Comprehensive Study Notes on Truman and Eisenhower's Foreign Policies

Harry S. Truman, a Democrat, adopts a firm approach against communism, leading to significant events in America and abroad. This contrasts with later Republican actions. Eisenhower, his successor, opts for covert strategies through CIA operations instead of open military confrontations.

Key Historical Events Under Truman

  • Berlin Airlift (1948): To prevent Berlin from falling to the Soviets, Truman organizes a massive airlift, supplying West Berlin for nearly a year until Stalin allows it to remain a part of West Germany.

Context in Asia Post-WWII

  • Yalta Conference: Stalin gains control over Manchuria to support fighting Japan.

  • Korea: After Japan surrenders, Korea is divided into the Soviet-occupied North and the American-occupied South.

United States Occupation of Japan

  • Douglas MacArthur oversees Japan as the military governor, maintaining a US military presence until 1952.

Nationalist Movements and Vietnam

  • Ho Chi Minh's Fight: He leads Vietnam's independence movement after WWII against French and Japanese rule. The US opts to support French control to counteract communism.

  • Spread of Communism in Asia: Mao's victory in China (1949) alarms the US, contributing to the Republican critique of Truman.

  • Domino Theory: If one country falls to communism, others may too, exemplified by China and Vietnam.

The Korean War (1950-1953)

  • Invasion: North Korea attacks South Korea, prompting Truman to deploy US troops without Congress' approval, securing UN backing instead.

  • MacArthur's Approach: He advocates for extending the conflict into China, which Truman rejects, leading to MacArthur's dismissal.

Domestic Issues Under Truman

  • Economic Concerns: Post-WWII, inflation rises as many soldiers return home. The GI Bill supports veterans with education and jobs.

  • Labor Strikes: Price surges lead to widespread strikes in 1946, with Truman intervening by nationalizing coal mines and supporting the Taft-Hartley Act (1947) to limit union powers.

  • Civil Rights Movement: Truman integrates the military in 1948, responding to racial violence and pushing for civil rights advancements.

The 1948 Election

  • Truman, unexpectedly, wins against Republicans and Southern Democrats, highlighting the Democratic Party's divisions over civil rights.

  • He sees civil rights as key to his presidency.

Second Red Scare

  • Loyalty Oaths: Truman implements these for government employees amidst fears of communists infiltrating the government.

  • Spy Trials: High-profile trials like Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs reflect paranoia over espionage and red threats.

  • McCarthyism: Senator McCarthy leads a movement accusing many of communism in government, causing widespread fear and suspicion.

Eisenhower's Presidency

  • Shift to Covert Action: Eisenhower favors secret operations via the CIA to combat communism, as outlined in the Eisenhower Doctrine.

  • CIA Operations: Key actions include the 1953 coup in Iran and increasing involvement in Vietnam post-French defeat.

  • Farewell Address: Eisenhower warns about the influence of the military-industrial complex on US policies.