Korean War and Cuban Missile Crisis

What did Roberts (1999) argue?

mian architect of the outbreak of war was Kim Ill Sung. Kim convinced Stalin to invade bc military and politically feasible (support from southerners)

What did Zhihua (Chinese historian) argue?

Stalin encouraged Mao, but only bc he thought the US and UN would NEVER get involved. China took lead USSR played less of a role than thought

What was Rotondi’s argument?

Kim was the main perpetrator because he got China and USSR to support invasion

What was Buhite’s argument?

Korean war solidified anti-soviet bock, stepped up US defense budget, and stock piling. USSR paid heavy price for negligible benefit

What did Jarvis argue?

Korean war led to public support for large defense budget, militarization of UN, politicians could do whatever bc ppl scared, domino theory

What did Blight and Lange argue?

Bay of pigs led to the Cuban Missle Crisis. US intelligence v wrong about USSR and Cuba. Krushev and JFK worked together when got out of hand

What did Khrushchev argue? (counters Orthodox)

needed to establish a deterrent for US intervention in Caribbean. Missiles used because US had them in Turkey and Italy to deter USSR from West Germany

What did Gott argue (2005)?

JFK inter circle hated castro so made RFK and Lansdale use Operation Mongoose as a way to bring down the regime

What was Lopez-Levy’s perspective?

“Crisis marked a watershed”. Led to detente and engagement to avoid appeasement and confrontation

What was Kennedys perspective (Aug 1963)?

banned testing of nuclear bombs make clear of good faith, US generation suffered enough

What was Suri’s argument?

both sides cautious to not antagonize. Detente good for USSR and US but destabilized a lot of smaller countries (Africa and SouthEast Asia)

When was the Korean War?

1950-1953

What was the orthodox perspective on the Korean War?

War was a result of communist aggression, Stalin = master planner, North Korea was backed by USSR and China (wanted to spread comi), Communisim throguht Korean Pennisula by force

What was the Post- Cold War Perspective on the Korean War?

highlights the role of Korean Nationalism and deep domestic division in Korea, Kim i’ll sung desired reunification and claimed quick victory of South were key drivers + highlights regional powers. Chinas critical role was driven by its own security concerns rather than loyalty to communism

How long did Kim promise the war would end it?

3

When was the Korean War ceasefire signed?

July 1953

What was the result of the Korean War?

US didn’t unify Peninusla, PRC became powerful. Still divided Korea. Major impact on development of the cold war

What was NSC-68?

put to effect in 1953, US took oin role of global police man against Communism. Kept US troops permanently in Qest EU and West Germany, Nato divisions increased, focus on nuclear weapons

How much did the Nato division increase from 1950-1952?

14 to 50

US military budget ___ in 1950 to 1953

quadrupled, $13b to $50b

what affect did the Korean War have on the USSR?

felt threatened by huge increase in US land naval and aircorces in EU. much lower GNP, soviets had to diver $ from modernizing economy to defense spending *arguagnly biggest single reason for collapse of USSR in 1991

When was SEATO created?

1954, months post Korean War

When was the Warsaw pact?

1955

What was Eisenhower’s new look?

domino theory, replace contatinment w confrontation (roll back), focus on regionsal wars

What did Eisenhower did in Indochina?

1953- $350 committed in economic and Military aid to the French in South East Asia, 1954- french lost, MAAG (American) sent to train the Vietanmese (Truamn sent first, Ike increased to 700 personal)

What did Eisenhower do in Latin America?

1954- Coup in Guatemala (backed by the CIA)

How long did the Cuban Missle Crisis Last?

13 days in Oct 1962

Whats the Orthodox perspective for the cause of Cuban Missle Crisis?

result of soviet aggression and expansionism, USSR was challenging US dominance, placed missiles in Cuba near US mainland

What was the revisionist perspective regarduing the Cuban Missle Crisis?

US responsible because placed Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy and anchored that “missle gap” was in its favor, bay of pigs lead to Cuban Missle Cricis

What were the results the Bay of Pigs?

Humilated JFK, seen as “yankee Imperialism”, US had to give $53 M in baby food and meds for treutn of captured exiles, Castro needed protection

What was the Post-Cold War perspective on the Cuban Missile Crisis?

mutual understanding between the 2 superpowers, Krushevs decision making was based on domestic pressures, nationalism, and solidifying cubas sovereignty and support for Castro

What were the immediate results of the Cuban Missle Crisis?

JFK won??, Khrushev removed missiles from Cuba → Khrusheve then removed as Premier in 1964

What was the significance of the CMC?

shift to diplomatic resolutions, brought about partial thraw (led to detene in late 1960s), June 1963 a hotline was installed between, them, 1972 Nixon visited the PRC

What was SALT in 1972?

limited # of nuclear weapns

What was the August 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

no atmospheric, water, or outer space testing of nuclear weapons. Paved the way for future treaties

How did US/USSr continue and expand commitment to Proxy Wars after CMC?

1960-1970s, Soviet union gave technical and military aid to lefttists. US gave military aid + CIA backed/condoned coups

What were some conflicts of focus post CMC?

Chile 1973: CIA condoned coup to oust Allende (coming), Vietnam war, laos, Cambodia in 1975, Angola 1975 - Castro helped left winged fighters fight Unita (uS support)