Essay plans for mccarthyism, new look and arms rsce

What happened in 1949 that fuelled d fears in the US domestic population of the growing soviet threat

USSR ttaining of the atomic bomb in 1949 which broke the US nuclear monopoly, and the victory in China in Oct

action by Mccarthy that amplified US anti communist sentiment

• ‘witch hunts’

• Claims that the communists were infiltrating the US governemnt.

How did Mccarthy catalyse a foreign policy change?

• Criticisms of Truman for being “too soft: on communism in China shifted US policy from a Eurocentric policy to a more clearly defined ‘Asia first’ policy.

• Aiding Eisenhower to gain office in 1953 & implement his ‘New Look’ policy aiming to be more tough on communism → Dramatically shifted the direction of US policy into much more confrontational strategies such as ‘brinkmanship’, ‘massive retaliation’, and the ‘roll back’ ofcommunism.

Why can USSR’s obtainment of an atomic bomb in 1949 solely significant for chaging foreignt policy?

Suggested an arms race

What was Acheson’s Defensive Perimeter Stragey and when and why was this created

• Jan 1950

• Acheson reviewed US policies and argued that the USA should develop to ensure the military security of the pacific

• Due to communist victory in china which led to a fundamental review of US strategic objectives and priorities in the far east.

What policy document did Loss of china catalye which was a decisive turning point in US FP? When was this

• April 1950 of NSC 68

What did defensive perimeter strategy lead the US to do?

• Committed the US to the military defence of Japan and the protection of south korea from communist expansion.

Why was loss of china percieved as a failure

Showed US’ inability to prevent the victory of Mao in China despite providing substantial aid to jiang jieshi’s nationalist party & amounted a lot of pressure on Truman to not allow any other countries to fall to communism

What did US do in response to towards China becoming communist and what this lead to

• China excluded from UN → Established an alliance with the USSR (China’s Treaty of Friendship with USSR,1950) which seemed further evidence that China were part of the same ‘monolithic’ Communist bloc & China became the main economic and military aid supplier to North Korea.

What was Friednship Treaty’s impact on US FP adn why

• Led to the USA wanting to keep a strong military presence in Southeast Asia to ensure that China’s influence did not spread further, meaning that US foreign policy changed as a result of increasing Chinese strength

• Most alarming element of alliance was the commitment to mutual security agreement guarantees to combat any aggression from joapan or any collaborative state. This alliance appeared to consolidate communist political and military power in the region and as such, it reinforced the US’s need to develop its own power base in that part of the world

Korean war overall impact on US FP & role in world stage

big impact on the US policy of the ‘domino theory’ in Asia and increased the USA’s commitment to its role as a ‘global policeman’.