,Contents
1. Contents
2. Truman
2. Containment, Implications
3. McCarthyism
4. Cold War effects of Society and Culture
5. Korean War
5. Reasons
6. Military developments
7. Diplomatic/foreign outcomes
8. Political/domestic outcomes
8. Eisenhower
8. New Look, Application
9. Repercussions
11. Vietnam
11. Reasons/motives
12. Nature of involvement
14. Domestic effects
15. End of war
19. Latin America
20. Cold War
21. Canada
22. Kennedy to Carter
21. Kennedy and Alliance for Progress
24. Johnson and Dominican Republic, Carter
25. Canada
25. Vietnam war
27. Cold War
30. Other policies
1
,Truman
1 Containment
● The initial idea stems from George F Kenan’s telegram (also known as the Long
telegram) which he describes how he thought the Soviets would back down if force
was used against them, later stating that the best course of action was “a long term,
patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies”.
● This take on “containment” can be seen as a middle ground between detente
(relaxation/peace) and rollback (actively taking down a regime).
● In March 1947, President Truman gave a speech in front of congress, now known as
the Truman doctrine, where he requested aid for Mediterranean countries, such as
Greece, since Britain could no longer support them. Truman’s stance was made clear
- communism was not welcome to spread, reporting the USSR as “attempting
subjugation” and making it clear that the US would not allow freedom to be taken
away.
● George Marshall, secretary of state, proposed a European programme of aid, in
order to prevent countries from falling into communist control post WW2. He wished
for the “revival of a working economy” where “free institutions can exist” and it was
described as “a lifeline to sinking men”. Paved the path for western recovery from the
war and ensured protection from communism.
● Creation of NATO in 1949, allying the US, Britain, Canada and more western
countries (including West Germany in 1955) as well as the US army entering Korean
conflict in 1950 to support South Korea in pushing North Korea back to the 38th
parallel. However, their victory inspired the US to go further, adopting a rollback
strategy and attempting nationwide UN elections there. This can almost prove as
evidence for the success of containment as shortly after, China defeated UN forces in
fear of Americans entering or even being near Chinese borders.
2 Containment implications
● Treaties
○ Rio pact 1947 - permanent defensive alliance with US ‘back yard’: if one
nation of this pact is attacked, all are under attack. Brazil, Chile and Cuba
banned communist organizations. Although this relieved some worry about
Communism from the United States, many Latin American countries were
disappointed. Latin Americans wanted something more substantial than a
military alliance - economic and political relations with the US. but the US only
set a precedent for aid for any (repressive) regime fighting communism.
○ April 1948, Organization of American States - Twenty-one American countries
signed the Charter of the Organization of American States on April 30, 1948,
on the basis that communism was incompatible with freedom. After fear that
new movements to the political left would get out of hand - uneasy about new
democracy now (even though they had supported it in war).
○ Quite significant - establishing control and mild anti-communism
● Assistance/aid:
○ Four-point plan 1949 - Limited technical assistance of $79 million that would
assist 3rd world countries. Truman did not mention communism or the Soviet
Union during his discussion of this, clear that the program was part of foreign
policy designed to contain USSR. Designed to force Third World nations to
2
, increase their natural resource production for the benefit of Western
industries.
○ Mutual security act, 1951 - $38 million military assistance to Latin America to
combat communism. Hope that they trust this stability and not turn to
democracy and fall down that path.
○ Quite significant - created a dependency on the USA but still not that much in
the long run, so only really keeping power over the hemisphere stable.
● Government/covert intervention
○ U.S. policymakers further solidified their beliefs that dictatorships were the
best defence against communism in the Western Hemisphere with the
introduction of “modernization,” = “almost unquestioning faith in the
desirability of perfecting the technical efficiency of the Central American
States, not only in the realm of surveillance per se but also more generally in
military and policy matters.” - Robert Holden
○ What’s more, the USA supported Fulgencio Batista’s coup in Cuba in 1952,
despite it being illegal, in order to contain the corruption and political fights
erupting in the nation during Socorras’ time in office. This shows the US’
unrelinquishing strict approach to any whisper of unrest in Latin America that
could begin to lean towards communism.
○ "It is better to have a strong regime in power than a liberal government if it is
indulgent and relaxed and penetrated with Communists." - George Kennan
○ Very significant - directly involved in politics and asserting dominance over the
‘backyard’ - made a show of their power and were able to change and affect
the histories of these countries forever.
● Korea
○ US/UN/ROK forces struggling in winter 1950-1, Truman appealed to multiple
countries in Latin America - Colombia the only nation to send troops (due to
economic ties, hopes for aid, anti-comm and cooperation).
○ Canada, however, wanted the involvement from the Americas to be more of
UN action rather than an anti-communist attack fueled by panic.
Nevertheless, Canadian support was pushed as the prime minister at the
time, Pearson, had long been supportive of containment, stating that
“wherever free men are struggling against totalitarian tyranny… it may run
through the middle of our own cities.”
○ Not that significant for anywhere but the USA - Canada and Colombia only
help from this area. But, interest lies in the fact that the other nations did not
help - why not?
3 McCarthyism
● McCarthy (witch hunts) - incited fear into all Americans, making the threat of
communism seem more real and imminent - 500 state/gov employees, 600 teachers,
150 professors dismissed due to these investigations.
○ CRC dissolved 1956 (only 10 years after establishment), Benjamin Davis
African American communist elected NYS council Harlem but lost in 1949 due
to accusations he never fully was able to clear.
● Red scare - Domestic effects
○ HUAC, established 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive
activities on the part of private citizens, public employees, and those
organizations suspected of having fascist or communist ties. - 1947, held nine
3
1. Contents
2. Truman
2. Containment, Implications
3. McCarthyism
4. Cold War effects of Society and Culture
5. Korean War
5. Reasons
6. Military developments
7. Diplomatic/foreign outcomes
8. Political/domestic outcomes
8. Eisenhower
8. New Look, Application
9. Repercussions
11. Vietnam
11. Reasons/motives
12. Nature of involvement
14. Domestic effects
15. End of war
19. Latin America
20. Cold War
21. Canada
22. Kennedy to Carter
21. Kennedy and Alliance for Progress
24. Johnson and Dominican Republic, Carter
25. Canada
25. Vietnam war
27. Cold War
30. Other policies
1
,Truman
1 Containment
● The initial idea stems from George F Kenan’s telegram (also known as the Long
telegram) which he describes how he thought the Soviets would back down if force
was used against them, later stating that the best course of action was “a long term,
patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies”.
● This take on “containment” can be seen as a middle ground between detente
(relaxation/peace) and rollback (actively taking down a regime).
● In March 1947, President Truman gave a speech in front of congress, now known as
the Truman doctrine, where he requested aid for Mediterranean countries, such as
Greece, since Britain could no longer support them. Truman’s stance was made clear
- communism was not welcome to spread, reporting the USSR as “attempting
subjugation” and making it clear that the US would not allow freedom to be taken
away.
● George Marshall, secretary of state, proposed a European programme of aid, in
order to prevent countries from falling into communist control post WW2. He wished
for the “revival of a working economy” where “free institutions can exist” and it was
described as “a lifeline to sinking men”. Paved the path for western recovery from the
war and ensured protection from communism.
● Creation of NATO in 1949, allying the US, Britain, Canada and more western
countries (including West Germany in 1955) as well as the US army entering Korean
conflict in 1950 to support South Korea in pushing North Korea back to the 38th
parallel. However, their victory inspired the US to go further, adopting a rollback
strategy and attempting nationwide UN elections there. This can almost prove as
evidence for the success of containment as shortly after, China defeated UN forces in
fear of Americans entering or even being near Chinese borders.
2 Containment implications
● Treaties
○ Rio pact 1947 - permanent defensive alliance with US ‘back yard’: if one
nation of this pact is attacked, all are under attack. Brazil, Chile and Cuba
banned communist organizations. Although this relieved some worry about
Communism from the United States, many Latin American countries were
disappointed. Latin Americans wanted something more substantial than a
military alliance - economic and political relations with the US. but the US only
set a precedent for aid for any (repressive) regime fighting communism.
○ April 1948, Organization of American States - Twenty-one American countries
signed the Charter of the Organization of American States on April 30, 1948,
on the basis that communism was incompatible with freedom. After fear that
new movements to the political left would get out of hand - uneasy about new
democracy now (even though they had supported it in war).
○ Quite significant - establishing control and mild anti-communism
● Assistance/aid:
○ Four-point plan 1949 - Limited technical assistance of $79 million that would
assist 3rd world countries. Truman did not mention communism or the Soviet
Union during his discussion of this, clear that the program was part of foreign
policy designed to contain USSR. Designed to force Third World nations to
2
, increase their natural resource production for the benefit of Western
industries.
○ Mutual security act, 1951 - $38 million military assistance to Latin America to
combat communism. Hope that they trust this stability and not turn to
democracy and fall down that path.
○ Quite significant - created a dependency on the USA but still not that much in
the long run, so only really keeping power over the hemisphere stable.
● Government/covert intervention
○ U.S. policymakers further solidified their beliefs that dictatorships were the
best defence against communism in the Western Hemisphere with the
introduction of “modernization,” = “almost unquestioning faith in the
desirability of perfecting the technical efficiency of the Central American
States, not only in the realm of surveillance per se but also more generally in
military and policy matters.” - Robert Holden
○ What’s more, the USA supported Fulgencio Batista’s coup in Cuba in 1952,
despite it being illegal, in order to contain the corruption and political fights
erupting in the nation during Socorras’ time in office. This shows the US’
unrelinquishing strict approach to any whisper of unrest in Latin America that
could begin to lean towards communism.
○ "It is better to have a strong regime in power than a liberal government if it is
indulgent and relaxed and penetrated with Communists." - George Kennan
○ Very significant - directly involved in politics and asserting dominance over the
‘backyard’ - made a show of their power and were able to change and affect
the histories of these countries forever.
● Korea
○ US/UN/ROK forces struggling in winter 1950-1, Truman appealed to multiple
countries in Latin America - Colombia the only nation to send troops (due to
economic ties, hopes for aid, anti-comm and cooperation).
○ Canada, however, wanted the involvement from the Americas to be more of
UN action rather than an anti-communist attack fueled by panic.
Nevertheless, Canadian support was pushed as the prime minister at the
time, Pearson, had long been supportive of containment, stating that
“wherever free men are struggling against totalitarian tyranny… it may run
through the middle of our own cities.”
○ Not that significant for anywhere but the USA - Canada and Colombia only
help from this area. But, interest lies in the fact that the other nations did not
help - why not?
3 McCarthyism
● McCarthy (witch hunts) - incited fear into all Americans, making the threat of
communism seem more real and imminent - 500 state/gov employees, 600 teachers,
150 professors dismissed due to these investigations.
○ CRC dissolved 1956 (only 10 years after establishment), Benjamin Davis
African American communist elected NYS council Harlem but lost in 1949 due
to accusations he never fully was able to clear.
● Red scare - Domestic effects
○ HUAC, established 1938 to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive
activities on the part of private citizens, public employees, and those
organizations suspected of having fascist or communist ties. - 1947, held nine
3
