American Studies

  Two opposing world views dominate international relations: US believes whole world should model itself after us  Democracy: Free elections, multiple parties to choose for    Capitalism: Free market, consumerism and materialism Individualism: Your needs and wants are most important Religious expression: Mostly Christianity (1954 added “under God”)  USSR believes their way is better     Communism: One party system Planned economy: Everyone contributes and gets the same back Collectivism: The group’s needs and wants are most important Atheism: Religion should not effect govt or divide citizen groups  Cold War: No “hot” violent conflict between these two nations  Both sides use propaganda, military expansion, threats, espionage, and economic influence to achieve goals

 USSR wants to be a world power and spread Communism    Soviets lost about 20 million during WWII Afterward, 25 million are homeless and hungry They need to expand in order to recover  European leaders want to protect borders from any further invasions    Establish buffer zone or “satellite nations” along western border US wants to help foster democracy there US emerges more powerful than ever

 What were the goals of the Soviet Union in the Cold War?

 a.

 b.

 c.

 d.

To not get involved .

Spread Democracy and build friendships.

Create satellite nations and spread communism.

To create capitalistic economies for all nations.

      Feb. 1945: Meeting of Big 3 Allied leaders : FDR, Churchill and Stalin We agree to give USSR Poland and territory in the Balkans in exchange for help with Japan Establish idea for the United Nations: International council to help nations solve problems without war Soviets will occupy Eastern Europe until free elections can be held in the near future (never happens) Soviets want Germans to pay high reparations  Other Allies know they won’t be able to and want to occupy Germany and help them instead Agree to split Germany into “spheres of influence” in order to help them recover  Seeds of the Cold War: Creates severe tension

 1945: US is the only one with atomic bomb and uses it to take a strong negotiation stance  The New Big 3 Allies : Truman, Stalin, and Attlee  Meeting to finalize all plans made at Yalta Conference:  War crimes trials in Nuremburg and Tokyo after the war  The Potsdam Declaration: They agree that we should use the bomb on Japan

 In the United Nations Charter, member nations pledge to “unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.” Since ratification of its charter following World War II, the primary goal of the United Nations has been to  A. restore world trade disrupted by World War II.  B. encourage industrial growth begun during World War II.  C. establish policies to help nations pay World War II debts.  D. intervene in world conflicts to prevent another war such as World War II.

   Feb. 1946: Stalin announces he will break off trade with all western nations and build up his weapons systems March 1946, Winston Churchill gives a speech at a college in Fulton, Missouri “A shadow has fallen upon the scene so lately lighted by the Allied Victory…an iron curtain has descended across the continent”  Metaphor: NOT a real wall or curtain!  Churchill says western nations must join together to fight communist aggression

“There is nothing the Communists admire so much as strength and nothing for which they have less respect than for military weakness.”

 In the years following World War II, the countries of communist Eastern Europe were often referred to as being “behind the iron curtain.” These countries were perceived as a single region based on  A. a common cultural heritage  B. unique physical features  C. economic and political characteristics  D. widespread immigration from other regions

 “Communism must be confronted and contained whenever and wherever it seeks to extend influence.”  US Diplomat in Moscow George Kennan: Expert on the USSR, says they will avoid confrontation  Containment Policy:   The US won’t fight Communism where it already exists The US will try to stop all further communist expansion  1947: Becomes the Truman Doctrine: US foreign policy for next 45 years  Uses it to justify providing aid to Greece and Turkey so that they could fight against communist influence

 “At the present moment every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is often not a free one.”  “One way of life is based upon the will of the majority and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.”

 “The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections and the suppression of personal freedom.”  “I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures.”

 During the Cold War the United States was involved in different conflicts because they assured the world that  the U.S. would help in any way to stop the spread of communism. What was this policy of containment called?

a.Marshall Plan b.Domino Theory c. Isolationism d.Truman Doctrine

 Europe was devastated by WW II: Depression  Cities, farms, factories, roads, etc. = destroyed  Millions are homeless and hungry  The conditions were ripe for the spread of

Communism

 Gaining support in France and Italy  US economy needs Europe to be stable in order for all nations to grow and benefit

 George Marshall  Truman’s Secretary of State   Army Chief of Staff in WW II Later will be Secretary of Defense    Served in WW I and WW II 5 Star General 2 Distinguished Service Crosses and a silver star   Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Marshall Plan Sends Herbert Hoover over to find out what Europe needs so that we can help them

 US will help rebuild the European nations  In exchange, they agree to spend a portion of the $ on US goods  The US will spend $13 Billion helping 16 countries  Soviets refuse to participate say it’s a US plot to take over Europe.

 However, in 1948 it was the USSR that seized control of Czechoslovakia  Very Successful: Europe recovers quickly, world economies benefit, US business prospers  Gains us allies and eliminates appeal of communism

 At the end of World War II, Soviet armies liberated the countries of Eastern Europe from Nazi Germany. The occupation of these countries by the Soviet Union contributed to the development of the Cold War by  A. contributing to conflict in the Middle East  B. bringing about the reunification of Germany  C. strengthening the authority of the United Nations  D. dividing Europe into communist and non communist spheres

 Berlin is located 100 miles inside East Germany  Berlin was divided into West and East  West Berlin was part of Allied West Germany  US desired economically strong Germany to contribute to western recovery and contain Soviets

 Supplies reached West Berlin on road and rail lines connecting it to W. Germany  In 1948 the Allies disagree on several issues involving Germany, including a new currency

 In June 1948 the Soviets blockade the border, cutting West Berlin off from West Germany.

 Communications, supplies, and electricity were cut off  2 million citizens of West Berlin are trapped, 100 miles inside Communist East Germany. They have no access to supplies necessary for their survival.

 They have 35 days of food and 45 days of coal

 Truman’s Options 1. Do nothing – Let it fall to the Communists 2. Send armored convoys across the border and risk going to war 3. Find a way to resupply that doesn’t result in war Introducing the Berlin Airlift

 US and British aircrews will have to bring in everything that the West Berliners need to survive.

 Everything will come by air - food, medicine, fuel, etc.  It was the largest continuous airlift in history   324 days: 277,000 flights delivered 2 million tons of supplies 10 minutes to unload 10 tons of supplies

At its peak, a plane landed in Berlin every 30 seconds

 How did President Truman respond to the Soviet blockade of Berlin in 1948?

 A.

By escalating the conflict with a counter-blockade of Soviet Positions   B.

C.

By sending American tanks through the blockade The Soviets never blockaded Berlin  D. By airlifting supplies into West Berlin

 Soviets lift blockade in May 1949: Humiliating defeat  Flights continued until September to build up supplies  US won the first “battle” of the Cold War  Allies agree to unite to form Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) prevents Soviet blockade  Stalin retaliated forming German Democratic Republic (East Germany)  1961: Berlin Wall built to split East and West Berlin  Torn down in 1989

  1949: Soviet Union detonates their 1 st atomic bomb = tensions rise China becomes Communist   Chairman Mao Zedong takes over US feels we “lost” China  NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization was an alliance created to defend the West against Soviet aggression  Mutual defense agreement where nations promised to consider an attack on one member an attack on all, go to aid of any member  Initially 12 nations were members

 During World War II, Japanese troops occupied much of China. This weakened the Chinese government, and in 1949, communist forces overthrew the government and established a communist state. What effect did the Chinese Communist Revolution have on the development of the Cold War?

    A. It decreased tensions, because it led to the formation of the Warsaw Pact.

B. It increased tensions, because it strengthened the independence movement in India.

C. It increased tensions, because it increased Western fears of communist expansion.

D. It decreased tensions, because it led to the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union.

 In 1955 the Soviets and their allies formed the Warsaw Pact: Communist version of NATO alliance  NATO nations trained and prepared throughout the Cold War to fight WW III

 NATO forces are actively serving in Afghanistan  Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia are now members of NATO

 In the years following World War II, there emerged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Warsaw Pact nations. These are examples of  A. regional economic cooperative efforts.

 B. military alliance systems  C.

environmental impact studies.

 D. international tribunals.

  After WWII: Feared it would be hard to re-absorb all the troops at home The G.I. Bill of Rights: Provided funds for servicemen/women to go to college or get other job training      Health and unemployment benefits and housing loans Baby Boom: Couples start families as troops return (1946 1964)  A baby every 10 seconds!

Suburbs rapidly expand along with interstate highways New economic prosperity: Time/labor saving appliances Everyone is buying cars and televisions  Story of Us video

    Fear of Soviet aggression and subversion changed the way the US saw the world and each other Causes era of hysteria, suspicion and accusation of disloyalty due to fear of Communism  If you criticize the govt, you must be Communist Federal Employee Loyalty Program (FELP): to conduct security checks on over 2 million govt employees People could be fired for being a potential threat without evidence    Large number resigned and 200 fired State/Local govts do the same Make employees take loyalty oaths

 McCarran Internal Security Act (1950) Required Communist organizations/members to register with attorney general      Prohibited defense industries from hiring known commies Legalized internment of certain people during national emergencies Truman vetoed saying it was violation of constitutional rights by Congress overruled https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWeZ5SKXvj8

 Joseph McCarthy: House Rep. who exploited US fear of Communism for his own political gain    Sparked national frenzy by claiming that he had a list of 205 known communists employed by US State Dept Never offered any evidence and eventually discredited Many disapproved but not publically because of fear of being accused of sympathizing with Commies  Loses credibility in 1954: Investigated US Army  Televised hearings: Show lack of evidence  Dec. 1954: His influence came to an end, climate of fear gradually declined but never disappeared

   House Un-American Activities Committee (1938, 1947) HUAC investigated allegations of Communist influence in Hollywood movie industry  Wanted to prove that Communists in Screen Writers Guild inserted subversive propaganda into Hollywood films 10 witnesses refused to testify exercising 5 th protection against self-incrimination   amendment Hollywood Ten were found guilty of contempt of Congress and served up to 12 months in jail Blacklisted so other studios would not hire them 1948: Alger Hiss, who attended Yalta and helped organize UN, accused of spying for Soviets during 1930s  Fought for innocence but sentenced to 5 years in jail

 Which was a common factor in the United States that caused the Red Scare following World War I and McCarthyism following World War II?

 A. racial tension in major cities  B. signs of economic downturn  C. fear of communist expansion  D. the counterculture movement

  Constant Arms Race between US and USSR 1950: Truman order comprehensive investigation of US military strength      NSC-68 report says US should operate under assumption that USSR desires world domination Truman thought to guarantee security US must increase nuclear arsenal and enlarge its capacity to fight wars against Soviets Should be a source of encouragement to all nations to resist Need to be ready for rapid mobilization Congress doesn’t want to raise taxes for bigger military, but then…

 North and South Korea split at the end of WWII  South Korea: Democratic supported by US   North Korea: Communist supported by USSR Stop at 38 th parallel in the middle

  1950: Northern troops invade South Korea in order to unite the nation under Communism  Led by Kim Il Sung  China supports them UN Security Council: Condemns the invasion and authorizes use of military to expel the invading North  Police Action: US did not officially declare war but participated to contain communist expansion  US sends naval and air support, then ground troops  Sets precedent for undeclared involvement in the future     US spent over $64 billion, lost over 33,000 American soldiers 3 million Koreans and Chinese killed: Majority were civilians Scorched Earth policy: Destroy everything so they can’t rebuild US drops more bombs here than all Allied bombs in WWII

 Korea remained divided at the end of the war  Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on both sides of the border (38 th parallel)   Did not solve any long-term issues in Asia DID allow for massive US military build-up  SEATO: Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, like NATO alliance  Korea today: Still divided, with democratic South Korea and Communist dictatorship in North Korea

 The Cold War influenced U.S. foreign policy and involvement after World War II. Which of the following demonstrates that influence?

 A. Korean War  B. Persian Gulf War.

 C. Internment of Japanese Americans.  D. Growth of suburbs in the 1950’s.

 After WWII: Nationalist movements in Latin America  People resented US business involvement  Many living in desperate poverty  1958: Fidel Castro led a communist revolt in Cuba  1959-1961: Castro takes over and nationalizes all businesses, eliminating US involvement/control  President Eisenhower breaks off diplomatic relations  Cuba signs a treaty with the USSR

 1961: JFK becomes President and is concerned about having a Soviet ally so close to US borders (90 miles)  US tries to invade Cuba at Bay of Pigs with intent of igniting an uprising against Castro  Uses anti-Castro groups trained by US military  Invasion failed miserably: US appeared weak and ineffective  JFK uses covert CIA operatives to disrupt Cuban trade, conduct raids, and attempt assassinations of Castro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= W50RNAbmy3M&safe=active

   Castro is angry and Nikita Khrushchev wants to protect his ally near US USSR installs missiles in Cuba that could strike the US 1962: US spy plane discovers missiles      Some want to attack, risking all-out nuclear war Kennedy’s advisors meet over tense week Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara recommends naval blockade to stop any further missile installation JFK demands Khrushchev remove the missiles or the US will destroy them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5H Byt1GZs&safe=active

 Announced to the public 8 days after discovery  Military on high alert: 180 ships in blockade, bomber planes stay in the air  Closest we’ve ever come to nuclear war: Citizens are panicked and preparing for nuclear holocaust  After 4 days: Soviets back down and remove missiles  In exchange, US removes missiles in Turkey    JFK respected for averting crisis Some tensions reduced; communication to avoid disaster Arms race continues: Both afraid and want to remain strong

 The use of atomic weapons at the end of World War II fostered fears about their potential use during the Cold War years. These fears were critical in determining the U.S. response to  A. the Marshall Plan  B. the Berlin Blockade  C. the Cuban Missile Crisis  D. the independence movement in India

        Arms Race: Build up military for protection and threat Space Race: Show power and technological advancement Oct. 1957: Soviets launch Sputnik I, 1 st orbit Earth  manmade object to Sputnik II carries a dog, 6 more Sputniks through 1961 1958: US launches Explorer to orbit Earth 1961: Soviets send first person into space to orbit Earth  Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin Weeks later, US sends Alan Sheppard for 15 minute flights 1962: John Glenn is the first American to orbit Earth JFK decides we must make it to the moon in order to win  Story of Us video

 1968: US launches Apollo 8 to orbit the moon  July 1969: The moon landing is completed by US  Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong , and Michael Collins orbit the moon and then walk on its surface  “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”  Worldwide TV audience watched in awe

 The successful launching of Sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957 signaled the beginning of  A. Americans competing to prove technological superiority over the Soviets  B. The Cold War in the United States  C. Soviet aggression in Afghanistan and China  D. Disarmament discussions between the superpowers

 Vietnam was a French colony in Southeast Asia  Civil war: Communist rebels led by Ho Chi Minh try to drive out French Imperial govt  US supports French anti-communist regime  Eisenhower justifies this based on the Domino Theory  If one country falls to communism, all other would be sure to follow  1954: Vietnamese forces defeated French  Temporary treaty divides Vietnam at 17 th parallel with Communists in north

   Vietnam divided: Elections to be held in 1956 to reunite country under one government =cancelled  Fearing that commie rebels would win, southern leader Ngo Dinh Diem cancelled elections Rebel groups formed National Liberation Front (NLF):   Communist Vietcong rebelled in democratic south Ho Chi Minh in north helped supply rebels in the south  Communist China also provided aid to Vietcong Use of guerilla warfare: Hidden, small group attack strategy, sometimes armed civilians  Kept track of body counts not land  “Victory is around the corner”

 JFK demands that Southern govt stop corruption in return for US aid and military training    1963: 16,000 Us military advisors were in Vietnam, but Diem did not institute serious reforms South Vietnamese govt regularly stole much of the aid Troops were unsuccessful in fighting Vietcong forces  1963: CIA supports a coup to kill Diem and put others in power  Nov. 1963: Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated JFK  Lyndon B. Johnson becomes president

    Johnson believed that communist rebels were a threat to global balance of power August 1964: Johnson said North Vietnam attacked two US ships and asks Congress to increase troop strength Gulf of Tonkin Resolution: Gives Johnson power to use any necessary action against Communists   Gives him the power to take “all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the US and to prevent further aggression” Later, the public discovered two US ships provoked the attack by helping attack the north US never declares war, but we are heavily involved in the war

 Rolling Thunder: Consistent bombing of North Vietnam by the US from 1965-1968  Destroy infrastructure without ground invasion of the North  Jan. 1968: Tet is the Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam  Both sides announced a two day cease-fire to celebrate  The Tet Offensive: North Vietnam and the Vietcong launch a surprise attack on the south during holiday weekend  Attack military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam  Turns the tide of war: Now we realize that we may lose  People who had supported war begin to question our continued involvement

 Following World War II, France attempted to re-establish control over its colony, Indochina, which included Vietnam. Leaders of the Vietcong, a communist-supported independence movement in Vietnam, fought against France’s efforts to retake the colony. The United States viewed this conflict as part of the Cold War and aided France. This U.S. action was based on which policy?

    A. a policy of opposing colonialism B. a policy of helping Japan rebuild its economy C. a policy of containing the spread of communism D. a policy of participating in United Nations’ peacekeeping efforts

 2.2 million are drafted into the war: Can fight in a war at 18 but can’t vote until they’re 21   Civil Disobedience: Break a law to call attention to a perceived injustice Example: Burn draft cards to show they see law as unfair  1971: 26 th Amendment: Vote at 18 starting 1971  Draft dodgers: Refuse to serve, many flee to Canada  Baby boomers protest in large numbers

 Why they protest:     Distrust of Govt: War never declared, Gulf of Tonkin Hypocritical: Not allowing self determination or supporting true democracy Meddling in foreign affairs: Costing $ and lives Morally opposed to war:   Sending the poor to fight for the rich govt First televised war shows brutality and killing civilians   US used chemical weapons like Napalm and Agent Orange Reports of US military abuses: My Lai massacre     1968: Mass murder of 400-500 unarmed Vietnamese civilians, including men, women and children, by US troops Not reported in US for a year Many were gang-raped or had their bodies mutilated 26 soldiers charged with the crime, only one convicted and sentenced to life, but only served three years

More bombs dropped here than both Allies and Axis dropped in WWII

 Most protesters were students   Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) Hippies: Peace, love, and protest songs  1970 Kent State Shootings: 4 students killed by National Guard while peacefully protesting   Chant “Hey Hey LBJ! how many kids have you killed today?” 1971: Pentagon papers show govt had been lying for years  1968 Democratic National Convention: Riots in Chicago outside, politicians debate inside    Johnson won’t run again: Humphrey or Muskie On the news: Protesters and police fight in the streets Chant “Hell no, we won’t go!” about the draft

 Over next 11 years until the fall of Saigon in 1975:  About 58,000 US military personnel died in Vietnam  Four Presidents tried to prevent rebels from gaining control and reuniting it under communism  US efforts failed: 1976 Vietnam was united under Communism and became a Soviet ally  Still communist today  Controversial war sparked by fear resulted in:    Large-scale, sometimes violent, protests at home Over 3-4 million Vietnamese deaths Widespread distrust of the government

 The burning of draft cards by those who objected to the Vietnam War is an example of civil disobedience because it was an action that  A. was protected by the U.S. Constitution.  B. was intended to draw the attention of the media.  C. violated a law that the protesters considered to be unjust.  D. expressed a point of view that was unpopular at the time.

    1985: Mikhail Gorbachev is the Premier of the USSR     Soviet people are poor and unhappy: Can’t afford to continue the arms race Enacts reforms to provide more freedoms to the people Moves from command economy to mixed economy Reduces control of the satellite nations 1990: Reunification of Germany  Ronald Reagan “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!” 1991: Satellite nations begin to declare independence  Struggle for control of new govts in Eastern Europe Dec. 1991: Communist party and Soviet economy collapses and disbands