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.