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The Early Cold War Years Chapter 13, section 2. Containing Communism : the main goal of the USA. The Americans showed their commitment to not letting communism spread. It would shape the politics between the USA and the USSR for the next 45 years. The Long Telegram:
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The Early Cold War Years Chapter 13, section 2 Containing Communism: the main goal of the USA. The Americans showed their commitment to not letting communism spread. It would shape the politics between the USA and the USSR for the next 45 years.
The Long Telegram: This letter, written by George Kennan, an American diplomat in Moscow, wrote a long telegram in which he explained the goal of the Soviets, to spread communism. The American policy of “Containment” came as a result of the Long Telegram from Kennan. What is the Containment policy? Contain communism to its existing border. Do lot let it spread anywhere else.
The Containment Policy in action: • The Iran crisis – the Soviets trying to place troops in Iran to secure an open line for Iran’s oil. • Turkey – The straits of the Dardenelles. The Soviets move to keep the straits open to the Black sea for trade – a warm water port. The USA saw this as a Soviet plan to control the Middle East.
Greece – Greek Communists launch a guerilla attack to take over and install a communist regime. The USA steps in and helps the Greeks fight against the communists.
The Truman Doctrine: All of these Soviet moves led President Truman to declare to aid “free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” In other words, the Truman Doctrine says that the USA will help any nation resist communism. The USA would follow the Truman Doctrine until 1991: This is why we went to war in Vietnam.
The Marshall Plan: Named after former Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall. This plan stated that the USA would offer economic aid to nations to help them recover and rebuild after WWII. It was offered to all nations involved in WWII in Europe, including the USSR, who refused it and came up with their own plan to help their satellite nations.
The Berlin Crisis: The Soviets set a blockade around West Berlin in order to starve them out and give in to the Soviets, becoming communists. The US saw this as a spread of communism. So what doctrine do they fall back on? The Truman Doctrine
The Berlin Airlift: For 11 months (June 1948 ) the USA would fly cargo planes NON-STOP into West Berlin to provide everything the people needed to survive. In all 2 million tons of supplies were flown in. Stalin lifted the airlift in May 1949. The Berlin Airlift became a symbol of America’s determination to stop the spread of communism, wherever it tried expand – Contain it to its existing border. Containment
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization • Started in April 1949 • Purpose: A defensive alliance • Members agree to come to the aid of each other who was attacked by another nation. The Warsaw Pact: The Soviets answer to NATO. A defensive alliance of the Soviet Union and its satellite nations.
The Cold War Spreads to East Asia Hot spots: China, Taiwan, North and South Korea, and Vietnam.
China: • Nationalist Chiang Kai shek is the leader of China. • Communist leader Mao Zedong allies himself with Stalin and the Soviet Union • Chairman Mao leads the Communist Chinese in a civil war to make China communist (1920s) • They take a break and work together to fight the Japanese during WWII. • After WWII they resume their fight against each other.
In 1949, the communists had taken control of China. • They Nationalist flee to Taiwan, and America recognizes Taiwan as the real China, and do not recognize China. • America loses China as an ally. • China allies themselves with the Soviet Union. This will lead to other problems in the Far East for years to come – Korea and Vietnam.
The Korean War: 1950 - 1953 After WWII the USSR and USA entered the Korean peninsula to kick disarm the Japanese and move them out. They divided the country at the 38th parallel, USSR –North, USA – South.
Cold War talks break down between the USSR and USA. Both nations claim control of Korea. Both establish governments in their regions – Communist North, Democratic South, divided at the 38th parallel.
On June 25, 1950 the Communist North flood across into the South to try to take over the South and make it communist, thus setting off a war. The U.N. steps to try to help, but is ineffective.
The Korean War becomes another test for the American Containment Policy and the Truman Doctrine. The USA helps South Korea fight the North. The War goes back and forth over the 38th parallel until it ends up where it is today. At one point China gets involved to help the North Koreans and MacArthur wants use nuclear weapons on China. Truman refuses and MacArthur publicly criticizes Truman. Truman fires him as commanding officer.
More than 33,600 Americans are killed in action, and an additional 2,800 die by accident or disease. In 1953 an armistice was signed resulting in a cease fire. No treaty was ever signed. Technically, North and South Korea are still at war today. We still have troops on the 38th parallel today.
The Korean War marked an important turning point in the Cold War. Until 1950 the United States used political pressure and economic aid to contain communism. But with the Korean War American policy shifted to use military force. Since that time the Americans would build-up their military and use it to contain communism.
After Korea, the US would sign Defensive Agreements with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. We would also provide military aid to the French forces fighting communist guerillas in Vietnam, which would eventually lead us into the Vietnam War.
