The Start of the Cold War

Question 1

Reasons for the Start of the Cold War

Answer 1

Orthodox
Aggressive, expansionist Russia e.g. disregard of Liberated Europe Elections as agreed at Yalta
US was only ever defending territories e.g. Greece ($300 million) and Turkey ($100 million) and Stalin was insecure, 1947 Comintern
Arthur Schlesinger: emphasises Stalin’s aggression

Revisionist
US economic imperialism, Soviets took over land to form a defensive buffer zone, fearful of A-bomb, NATO and Marshall plan ($13 billion, 70% on US goods”
Walter LaFeber: US commitment to trade

Post-Revisionist
Result of conflicting ideologies and a lack of communication e.g. Postdam 1945
Martin McCauley: inevitability of a clash between “two competing systems”

Question 2

What was the domestic impact of Truman’s policy of containment?

Answer 2

1. Rise of McCarthyism (also a result of China, A bomb and Rosenburgs). Joseph McCarthy had been elected in 1946 due to lies and voted worst senator in 1949. Through the Wheeling Speech (205, 81, 57) in 1950 he gained prominence despite being dismissed as “a lie and hoax” by the Tydings’ committee. Head of HUAC.
2. 1948 Spring Poll: 73% thought Truman had been too soft. Truman passes Executive Order 9838 to force loyalty tests on federal workers
3. Allowed the FBI to carry out 3,000 investigations, 14,000 inquirers and 1,000 dismissals. Gestapo
4. Failed to veto the Internal Security Act 1950 - Communists had to register or face fines. Those registered could then be deported.
5. Republican success in 1952, first since 1933
6. Korean War - cost $67 billion

Question 3

Examine the impact of the Cold War on US society

Answer 3

1. Red Scare
2. 30,000 books banned
3. James Patterson: “politically perilous”
4. William Bennet “caused untold grief”
5. Nation Defence Education Act 1958 - $900 million (0.5 mill to 3.6)
6. Defeat of the Forland Bill 1958 (national health insurance)
7. Civil Rights - Benjamin J Davies, Little Rock

Question 4

What was Eisenhower’s New Look Policy?

Answer 4

1. “We must not go broke” (Truman’s $50 billion per annum) military industrial complex
2. Massive retaliation and brinkmanship - Vietnam, Quemoy and Matsu (1955)
3. Rollback limited despite 1956 opportunity in Hungary.