Alliances and shifts (8)

Question 1

Truman’s view on alliances?

Answer 1

Wanted to encircle USSR and China with its allies and defend a larger area with a nuclear umbrella

Question 2

SEATO

Answer 2

• Sino-Soviet alliance signed in 1950, strengthened in 1953, USSR strengthened Chinese economy and military
• In response to this Dulles brokered a defensive alliance in September 1954
• Many SEATO members were not based in the South East of Asia such as France, Australia, UK and New Zealand
• Many SE Asian states which needed protection were not part of it such as Cambodia, Laos and South Vietnam

Question 3

FRG

Answer 3

• Konrad Adenauer wanted to regenerate Germany and accepted USA dependency
• USA wanted to contain communism through Germany
• November 1949 FRG joined council of Europe - given direct representation on the Organisation of European Economic Cooperation
• May 1952 General Treaty in Bonn abolished the occupation of Germany and gave sovereignty to FRG
• Konrad Adenauer had to swear to abolish nuclear capabilities and to control army size and keep in civilian control
• May 1955 FRG admitted into NATO

Question 4

The Warsaw Pact

Answer 4

• Created in May 1955 after the admission of FRG into NATO
• Way of legitimising USSR influence in Eastern Europe
• Reinforced the political and economic relationship of the USSR and its satellites

Question 5

Eisenhower’s New Look Policy?

Answer 5

• Wanted to go further than Truman’s containment and wanted to ‘roll back’ communism
• Increased spending and reliance on nuclear weapons
• Reduction in conventional forces
• Nuclear weapons were the most cost effective way of winning the cold war
• Massive retaliation - Any communist expansion would result in a huge and global reaction
• Brinksmanship - use nuclear weapons as a diplomatic tool to be prepared to go to the verge of nuclear war

Question 6

French Indochina

Answer 6

• By 1952, French suffered 90,000 casualties
• Vietnam was geostrategically important and a useful marketplace for Japan
• Application of domino theory was a fear
• By 1954, USA paying for 75% of the costs of the French being in the war
• General Ridgway told Truman a war in Vietnam would absorb much of the USA’s troops
• By 1954 the French defeated at Dien Bein Phu by the Viet Minh
• Geneva Conference took place in July 1955 and country split from 17th parallel and elections to take place in two years
• USA pledged support to South Vietnam President Ngo Diem