17. Defensive Perimeter Strategy and NSC-68

(Defensive Perimeter) What did Dean G. Acheson become more focussed on in early 1950?

Military security and the containment of Communism in South East Asia

(Defensive Perimeter) What was the Defensive Perimeter Strategy?

A military defence ranging from Japan to the Philippines to the Aleutian Islands

(Defensive Perimeter) What was the objective of the Defensive Perimeter Strategy?

To build a 'wall' against Communism in Asia

(Defensive Perimeter) When was the Strategy introduced by Acheson?

January 1950

(Defensive Perimeter) What was a criticism of the Defensive Perimeter Strategy?

That it omitted Korea

(NSC-68) What did NSC-68 stand for?

National Security Council Resolution 68

(NSC-68) What factors made the NSC review the fundamental objectives and priorities of the US (2 events)?

- USSR testing their first nuclear bomb in September 1949
- China's fall to Communism in 1949

(NSC-68) When did the NSC issue their report in a secret letter to Truman?

April 1950

(NSC-68) When was the report finally approved?

September 1950

(NSC-68) How did the report describe the Soviet world view?

"Fanatic" and non-compromising

(NSC-68) What did the report claim was the Soviet objective?

To "impose absolute authority over the rest of the world"

(NSC-68) What did the report claim the Soviet objective could do?

Damage the American way of life

(NSC-68) What did the report recommend in terms of military spending?

Increase it to $35-50 billion

(NSC-68) What was the total military spending at the time?

$13 billion

(NSC-68) What did the report recommend in terms of the USA's military and atomic capabilities?

That they should be increased

(NSC-68) What did the report recommend in terms of the US economy?

That growth should be promoted at a greater rate

(NSC-68) What did the report recommend in terms of non-Soviet states?

That the US should support these states in order to undermine Moscow

(NSC-68) What did the report recommend about Soviet sabotage and espionage?

That its dangers should be better known and understood in the US

(NSC-68) What did the report recommend in terms of the US public?

That they should be warned about the threat posed by the Soviets

(NSC-68) What did the report expect the public to support after being warned of these threats?

Greater military spending

(NSC-68) Was the report influential?

Yes

(NSC-68) How did the report change US foreign policy?

It made it more forceful and helped the US to become more aware of the dangers posed by the USSR