The Cold War and the Americas - Truman's Foreign Policies and the Origins of the Cold War

Harry S Truman

US President who took office in 1945, foreign policy was fundamentally defined by containment,stop spread Soviet-style communism. Prioritized stability over democracy, expected Latin American nations to support the US global mission against communism with nothing in return.

Containment:

foreign policy developed in the 1940s to prevent the further expansion of Soviet communism.Latin American nations were often compelled to align with this policy, leading to the signing of military pacts despite their unmet demand for economic support.

George Kennan’s Long Telegram:

1946, document: Written in 1946, the Long Telegram warned of Soviet expansion and inspired the policy of containment. It shifted US attention toward Europe and Asia.

Rio Treaty:

Officially the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, it was signed in 1947 in Rio de Janeiro. Created a military alliance in the Americas against communism. It strengthened US leadership in regional defense. The US government interpreted the treaty as granting itself a larger, more interventionist role.

Organization of American States (OAS):

Formally created in 1948 at the Bogotá Conference, the OAS was established as a regional defense pact meant to supersede the Pan-American Union. Truman's commitment to containment by focusing solely on defense issues, mirroring NATO's function.

NSC-141:

A secret document issued by the National Security Council in late 1952, focusing on defense against communism specifically in Latin America. Aligned with containment

Red Scare:

Refers to periods of intense fear of radicalism and communist subversion in the USA. The second major Red Scare peaked in the 1950s with McCarthy's actions. The rise of McCarthyism capitalized on the history of these anti-immigrant and subversion fears

J. Edgar Hoover:

Hired during the first Red Scare in 1919 to head investigations targeting radicals and communists, Hoover went on to become the long-serving Director of the FBI from 1924 to 1972. Contributed to the anti-communist atmosphere that defined the rise of McCarthyism.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC):

Established in 1938, HUAC intensified its investigation into subversive activities in 1947, investigating suspected communists in government and Hollywood. Its hearings helped fuel McCarthyism.The escalation of its investigations served the domestic political aim of attempting to weaken Democrats.

Blacklisting / Hollywood Ten: Blacklisting

was the practice by which studio owners fired and refused to hire hundreds of employees designated as communist sympathizers. The Hollywood Ten were screenwriters and directors declared in contempt of Congress for defying HUAC.

Alger Hiss:

A mid-level staffer in the State Department who was accused in 1948 accused of spying for the Soviet Union and was convicted of perjury. His case increased public fears of communist infiltration. His case solidified Richard Nixon's reputation as a fierce anti-communist national figure.

Federal Loyalty Programme:

Launched by President Truman in March 1947, this program created "loyalty boards" to investigate the infiltration of communists and sympathizers within the executive branch, applying to both applicants and employees. This program was a key domestic policy effect of McCarthyism.

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg:

A couple accused of being Soviet spies who allegedly gave atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. They were convicted and executed in 1953. Their case intensified anti-communist fears

Senator Joseph McCarthy:

1950’s Republican Senators notorious public crusade against alleged communists in the State Department. Anti-communism was driven by a desire for political gain, exploiting the pre-existing Red Scare to elevate himself.

How McCarthy used China and North Korea in accusations:

McCarthy used the communist victory in China and the Korean War to argue that communists had infiltrated the US government. Famously charged the Truman administration and the Democratic Party with "20 years of treason".

Army-McCarthy hearings:

A series of televised hearings held from April to June 1954, resulting from accusations between McCarthy and the US Army. These hearings were crucial to the decline of McCarthyism, as they revealed the Senator to be abusive, rude, and evasive to the nation, leading to a quick end to his political support.

Reasons people in USA supported McCarthyism:

Support stemmed from post-war evidence of Soviet aggression. Many Americans supported McCarthy because they feared Soviet expansion, nuclear war, and communist espionage. High-profile spy cases made these fears seem real.

Impact on Hollywood:

HUAC's pressure led to blacklistingMcCarthyism led to blacklisting and censorship in Hollywood. Many careers ended, and films avoided controversial social or political themes. Prioritizing pure entertainment or outright anti-communist messaging.

Pledge of Allegiance:

A daily recitation used in public schools to teach students US history and norms of citizenship. In 1954, the words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance to distinguish the United States from communist atheism. Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA): Created in 1951, the FCDA taught Americans how to survive a nuclear attack through drills and films such as Duck and Cover. Its films and "drop drills" were designed to convert widespread fear into a sense of calm and survivability.