. The hostility of Marxism towards capitalism- desire to overthrow capitalism around the world.2. Despite the efforts of the Allies during the war- giving USSR supplies and weapons- Stalin could never be satisfied. He held chronic suspicions to the Allies.3. USSR entrenched its troops in E. Europe and elsewhere after the war. Did not honor agreements to leave. Violation of Yalta.4. Directly undermined democracy in E. Europe: puppet governments established (Poland, Romania, etc.). Even tried to eliminate communist leaders that they could not control. Military used to prevent or fix elections. Violation of Yalta.

THE CASE AGAINST THE SOVIET UNION:

5. Stalin showed his hostility to the US with his attempt to seal off E. Germany and starve the West out of West Berlin. Made the Berlin Airlift a necessity.

6. USSR rejected US plan to have inspections for nuclear weapons production and testing. This was a clear sign of hostility and indicated a desire to rapidly build, test, and deploy (and possibly use) the bomb.

7. The USSR created and supported a N. Korean government that was aggressive and hostile, as shown by the June 1950 invasion of S. Korea.

THE CASE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES:

1. US hostility to the Socialist Revolution- Wilson sent troops to support the White Army against the Socialists.2. US intended to encircle the Soviet Union with capitalist nations, which would undermine the revolution. Proven by US interest in E. Europe.3. Red Scares in the US- clear signs of US hostility.

THE CASE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES

4. WWII:a.) Refusal to open a second front in

Europe while Russians died by the millions.b.) Soviets bore the heaviest

casualties in the war and had a right to make some demands after the war.

c.) At Yalta the US and USSR decided to divide E. Europe into spheres of influence, contrary to what the US later said.5. Elections were held in E. Europe and the people chose socialism.6. Inability of West to try and understand the Soviet need for a buffer zone to protect its border from another invasion, especially through Poland.

THE CASE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES7. UN used as a tool of the West- as shown in

Korea.8. Nuclear inspection proposals were an attempt to spy on the Soviets under the guise of impartial inspection.9. Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” Speech showed hostility.10. The Marshall Plan, which was a clear attempt to buy the support of Europeans.11. West’s creation of NATO, which led to the need for the Warsaw Pact.12. Truman Doctrine and Containment Policy: Indicated that the US did not have friendly intentions towards the USSR.

The Ideological StruggleThe Ideological StruggleSoviet &

Eastern Bloc Nations

US & the Western

DemocraciesGOAL spread

world-wide Communism

GOAL “Containment” of Communism & the eventual collapse of the Communist world.

METHODOLOGIES: Arms Race [nuclear escalation] Espionage [KGB vs. CIA]

Undermine governments “Proxy wars”

Fight directly Support Guerillas

Ideological Competition for the minds and hearts of Third World peoples Financial Support

Why the Cold War Began• WWII’s destruction destabilizes Europe

and Asia• Power vacuums (Germany, Japan); civil

wars (Greece, China); and decolonization• US and USSR have different ideologies

and economic/strategic needs; each believes it can rescue/save an unstable world

• Both downgrade diplomacy; build strength

• US vows no appeasement/depression of 1930s

US Economic & Strategic Needs

• Promote an activist foreign policy• Besides needing mineral imports,

key sectors of economy rely on exports

• Europe is unable to earn exchange necessary to buy US autos, steel, etc. (dollar gap)- unless the US helps

• Air age (bombers, carriers) changes security thinking; to block surprise attacks, US needs overseas bases/air transit rights

Truman’s Get-Tough Style• Unlike FDR, Truman is impatient with

diplomacy and wants simple answers to complex issues

• At first meeting with USSR official (Molotov) Truman “gave it to him straight … to the jaw”

• Truman plays into Soviet concerns:– USSR remembers past US acts against

USSR, and fears revival of Germany/Japan

– USSR ideology assumes capitalists will try to destroy USSR; Soviet economy in ruins

The Truman Presidency (1945–1953)

• After FDR’s death (Apr.), Truman is ill-prepared to handle foreign and domestic problems

• Reconversion to peacetime is stressful as unemployment soars (industries lay off workers and millions of vets return home)

• Truman promises to fulfill FDR’s pledge (1944) to pursue full employment with more reform

• Easy credit and WWII savings spur economy

Truman’s Cold War• US rejects loan to USSR (1946);

new IMF and World Bank advance US model (capitalism) and interests

• Truman encourages Churchill’s “iron curtain” speech (1946) on blocking USSR expansion

• In 1947, Truman decides to aid British client government in Greece and to Turkey as well; proclaims Truman Doctrine aid all nations resisting communism.

The Containment Doctrine• Truman announces US will intervene

globally to prevent spread of communism (Truman Doctrine)

• Critics note USSR is not active in Greek civil war, but Truman wins aid to Greece and Turkey

• Kennan (“X”, 1947) coins term containment: global counter-force to undermine/restrict USSR

• Critics dispute idea of communist monolith threatening world; fear US over-extension– These critics become targets of red-baiting

Europe and Global Containment (1947–49) • US builds economic/defensive

network to protect US interests and advance US power

• Marshall Plan helps rebuild W. Europe; stop any depression and/or spread of communism– Gives $12.4 billion in credits for US goods– Spurs economic growth, but causes

inflation

• Fulbright (1948) educational exchanges try to promote positive image of US abroad

National Security Act, 1947; Point Four

Program • Creates Secretary/Department of Defense, NSC, CIA

• US forms military links around globe: alliances (Rio Pact, 1947), military missions

• US quickly recognizes Israel (1948)• In 1949 Truman starts Point Four:

economic aid to Third World nations to win further allies

• In 1948, US, England and France agree to form West Germany/West Berlin as an ally

Berlin Blockage (1948–49);

NATO (1949); NSC-68 (1950)• USSR responds with blockage; Truman

defeats it with airlift; USSR forms East Germany in 1949

• US signs military alliance with Europe; deters Soviet invasion and ties West Europe to US

• Europe split in 2; Warsaw Pact forms, 1955• Soviet A-bomb and Mao’s victory in China

(1949) shock US officials; respond with massive military buildup (NSC-68) and H-Bomb

THE BERLIN AIRLIFT

THE BERLIN AIRLIFT

THE BERLIN AIRLIFT

United StatesUnited States

BelgiumBelgium

BritainBritain

CanadaCanada

DenmarkDenmark

FranceFrance

IcelandIceland

ItalyItaly

LuxemburgLuxemburg

NetherlandsNetherlands

NorwayNorway

PortugalPortugal

1952: Greece & 1952: Greece & Turkey Turkey

1955: West 1955: West GermanyGermany

1983: Spain1983: Spain

NATO: An alliance of democratic nations

U. S. S. R.U. S. S. R.

AlbaniaAlbania

BulgariaBulgaria

CzechoslovakCzechoslovakiaia

East East GermanyGermany

HungaryHungary

PolandPoland

RumaniaRumania

The Warsaw PactAn alliance of communist

nations in response to creation of N.A.T.O.

Asia and the Cold War• Besides taking control of Pacific islands,

US monopolizes occupation of Japan• USA tries to Americanize Japan with

bases, censorship, constitution, and alliance (1951)

• Long-time US ally Jiang (Chiang) loses civil war in 1949 despite billions in US aid– Jiang’s government alienates peasants with

its corruption and refusal to deal with landlessness

• Mao tse Tung (Xedong)- wins the civil war and turns to communism.