Eisenhower Foreign Policy Flashcards
Vietnam before Eisenhowers presidency
French Indochina War (1946–1954): France fought Ho Chi Minh’s communist Viet Minh forces.
• Truman’s Involvement: Sent $2 billion in aid to France (1945–1952).
• By 1954, the U.S. was covering 80% of France’s war costs in Vietnam.
The battle of dine bien phi
1954
French garrison besieged by the Viet Minh → Major French defeat.
• Eisenhower refused to send U.S. troops but considered airstrikes (“Operation Vulture”).
• Congress & Britain opposed direct U.S. intervention → France surrendered.
The Geneva accords
1954
Vietnam temporarily divided at the 17th parallel.
• North Vietnam: Led by Ho Chi Minh (communist).
• South Vietnam: Led by Bao Dai, later replaced by Ngo Dinh Diem.
• National elections scheduled for 1956 → Eisenhower feared Ho Chi Minh would win.
Eisenhowers domino theory
1954
Fear that if Vietnam fell to communism, other Southeast Asian nations would follow.
• Justified increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam
Support for south Vietnam
Ngo Dinh Diem
1955: U.S. helped Diem overthrow Bao Dai in a rigged referendum.
• Diem became President of South Vietnam and refused 1956 elections (backed by the U.S.).
• Eisenhower sent $1.6 billion in aid (1955–1961).
• 1,000 U.S. military advisors sent by 1961 → Set the stage for later U.S. escalation.
Problems with diem;s rule
Corrupt & unpopular → Favored Catholics over Buddhists.
• Ignored land reform, worsening rural poverty.
• Repression of opposition, leading to the rise of the Viet Cong (NLF) in 1960.
Formation of SEATO
1954
U.S. formed the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) to prevent communist expansion.
• Included U.S., UK, France, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
• Weakness: No military force like NATO; failed to stop communism in Vietnam.
Legacy of Eisenhowers Vietnam policy
Failed to contain communism → North Vietnam still supported the Viet Cong in the South.
• Laid the groundwork for U.S. military escalation under Kennedy and Johnson.
• Historian Gabriel Kolko: Eisenhower “made a fateful commitment” by backing Diem.
Eisenhower’s Vietnam Policy (1953–1961)
Initial reluctance to direct military intervention Vietnam
Eisenhower opposed using nuclear weapons in Vietnam, despite pressure from Dulles and Nixon.
• Just ended the unpopular Korean War (1953)—did not want another direct conflict.
• Congress was against direct military aid to Vietnam.
Battle of Dien Bien Phu (March–May 1954) & Geneva Accords (July 1954)
French forces defeated by the Viet Minh, leading to their withdrawal from Vietnam.
• Eisenhower refused to send U.S. troops to aid the French.
• Geneva Accords divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, with elections planned for 1956.
• U.S. refused to support the elections—Eisenhower knew Ho Chi Minh would win with 80% of the vote.
Creation of South Vietnam & U.S. Support for Ngo Dinh Diem
1955: U.S. backed Ngo Dinh Diem in overthrowing Bao Dai in a rigged referendum.
• Diem declared himself President of South Vietnam.
• 1956: Diem refused to hold elections, violating the Geneva Accords.
• Eisenhower provided $500 million per year in aid to build up the South Vietnamese government.
Military and economic assistance
Sent 300 U.S. military personnel as the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG).
• SEATO (1954): U.S. created the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization to counter communism.
• By 1961: 1,000 U.S. military advisors were in Vietnam.
• Massive economic aid given to Diem’s regime.
The national liberation front NFL and growing communist resistance
1960: The NLF (Viet Cong) was formed to fight against Diem’s rule.
• Ho Chi Minh & China supported Viet Cong insurgency in South Vietnam.
• Viet Cong launched attacks against Diem’s government and U.S. personnel.
Why did the us become and remain involved in Vietnam
Cold War Context: Fear of communism spreading (Domino Theory).
• Failure of Geneva Accords Elections (1956): U.S. refused to let Ho Chi Minh win.
• Support for an Anti-Communist Ally: Diem was a weak but essential U.S. ally.
• Economic & Military Investment: The U.S. was already deeply committed by 1961
What was Eisenhowers new look policy
foreign policy strategy focusing on nuclear deterrence, reducing conventional military spending, and relying on alliances to contain communism.
Why did ike introduce the new look policy
To control defense spending while maintaining a strong stance against the USSR during the Cold War.
What were the key elements of the new look policy
Massive retaliation (threat of nuclear weapons).
• Brinkmanship (pushing USSR to the edge of war).
• Increased reliance on CIA covert operations.
• Strengthening alliances (NATO, SEATO, CENTO
What were the weaknesses of the new look policy
Too reliant on nuclear weapons, making conflicts like Vietnam harder to manage.
• Risked nuclear war over minor conflicts (e.g., Taiwan crises).
• Did not effectively deter Soviet influence in the developing world.
End of the Korean War
1953
How did Ike help end the Korean War
He used the threat of nuclear weapons to pressure China and North Korea into signing an armistice.
What was the result of the Korean War armistice
Korea remained divided at the 38th parallel.
• No formal peace treaty was signed.
• DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) established.
Why was the end of the Korean War significant
Showed Eisenhower’s willingness to use nuclear threats.
• Allowed him to focus on other Cold War conflicts.
• Proved the limits of military intervention against communism.
What caused the Hungarian uprising
1956
Hungarians rebelled against Soviet control, demanding democracy and freedom from communism.
How did the ussr respond to the Hungarian uprising
The Soviet Union sent tanks and troops to crush the rebellion, killing thousands.
How did Ike respond to Hungarian uprising
Did not intervene, fearing war with the USSR.
• Provided radio encouragement (Radio Free Europe) but no military aid.
Why did Ike refuse to help Hungary
Hungary was within the Soviet sphere of influence.
• Risk of direct US-USSR war.
• New Look policy focused on deterring communism, not rolling it back in Eastern Europe.
What was the impact of the Hungarian uprising
Exposed US hypocrisy (preached rollback but did nothing).
• Strengthened Soviet control over Eastern Europe.
• Showed limits of U.S. Cold War policies.
The sues crisis
1956
What caused the sues crisis
Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, angering Britain and France.
What did Britain franc and Isreal do suez
Launched an invasion of Egypt to retake the Suez Canal.
• Secret agreement (Protocol of Sèvres): Israel invaded first, Britain and France followed.
How did Eisenhower respond to the suez crises
Condemned the invasion and forced Britain, France, and Israel to withdraw.
• Used economic pressure (threatened to cut oil supplies & loans to Britain).
Why did Ike oppose the suez invasion
Did not want to alienate Arab nations.
• Feared pushing Egypt closer to the USSR.
• Wanted to show the US, not Britain, was the dominant global power.
What was the impact of the suez crises
Britain & France humiliated, showing their decline as world powers.
• USSR gained influence in the Middle East (Nasser turned to Soviets for support).
• Led to the Eisenhower Doctrine (1957) to prevent Soviet expansion in the Middle East.
What was the Eisenhower doctrine
1957
A policy promising U.S. military and economic aid to any Middle Eastern country threatened by communism.
Why was the Ike doctrine introduced
To counter growing Soviet influence in the Middle East after the Suez Crisis.
How was the Ike doctrine applied
Sent U.S. troops to Lebanon (1958) to stop a pro-Soviet coup.
• Gave aid to pro-Western governments in the region.
What was the impact of the Ike doctrine
Increased U.S. intervention in the Middle East.
• Strengthened anti-communist regimes.
• Created resentment among Arab nationalists.
What was the u2 spy plane incident
A U.S. spy plane (U-2) was shot down over the USSR.
1960
Who was the pilot of the u-2 plane
Francis Garry powers
How did the ussr respond to the u2
Captured Powers alive, proving the U.S. was spying.
• Khrushchev exposed the U.S., humiliating Eisenhower.
How did Ike respond to u2
At first, denied the spying.
• After USSR presented proof, admitted it but refused to apologize.
What was the impact of the u2 incident
Paris Peace Summit (1960) collapsed.
• USSR-U.S. relations worsened.
• Showed Cold War tensions were still high despite efforts at diplomacy.
What was Eisenhowers approach to Vietnam
Feared communism spreading in Southeast Asia (Domino Theory).
• Supported South Vietnam (Ngo Dinh Diem) with $500 million per year.
• Sent 1,000 U.S. military advisors but avoided sending troops.
Why did Ike back diem in south Vietnam
Anti-communist leader, despite being unpopular.
• Wanted to prevent North Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) from uniting the country under communism.
What was the impact of ike’s Vietnam policies
U.S. became more involved in Vietnam.
• Set the stage for further U.S. intervention under JFK & LBJ.
Diem’s unpopular rule fueled communist resistance (Viet Cong).
What was operation Ajax
1953
A CIA-backed coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammed Mossadegh, and restored the Shah (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi) to power.
Why did the us and Britain overthrow mossadegh
Mossadegh nationalized Iran’s oil industry, angering Britain.
• Fears he was moving towards communism, despite no strong Soviet ties.
• The U.S. wanted a pro-Western leader in the Middle East.
How did the Iranian coup unfold
CIA and MI6 paid protesters & bribed officials to turn against Mossadegh.
• Military arrested Mossadegh, and the Shah returned from exile.
What was the impact of the iranian coup
The Shah became a pro-U.S. dictator, leading to future resentment.
• Strengthened U.S. oil interests in the region.
• Fueled anti-American sentiment, leading to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Why did the us intervene in Lebanon in 1958
To prevent a pro-Soviet coup and maintain a pro-Western government.
What triggered the crises in Lebanon
Lebanese President Chamoun sought a second term, angering Muslim opposition.
• Inspired by Nasser’s pan-Arab movement, opposition groups protested.
• Fears of a communist-backed coup prompted U.S. action.
How did Ike respond to Lebanon
Sent 15,000 U.S. troops to stabilize the country.
• Avoided direct fighting, mostly acting as a peacekeeping force.
What wa she impact of the Lebanon intervention
Showed Eisenhower Doctrine in action (protecting Middle East allies).
• Kept Lebanon pro-Western but worsened U.S. reputation in the Arab world.
• Proved U.S. willing to intervene militarily in the Cold War.
What were the Taiwan strait crises?
Armed conflicts between China (Mao Zedong) and Taiwan (Chiang Kai-shek) over small offshore islands.
First Taiwan strait crises
1954-1955
What caused the first Taiwan crises
China bombarded Quemoy & Matsu islands, held by Taiwan.
• U.S. feared China would invade Taiwan, escalating Cold War tensions.
How did Ike respond to first Taiwan crises
Signed the Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan (1954).
• Threatened nuclear retaliation (brinkmanship) against China.
• China backed down, stopping the shelling.
What happened in the second Taiwan straight crises
1958
China resumed shelling Quemoy & Matsu.
• U.S. sent the 7th Fleet to defend Taiwan.
• China again backed down, fearing nuclear war.
What was the impact of the Taiwan strait crises
Reinforced U.S. commitment to Taiwan.
• Proved Eisenhower’s willingness to use nuclear threats.
• Increased Cold War tensions between the U.S. & China.
Guatemala coup
1954
What was operation PBSUCCESS
A CIA-backed coup that overthrew Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz and installed a U.S.-friendly dictator.
Why dud the us overthrow Árbenz
Árbenz nationalized land owned by the United Fruit Company (a U.S. corporation).
• Accused of being a communist, though he was actually a reformist.
• Feared Guatemala would align with the USSR.
How did the us carry out the Guatemalan coup
CIA trained & armed Guatemalan rebels.
• Radio propaganda & psychological warfare to spread fear.
• U.S. bombed Guatemala City, pressuring Árbenz to resign.
What was the impact of the Guatemala coup
U.S.-backed dictator Carlos Castillo Armas took power.
• Sparked decades of civil war & violence in Guatemala.
• Increased anti-U.S. sentiment in Latin America.
What happened in Cuba during Ike’s presidency
Fidel Castro led the Cuban Revolution (1959), overthrowing U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.
• Castro nationalized U.S. businesses and moved toward communism.
How did Ike respond to catsros rise?
Cut off diplomatic ties with Cuba (1961).
• Placed an embargo on Cuban sugar exports to the U.S.
• Authorized CIA plans to overthrow Castro (which JFK later carried out as the Bay of Pigs invasion).
Why was catsros rise significant
First communist state in the Western Hemisphere.
• Pushed Cuba closer to the USSR, leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis (under JFK).
• Showed Eisenhower’s Cold War containment struggles in Latin America.
