History Module 10: U.S. containment of communism

Question 1

Why was President Kennedy humiliated by the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion?

Answer 1

1. Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) aimed to reform the Soviet Union both politically and economically, shifting focus away from maintaining strict control over Eastern Europe. He believed that loosening the grip on satellite states could lead to a more cooperative relationship with the West.
2. The Soviet Union was facing significant economic problems and could no longer afford the financial and military burden of enforcing its will in Eastern Europe. Gorbachev prioritised internal reforms and economic stabilisation over costly interventions abroad.

Question 2

Why did Kennedy go ahead with the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961?

Answer 2

1. Kennedy aimed to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist government in Cuba, believing it would halt the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere. The invasion was seen as a way to remove a Soviet ally close to US shores, aligning with the broader Cold War strategy of containing communism.
2. The plan was already in motion before Kennedy took office, devised during Eisenhower’s presidency. Kennedy proceeded with it, partly due to pressure from military and intelligence advisors who assured him of its success, reflecting his reliance on their expertise and the momentum of existing policy commitments.

Question 3

Why did the American policy of ‘search and destroy’ in Vietnam create problems?

Answer 3

1. The ‘search and destroy’ missions often resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of villages, alienating the South Vietnamese population. This undermined the U.S. objective of winning “hearts and minds” and instead drove many locals to support the Viet Cong.
2. These tactics failed to distinguish between enemy combatants and non-combatants, leading to widespread resentment and questioning of the war’s morality both in Vietnam and internationally. This erosion of support diminished the legitimacy of the U.S. military effort.

Question 4

Why did US public opinion turn against the Vietnam War?

Answer 4

1. Media coverage of the war, including graphic images of casualties and destruction, brought the brutal realities of the conflict into American homes. This exposure raised questions about the war’s morality and objectives, leading to increased public scepticism and opposition.
2. The draft system, which disproportionately affected lower-income and minority Americans, sparked widespread resentment and protests. As casualties mounted, the compulsory service became increasingly unpopular, fuelling anti-war sentiment across the country.

Question 5

Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved peacefully?

Answer 5

1. Backchannel communications allowed the US and USSR to negotiate secretly, leading to a mutual agreement. Kennedy agreed to publicly demand the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba and secretly promised to remove US missiles from Turkey, reducing the immediate threat to both superpowers.
2. Both Kennedy and Khrushchev recognized the catastrophic potential of nuclear war and were motivated to find a resolution. Their willingness to compromise and de-escalate tensions prevented the crisis from escalating into a full-scale nuclear conflict.

Question 6

Why was the Bay of Pigs incident important?

Answer 6

1. The Bay of Pigs incident significantly embarrassed the United States and President Kennedy, exposing the failed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist government. This public failure damaged the US’s international reputation and Kennedy’s image at home and abroad.
2. It strengthened Fidel Castro’s position in Cuba, consolidating his power and leading Cuba to forge closer ties with the Soviet Union. This shift increased Cold War tensions and set the stage for the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Question 7

Why was the Tet Offensive important for the USA?

Answer 7

1. The Tet Offensive exposed the vulnerability of US and South Vietnamese forces, contradicting optimistic US government claims about the war’s progress. This gap between official statements and the war’s reality led to a significant loss of public trust in the government and increased opposition to the war within the United States.
2. It marked a turning point in American public opinion and media coverage of the Vietnam War. The widespread, coordinated attacks by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces during the Tet Offensive shocked the American public, leading to a shift in media portrayal from broadly supportive to more critical and questioning of the war effort.