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United States & Superpower Relations

United States & Superpower Relations. Two decades into Containment. In the West Western alliance against Communism NATO US-Japan, US-Korea, US-ROC, US-Southeast Asia, US-Australia-New Zealand Economic Recovery & Boom US leading western economic restoration

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United States & Superpower Relations

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  1. United States & Superpower Relations

  2. Two decades into Containment In the West • Western alliance against Communism • NATO • US-Japan, US-Korea, US-ROC, US-Southeast Asia, US-Australia-New Zealand • Economic Recovery & Boom • US leading western economic restoration • Restoration of West German economy • Rise of Japan as an economic superpower • Economic miracles of R. O. China and R. O. Korea • Challenges in the Western Alliance • France • US global commitments & Vietnam “quagmire” • Neo-isolationist tendency in American politics

  3. Two decades into Containment In the East • Soviet Bloc alliance against the West • Warsaw Pact • Sino-Soviet Alliance • Economic Recovery • Mutual Economic Assistance • Nationalization & Collectivization • Scientific & Military Advancements • Soviet nuclear capability (1949) • “Sputnik” (1957) • Communist Chinese nuclear capability (1964) • Is the socialist camp monolithic? • Excommunication of Tito’s Yugoslavia • Ideological & armed conflicts (PRC & USSR)

  4. Challenges to the US US Relative Decline in Capabilities • US enormous overseas commitment • Europe • Vietnam & Indochina • East Asia (Japan & Korea Peninsula) • Southeast Asia • Soviet global expansion • Nuclear parity with the US • Numerical superiority in conventional forces • Formation of a navy with global reach capabilities • Growing power of W. Europe, Japan & P.R. China • Economic clout of Germany & Japan • Military buildup of the P.R.China

  5. Handling the Challenges… Options for the US • Reduction of overseas commitments • Europe, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, R. O. China….? • Formation of new alliances or greater contribution from existing allies • Reduction of threats to national security through negotiations

  6. Handling the Challenges… Détente & US Foreign Policy • Kissinger’s New Foreign Policy Thinking • Int’l politics not a war of “good” guys vs “bad” guys. • Both sides have legitimate interests and right to exist. • Both sides should learn to live in peace together. • Both sides should abandon missions to change the others’ domestic policies • US should however defend its own interests if threatened. • Cooperation & negation at a summit level are desirable. • No disruption of balance of power • Détente • Relaxation of tensions • From confrontation to negotiation & dialogue

  7. Handling the Challenges… Détente & US Superpower Relations • Communist China & Detente • What made Beijing strategically important? • Beijing-Moscow ideological conflict • De-Stalinization & Hungarian Crisis • Peaceful co-existence or capitulation to the West • Cuban Missile Crisis • World revolution via “people’s war” • Beijing-Moscow national interest conflict • Khrushchev's “Siberian logging” proposal • Moscow-Beijing scientific cooperation project • Suspension of USSR economic assistance • Suspension of student exchange programs • Exodus of Chinese into Soviet central Asian regions

  8. Handling the Challenges… Détente & US Superpower Relations • What made Beijing strategically important? • Beijing-Moscow armed conflict • Armed clashes, 1969 • Northwestern borders • Northeastern borders • Deployment of 1 million Soviet forces along common borders • Threat of surgical operations at Chinese nuclear sites Operations of Détente • Linkage • Western economic rewards to be linked with Soviet global behaviors • To encourage Soviet restraint & responsible behaviors

  9. Handling the Challenges… Operations of Détente • Linkage • Western economic rewards to be linked with Soviet global behaviors • To encourage Soviet restraint & responsible behaviors • Beijing-Washington Rapprochement • Nixon visit to Communist China • Shanghai Communiqué • Liaison offices in both capitals • Arms Control • SALT I & 4 Objectives • make arms race more predictable

  10. Handling the Challenges… Operations of Détente • Arms Control • SALT I & 4 Objectives • to make arms race more predictable • Toensure parity • To maintain deterrence • To keep détente going • Evaluating Détente • Détente enhanced US strategic position • “China card” • Détente failed to slow superpower contest • Chile • Cuba/Soviet intervention in Angola

  11. Handling the Challenges… Operations of Détente • Evaluating Détente • Détente enhanced US strategic position • “China card” • Détente failed to slow superpower contest • Chile • Cuba/Soviet intervention in Angola • Soviet support of Ethiopia, US backing of Somalia • Soviet acquisition of a naval base in Vietnam • Soviet support of Vietnam, Chinese backing of Khmer Rouge • Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

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