Rise to Globalism Ch 10 Flashcards
How did Kennedy envision the US?
As the last hope for global prosperity and happiness, capable of providing leadership
American’s perception of themselves when Kennedy became president
Peak American optimism, believed in their ability to:
- Win the Cold War
- Accelerate the Arms Race
- Eliminate domestic issues
How was Kennedy seen?
Bold, active, and aimed to restore the prestige of the presidency
“Disease of Liberty”
Kennedy wanted the “disease of liberty” to catch on in Communist held areas
The Third World
Seen as the battleground for defending and expanding freedom
Bay of Pigs invasion
Kennedy’s first major opportunity, the invasion failed and Kennedy blamed the CIA and Joint Chiefs (however he had actually supported the operation)
Robert S. McNamara
Secretary of Defense, advocated achieving great superiority in military strength to counter the Soviets
Arms Budget
Greatly increased by Kennedy and McNamara, leading the the greatest arms race in history
How did arms limitations talks go
Seen with skepticism by the Soviets, who saw it as propaganda to cover the military buildup
Kennedy’s response to Khrushchev’s challenge on Berlin
Included increased military spending, draft calls, and mobilization of forces
America vs. Russia’s stance on West Berlin
America: emphasized its strategic importance to the free world
Russia: Aimed to close it’s access to the Western world
Where were East Germans going?
West Berlin, due to claims of capitalism’s superiority
How did Khrushchev resolve the Berlin problem
By building the Berlin wall in 1961, which, though effective, was brutal and unprecedented, causing immeasurable human tragedy