The Cold War
--Orthodox school involved America being the good side and Russians being the bad side;
Conservative Revisionists argued that Roosevelt allowed the Russians to become aggressors
through soft stance at Yalta, thereby forcing Americans to defend their good cause; Radical
Revisionists of the New Left declared that Americans were aggressors and that Russians were
defending themselves against neo-colonialist efforts; Post Revisionists declared that both sides
should share the blame for being equally provocative and aggressive
--events happened that gave Washington sense that things were turning sour; Duclos Letter came
from French communist party and was sent to American communist party with criticism over
collaboration with government administration during war; criticism against American communist
party convinced Russian communist party that working with the west was coming to an end
--Stalin gave election speech in February 1946 before Supreme Soviet Council that was in charge
of election process; speech covered the incompatibility of communism with capitalism; intent
was telling Soviet people that playtime was over, not that third world war would begin
--two events combined to convince American people that viable threat existed; George F.
Keenan of the State Department and working at American embassy in Moscow was asked to
analyze the Stalin speech; Keenan sent off Long Telegram, which explained that goals were
based upon ideology and desire for expansion over resources; policy advocated was containing
of Soviet threat through blocking expansion so that pressure would build to point of forced
change or destruction
--Churchill lost position as prime minister in elections; went on tour and gave speech in March
1946 that became known as Iron Curtain Speech; declared that Iron Curtain had descended on
Europe; called for Anglo-American alliance to block Soviet expansionism, which raised problem
as Stalin perceived great cause for danger against Russia reeling from devastation of war
--Iran Crisis occurred in 1946; fear arose during war that Germans might overtake oil fields,
which led British and Russians to jointly occupy country and agree to leave after war; British
slowly moved to withdraw while Russians made no effort to leave; Russians argued that problem
entailed not having enough transport material for troops and supplies
--Iranians raised great fear over Russian slowness and came to American government; did not
expect forces to stay, but wanted buffer against British ownership of petroleum; American effort
at United Nations brought agreement to soon leave and allowed country to move into Iran and
take share in ownership of petroleum
--Clark Clifford became special advisor to president and received assignment to study opinion in
defense establishment for idea of how to handle Soviets; Clifford Report produced negative
assessment and declared that key Soviet aim is destruction of capitalism; belief is that war will
be inevitable, and any agreements would be broken
--Americans were interested in developing economic integrity of Germany so aid would not be
continuously funneled; British and Americans decide to head forward with economic plan and
combined into area known as Bizonia; French came to reluctantly agree and combined zone with
British and Americans to form Trizonia
,--General Lucius Clay heavily influenced decision for economic reconstruction; became military
governor over Germany after Eisenhower with responsibilities that included military and social
issues; promoted democratic federalism and resisted efforts to undue existing constitutions
--Soviet Union launched blockade against Berlin in June 1948 with intention of forcing western
powers to allow Soviet supply for Berlin, thereby giving them practical control; Clay arranged
and maintained Berlin Airlift where planes continuously flew supplies until blockade was ended
--Montreaux Convention barred Russians from using the Turkish Straits for transport; agreement
arose during war that Russians could use straits upon conclusion, but denial of agreement took
place after war end; naval forces mobilized to prevent Soviets from advancing through straits
--in effort to educate public about Soviet actions, X Article (The Sources of Soviet Conduct) was
published by George Keenan; declaring that Soviet expansion must be contained to force change
in system through moderation or breakup; speech concerned political threat of subversion and
real danger of communist rise in governments through election by concerned people; proposed
dealing with situation by sending economic aid to build up countries and quiet unrest
--almost everyone reading article misinterprets purpose to concern military solution to contain
military threat of Soviets; misreading also involves perception that Soviet threat is universal and
must be opposed everywhere when Keenan only believed that America should hold areas that
mattered for victory
--Greece had been occupied by Germany during war; bitterness over occupation led to split in
civil war between royalist and communist resistance forces; British came to back royalists and
inform Americans that lack of finances means having to pull back; Americans conclude that lack
of aid will mean Stalin taking control of Greece
--Truman went to Congress and gave speech that declared peoples resisting subjugation by
minorities or outside pressure must be given aid; Truman Doctrine received support from
Senator Arthur Vandenburg by giving speech that sought to scare everyone else into believing
threat existed and meant something; aid became extended to Greece and Turkey, but problem
arose with Truman Doctrine being broad declaration of commitment to opposing communists
--Keenan believed economic condition of Europe was greatest threat; worked on plan to bolster
economic security of Europe; Secretary of State George Marshall took plan and launched with
speech; required European countries create financial plan for American approval, which entailed
recipients being part of large group rather than from one country to another
--Marshall Plan met with widespread support after following events; Soviet Union backed coup
in Czechoslovakia by communist supporters with goal of protecting against possible action from
Germany when rearmed; Western powers believe communist hostility, which leads appropriation
money to go soaring through Congress and prevent countries from falling into bankruptcy
--Soviet response to aid involved Berlin Blockade of all supplies from West Germany into West
Berlin; West Berlin had rebuilt and become shining economic beacon for those who are in East
Germany; blockade prevented land traffic and had goal of starving people into submission, but
failed when massive supply effort took place with Berlin Airlift
, --Czech Coup and Berlin Blockade led to military alliance; North Atlantic Treaty Organization
formed where members agreed that attack upon one meant response from all; Military Assistance
Program was developed to funnel military aid to newly established military allies
--1947 National Security Act passed to prepare bureaucratic system; created Department of
Defense, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Air Force, National Security
Council, Central Intelligence Agency, Director of Central Intelligence, and National Security
Resources Board
--hydrogen bomb developed with far greater explosive and destructive capabilities; yields
became measured by megatons rather than kilotons; bomb was also known as fusion bomb or
thermonuclear bomb
--routine flying missions were carried out over edge of Soviet air space for purpose of measuring
air quality for radioactive material; air sampling revealed that bomb had been set off, thus
eliminating the monopoly of America and removing certainty of security that came from it
--debate had been taking place over whether to construct a hydrogen bomb; doubt existed among
scientists for not being sure of what to do with smaller fission bombs that had been created; fact
of Russians obtaining hydrogen bomb led to formation of Special Liaison Committee
--Special Liaison Committee was composed of Dean Acheson (Secretary of State), Louis
Johnson (Secretary of Defense), and David Lilienthal (Atomic Energy Commission); Dean
Acheson wanted bomb to increase support for presidential run, Louis Johnson wanted bomb to
offset reductions in conventional spending, and Atomic Energy Commission had control
--feasibility study admitted that hydrogen bomb could be done; Lilienthal worried government
would have little idea of how to fit nuclear weapons into defense planning; signed off on project,
but with point that effort be made to produce plans that figure out how to use the weapons
--committee report submitted to upper levels of bureaucracy under NSC-68; Paul Nitze presented
report with stark depiction of Soviet goals; portrayed free world versus evil power with no
reason for trying to negotiate; hardliner document proposes four options to meet challenge
--three options of isolation and letting Soviet Union operate, launching preventative war while
possible, and maintaining present policies were meant to be shot down; fourth option proposed
massive buildup of nuclear and conventional forces; concrete numbers never given for buildup,
but hopes are roughly quadrupling defense budget
--North Korean forces invaded across 38th parallel in attempt of forceful reunification in 1950;
American government believed that Soviet Union was behind attack; Syngman Rhee was leader
of the south where Kim Il Sung was leader of the north
--North Korean forces easily made their way into southern territory until only small amount of
area remained in the Pusan Perimeter; American government became concerned about Soviet
intentions and went before United Nations Security Council for endorsement of attack resolution
--mainly American forces under General Douglas MacArthur led daring invasion through port of
Inchon; Seoul recaptured and forces are sent into the north with attempt at reunification on own
--Orthodox school involved America being the good side and Russians being the bad side;
Conservative Revisionists argued that Roosevelt allowed the Russians to become aggressors
through soft stance at Yalta, thereby forcing Americans to defend their good cause; Radical
Revisionists of the New Left declared that Americans were aggressors and that Russians were
defending themselves against neo-colonialist efforts; Post Revisionists declared that both sides
should share the blame for being equally provocative and aggressive
--events happened that gave Washington sense that things were turning sour; Duclos Letter came
from French communist party and was sent to American communist party with criticism over
collaboration with government administration during war; criticism against American communist
party convinced Russian communist party that working with the west was coming to an end
--Stalin gave election speech in February 1946 before Supreme Soviet Council that was in charge
of election process; speech covered the incompatibility of communism with capitalism; intent
was telling Soviet people that playtime was over, not that third world war would begin
--two events combined to convince American people that viable threat existed; George F.
Keenan of the State Department and working at American embassy in Moscow was asked to
analyze the Stalin speech; Keenan sent off Long Telegram, which explained that goals were
based upon ideology and desire for expansion over resources; policy advocated was containing
of Soviet threat through blocking expansion so that pressure would build to point of forced
change or destruction
--Churchill lost position as prime minister in elections; went on tour and gave speech in March
1946 that became known as Iron Curtain Speech; declared that Iron Curtain had descended on
Europe; called for Anglo-American alliance to block Soviet expansionism, which raised problem
as Stalin perceived great cause for danger against Russia reeling from devastation of war
--Iran Crisis occurred in 1946; fear arose during war that Germans might overtake oil fields,
which led British and Russians to jointly occupy country and agree to leave after war; British
slowly moved to withdraw while Russians made no effort to leave; Russians argued that problem
entailed not having enough transport material for troops and supplies
--Iranians raised great fear over Russian slowness and came to American government; did not
expect forces to stay, but wanted buffer against British ownership of petroleum; American effort
at United Nations brought agreement to soon leave and allowed country to move into Iran and
take share in ownership of petroleum
--Clark Clifford became special advisor to president and received assignment to study opinion in
defense establishment for idea of how to handle Soviets; Clifford Report produced negative
assessment and declared that key Soviet aim is destruction of capitalism; belief is that war will
be inevitable, and any agreements would be broken
--Americans were interested in developing economic integrity of Germany so aid would not be
continuously funneled; British and Americans decide to head forward with economic plan and
combined into area known as Bizonia; French came to reluctantly agree and combined zone with
British and Americans to form Trizonia
,--General Lucius Clay heavily influenced decision for economic reconstruction; became military
governor over Germany after Eisenhower with responsibilities that included military and social
issues; promoted democratic federalism and resisted efforts to undue existing constitutions
--Soviet Union launched blockade against Berlin in June 1948 with intention of forcing western
powers to allow Soviet supply for Berlin, thereby giving them practical control; Clay arranged
and maintained Berlin Airlift where planes continuously flew supplies until blockade was ended
--Montreaux Convention barred Russians from using the Turkish Straits for transport; agreement
arose during war that Russians could use straits upon conclusion, but denial of agreement took
place after war end; naval forces mobilized to prevent Soviets from advancing through straits
--in effort to educate public about Soviet actions, X Article (The Sources of Soviet Conduct) was
published by George Keenan; declaring that Soviet expansion must be contained to force change
in system through moderation or breakup; speech concerned political threat of subversion and
real danger of communist rise in governments through election by concerned people; proposed
dealing with situation by sending economic aid to build up countries and quiet unrest
--almost everyone reading article misinterprets purpose to concern military solution to contain
military threat of Soviets; misreading also involves perception that Soviet threat is universal and
must be opposed everywhere when Keenan only believed that America should hold areas that
mattered for victory
--Greece had been occupied by Germany during war; bitterness over occupation led to split in
civil war between royalist and communist resistance forces; British came to back royalists and
inform Americans that lack of finances means having to pull back; Americans conclude that lack
of aid will mean Stalin taking control of Greece
--Truman went to Congress and gave speech that declared peoples resisting subjugation by
minorities or outside pressure must be given aid; Truman Doctrine received support from
Senator Arthur Vandenburg by giving speech that sought to scare everyone else into believing
threat existed and meant something; aid became extended to Greece and Turkey, but problem
arose with Truman Doctrine being broad declaration of commitment to opposing communists
--Keenan believed economic condition of Europe was greatest threat; worked on plan to bolster
economic security of Europe; Secretary of State George Marshall took plan and launched with
speech; required European countries create financial plan for American approval, which entailed
recipients being part of large group rather than from one country to another
--Marshall Plan met with widespread support after following events; Soviet Union backed coup
in Czechoslovakia by communist supporters with goal of protecting against possible action from
Germany when rearmed; Western powers believe communist hostility, which leads appropriation
money to go soaring through Congress and prevent countries from falling into bankruptcy
--Soviet response to aid involved Berlin Blockade of all supplies from West Germany into West
Berlin; West Berlin had rebuilt and become shining economic beacon for those who are in East
Germany; blockade prevented land traffic and had goal of starving people into submission, but
failed when massive supply effort took place with Berlin Airlift
, --Czech Coup and Berlin Blockade led to military alliance; North Atlantic Treaty Organization
formed where members agreed that attack upon one meant response from all; Military Assistance
Program was developed to funnel military aid to newly established military allies
--1947 National Security Act passed to prepare bureaucratic system; created Department of
Defense, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Air Force, National Security
Council, Central Intelligence Agency, Director of Central Intelligence, and National Security
Resources Board
--hydrogen bomb developed with far greater explosive and destructive capabilities; yields
became measured by megatons rather than kilotons; bomb was also known as fusion bomb or
thermonuclear bomb
--routine flying missions were carried out over edge of Soviet air space for purpose of measuring
air quality for radioactive material; air sampling revealed that bomb had been set off, thus
eliminating the monopoly of America and removing certainty of security that came from it
--debate had been taking place over whether to construct a hydrogen bomb; doubt existed among
scientists for not being sure of what to do with smaller fission bombs that had been created; fact
of Russians obtaining hydrogen bomb led to formation of Special Liaison Committee
--Special Liaison Committee was composed of Dean Acheson (Secretary of State), Louis
Johnson (Secretary of Defense), and David Lilienthal (Atomic Energy Commission); Dean
Acheson wanted bomb to increase support for presidential run, Louis Johnson wanted bomb to
offset reductions in conventional spending, and Atomic Energy Commission had control
--feasibility study admitted that hydrogen bomb could be done; Lilienthal worried government
would have little idea of how to fit nuclear weapons into defense planning; signed off on project,
but with point that effort be made to produce plans that figure out how to use the weapons
--committee report submitted to upper levels of bureaucracy under NSC-68; Paul Nitze presented
report with stark depiction of Soviet goals; portrayed free world versus evil power with no
reason for trying to negotiate; hardliner document proposes four options to meet challenge
--three options of isolation and letting Soviet Union operate, launching preventative war while
possible, and maintaining present policies were meant to be shot down; fourth option proposed
massive buildup of nuclear and conventional forces; concrete numbers never given for buildup,
but hopes are roughly quadrupling defense budget
--North Korean forces invaded across 38th parallel in attempt of forceful reunification in 1950;
American government believed that Soviet Union was behind attack; Syngman Rhee was leader
of the south where Kim Il Sung was leader of the north
--North Korean forces easily made their way into southern territory until only small amount of
area remained in the Pusan Perimeter; American government became concerned about Soviet
intentions and went before United Nations Security Council for endorsement of attack resolution
--mainly American forces under General Douglas MacArthur led daring invasion through port of
Inchon; Seoul recaptured and forces are sent into the north with attempt at reunification on own
