US Forein Policy (1945-1975) Flashcards
how successfully did the US adopt its world role in foreign affairs by 1945?
(1943) Tehran conference, NOV 28 December . First ‘big three’ summit. Discussed: D-day with soviet coordination against Germans from east . Soviet potential joining US-Japan war and creating global peace maintaining organisation
(B: not stop soviets from joining in war and so might gain some land from Japan, Soviet’s would spread west to Germany)
Yalta conference (1945): Stalin, Roosevelt Churchill , decided Germany should be divided into four zones (USA, USSR, Britain and France) and Berlin remained in Soviet region. UN formed, bring war criminal to trail. [Signed in declaration of liberated Europe]
(B: tension rose with Poland decision as they questioned who should hold power. Other eastern European countries remained uncertain for communist role )
Potsdam conference (1945) Truman, atlee and Stalin. Proceeded many action agreed in Yalta conference (Germany div & war criminals) German refugees (pols, hungry and Czechs) return to Germany. Poland lose territory to USSR
(B: relations worsened , Truman & atlee want self determination for most of Eastern Europe. Which they failed to achieve. Truman concerns with growth of Soviet power, so annexed reason with soveits and used force to get his diplomacy via treating the bomb. Atlee want to stay close with US, concerned with USSR exapnsion. Stalin not trust Truman (even more so from bomb) , believe USA a rival power)
-(1945) atomic bomb used on Nagasaki and Hiroshima
-Eisenhower lead European liberation army on D-day
US Ideologies were split between ‘Yalta axioms’ (liberals, Wallace) and ‘Riga axioms’ (hawks, Truman , jamess Byrne the Secretary of State) & inbetweeners (dean acheson later becoming a hawk) …but chose containment
How successfully did the US manage to take control of the Cold War (1945-1950)?
(1947) US gave aid to non-communist forces in Greece civil war = (1949) Greece not became communist [truman doctrine , which was first used then, was successful] (but not prevent communist coup in czechoslovakia and “iron wall” forming)
-(1947) marshal aid: $13 billion packages to help European countries recover (22 nations, established Orginisation of European economic community (OEEC) (B: not accepted by Soviets/ communist countries )
-(1947) first US surface to surface ballistic missile tested (1949 Soviets tested first atomic bomb)
(1945-49) gave aid to Chinese nationalist lead by chiang Kai-shek. Maintained connections with republic of Gina gov in Taiwan (unpopular). Refused to formally recognise peoples republic of China (PRC). Enforce trade embargo and kept them out of UN.
(1948-49) Berlin airlift , USA and Britain organized supplies to West Berlin(which transports links were cut if by Stalin, so by ( 1949) 8000 tons supplies. Stop sterling making Berlin capital of east, but also show US not willing to use armed forces to break blockade and soviets not shoot aircraft = understanding of ‘long peace’ rules
(1949) NATO: defensive alliance to prevent Soviet expansion . So attack on one was attack on all (Britain,Canada, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark’s, Iceland, Italy, Norway
-(1950) NSC-68 report increased funding to expand national security state
How successfully did the US manage to take control of the Cold War (1950-60)?
(1952) US ftrst first hydrogen bomb, Soviets did a year later
(1950-53) Korean War. UN with US support sent troops to stop invasion, commanded by general Mac Arthur. Reclaimed lost ground, invaded north but encouraged Chinese intervention and were suppressed back south. Caused USA 27,000 troop lost. 1 million Korean citizens. And divided north and south. Restored demarcation line= domino theory development. Strengthened Taiwan support, mcarythysm. Limited military action by (1953) not risk ww3
(1954) US-Taiwan defence treaty= Eisenhower consider using atomic weapons to protect Taiwan = China backing off= did same in (1958)
(1954) first nuclear propelled submarine in action
-(1955) US Austrian peace treaty-Austria self determination-remove Soviets but not intervene in Soviet nationalist suppressing invasion of hungry (1956) (but part of Soviet sphere )
(1956) US force British and French troops to withdraw from suez by imposing sanctions =(1957) Eisenhower doctrine = gave/sold ammunition to allies in Middle East
-(1957) Sputnik panic
-(1958-60) Berlin tensions:
(1958) US along with west stood firm to Soviet threats of blocking access routes to West Berlin =(1959) backed down
(1959) summit between Eisenhower and Khrushchev lead to no progress = (1960) Paris summit which was cancelled after U-2 incident
(1960) missile test from submerged submarine success (US well ahead in arms race against Soviets)
What were the causes of the Cold War
LT:
-political/ social (ideological (capitalist , communist) differences since (1917)
-social / political propeganda (1917-1941) in west spread communist threat in media to US. In USSR , us gov seen as exploiting workers
-military : WW1, (1914-1918) Russia fought in side of allies until they pulled out of war. So brits and French found it hard to trust Soviets
-social political (Stalin regime from (1922) was brutal, so many parishes him)
-military: civil war (1917) west troops sent troops to suport ‘whites’ who opposed new communist gov. (So allies believe wrong side won war)
ST:
-political: (1943) Churchill Stalin met in Moscow, made list war plan on Eastern European terraces, but agreement not enforced
-political/military: Germany and Russia signed agreement not to fight (1939) though they were with allies by end= distrust
-political/ military: Stalin wanting to keep sphere of influence in east Europe to protect USSR boarder
-(1945) political/ military Truman hat communists , not tell Stalin about atom bomb . So Stalin felt betrayed by allies and threat and by nuclear war
-miltary/poltical (1945) Stalin wanting to help US in war against Japan to expand Soviet power in Asia. But UsA not want this
-political/ social : had different aims. USSR keep influence in east Europe, keep Germany weak. USA want self determination for all and an rebuilt Germany
What is the difference between communisms and capitalism?
Ca:
-any person should be free to start a business and employ people
-choice of many parties for government by the people (democracy)
-any profit made is reward for an individuals hard work
-opportunity for all
-free economy
-average standard of living is higher. But wealth inequality gap is wider
Co:
-all profits go to state and everyone benefits
-only one party gov (choose candidates though)
-no private person should be allowed to profit from the work of other citizens
-fairness and equality for all
-lower average standard of living but everyone in theory is equal
-controlled economy
How successfully did the US manage to take control of the Cold War (1960-1972)?
(1961) Berlin Wall crisis: US was unable to stop Khrushchev from constructing the Berlin Wall, separating east and West Berlin= intense near-edging military confrontation between Soviets and US. Potentially encouraging the Soviets to place morally In Cuba (B: ended Cold War tension in Germany , east walled in meant Soviets could no longer expand German claims, Kennedy visit Berlin to reiterate US support)
(1961) ‘bay of piga’ incident , Kennedy failed to start a nationalist revolt from Castro takeover of Cuba, which threatens US-Cuba trade relation, = Castro conversion to communism and growing connections with Khrushchev= Cuban missile crisis
(1963) Cuban missile crisis:
-Soviet instalments in ballistic missiles in Cuba caused nuclear warefare panic. = intensify division with ‘hawks’ and ‘doves’ in government between, forced to withdraw nuclear weapons from turkey so Soviets withdrew weapons from Cuba. Naval blockade failed to intimidate Soviets . Created overconfidence in US victory’s= Vietnam issue (B: received well by press, turkey part not disclosed publicly, prevented nuclear warefare from happening, Khrushchev seemed to have backed down, create ‘hot line’ between powers in aftermath)
(1963) Test ban treaty: US and USSR stop testing nuclear explosions
(1967) glasswork cordial summit meeting set plans for detente= was undermined by (1968) ‘Prague spring’ revoking Cold War tensions
(1969-1972) several Washington meetings with Soviet ambassador, Anatoly dobryin
Sino-US relations, “ping pong” diplomacy:
-(1971) Chinese ping pong teeemd invited and treated with courtesy the US team to play in their country
-(1971) US lift trade embargo with China
-(1972) Nixon state visits (met Mao Zedong)
[= improve global relation with countries to China and restoration of chinas legitimate rights in UN (1971)]
(B: intensify Soviet suspicion, want to be better than China, since (1960) “Sino-Soviet split”
How successfully did the US manage to take control of the Cold War (1972-75)?
(1972) Strategic Arms limitations treaty (SALT 1) signed. Talks held in Vienna and Helsinki. Limited nuclear capability of USSR and the US (=signing of anti-ballistic missile treaty )
NATO divisions ( Turkish -Greece Cyprus [both NATO] divisions , Middle East divisions: Arab-Israeli war (1973) US send military support to support Israel =arab oil embargo (1973) on oil supplies to US, causing an ‘economic pearl harbour’)
(1974) ford meeting with Leonid Brezhnev
(1974) ford retained Kissinger as Secretary of State
(1975) Helsinki agreement: USA, USSR and 33 (including Wilson?) other nations made declarations of 3 ‘basket’ principles:
-west recognise current national boundaries in Eastern Europe , and Soviet Union accept existence of west Germany
-respect human rights and basic freedoms
-agree closer economic, scientific and cultural link
(B: criticised by congress for being ‘weak’ on agreements, but did improve de-escalation such as lead to SALT 2?)
How successfully did the US manage to take control of the Cold War in Vietnam(1954-1968)?
(1954) France war with Vietnam ( supported by US who paid 80% of their war) was defeated at dien bien Phu by communist supported Vietminh
(1954) Geneva Accords: divided north (controlled by Vietminh/Ho Chi Minh) and south (Ngo Dinh Dien) and attempt to create lasting settlements by holding democratic election for reunification in (1956), create buffer demilitarised zone and remove presence of growing military bases in either side (B: election not held, NV want division further south. Diem was brutal dictator (1963 Buddhist crisis), China supply Ho Chi Minh regardless)
-(1960) Ho Chi Minh establish National Liberation Front (NFL) [vietcong] in south to overthrow Diem
-started in (1961) by (1963) military adviser sent to the south rose to 16,000 who trained and support SV in fighting Vietcong. Also provide airforces in south?
-(1963) US support coup to overthrow Diem= Diem assassination. To promote ‘national building’ by improving gov, providing reforms and military focus in SV (B: Kennedy assassinated , so plans left incomplete)
How successfully did the US manage to take control of the Cold War in Vietnam(1964-68)?
(1964) Johnson kept McNamara as defense secretary, support increased involvement
(1964) gulf of Tonkin incident , US air forces bombed NV military targets after alleged gunboats attacked by NV. Us Not seen as “soft on communism’s”, Johnson approval ratings rose to 72% after bombing. (B: seen to increase Johnson prestige than prevent war)
(1964) gulf of Tonkin resolution: congress authorised “all necessary measures” to escalate conflict, [including heavier bombing].Strengthened the domino theory. Protected US ‘national prestige, credibility and honour’ . Ensured Saigon gov did not tilt as it was ‘close to a standstill’. Ensure by not proclaiming ‘war’ funding for his great socioty would increase (B: Many views incident as not encouraging attacks)
(1964-67) Military expansion In Vietnam:
• (1965) operation rolling thunder, in retaliation to Pleiku camp killing,began large scale continuous bombing. 67% US approved, stop fears of China-Soviet expansion, (B: many thought was an ‘unexplained war’)
• second great escalation [spring], sent ground troops to protect US bomber bases at Danang. Reforms US reiterate support for Saigon gov in Johnson April speech. 70% nation approved , 40% want send more troops . By Nov, general Westmoreland predict victory for US within a year (B: over 500,000 ground troops in SV, unlikely to leave anytime soon, growing protests from radicals and ‘draft dodgers’ , US aid ti agriculture had little influence on gaining ‘hearts and minds’ of SV civilians, more media doubt , special relations strained , McNamara resigned (1967) as his Vietnam policy “hadn’t gotten a goddammed thing for it”, Little suport from allies with some [South Korea and Thailand] being bribed to support them, De Gaulle withdrew France from NATO 1966, encouraged speculation against dolar, assume leadership with Western Europe and established economic and cultural ties, align with west Germany with eastern bloc despite US opposition)
(1968) Tet offensive: successful NV attack by surprising US by braking Tet truce. Invaded ground of US embassy in Saigon = US ambassador fled. Badly damaged building and Us prestige . War had disillusioned the media, ‘lost Cronkite’ , made it look US was defeated and not the ‘good guys’. Strengthened communist position in rural areas and SV did not rally to Saigon gov. (B: NV suffers high casualties and military unsuccessful, , SV citizens had not risen to help communists, US regain control of SV)
(1968) Johnson not run again for presidency and cut bombing in Vietnam, started Paris peace negotiation in May. Signed non proliferation treaty with Soviets, who agree to encourage NV to back of advancements. (B: Nguyen Van Theiu not give in, and Nixon dropped plans)
How successfully did the US manage to take control of the Cold War in Vietnam(1969-75)?
(1969) “Operation Menu” , bombed Ho Chin Minh trail and Vietcong bases in Laos and Cambodia (not destroy trials, fail to put pressure on NV for peace, [1969] aural antiwar protests, 25000 troops withdrawn in June)
(1969) excluded Nyugen Van Thieu from Paris peace talks for offering north concessions
(1969) , 3rd November Nixon “Vietnamization” speech: continue troop withdrawal, train and equip SV to fend of Vietcong . Most positive response (B: 250,000 peaceful marchers converge to Washington)
(1970) bombing of north Vietnamese anti-aircraft bases and Ho chin Minh trail
(1970) Cambodian offensive m: sent 30,000 Americans and SV soldiers into Cambodia (B: enemy retreat into jungle, 39% disapproved, grew fear of ‘imperial presidency’ congress threaten to cut funding for war
(1971) Laos, Lam Son Offensive had Vietnamese soldiers out powered by communists equipped with new socket equipment.= 300,000 marched in Washington, drop veitnamisation, NV more insistent on continuing war= ignore China and USSR pressure
(1972) bombed Hanoi, Haiphong port in response to NV spring offence, prevent encouraging Soviets to “prey upon the meek”. 64% support mining of Haiphong. Supported by silent majority. Congress reiterate threats to cut of funding
(1973) Paris peace accords: brought ‘peace with honour’ Thieu remained in power with well supplied military, NV forces not fight or increase (B: Nixon provided billions of dollars of reconstruction aid to NV, NV forces could remain in south, committee of national reconciliations would contain communists, SV recognized as an political force, over 300,000 injured by end of war, caused ‘siege mentality’= watergate, prestige damaged, USSR persue expansion in third work nations )
