McCarthyism was responsible for moving US foreign policy towards a global rather than a regional focus during the years 1950-1954.’ Assess the validity of this view

P1 - Mccarthyism

- Sparked fear within the public and government to implement a change in strategy on combating the USSR's influence

- Wheeling Speech 9th Feb 1950: Emphasised how US had to change to a 'Asia first' policy

- Accusations being made about communists infiltrators within government only encouraged Truman to begin the shift

- McCarthy blames a lot of USSR's victories in Asia on Truman's poor leadership & influence therefore introducing the change of leadership question

- However:

- Loss of China (1949) had a far more direct impact on globalising US foreign policy than McCarthy's rhetoric, catalysing geopolitical necessity rather than domestic political pressure

P2 - Sino-Soviet Pact and USSR bomb lading to NSC-68

- Sino-Soviet Pact February 14th 1950 -> Consolidated fall of China therefore domino effect could be implemented, Feared that other Asians' country of significance would fall to communism continuing to put US one step behind the USSR such as Taiwan which was essential for US defensive position in Asia

- US atomic monopoly was over around time of China further adding to the threat (USSR 1st Atomic bomb 29th Aug 1949) -> China could now have over the US with atomic aid from USSR

- Essential for Truman to convert policy as USSR & China agree to mutually cooperate against USA so extremely increased threat for USA

-> NSC-68 April 7th 1950 -> Stressed urgency of building the USA's political, economic and military power, focused on the globalisation of Cold War & emphasis on containment

- Encouraged nations to resist Soviet aggression highlighting how a shift was being implemented

- Private to ensure could not be used as USSR propaganda but also suggested the fear USA felt towards the power/influence the USSR held

- Required US to abandon its goals of national security and commit to global security

- However:

- Fears exacerbated by McCarthyism causing domestic pressure upon Truman to intervene as it could threaten his position as President

P3 - Korean domestic issues

- Significant as was the first step of China showing it's influence after falling to communism

- Defensive Perimeter Strategy January 1950 -> Implemented to focus on military security however not Korea

- Korea became susceptible to Soviet aggression in June 1950 when the North invaded the South highlighting how the USA's policy need to shift towards a global and specifically Asia as a whole to ensure Soviet expansion could not continue

- Feared North was intending to destabilise Japan and SE Asia therefore highlighting how policy needed to change to ensure Asia and the East remained under partial control and surveillance

- However:

- Events (China etc) leading up to this determinant for global containment policy were more significant

Conclusion

- Partially Valid as although McCarthyism theoretically intensified fears of global communism, its impact was measured within population fear rather than causing a dramatic shift in US policy

- Tangible, global events catalysed US shift in containment to globally as it was threatening in regards to the domino effect due to the increased influence of the USSR in Asia

- Such events solidified US's desire to intervene in Korean War, fearful of further communism expansionism and its intention to uphold NSC-68