Containment & Brinkmanship Review

Describe the differences between a communist and capitalist system.

Communism: government controls the economy and property. Capitalism: private individuals and businesses own property and make economic decisions.

Why was the US furious and distrustful of the Soviets under Stalin?

Stalin was a dictator who spread communism and had signed a pact with Nazi Germany before WWII.

Why were the Soviets suspicious and distrustful of the US?

The USSR believed the US delayed opening a second front in WWII and wanted to destroy communism.

What was the intended purpose of the UN?

To prevent future wars and promote international cooperation.

What did Stalin promise Truman at Yalta?

To allow free elections in Eastern Europe.

How did the Soviets demonstrate they would not honor Stalin’s promise to Yalta?

They installed communist governments instead of allowing free elections.

What was Truman's vision for a new world order?

Nations would have self-determination, democracy, and free trade.

At the Potsdam Conference, what did the Soviets want?

Control of Eastern Europe and reparations from Germany.

What was at stake for the US economically in the reconstruction of Europe?

Europe was an important market for American goods and trade.

Why did the Soviets feel justified in taking control over Eastern Europe?

They wanted a buffer zone to protect against future invasions.

What were the countries in which the Soviets installed communist governments supportive of the USSR called?

Satellite states.

What was the basis of the policy of containment?

Stopping the spread of communism.

According to Winston Churchill, what was the "Iron Curtain"?

The division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe.

In his policy statement outlining what would become known as the Truman Doctrine, what would be the basis of US policy moving forward?

Supporting nations resisting communism.

How did the Marshall Plan succeed in diminishing the appeal of communism in Europe?

It provided economic aid that improved living conditions and stability.

How was Germany divided post-WWII?

Into four occupation zones controlled by the US, Britain, France, and USSR.

How did the Soviets attempt to take over Berlin in 1948?

They blockaded all land routes into West Berlin.

How did the Allies respond to the Soviets breaking into Berlin?

With the Berlin Airlift.

How was Germany ultimately divided?

Into West Germany and East Germany.

Why was NATO founded?

To provide collective defense against Soviet aggression.

Why was NATO the end of US isolationism?

The US committed to defending allies in peacetime.

How long was it between the end of WWII and the start of the Korean War?

About 5 years.

Who was the leader of the Chinese Nationalist government?

Chiang Kai-Shek

How did the opinions of Chiang Kai-shek differ between those who knew him and those who did not?

Americans who knew him often criticized him; many others viewed him as a hero.

Why did support for the Nationalists decrease throughout the late 1940's?

Corruption and poor leadership.

Who was the leader of the Chinese Communist Party?

Mao Zedong.

How did Chinese Communists grow their support throughout the 1940's?

By helping peasants and promising land reform.

Upon losing the Chinese Civil War, where did the Nationalist government flee to?

Taiwan.

What was US public opinion on the loss of China to communism?

Many Americans were shocked and angry.

What was the US State Department's reasoning for the loss?

The Nationalists lost because of their own weaknesses.

What was the opinion of many US conservatives for the loss of China?

Someone in the US government had "lost China."

Why was Korea divided at the 38th Parallel?

To separate Soviet and American occupation zones after WWII.

What tempted the Soviets to back a North Korean invasion of its southern neighbors?

The communist victory in China and belief the US would not intervene.

Why was the UN Security Council able to pass a vote on intervention in Korea?

The Soviet Union was boycotting the meeting and could not veto it.

How many countries contributed to the effort to stop the North Koreans?

16 nations.

What advantage did the Chinese have over UN Forces?

Huge numbers of troops.

What did MacArthur call for after the Chinese entered the war?

Expanding the war into China, even considering nuclear weapons.

Why did President Truman fire General MacArthur in the middle of the war?

MacArthur publicly challenged Truman's policies.

What were the two components of the cease fire signed in 1951?

A cease-fire line near the 38th Parallel and a demilitarized zone (DMZ).

What were 2 effects of the Korean War at home?

Higher military spending and increased fear of communism.

H-Bomb

Hydrogen Bomb

John Foster Dulles

Eisenhower's Secretary of State who promoted brinkmanship.

Brinkmanship

Pushing situations to the edge of war to force an opponent to back down.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

US agency responsible for intelligence gathering and covert operations.

Eisenhower Doctrine

US policy promising aid to Middle Eastern countries resisting communism.

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet leader after Stalin who promoted peaceful coexistence while competing with the US.

U-2 Incident

The 1960 Soviet shootdown of an American spy plane.

In the opening of the section, Annie Dillard describes drills that were being run at her school in the late 1950's. How were they different than the drills you are asked to perform at MHS now?

They practiced for nuclear attacks rather than fires or security threats.

What kind of "race" were the US and USSR engaged in during the 1950's?

An arms race and later a space race.

What was the foundation of brinkmanship?

The threat of massive nuclear retaliation.

How did fear affect the lives of Americans in the 1950's, 60's and 70's?

People worried about nuclear war and participated in civil defense drills.

What was the CIA able to achieve in Iran, in 1953?

Capture and Overthrow Iran's prime minister and restore the Shah.

What was the CIA able to achieve in Guatemala in 1954?

Overthrowing the Guatemalan government.

What did President Eisenhower propose in 1955 at the historic summit in Geneva?

The Open Skies proposal for mutual aerial inspection.

When offered assistance by the US in 1955, why did Egyptian President Gama Nasser nationalize the Suez Canal?

To gain money and control after losing Western financial support.

Why did Israel, Great Britain and France send troops to the canal?

To regain control of the canal and remove Nasser.

What was the ultimate result of the Suez War?

The attackers withdrew and Nasser remained in power.

How did the USSR respond to the Hungarian attempt at establishing a democracy behind free elections in 1956?

They sent troops and crushed the uprising.

What were Khrushchev's views on communism?

He believed communism would eventually outperform capitalism.

What did the launch of Sputnik start?

The Space Race.

Why was the proposed 1960 summit between the US and USSR cancelled?

Because of the U-2 Incident