0011 Post-World War II U.S. Foreign Policy (SMR 2.11) Flashcards
What was Truman’s foreign policy like post- WWII?
Truman’s Administration of Containment: the foreign policy that Truman and subsequent presidents during Cold War utilized against communism
What two countries became opposing superpowers after WWII?
Soviet Union and the US become both economic and military superpowers as other European nations are recovering from destruction
After WWII why was there a power struggle between US & Soviet Union
The power struggle was between capitalism & communism
There were tensions between Stalin & Truman b/c of Soviet Union’s not allowing for free elections even after Yalta Conference. Truman was very anti-communism ]
What did the Truman Doctrine (aka Containment) of 1947 state?
US would not instigate a war with Soviet Union, but would come to defense of countries in danger of Soviet takeover
What was the Marshall Plan of 1947?
Offered $12 billion to Europe for reconstruction of cities and economies
In return, countries were expected to become US allies and maintain a semblance of Democracy
Who did not accept America’s help in the Marshall Plan?
No country in Soviet sphere took up US offer
What foreign policies occurred under the Truman Administration following WWII?
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan in 1947
What were two of the initial reasons for the start of the Cold War?
- Capitalism, Democratic, Free Market US was vastly different from Communist Soviet Union. Ideologies are completely opposite and has a hard time co-existing
- Division of Post-War Germany
How did the division of Post-War Germany lead to the start of the Cold War?
Germany was divided into four sectors (France, Britain, US, Soviet Union), and Berlin (the capital) was divided into four sectors and was within Soviet Union territory, the western groups feel it’s in the best interest of their capitalist countries to have Germany become its own unified state again which upsets the Soviet Union and causes tension
Why did the allied countries feel that German should become its own unified state?
- Britain and France didn’t have the economic or political stability to maintain a military presence in the area
- The US didn’t want to either as it was too far away and too much of a burden on US military and economy
Why did the Soviet Union feel betrayed when the other three powers agreed to gradually allow Germany to take over occupied territories?
Soviet Union feels this is a betrayal of the Yalta Conference. The Soviet Union felt ganged up on by other countries that weren’t communist.
How did the Soviet Union respond to to learning that the UK, US and France were planning to merge their German sectors into one Capitalist country?
Soviet Union blockades Berlin and tries to occupy all of Berlin
What happens as a result of the Berlin Blockade by the Soviet Union?
The Berlin airlift is created in response: US & UK fly food and fuel into West Berlin continuously for one year
What were three of the effects of the Berlin Airlift?
- West Germany joins NATO
- Gives strength to Berliners in Western part of Berlin and gives them a strong western govt to fight for capitalism
- Helped convince Congress to support NATO, because the Soviets showed themselves as an actual military threat
What military alliance was created in 1949?
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Why did NATO come about?
came about because Truman wanted to alleviate the burden of the US protecting European nations from Communism under Truman Doctrine
What was NATO?
Mutual defense alliance with Western Europe, if any one of its member countries was attacked by a communist nation, all of the other nations would come to its defense
What was Congress’ initial response to NATO?
Congress has a hard time accepting US involvement initially, remembering Washington’s warning to avoid foreign entanglements
On one hand, they don’t want USA to have to have a standing army against communism, which would be expensive
On the other hand, they don’t want communism to take over, especially with weakened European countries after WWII
What would eventually lead the US to ratify NATO?
Congress ratifies NATO because they believe it’s important to “buff up” other European nations against communism after Berlin blockade and airlift
What is the status of Korea before the Korean Conflict/ War?
B/c of atomic bomb dropping, US is the occupying force in Japan. Korea was occupied by Japan during WWII. North Korea is occupied by Soviet Union and South Korea is under American influence/occupation
What was the reason for the start of the Korean Conflict / War?
25 June 1950: Communist North Korea crosses the 38th parallel into US-backed South Korea
Believing Soviet Union to have engineered the invasion, US responds swiftly and sends over American troops, guns, and advisor
Who was the biggest US advisor in the Korean War?
General Macarthur: he had a large presence in Asia, believes in strong military presence and likes to attack rather than figure things out diplomatically
During the Korean War (1950-1953), Truman attempted to _____ Korea.
Reunify
What happened as a result of the UN troops under Douglas Macarthur attacking North Korea?
Provoked China who is under Communist ruler Mao Zedong, causes them to join war on side of North Korea on Nov 27, 1950 and pushes UN troops southward
What led to the increase in tensions between US and the Soviet Union in the Korean War?
The Soviet backing China who was fighting with North Korea
What happened two months after China backed North Korea in Korean War?
In January 1951, all UN and South Korean troops are pushed out of North Korea
How did the Korean War end?
In a stalemate. An armistice was agreed at Panmunjom but there were still two Koreas. Communism was contained without atomic weapons.
What was McCarthyism?
Anti-Communist paranoia somewhat fueled by Truman himself, known as the red scare of the 1950’s tainted the prosperity of the 1950’s
What started McCarthyism?
Truman orders investigation of 3 million “left leaning” federal employees to make sure long term spies were not infiltrating the govt and finds a State dept. official guilty of consorting with Communist spy in 1949.
What State Dept official was found guilty of consorting with a Communist spy in 1949? Why was this important?
Alger Hiss, Investigation found a valid case that gave root to invalid cases (the paranoia)
What was the Hollywood Ten?
A list of actors, directors, musicians: lists of those tainted by communist charges that prevented the accused from working
