Alliances and Shifts

Question 1

Southeast Asia Collective Defence Treaty (SEATO)

Answer 1

• It was a response to SIno-Soviet relations being strengthened in May 1953 with USSR agreeing to provide defence related technology to China
• Khrushchev then visited China as a sign of reinforcement
• John Foster Dulles brokered a defence alliance based on Southeast Asia in September 1954
• Majority of SEATO states were European
• Some countries were deemed to have needed the support but weren’t members
  
  • Burma, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

Question 2

SEATO Members

Answer 2

• Thailand
• Pakistan
• Britain
• France
• US
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Philippines

Question 3

FRG and NATO

Answer 3

• Konrad Adenauer first chancellor of FDR believed best way of strengthening was aligning with the West
• November 1949 FDR joined the Council of Europe and to have direct representatives on Organisation of European Economic Cooperation (OEEC)
• May 1952 the General Treaty was abolished and recognised the full sovereignty of West Germany
• May 1955 West Germany joined NATO

Question 4

Warsaw Pact

Answer 4

• A reaction to West Germany joining NATO and to consolidate relations with its satellite states
• Through the Eastern Bloc states the Warsaw pact was formed
• Seen as legitimising its influence in Eastern Europe
• Only served as military reinforcement

Question 5

Warsaw Pact members

Answer 5

• Czechoslovakia
• USSR
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Albania
• East Germany
• Poland
• Hungary

Question 6

Eisenhower and Dulles

Answer 6

• Eisenhower accepted much of what formed basis of Truman’s national security policy:
  
  • USA must retain significant influence in Western Europe
  • USA must retain influence in Asia
  • Soviet threat is real and significant and containment is
    fundamental to US security
  • US must retain strong nuclear arsenal and conventional forces
• However Eisenhower saw containment as limited and effectiveness was insufficient for the basis of US policy

Question 7

Rollback

Answer 7

• Dulles wanted to roll back communism and Moscow’s power as part of a strategy for a conclusion of the cold war
• Peace was dependent on reducing the dominance of the USSR
• Significant that Eisenhower never underestimated the USSR sphere of influence

Question 8

Massive Retaliation

Answer 8

• Eisenhower an Dulles saw containment as expensive as it necessitated an expensive military intervention in Korea
• Nuclear weapons had much greater significance for US security and also the most cost effective
• NSC 162/2 report October 1953 emphasised it was most cost effective way to protect Europe

Question 9

Brinkmanship

Answer 9

• For Dulles Nukes were a source of deterrence but a diplomatic tool and could use it to force communist opponents to force agreements
• He referred to this as brinkmanship
• Convinced the best way was being on the verge of war and he believed failure to do this would result in defeat

Question 10

French Indochina Insight

Answer 10

• By 1950 US supported Independence from France for Indochina
• 1947 Laos and Cambodia had been granted autonomy
• 1949 exiled Vietnamese leader Bao Dai returned to power in Vietnamese part of Indochina
• 1950 communist leader Ho Chi MInh supported by China and Stalin proclaimed existence of Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Question 11

French Indochina

Answer 11

• By 1952 France had suffered 90,000 casualties and Eisenhower was committed to helping French
• Southeast Asia vulnerable to communism
• Vietnam was a useful place for Japanese goods and strengthening Japan’s economy
• By 1954 USA were paying 75% of cost of war
• General Matthew Ridgeway persuaded Eisenhower that the war would consume their troops by divisions
• April 1954 French on point of defeat hands of Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu

Question 12

Viet Minh and Dien Bien Phu

Answer 12

• Viet Minh nationalist and communist force in Vietnam and from 1949 supported by China
• Victory at Dien Bien Phu lead to creation of independent North Vietnam
• Lasted between March and May 1954

Question 13

Geneva Conference July 1954

Answer 13

• Called in response to Vietnam and called for a ceasefire rather than long term solution
• Two zones created split at the 17th parallel
• French forces were to move out of North zone and Nationalists to move out of the South
• Division not intended to be permanent and national elections take place in tow years US and South Vietnam didn’t sign
• New president of South Vietnam was Ngo Dinh Diem