International relations after Stalin and Truman

What were some changes in the USSR?

Malenkov and Khrushchev launched into wide-ranging fundamental reforms.

-Within a few weeks 1 million people were let out slave-labour camps. The power of the secret police was curtailed, more consumer goods and public housing was promised.

What were the factors that shaped Eisenhower's 'New Look'?

The red Scare, The need to get tough, the need to get VFM, the need to build alliances with Cold War partners.

What was Factor 1 The Red Scare?

The Senator Joseph McCarthy (a Republican of Wisconsin) believed that the US government was packed full of communist sympathisers.

What was Factor 2 the need to get tough?

Eisenhower's New Look: 'More bang for the buck'- increased reliance upon nuclear weapons would significantly reduce costs. It was thought that the prospect of a massive retaliation would deter the Soviets from expansionist activities.

John Foster Dulles (brinkmanship) - 'as going to the brink of war without being scared'- the US wanted to give the impression of going to war with no threat. He believed that the ability to reach the brink of war without actually going to war was a key essence of foreign policy.

The NSC 162/2 (October 1953)- the USA would deter aggression by displaying its willingness to use nuclear weapons against aggressive (communist) states.

What was Factor 3 the VFM?

Eisenhower was convinced to make US attempts to battle communism more affordable.

Between 1954 and 1958:

- The number of US army personnel dropped from 1,404,598 to 898,925.

-Spending on defence fell from 2/3 to 1/2 of government expenditure, and from 13.8 to 9.1 percent of GNP.

What were the results?

By 1960 the US armed services had the capacity to devastate the USSR and PRC with nuclear weapons and were more capable of limited war.

What was Factor 4 the need to build alliances?

Eisenhower did not completely break from containment.

SEATO- Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation- this was to contain communist China and it was founded in September 1954, in the wake of the Vietnamese communist leader Ho-Chi Minh's victory over France.

Who were some of the members of SEATO?

Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, UK, USA, France and Thailand.

What was the aim of SEATO?

They intended to contain communist powers (the PRC and the USSR). They intended to protect two former French territories, Laos and South Vietnam.

What was CENTO?

It was the Central Treaty Organisation and it was founded in February 1955- Baghdad pact. They aimed to contain the USSR by having a line of strong states along the USSR's South-Western frontier.

CENTO committed the nations to mutual co-operation and protection- as well as a non-intervention in each other's affairs.