1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
The US made the policy that prevented the elections from taking place because it feared that the Communists would win. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy because Ho Chi Minh, he inspired the Vietnamese people to fight for an independent Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh was a communist, and the United States feared that possibly 80 per cent of the population would have voted for the communist as their leader. The Vietnam people were very critical of the policy preventing these elections from taking place, because Ho Chi Minh imspired them. Also, the United States methods and policies showed their ignorance of the Vietnamese people and the region.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
US politicians would have defended their policies by advocating their "domino theory". President Eisenhower and his Secretary of State JF Dulles were convinced that China and the USSR were planning to spread Communism throughout Asia. If Vietnam fell to Communism, then Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, and possibly even India might also fall- just like a row of dominoes.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
(1963) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president: political involvement-> His successor Lyndon Johnson, was more prepared than Kennedy to commit the USA to a full-scale conflict in Vietnam to prevent the spread of Communism.
(1955) Formation of South Vietnam- political involvement-> Ngo Dinh Diem set up the Republic of South Vietnam, who treated the Vietnamese peasants with
contempt. He was a Christian and showed little respect for the Buddhist religion of most Vietnamese peasants. Diem's regime was also extremely corrupt. Therefor causing the people to overthrow him, and anger the Vietnamese people even more triggering increased involvement.
(1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident: military involvement-> The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was passed which gave Lyndon Johnson the power to 'take all necessary measures to prevent further aggression and achieve peace and security'. It effectively meant that
he could take the USA into a full-scale war if he felt it was necessary.
(1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500: military involvement-> Increased American involvement in Vietnam.
(1962) JFK sends military advisers: military involvement-> JFK sent the advisers to fight the Viet Cong, therefore in 1963 and 1964 tension between North and South
Vietnam increased.
(1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang: military involvement-> US marines, combat troops rather than advisers, came ashore at Da Nang. America was at war in Vietnam.
(1954) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam: political involvement-> Stopping elections in Vietnam angered the people because now they could not elect Ho Chi Minh, somebody they deeply admired.
(1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem: no direct involvement-> The actions of these anti-Communist governments increased support among the ordinary peasants for the Communist-led National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. This movement was usually referred to as the Viet Congo which later on attacked American air force bases getting the US even more involved.
(1960) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases: military involvement-> This would involve the US in the Vietnam even more because they would need to fight back.
(1960) Viet Cong formed: no direct involvement-> Viet Cong later on attacked the United States American air forces which would cause the US more involvement.
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain.
The two event that I think were critical in getting the US involved in a war in Vietnam would be the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, and the US Marines landing at Da Nang. The Guld of Tonkin Incident gave Lyndon Johnson the power to 'take all necessary measures to prevent further aggression and achieve peace and security'. Meaning that he could take the USA into a full-scale war if he felt it was necessary. Increasing the chances of the US getting involved in the war. Next, when the US Marines landed at Da Nang, America was finally at war in Vietnam.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Cuban Missile Crisis
1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
Well, on October 24th the blockade on Cuba begins. However the Soviet ships carrying missiles and accompanied by the Soviet submarines still come. On Saturday October 27th, Khrushchev sends a second letter saying that the condition for removing the missiles from Cuba so that the USA withdraw its missiles from Turkey. This was very hard news from Kennedy, since he so desperately wanted the missiles from Cuba removed, but he could not accept the condition since the missiles in Turkey were important. Also on this day, an American U-2 plane was show down over Cuba. This was a very hard day for president Kennedy because now he is advised to launch an immediate reprisal attack on Cuba, although he delays the attack and decides to ignore the second letter sent by Khrushchev.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes I definitely believe that a nuclear war was a possibility during this crisis. This is because the Soviets ships had reached the blockaded, and the U.S. responded by sinking their ship. And in response to this, the Soviets could have used their nuclear weapons as a retaliation against the United States, causing a nuclear war. Basically, one attack leads to another.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that Source 26 is a American cartoon. First, President Kennedy is displayed as the more stronger leader, rather than Khrushchev. This is because you can tell that Khrushchev is very worried by the wrinkles in his forehead, and the drops of sweat falling from his forehead. While Kennedy on the other hand is very relaxed and calm. He shows no distress like Khrushchev. There is no sweat dripping from his forehead, or wrinkles in his face. Also Kennedy's finger is pretty far away from the button, while Khrushchev is closer and almost directly on it. This shows Kennedy as the stronger country since he is much more relaxed, and not so worried. Khrushchev is about to press the button because he is worried and desperate. This cartoon is definitely in favor of The United States, and therefore an American cartoon.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA: If there were missiles in Cuba Khrushchev could get Kennedy to make some concessions in return for the removal of the missiles.
To test the USA: The Soviet Union wanted to test out President Kennedy. The Soviet Union placed these nuclear weapons in Cuba to see how strong the Americans really were, if they were to face up, the Soviets knew they were a strong nation. If they were to back down, they were weak and now the Soviets could use this to their advantage.
To get the upper hand in the arms race: Khrushchev believed that with missiles on Cuba it was less likely that the USA would ever launch a 'first strike" against the USSR.
To trap the USA: The missiles in Cuba were a trap. Khrushchev wanted the Americans to find them and be drawn into a nuclear war. They were not hidden for a reason.
To defend Cuba: The missiles were used to help defend Cuba.
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I think that Khrushchev had put the missiles in Cuba to not only test the USA but to also get the upper hand in the arms race. This is because, Krushchev, in my opinion, already believed that Kennedy was weak. I think he wanted to see how far Kennedy would go. By putting missiles in Cuba he could find out the strength Kennedy had at the time. If he was weak, then he would feel as if he had the upper hand in the battle. He could feel as if he was the stronger nation, and Kennedy was scared of him. By testing Kennedy with Cuban missiles he would know what to do next. Also, by obtaining the upper hand in the arms race the Soviet Union would be one step ahead of the United States.
Well, on October 24th the blockade on Cuba begins. However the Soviet ships carrying missiles and accompanied by the Soviet submarines still come. On Saturday October 27th, Khrushchev sends a second letter saying that the condition for removing the missiles from Cuba so that the USA withdraw its missiles from Turkey. This was very hard news from Kennedy, since he so desperately wanted the missiles from Cuba removed, but he could not accept the condition since the missiles in Turkey were important. Also on this day, an American U-2 plane was show down over Cuba. This was a very hard day for president Kennedy because now he is advised to launch an immediate reprisal attack on Cuba, although he delays the attack and decides to ignore the second letter sent by Khrushchev.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes I definitely believe that a nuclear war was a possibility during this crisis. This is because the Soviets ships had reached the blockaded, and the U.S. responded by sinking their ship. And in response to this, the Soviets could have used their nuclear weapons as a retaliation against the United States, causing a nuclear war. Basically, one attack leads to another.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that Source 26 is a American cartoon. First, President Kennedy is displayed as the more stronger leader, rather than Khrushchev. This is because you can tell that Khrushchev is very worried by the wrinkles in his forehead, and the drops of sweat falling from his forehead. While Kennedy on the other hand is very relaxed and calm. He shows no distress like Khrushchev. There is no sweat dripping from his forehead, or wrinkles in his face. Also Kennedy's finger is pretty far away from the button, while Khrushchev is closer and almost directly on it. This shows Kennedy as the stronger country since he is much more relaxed, and not so worried. Khrushchev is about to press the button because he is worried and desperate. This cartoon is definitely in favor of The United States, and therefore an American cartoon.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA: If there were missiles in Cuba Khrushchev could get Kennedy to make some concessions in return for the removal of the missiles.
To test the USA: The Soviet Union wanted to test out President Kennedy. The Soviet Union placed these nuclear weapons in Cuba to see how strong the Americans really were, if they were to face up, the Soviets knew they were a strong nation. If they were to back down, they were weak and now the Soviets could use this to their advantage.
To get the upper hand in the arms race: Khrushchev believed that with missiles on Cuba it was less likely that the USA would ever launch a 'first strike" against the USSR.
To trap the USA: The missiles in Cuba were a trap. Khrushchev wanted the Americans to find them and be drawn into a nuclear war. They were not hidden for a reason.
To defend Cuba: The missiles were used to help defend Cuba.
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I think that Khrushchev had put the missiles in Cuba to not only test the USA but to also get the upper hand in the arms race. This is because, Krushchev, in my opinion, already believed that Kennedy was weak. I think he wanted to see how far Kennedy would go. By putting missiles in Cuba he could find out the strength Kennedy had at the time. If he was weak, then he would feel as if he had the upper hand in the battle. He could feel as if he was the stronger nation, and Kennedy was scared of him. By testing Kennedy with Cuban missiles he would know what to do next. Also, by obtaining the upper hand in the arms race the Soviet Union would be one step ahead of the United States.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba
1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Cuba was so important to the United States because Cuba was a large island that had long been an American ally. Americans owned most of the businesses on the island and they had a huge naval base there also. Now that is belonged to Castro and the Soviet Union, Castro now took over all the American businesses, causing the United States a lot of money, an ally, and their huge naval base.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
I think that Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves because they thought that the Cuban exiles would know their land more than the Americans, and therefore would have an advantage. Also, because America knew that if they were to made a direct attack with their men against Fidel Castro, the Cubans may attack them, maybe even with the help of the Soviets. By having the Cuban exiles invade they were in a way hiding behind them and putting their actions on them, setting them behind the scenes.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The invasion failed probably because the Americans had trained 1400 Cuban exiles, while the Soviet Union had 2000 soldiers fighting for them. Also the Cuban exiles had no air support from the U.S.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Source 17 on page 345 conveys the message that the Soviet Union had less of an advantage during the Cold War. The United States had short-range missiles could hit the USSR in minutes. White the USSR had long-range ones from the USA would take 30 minutes. But source 24 on page 348 conveys a different message. It's saying that now the Soviet Union started depositing missiles in Cuba the balance of power had shifted from the U.S to the Soviet Union. Now the Soviet Union could easily hit almost any city in the U.S. in 20 minutes or less. The United States had the disadvantage because the Soviet Union could bomb any number of the U.S. cities, and it would take the United States much longer to fire on them in response.
Cuba was so important to the United States because Cuba was a large island that had long been an American ally. Americans owned most of the businesses on the island and they had a huge naval base there also. Now that is belonged to Castro and the Soviet Union, Castro now took over all the American businesses, causing the United States a lot of money, an ally, and their huge naval base.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
I think that Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves because they thought that the Cuban exiles would know their land more than the Americans, and therefore would have an advantage. Also, because America knew that if they were to made a direct attack with their men against Fidel Castro, the Cubans may attack them, maybe even with the help of the Soviets. By having the Cuban exiles invade they were in a way hiding behind them and putting their actions on them, setting them behind the scenes.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The invasion failed probably because the Americans had trained 1400 Cuban exiles, while the Soviet Union had 2000 soldiers fighting for them. Also the Cuban exiles had no air support from the U.S.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Source 17 on page 345 conveys the message that the Soviet Union had less of an advantage during the Cold War. The United States had short-range missiles could hit the USSR in minutes. White the USSR had long-range ones from the USA would take 30 minutes. But source 24 on page 348 conveys a different message. It's saying that now the Soviet Union started depositing missiles in Cuba the balance of power had shifted from the U.S to the Soviet Union. Now the Soviet Union could easily hit almost any city in the U.S. in 20 minutes or less. The United States had the disadvantage because the Soviet Union could bomb any number of the U.S. cities, and it would take the United States much longer to fire on them in response.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The American Dream in the 1950s
1. Baby Boom: The Baby Boom was during the late 1940's through the early 1960's. During this time the birthrate in the United States soared. At the height of the baby boom one American infant was born every seven seconds. The significance of the baby boom was that it was the largest generation in the nation's history.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk: Dr. Jonas Salk was one of the many doctors that tried to discover drugs to fight and prevent childhood diseases that saved hundreds of thousands of children's lives. However Dr. Jonas Salk created a vaccine for the crippling disease poliomyelitis. This was very important because his discovery had been a breakthrough at the time.
3. Interstate Highway System: The Interstate Highway System authorized the building of a nationwide highway network- 41,000 miles of expressways. This was important because the highway system encouraged the development of new suburbs farther from the cities. Also, the highways made high-speed, long-haul trucking possible which also contributed to a decline in a commercial use of railroads. The system of highways also helped unify and homogenize the nation.
4. Franchise: A Franchise is a company that offers similar products or services in many locations. For example, McDonalds. The larger organizations created "company people." Companies would give personality tests to people applying for jobs. Companies rewarded employees teamwork, cooperation, and loyalty and so contributed to the growth of conformity.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s.
Most Americans in the 1950's had more leisure time than ever before. Employee's worked a 40 hour week and earned several weeks vacation per year. In 1953 American's spent more than 30 billion on leisure goods and activities. Americans also enjoyed a wide variety of recreational pursuits- both active and passive. Millions of people played sports such as fishing, bowling, hunting, boating and golf. More fans than ever attended baseball, basketball, and football games; others watched professional sports on television. American's also started becoming more interested in reading. They enjoyed books about cooking, religion, do it-yourself projects, and homemaking. Also books about romance, mysteries, and and fiction.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk: Dr. Jonas Salk was one of the many doctors that tried to discover drugs to fight and prevent childhood diseases that saved hundreds of thousands of children's lives. However Dr. Jonas Salk created a vaccine for the crippling disease poliomyelitis. This was very important because his discovery had been a breakthrough at the time.
3. Interstate Highway System: The Interstate Highway System authorized the building of a nationwide highway network- 41,000 miles of expressways. This was important because the highway system encouraged the development of new suburbs farther from the cities. Also, the highways made high-speed, long-haul trucking possible which also contributed to a decline in a commercial use of railroads. The system of highways also helped unify and homogenize the nation.
4. Franchise: A Franchise is a company that offers similar products or services in many locations. For example, McDonalds. The larger organizations created "company people." Companies would give personality tests to people applying for jobs. Companies rewarded employees teamwork, cooperation, and loyalty and so contributed to the growth of conformity.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s.
Most Americans in the 1950's had more leisure time than ever before. Employee's worked a 40 hour week and earned several weeks vacation per year. In 1953 American's spent more than 30 billion on leisure goods and activities. Americans also enjoyed a wide variety of recreational pursuits- both active and passive. Millions of people played sports such as fishing, bowling, hunting, boating and golf. More fans than ever attended baseball, basketball, and football games; others watched professional sports on television. American's also started becoming more interested in reading. They enjoyed books about cooking, religion, do it-yourself projects, and homemaking. Also books about romance, mysteries, and and fiction.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Arms Race
1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
Dulles thought that in order to liberate captive peoples without a war they should make policies short of war. For example he set up a network of anti-Communist alliances around the world. The South-East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) was formed in 1954. Also, the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) was formed in 1955.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
I do not agree that the Communist world was encircled. The USSR only felt threatened by these policies/alliances therefore they wanted to do something about it quick because the USSR and the USA were having an arms race at the time and they didn't like each other one bit, they were enemies. They saw them as having a more aggressive purpose something they didn't really see before with the policy of Containment. Therefore the USSR had accused the USA of trying to encircle the Communist world.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
The timeline on page 343 shows the rapidly growing obtainment of weapons the USSR and the US race to have to outgrow each other. I do not think that the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles had in mind. Dulles did not believe that war was the answer to liberating the captive people, or getting rid of the communism. He said that liberating the captive people, did not mean war. He believed in taking a different approach by creating different policies around the USSR. The development of nuclear weapons only gives the US and the USSR something to start a war. The nuclear weapons would only lead to violence and war which Dulles believed was not the way to solve the problem.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
Source 16 shows Eisenhower looking through a telescope/the U-2 Plane at CCCP. CCCP is the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) in Russian (Союз Советских Социалистических Республик.) The Soviet Cartoon is saying that the U-2 Plane was a way for America to spy on the USSR. Eisenhower is holding the telescope while also wearing a spectacle. This helps portray the message the Soviets were trying to get across, being that the US was being sneaky and spying on the USSR by using its U-2.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The USSR was so angry about the US spy flights because the plane they had been using, called the U-2, had sophisticated listening devices and such powerful cameras that it could read a newspaper on the ground from 23,000 meters. In conclusion, U-2 spying flights kept the Americans fully informed about Soviet weapons technology through the late 1950s. This of course angered the Soviets extremely since the US and the USSR were having and arms race and constantly trying to out- weaponize each other.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USA would justify this violation of Soviet territory by making the point that the Soviet Union had also been using spies which is just as bad as violating the Soviet territory. Either way both the countries were going behind the other's back trying to obtain secret information to benefit themselves.
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
I do not think that if the USSR had the U-2 planes they would have used them. The USSR preferred to use human spies like Rudolf Abel. Also, the US had a hold of short-range missiles that could hit the USSR in minutes. Either way if the USSR had wanted to use their U-2 planes, it would have been shot down by the US very quickly.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The USA had missiles based in Europe because the theory was that such weapons made them secure. If both the USSR and the USA had missiles based, then the enemy would not dare attack first, because it knew that, if it did, the other would strike back before its bombs had even landed and it too would be destroyed, it would be suicidal. Therefore by having nuclear weapons deterred the other side from attacking first keeping them secure. This policy became known as MAD.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
A nuclear deterrent is the nuclear weapons possessed by a country with the idea that it would discourage an enemies attack.
Dulles thought that in order to liberate captive peoples without a war they should make policies short of war. For example he set up a network of anti-Communist alliances around the world. The South-East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) was formed in 1954. Also, the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) was formed in 1955.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
I do not agree that the Communist world was encircled. The USSR only felt threatened by these policies/alliances therefore they wanted to do something about it quick because the USSR and the USA were having an arms race at the time and they didn't like each other one bit, they were enemies. They saw them as having a more aggressive purpose something they didn't really see before with the policy of Containment. Therefore the USSR had accused the USA of trying to encircle the Communist world.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
The timeline on page 343 shows the rapidly growing obtainment of weapons the USSR and the US race to have to outgrow each other. I do not think that the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles had in mind. Dulles did not believe that war was the answer to liberating the captive people, or getting rid of the communism. He said that liberating the captive people, did not mean war. He believed in taking a different approach by creating different policies around the USSR. The development of nuclear weapons only gives the US and the USSR something to start a war. The nuclear weapons would only lead to violence and war which Dulles believed was not the way to solve the problem.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
Source 16 shows Eisenhower looking through a telescope/the U-2 Plane at CCCP. CCCP is the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) in Russian (Союз Советских Социалистических Республик.) The Soviet Cartoon is saying that the U-2 Plane was a way for America to spy on the USSR. Eisenhower is holding the telescope while also wearing a spectacle. This helps portray the message the Soviets were trying to get across, being that the US was being sneaky and spying on the USSR by using its U-2.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The USSR was so angry about the US spy flights because the plane they had been using, called the U-2, had sophisticated listening devices and such powerful cameras that it could read a newspaper on the ground from 23,000 meters. In conclusion, U-2 spying flights kept the Americans fully informed about Soviet weapons technology through the late 1950s. This of course angered the Soviets extremely since the US and the USSR were having and arms race and constantly trying to out- weaponize each other.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USA would justify this violation of Soviet territory by making the point that the Soviet Union had also been using spies which is just as bad as violating the Soviet territory. Either way both the countries were going behind the other's back trying to obtain secret information to benefit themselves.
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
I do not think that if the USSR had the U-2 planes they would have used them. The USSR preferred to use human spies like Rudolf Abel. Also, the US had a hold of short-range missiles that could hit the USSR in minutes. Either way if the USSR had wanted to use their U-2 planes, it would have been shot down by the US very quickly.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The USA had missiles based in Europe because the theory was that such weapons made them secure. If both the USSR and the USA had missiles based, then the enemy would not dare attack first, because it knew that, if it did, the other would strike back before its bombs had even landed and it too would be destroyed, it would be suicidal. Therefore by having nuclear weapons deterred the other side from attacking first keeping them secure. This policy became known as MAD.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
A nuclear deterrent is the nuclear weapons possessed by a country with the idea that it would discourage an enemies attack.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Eisenhower & The Cold War
Chapter 26, section 4, Two Nations Live on Edge, (pages 828-833)
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
When hearing that the Soviet Union had exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949, the United States decided to create an even more deadlier weapon, the H- Bomb (hydrogen bomb.) They reacted this way because they were scared of the Soviet Union since it had now obtained a very strong and deadly weapon that before only the United States had. The United States wanted to be one step ahead with their weapons to ensure their safety.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
When the prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government's control, Britain protested by no longer buying Iranian oil. Because of this, the United States feared that Mossadegh might turn to the Soviet for help since their economy was slowly faltering. Because of this fear the United States had the CIA give several million dollars to anti-Mossadegh supporters. This plan was hopefully going to have pro-American Shah of Iran to return to power.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The United States was of course furious of this so in response America had it's CIA to train an army, which would invade Guatemala.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The United States seeing the fighting growing in Egypt as a problem, quickly stepped in. It persuaded Great Britain, France, and Israel.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The United States did nothing to help the Hungarians who were fired upon by the Soviets in 1956. This might have been because America was afraid to start any real brutal conflict with the Soviets causing WWIII.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The United States was shocked to hear that the Soviet Union had beat them and promptly poured money into their own space program. So in response U.S. scientists worked frantically to catch up to the Soviets by successfully creating a satellite. Their first try was a complete failure, the second was successful.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The United States at first did not know what to do so they lied and denied that the U-2 had been spying. However the Soviets had evidence so Eisenhower admitted to the spying so in response Eisenhower agreed to stop the U-2 flights, but he refused to apologize. Because of the U-2 incident much more tension between the Soviets and America had began.
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
When hearing that the Soviet Union had exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949, the United States decided to create an even more deadlier weapon, the H- Bomb (hydrogen bomb.) They reacted this way because they were scared of the Soviet Union since it had now obtained a very strong and deadly weapon that before only the United States had. The United States wanted to be one step ahead with their weapons to ensure their safety.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
When the prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government's control, Britain protested by no longer buying Iranian oil. Because of this, the United States feared that Mossadegh might turn to the Soviet for help since their economy was slowly faltering. Because of this fear the United States had the CIA give several million dollars to anti-Mossadegh supporters. This plan was hopefully going to have pro-American Shah of Iran to return to power.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The United States was of course furious of this so in response America had it's CIA to train an army, which would invade Guatemala.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The United States seeing the fighting growing in Egypt as a problem, quickly stepped in. It persuaded Great Britain, France, and Israel.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The United States did nothing to help the Hungarians who were fired upon by the Soviets in 1956. This might have been because America was afraid to start any real brutal conflict with the Soviets causing WWIII.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The United States was shocked to hear that the Soviet Union had beat them and promptly poured money into their own space program. So in response U.S. scientists worked frantically to catch up to the Soviets by successfully creating a satellite. Their first try was a complete failure, the second was successful.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The United States at first did not know what to do so they lied and denied that the U-2 had been spying. However the Soviets had evidence so Eisenhower admitted to the spying so in response Eisenhower agreed to stop the U-2 flights, but he refused to apologize. Because of the U-2 incident much more tension between the Soviets and America had began.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Red Scare (1950s)
1. HUAC: The most famous agency that investigated possible Communist Influence both inside and outside the U.S. government. The HUAC made headlines in 1947 when it began to investigate Communist influence in the movie industry.
2. Blacklist: List of people whom they condemned for having a Communist background. People who were on the black list had their carreers ruined because they could no longer work!
3. Alger Hiss: A former Communist Spy accused Alger Hiss for spying for the Soviet Union. This was a highly publicised case because during the case Richard Nixon gained fame for pursuing the charges against Hiss. Because of this Nixon was elected for vice president of the United States.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg: Another spy case that rocked the nation even more than the Hiss case. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were accused of being apart of giving the Soviet Union information about America's atomic bomb. They were sentenced to death and found guilty. Judge Irving Kaufman claimed that what they did was worse than murder. It was one of the deadliest clashes of the Cold War.
5. Joseph McCarthy: The most famous anti-communist activist. During the first three years in the Senate he had a reputation for being an ineffective legislator. McCarthy charged that Communists were taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism: The attacks made by McCarthy on suspected Communists. This tactic was not fair. He accused people of disloyalty without providing evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
Jospeh McCarthy was convinced that Communists were taking over the government. Because of his beliefs, he did everything in his power to stop communism from spreading. First, he started attacking people that he suspected Communist. These became known as "McCarthyism". His tactics were not fair, he accused people of disloyalty without even providing any evidence. He also charged that the Democratic Party was guilty of "20 years of treason" for allowing Communism infiltration into the government. McCarthy had been accusing people one after the other, he was not being just or fair in his actions which makes him a very belligerent man who acts off of his opinions and beliefs only. McCarthy had even made accusations against the United States army, which only resulted in a nationally televised Senate Investigation. McCarthy's bullying of witnesses alienated the audience and cost him public support. The Senate then condemned him for improper conduct that "tended to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute." Clearly McCarthy's unfair tactics, and accusastions only caused him to be condemned.
2. Blacklist: List of people whom they condemned for having a Communist background. People who were on the black list had their carreers ruined because they could no longer work!
3. Alger Hiss: A former Communist Spy accused Alger Hiss for spying for the Soviet Union. This was a highly publicised case because during the case Richard Nixon gained fame for pursuing the charges against Hiss. Because of this Nixon was elected for vice president of the United States.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg: Another spy case that rocked the nation even more than the Hiss case. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were accused of being apart of giving the Soviet Union information about America's atomic bomb. They were sentenced to death and found guilty. Judge Irving Kaufman claimed that what they did was worse than murder. It was one of the deadliest clashes of the Cold War.
5. Joseph McCarthy: The most famous anti-communist activist. During the first three years in the Senate he had a reputation for being an ineffective legislator. McCarthy charged that Communists were taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism: The attacks made by McCarthy on suspected Communists. This tactic was not fair. He accused people of disloyalty without providing evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
Jospeh McCarthy was convinced that Communists were taking over the government. Because of his beliefs, he did everything in his power to stop communism from spreading. First, he started attacking people that he suspected Communist. These became known as "McCarthyism". His tactics were not fair, he accused people of disloyalty without even providing any evidence. He also charged that the Democratic Party was guilty of "20 years of treason" for allowing Communism infiltration into the government. McCarthy had been accusing people one after the other, he was not being just or fair in his actions which makes him a very belligerent man who acts off of his opinions and beliefs only. McCarthy had even made accusations against the United States army, which only resulted in a nationally televised Senate Investigation. McCarthy's bullying of witnesses alienated the audience and cost him public support. The Senate then condemned him for improper conduct that "tended to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute." Clearly McCarthy's unfair tactics, and accusastions only caused him to be condemned.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Korean War Lessons
From the Korean War we the United States can learn that communism is spreading rapidly and therefore we are not prepared for a war with the Soviet Union and their allies. Communism is indeed spreading. Even China, soon after the Soviet take-over of eastern Europe, became Communist in 1949. Now suddenly a massive new Communist state had appeared on the map. It is clear that these communist countries are working together, and that Communism is getting stronger around the world. Because of these reasons, America initiated a war in Korea that we were not prepared for. The type of lessons that we can learn from this wear is that we must not under estimate any country. We had underestimated the Chinese, and therefore were forced to push back into South Korea. I think it is also important to realize that we should listen to countries when they warn us, and to not get ahead of ourselves and therefore to know when to stop. When the Chinese had warned us that pressing on would mean
China's joining the war, we still moved on and approved the plan to advance into North Korea.
The United States had certain aims to achieve in the Korean War. Primarily, we had wanted to remove North Korean troops from South Korea. By the help and support of the UN this was able to happen. But as time went on the United States got ahead of ourselves and we therefore kept pushing. Our vaulting ambition only caused us to fall on the end of disaster. We underestimated the power of the Chinese and were therefore pushed back into South Korea. However, with the help of the members of the United Nations we were able to achieve our first goal, which was to remove North Korean troops from South Korea. Although there is some communism still in Korea we did push them farther North making the Soviet Union's control weaken.
At the time General MacArthur had the role of Commander. MacArthur had been the one to make the mistake of underestimating the power of the Chinese. He had invaded North Korea without even thinking about the possible threat of the Chinese, even when they had warned us. I do not believe that MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea. He had gone too far by pushing the border of South Korea almost to the Yalu River, he should have stopped after successfully removing North Korean troops from South Korea. After these actions, MacArthur had even advocated that the United States should carry on the war, invading China and even using nuclear weapons if necessary. Truman however did not agree, but that did not stop MacArthur. MacArthur blatantly ignored the UN instruction and openly threatened an attack on China.
Because of his failure to follow the commands, and his risky/dangerous ideas, it was clear he was not ready for the role of Commander and therefore MacArthur was removed.
The casualties of the Korean War were a total of 1.4 billion! Although most were on North Korea and China's side, the people that got the most casualties was all of Korea, with North Korea being the most and South Korea coming next with 570,000 civilians and soldiers killed. American and UN soldiers had lost the least amount of soldiers and civilians with 34,500 deaths.
Although the United States had successfully removed North Korean troops from South Korea, we were overall not prepared for the Korean War. For future actions, we need to consider what's the most important thing we need to accomplish, and to therefore not let our country get ahead of itself. We also need to realize that Communism is spreading, and therefore they have many allies making them stronger.
Overall I would say that President Truman's containment plan was somewhat successful. His plan did successfully allow us to push communism and the Soviet Union somewhat out of North Korea, allowing us to stop the spread of communism and the Soviet Union in becoming too powerful. However there were some downfalls. Communism did reach into China and almost got us into a third war world. In my opinion there should be more done to the policy of containment because clearly it is not strong enough to stop communism from spreading.
China's joining the war, we still moved on and approved the plan to advance into North Korea.
The United States had certain aims to achieve in the Korean War. Primarily, we had wanted to remove North Korean troops from South Korea. By the help and support of the UN this was able to happen. But as time went on the United States got ahead of ourselves and we therefore kept pushing. Our vaulting ambition only caused us to fall on the end of disaster. We underestimated the power of the Chinese and were therefore pushed back into South Korea. However, with the help of the members of the United Nations we were able to achieve our first goal, which was to remove North Korean troops from South Korea. Although there is some communism still in Korea we did push them farther North making the Soviet Union's control weaken.
At the time General MacArthur had the role of Commander. MacArthur had been the one to make the mistake of underestimating the power of the Chinese. He had invaded North Korea without even thinking about the possible threat of the Chinese, even when they had warned us. I do not believe that MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea. He had gone too far by pushing the border of South Korea almost to the Yalu River, he should have stopped after successfully removing North Korean troops from South Korea. After these actions, MacArthur had even advocated that the United States should carry on the war, invading China and even using nuclear weapons if necessary. Truman however did not agree, but that did not stop MacArthur. MacArthur blatantly ignored the UN instruction and openly threatened an attack on China.
Because of his failure to follow the commands, and his risky/dangerous ideas, it was clear he was not ready for the role of Commander and therefore MacArthur was removed.
The casualties of the Korean War were a total of 1.4 billion! Although most were on North Korea and China's side, the people that got the most casualties was all of Korea, with North Korea being the most and South Korea coming next with 570,000 civilians and soldiers killed. American and UN soldiers had lost the least amount of soldiers and civilians with 34,500 deaths.
Although the United States had successfully removed North Korean troops from South Korea, we were overall not prepared for the Korean War. For future actions, we need to consider what's the most important thing we need to accomplish, and to therefore not let our country get ahead of itself. We also need to realize that Communism is spreading, and therefore they have many allies making them stronger.
Overall I would say that President Truman's containment plan was somewhat successful. His plan did successfully allow us to push communism and the Soviet Union somewhat out of North Korea, allowing us to stop the spread of communism and the Soviet Union in becoming too powerful. However there were some downfalls. Communism did reach into China and almost got us into a third war world. In my opinion there should be more done to the policy of containment because clearly it is not strong enough to stop communism from spreading.
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