History essay 1:
To what extent was the US successful in containing the spread of communism
with regards to events in Europe and Cuba between 1945 and 1962?
The US can only be seen as successful in containing the spread of communism between 1945
and 1962 to a certain extent. Although the US was successful in containing the spread of
communism in events such as the Berlin Airlift, the Cuban missile crisis and by adopting the
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, the US can be seen as unsuccessful in containing
communism with regards to the Soviet Satellite states, the Warsaw Pact and the Cuban
Revolution. Therefore, the US can only be seen as successful in containing the spread of
communism between 1945 and 1962 to a certain extent.
At the end of World War Two, because of different intentions for Europe between the USSR and
the US, the USA decided to follow a policy of containment. This meant that the US and its allies
would stop the expansion of Soviet influence by whatever means necessary. In March 1947,
Truman announced that the US would help any European country that was threatened by a
communist take over. The USA would send money, military equipment and advice to these
countries. This policy was known as the Truman Doctrine, which became the basis of the
American approach and was supported by the Marshall Plan. The aim of this was to rebuild
post-war European economies so that communism would be less appealing to the populations
that were suffering from poverty. The offer grew from the Greek and Turkish Civil Wars in which
communist guerilla forces aimed to take over the respective governments. The US sent money
which helped to defeat the communists. Therefore, by introducing the Truman Doctrine, the US
can be seen as successful in containing communism.
The US can also be seen as successful in containing communism during the Berlin Airlift. In
June 1948 the USSR closed all land routes from West Germany to West Berlin, such as roads,
railways and canals. This was done in order to try and force the US to give up control of West
Berlin. However, the US and her allies were determined not to be forced out of the area as they
saw it as an attempt by Stalin to try and expand communism. They launched an airlift to fly
supplies to West Berlin, which became known as the Berlin Airlift. Stalin was informed that any
attack on the planes would be considered an act of war. In May 1949 Stalin called off the
blockade and the land routes were reopened. This can, therefore, be seen as successful
containment of communism as the US prevented the USSR from taking over West Berlin and
extending communism.
During the Cuban missile crisis, the US was partially successful in the containment of the
spread of communism. President Kennedy insisted that the Soviets remove the missiles from
the island and that those en route turn back. He placed a blockade around Cuba on October the
24th. A nuclear crisis seemed imminent, however, Krushchev backed down and ordered the
Soviet ships to turn back before the US blockade. The USSR then agreed to remove the
missiles from Cuba. Therefore, this can be seen as a success in containing communism as they
contained the spread of Soviet influence.
To what extent was the US successful in containing the spread of communism
with regards to events in Europe and Cuba between 1945 and 1962?
The US can only be seen as successful in containing the spread of communism between 1945
and 1962 to a certain extent. Although the US was successful in containing the spread of
communism in events such as the Berlin Airlift, the Cuban missile crisis and by adopting the
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, the US can be seen as unsuccessful in containing
communism with regards to the Soviet Satellite states, the Warsaw Pact and the Cuban
Revolution. Therefore, the US can only be seen as successful in containing the spread of
communism between 1945 and 1962 to a certain extent.
At the end of World War Two, because of different intentions for Europe between the USSR and
the US, the USA decided to follow a policy of containment. This meant that the US and its allies
would stop the expansion of Soviet influence by whatever means necessary. In March 1947,
Truman announced that the US would help any European country that was threatened by a
communist take over. The USA would send money, military equipment and advice to these
countries. This policy was known as the Truman Doctrine, which became the basis of the
American approach and was supported by the Marshall Plan. The aim of this was to rebuild
post-war European economies so that communism would be less appealing to the populations
that were suffering from poverty. The offer grew from the Greek and Turkish Civil Wars in which
communist guerilla forces aimed to take over the respective governments. The US sent money
which helped to defeat the communists. Therefore, by introducing the Truman Doctrine, the US
can be seen as successful in containing communism.
The US can also be seen as successful in containing communism during the Berlin Airlift. In
June 1948 the USSR closed all land routes from West Germany to West Berlin, such as roads,
railways and canals. This was done in order to try and force the US to give up control of West
Berlin. However, the US and her allies were determined not to be forced out of the area as they
saw it as an attempt by Stalin to try and expand communism. They launched an airlift to fly
supplies to West Berlin, which became known as the Berlin Airlift. Stalin was informed that any
attack on the planes would be considered an act of war. In May 1949 Stalin called off the
blockade and the land routes were reopened. This can, therefore, be seen as successful
containment of communism as the US prevented the USSR from taking over West Berlin and
extending communism.
During the Cuban missile crisis, the US was partially successful in the containment of the
spread of communism. President Kennedy insisted that the Soviets remove the missiles from
the island and that those en route turn back. He placed a blockade around Cuba on October the
24th. A nuclear crisis seemed imminent, however, Krushchev backed down and ordered the
Soviet ships to turn back before the US blockade. The USSR then agreed to remove the
missiles from Cuba. Therefore, this can be seen as a success in containing communism as they
contained the spread of Soviet influence.
