Increasing Cold War tensions

McCarthyism in the USA and its influence in Britain and Europe; US dominance in the UN and role as 'world policeman'; the isolation of China

McCarthyism

growing mood of anti-communism among general US public led by Senator Joseph McCarthy who promoted idea that there were **communist conspirators working within US govt**

* contributed to the convictions of Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs

When did the Red Scare/McCarthyism begin?

1947, in response to Truman’s reluctance to support GMD and consequent loss of China

House of Un American Activities Committee

became permanent in 1945, aimed to investigate communist infiltration in US affairs

How was Truman affected by McCarthyism?

accused of being too soft on communism and responsible for loss of China

How did USA ensure its ‘global policeman role’?

* through UN membership and enhancement of its role through being member of UNSC
* formation of SEATO
* creation of strategic defensive perimeter

When was McCarthy’s downfall?

In 1954, after he accused communists were in the US army and was found guilty of having brough US Senate into disrepute

‘Senator… you have done enough’

McCarthyism’s impact on foreign policy and Britain’s attitudes

**emphasised urgency of moving US policy away from Eurocentric focus and towards ‘Asia first’ policies**

= Britain worried this may lead to instability in Europe but they still gave significant aid to allied war effort in Korea as the prioritised remaining close ally of USA

How was China isolated?

* not allowed to join UN
* 1950 Sino-Soviet Treaty put USSR in an advantage and did not open up wider opportunities for PRC, allowing USSR to consolidate power in Far East
* Stalin’s refusal to commit Soviet troops but allowing Korea to join Korean War also weakened China’s status internationally