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Cold War, USSR, China And Vietnam Flashcards

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1
Q

Development of the Cold War

1945

A

Yalta conference - divide Germany. USSR given half of Poland, plan for UN ratified

Roosevelt dies, Truman takes over

UN meets for 1 time

Germany surrenders.

Potsdam - Attlee replaces Churchill. Truman as leader of US.

  • complete disarmament of Germany
  • surrender of Jap
  • war crime risks etc

Nuclear bomb on Jap
Shock
Meant USSR had to rely on German reparations
Create suspicion US might interfere in areas where USSR needed to feel secure

Vietnam declares independence

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2
Q

Development of Cold War and foreign policy

1946

A

Kennan’s telegraph on containment
-His long telegram alerts US of his fear of Russia’s expansionist tendencies and warns to prevent this by using containment

Churchill’s iron curtain speech condemned Soviet Unions policies in Europe.
Considered opening announcing beginning of Cold War

Philippines independent

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3
Q

Development of Cold War and foreign policy

1947

A

Truman Doctrine- ask for aid to Greece, as GB couldn’t support anti communists anymore, showed fear of success in Greece could lead to Middle East under threat.
- this exaggerated threat persuaded congress - approved $400m in aid. It ended post war cut backs and created a consensus

Marshal Aid- $12b over 4 years in 16 countries
USSR refuses to let Eastern Europe countries take it. Aid would be to help eco instability which would lead to communism

HUAC commences

Communists take Hungary

NSA creates presidential advisors, department of defence, CIA, national security council

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4
Q

Development of Cold War and foreign policy

1948

A

Berlin air lift

1948 USA BRI FRA fused their areas of Germany and Berlin into 1, becoming FRG in 1949
East became GDR. Fearing the impact the USSR imposed a blockage. The only was into west was by blockage

327 days- 2.3m tonnes of supplies

Successfully caused Soviet to surrender 1949 May

Communists take Czechoslovakia

Truman recognises Israel

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5
Q

Development of Cold War and foreign policy

1949

A

NATO created - military alliance of most western countries
Secretary of State said Wuropean Nations can’t pursue eco recovery if fear ofbattack

US provided 1.3bill of weaponary

NATO MARSHALL AID AND TRUMAN DOC
defending capitalism

USSR created own alliance w Warsaw Pact. Parallel .org formed SEATO (south east Asia) and CENTO (Middle East)

USSR explode atonic bomb - got knowledge through spying. Protest. Acheson told Truman more bombs, Kennan said no. US then made hydrogen bomb

Communists win China as US failed to negotiate peace- sent aid to nationalists who fled to Taiwan- making China communist

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6
Q

Traditionalist view of who was to blame for Cold War

A

Soviet

Stalins agressive Soviet expansionism

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7
Q

Revisionist views of who to blame for Cold War

A

America

What was the point in fighting it

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8
Q

Overview of Korean War

What happened

A

After WW2, Korea split along 38 parallel
North Japanese
South American

June 1950- NK crossed parallel and attacked
SK requester UN support
Truman sent American troops to SK and between Taiwan and Chinese
UN war but US =90% soldiers

MacArthur launched counter attack - drove NK back across 38 parallel

Chinese interfered and sent 300,000 troops in support of NK

Chinease captured SK capital of Seoul

MacArthur wanted to use nuclear weapons. Truman fires him

Truce begins in 51 but ends 53
Stalin died

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9
Q

Results of Korean War

A

Communist north and democratic south

+54000 us soldiers died
5m Korean and chinease died

NK suffered damage to crops, transport

USA failed to unify Korea in spite of military superiority

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10
Q

Impact of US fp

A

Cold War now global fight

Truman could argue USA won as stopped expansion of communism

Executive power increased as troops sent w out congress asked to declare war. Truman argues as commander in chief he was allowed

Policy of NSC 68 implemented with expansion of troop numbers in overseas postings

Truman’s threat to use nuclear weapons in 1952 led to world protest

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11
Q

1945

Weapon development

A

Building nuclear bombs m

Los Almos

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12
Q

Weapon development

1953

A

USA first detonated the hydrogen bomb

The USSR also tested them

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13
Q

Weapons development

1954

A

US test destroyed the Pacific Island of Bikini

7X as powerful as Hiroshima

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14
Q

Weapons development.

1957

A

USSR fired first ICBM to space

US reacted by created IR to be launched from Polaris subs

Nuclear stockpile of 5543 weapons in US

USSR 640

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15
Q

Weapons development

1958

A

US launched first satellite

NASA set up B52s long range bombers were available in USA

US IRBM’s in Europe were positioned to target USSR

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16
Q

War development

1960

A

USA ahead

Attempts to slow down race but neither side would agree to nuclear test ban treaty or checks for compliance

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17
Q

What is the concept on a MAD world

A

Mutually
Assured
Destruction

You drop a bomb on me, I’ll drop one on you

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18
Q

What is the concept of Brinkmanship

A

Developed under foreign policy

Idea US would go to the edge of all our war

Under policy, trimmed army and navy, expanded Air Force

Expanded nuclear development
1952 Hydrogen bomb

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19
Q

What were Eisenhower’s assumptions on the Cold War

A

The Soviet Union would pursue aggression

Aggression had to be met with aggression

Technology had an important role

Third world nationalism could be ignored

The federal budget should be balanced

The domino theory

Better to stop problem getting worse by limited means than ignoring it

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20
Q

Eisenhower’s Cold War Policy

A

More bang for buck - reliance on superior power in limited wars

Massive retaliation - nuclear destruction of USSR or China if aggression action. Presumed to deter USSR, Chinese less clear

CIA headed by Dulles - 1947-

Suez 1956

Kitchen debates

3rd world aid for eco development

Quemoy

Berlin

Hungary 1956

Eisenhower Doctrine 1957

MIC

Summit meetings - Geneva 1957

Arms control

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21
Q

Successful Eisenhower in cooking tensions in Cold War

A 
Kitchen rebates 
Partially cooled 
Failure - wanted to promote US and better SOL - but Khrushchev - your capitalist attitude towards women doesn’t exist under
communism
Talking

Arms control
Open Skies 1955
USA and USSR would allow aerial surveillance to check disarmament
Dismissed by Krushchev as form of spying BUT 1958 both did suspend nuclear tests due to public concern

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22
Q

Failure Eisenhower in cooking tensions in Cold War

A

Massive retaliation
Raised tension
Meant Nuclea destruction of USSR or China if aggression action
Presumed to deter USSR, Chinease less clear

CIA headed by Dulles 1947
Anti communist operations
Secretly installed Shah or Iran (53) to give an ally against USSR
However this backfired and created hostility to US
ALSO supported coup in Guatemala (55) when United fruits control
Failed to overthrow Indonesian leader who was seen as soft on communism

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23
Q

Kennedy’s Cold War strategy

Success

A

Peace corps 1961
Young people volunteered to work in poor areas teaching, providing aid etc. The hope was to crated genorositu and practical involvement and thus would deter ommmunism

Ban on atmospheric testing 1961-3
JFK inc nuclear weapons
But
Set up Arms control and disarmament agency and signed a limited test ban treaty with USSR 63
Banned testing in atmosphere and under water and in space

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24
Q

Kennedy Cold War failure

A

Berlin Wall 61
61 USSR made a concrete wall to stop East Berliners leavin for the west for freedom
JFK asserted his freedom to visit the wall in 62 that the world should be free but he didn’t challenge Soviet’s further

Military build up
JFK promised a flexible response to any threat from nuclear to guerilla. Military budget increased 15% in 1961 and increased arms

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25
Q

CUBAS MISSLE CRISIS
JFK

What problem did JFK inherit from Eisenhower

A

Prior to 1959
Cuba was ruled by Bastia
Ally of US
Encouraged UD business

59
Nationalists led by Castro overthrew him

Eisenhower requested a CIA plan to overthrow Castro

This was illegal

26
Q

How did JFK deal with the issue he inherited from Eisenhower

A

Approved plan which involved invasion by Cuban exiles

Took place 62

Failed

Made Castro look to USSR for aid

JFK created Operation Mongoose next - involved maximum disruption of Cuba’s trade, made more raid and another attempted assassination

Result nearly created nuclear war

27
Q

What did JFK do after failed attempt of operation mongoose

EXCOM

A

EXCOM (military and advisors) met to consider tactics

Few days later JFK meets USSR foreign minister
Both sides argue

Missle site photos are being taken by U2 planes simultaneously

EXCOM recommends action but JFK fears retaliation on Berlin in a tit for tat reaction

28
Q

What happened after EXCOM gave advice

A

Few days later
JFK broadcasts about Cuban missiles
HE imposes a blockade around Cuba and demands their withdrawal by USSR

Threat of war wages

JFK then forbid boarding of Soviet ships in international waters

Reports suggest midsized

29
Q

Why was Cuba war so severe

A

The USA did not know that there were already missiles on Cuba being prepared for firing
-Evidence suggests that Cuba would have fires them had he USA invaded

The USA did not know the soviet commander in Cuba had been given the go ahead for a pre-emptive nuclear strike if USA invaded

Krushchev has little inside knowledge of US planning. He only knew about the US plans because a journalist was overheard in a Moscow bar. He did not realise the pressure JFK was under to invade

If nuclear weapons were used no one knew how the war they would create would end but everyone feared the worst

30
Q

Was the world a safer place after the Cuban missive crisis

A

Misunderstanding led to ‘hotline’ being place so that confrontation could be less public

Compromise was more possible in private
Television had encouraged a crisis
It also created significant public protest at the weaponary
JFK was shot less than a month lager

31
Q

How far could you say that the Cuban crisis had shown that the USA was successful in fighting the Cold War

A

Yes
-Krushchev agreed to remove missiles if US promised not to invade Cuba
Also a secret agreement that USA will remove missiles from Turkeys
JFK agrees and crisis over
-Hotline - less public confrontation

No

  • Eisenhower CIA Plan = illegal
  • JFK invasion on Cuba exciles 1961 failed
  • operation Mongoose almost led to nuclear war
32
Q

Causes of Cuban crisis

A

Castro in power

Invasion of Cuban exiles 1961

Operation mongoose

He imposed blockage around Cuba and demands withdrawal

33
Q

Consequences of Cuban crisis

A

Hotline and talk w issue w out public

34
Q

How did Truman escalate and involve the USA in south east Asia

A

Truman: 1950 $10 million offered and MAAG has been set up to assist in the training and provide bombers and weapons
Between 1950-1952 US spent $50m on economic and technical assistance to the Vietnam people. By 1954, investment reached US $3bill

US tried to win over peasants by providing seeds and fertiliser to increase agricultural production. They introduced health programmes aimed at reducing malaria. US insisted that aid should go directly to local hoc to show local pop the benefits of US involvement

35
Q

How did Eisenhower escalate and involve the USA in south east Asia

A

The USA feared that as Ho Chi Minh was a communist he would naturally ally w USSR or China

Therefore US gave French aid, but refused to intervene

$7bill aid between 1955-61

In 1954 the Viet Minh sieged Dien Bien Phu and this led to Geneva accords which were drawn up 1954

This recognised French withdrawal, partitioned Vietnam’s, req feee elections and recognised Laos and Cambodia as neutral

But the USA was fighting the Cold War and determined to contain communism and to prevent Domino effect.
Eisenhower feared collapse of 1 Asia state would lead to another.
If Ho Chi Minh won the election in 1956, he would run it as a communist state so US decided to
-refuse to sign
-gave help to Diem, leader of south Vietnam
-agreed to postpone elections
-ignored persecutions of opponents
-set up 1000 advisors in Saigon
-this was unpopular and the situation JFK inherited

36
Q

What was decided at Geneva

A

A cease fire and temporary division of the country into 2 military zones at 17th parallel

All Viet Minh forces were to withdraw north of that line

All French and associated state of Vietnam troops were to remain south of it

Permission was granted for refugees to move from one zone to the other during limited time period

An international commission was established, composed of Canadian, Polish, and indian members under an Indian chairman, to supervise the execution of the agreement

Elections, supervised by the commission, to be held throughout Vietnam in July 1956 in order to unify the country

37
Q

What happened after Geneva

A

Vin Minh appeared certain to win these elections, and the US and the leaders in the south would not approve or sign the final declaration; elections were never held

With assistance from the USSR and China, the north embarked on an ambitious program of socialist industrialisation; they also began to collectivise agriculture in earnest in 1958

In the south, a new gov appointed by Dai began to build an new country. Diem a Roman Catholic, was named PM and succeeded with American support in stabilising the anti communist regime

He eliminated pro-French elements in the military

Diem then achieved full power removing Dai

38
Q

Problem with Diem

A

Diem’s early success in consolidating power did not result in concrete political and economic achievements

Plans for land reform were sabotaged

With the financial backing of the US, the regime’s chief energies were directed toward building up the military to counter the still influential Viet Minh

Totalitarian methods were directed against all who were regarded as opponents, and the favouritism shown to Roman Catholics alienated the majority Buddhist population

Loyalty to the president and his family made a paramount duty, and Diem’s brother, NGO Dinh Nhu, founded an elitist underground organisation to spy on officials, army officers, and prominent local citizens

39
Q

Diem was killed

A

With support from the north, communist-led-forces- popularly called the Viet Cong - launched an insurgency movement to seize power and reunify the country

The government that seized power after diem’s ouster, however, was no more effective than its predecessor

40
Q

Unable to cope with Vietcong

A

No less than the oppressive nature of the Saigon regime was its inability to cope with the Viet Cong

The insurgent movement, aided by a steady infiltration of weapons and advisors from north, steadily built its fighting strength from about 30,000 men in 1963 to about 150,000 in 1965 when, in the opinion of many American intelligence analysts, the survival of the Saigon regime was seriously threatened

41
Q

NLF

A

In addition
The political opp in the south to Saigon become much more organised

The national front for the liberation of the south, popularly called NLF had been organised in late 1960 and within 4 years had a huge following

42
Q

US increased involvement with Saigon regime

A

Until 1960 US supported Saigon regime and its army only with military equipment, financial aid, and as permitted by Geneva Accords, 700 advisors for training the army

The number of advisors had increased to 17,000 by the end of 1963, and they were joined by an increasing number of American helicopter pilots.

All of this assistance, however, proved insufficient to halt the advance of of the Viet Cong

43
Q

JFK pressure with involvement in South East Asia

A

Need to protect economic interests in Asia

Desire to appear credible after the challenge to Cuba

Desire to demonstrate us power and knowledge that greater nuclear balance restricted direct action

44
Q

What did JFK decide with south east Asia

A

To create a more flexible policy using economic aid, encouraging nation building and backing this up with counter insurgency forces by using the Green Berets against guerilla tactics

Continue to support Diem and South Vietnam army by dollar and air

Send more military advisors and equipped under Project ‘Beef up’

45
Q

Did JFK’s plan with Vietnam’s work

A

The Diem regime continued to be very corrupt and unpopular amongst landless peasants in particular

The Vietcong (a group of guerilla fighters continued to pursue their independence campaign, creating the national liberation front in south Vietnam m

The 15,000 advisors failed to improve the ARVN

The CIA have covert encouragement to the ARVN to get rid of Diem

46
Q

Assassination of Diem and JFK

A

1963 Diem assassinated

JFK assassinated 3 weeks later

47
Q

LBJ

What were his choices and what actions did he take in Vietnam

A

Situation after assassination was 16,000 advisors (inc soldiers) but none on active service

By end of his presidency in 1968, there was 500,000 soldiers and 6 months earlier he had turned down a request for 200,000 more

His choices were limited. He was inexperienced in foreign policy and relied on McNamara, his secretary of defence and George bundy his national security advisor

He was being urged that only full scale military force could stop the collapse of south Vietnamese government

48
Q

What was the gulf of Tonkin

A

1964, American patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin off the Vietnamese coast claimed to have been fired on

LBJ went to Congress and they passed a resolution called the Gulf of Tonkin resolution

This gave President all necessary means to repel any armed attack and prevent further aggression

It meant that the president did not need further permission from congress

This was not revoked till 1970

49
Q

Results of golf or Tonkin

A

1965 the joint chief of staffs asked for 100,000 soldiers to be sent to vietnam

They argued their attacks had been limited and force was needed

McNamara argued US credibility was at stake and said was committed to support South Vietnam

Protests came from politicians who questioned US motives

The presidents greatest interest was to work on great society

But in the end johnson thought if no alternative so be it

Escalation meant US was determined to contain communism

3 years that followed described as Americanisation of Vietnam

50
Q

Strategy for Vietnam war

Direct bombing

A

Direct bombing: operation rolling thunder 1968
AIM- damage North Vietnam so much eco- negotiate peace
-attack Ho Chi Minh Trail of paths and tunnels and waterways used by Vietcong to move soldiers and equip and supplies

Method:
Million of tons of bombs dropped B52s at cost of $30,000 a sortie
-use of defolition to drop leaves - agent orange
-use of napalm to flush out Vietcong supporters and minimise support from villages

Result
Defolition using toxic chemicals such as Agent Orange caused long term sickness amongst civilians and soldiers and destruction of Vietnam’s agriculture and towns
-north Vietnamese rebuilt roads and bridges quicker than imagined
-intensified will to fight
-bombing continued- sig

51
Q

Strategy for Vietnam war

Ground troops strategy

A

Aim: support bombing by capturing Vietnamese soldiers and damaging their support in countryside

Method:continued to inc number of troops 1956-68 almost doubled

Result:Tet offensive by north Vietnamese over vietnam new year proved neither bombing or ground troops ended ability or desire of Vietcong to continue war

  • Vietcong attacked 5/6bmain cities and 3/4 provincial cities. Quickly pushed back from most, but the ancient and beautiful city of Hie was badly damaged. The Vietcong had successfully disproved American claims war nearly over
  • anti war movement spurred by celebriti w like Muhammad Ali and MLK
52
Q

How did get out of Vietnam

A

68 Nixon power

Nixon Doctrine: USA help nations willing to help selves - began vietnamization of war

By reducing troop numbers- 543,000 1969; reduced it by 20,000 1970, and reduced it to 24,000 1972

Bombing raids in Cambodia - destroy Ho chin Minh trail - failed - 73- Nixon sent ground troops into Cambodia - protests —> (w o congress)

Repeal of Gulf of Tonkin by congress

Paris peace talk - stalled since 1968 because of south vietnamise military weakness, restarted after more successful attacks on north. Ceasefire agreed 1972 but fighting restarted with south Vietnamese Christmas bombing campaign

27 Jan 1973- ceasefire

Vietnamese war lasted 2cmore years - 75- united

53
Q

Military reasons why failed Vietnam war

A

US soldiers served 1 year tour inexperienced and young men - frightened and victim of vicious fighting and unpredictable behaviour

Full scare invasion on Vietnam was never possible because of threat of nuclear action

Determination and courage of Vietnamese

54
Q

Political reasons why Vietnam failed

A

UEA never committed to total victory as might lead to soviet or Chinese’s intervention and nuclear war

American public opp

Mcarthyisn removed many Far East specialists

55
Q

Anti war movement

A

1959 Student for a democratic society is found

1965 First draft riots occur on college campuses

1970-National guard kills 4 protestors at Kent state uni

56
Q

Japan became keystone of containment in Asia

A

USA gave Jap $500m to rebuikd

Other asian countries who faced Jap in WW2 we’re angry at US policy

By 1960, Jap was eco competitive w US

57
Q

Why didn’t US intervene in china

A

USA worried that association with the undemocratic and corrupt methods of Chiang Kai Shek would tarnish them

Chiang Wouldn’t modernise or support reform

Aid from USA had little effect

General Wesemeyer argued to send more troops to help Chiang Kai Shek. Truman refuses. Secretary of State said it would involve tgemcin war

58
Q

Worst defeat or US

A

China

Affected Truman at hone

Mao tried to build relationship US- failed - soviet puppet state

US blocked China entry to UN

Continued to finance nationalists

Japan major ally

59
Q

Korean War

A

Soviet backed North Korean people’s army invades South Korea

UN and US rush to South Korea’s defence

China, in support of communist north, retaliated when US UN and south Korean troops approach Chinese border

4 mill die in 3 year conflict until North Korea UN China blah sign armistice agreement 1953

60
Q

August 1954 First Taiwan Strait crisis

A

Eisenhower lifted US navy blockade of Taiwan 1953 leading Chiang Kai Shek to deploy thousands of troops to the Quemoy and Matsu islands in the Taiwan Strait in Aug 1954

Mainland china’s People’s Liberation Army responded by shelling the islands.
The USA signed a mutual defence treaty with Chiang’s Natiobalists

In spring 1955, US threatened nuclear attack China
China agreed to negotiate claiming a limited victory after nationalists withdrawal from Dachen island
Crisis erupted again in 1956

History (19 decks)

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