Khrushchev and the Cold War

Page 1

Khrushchev and the Cold War

Page 2: New Fears

  • Soviet Nuclear Development:

    • The Soviets successfully developed their atomic bomb in 1949, eliminating the US monopoly on nuclear weapons.

  • Establishment of the People’s Republic of China:

    • In October 1949, Mao Zedong announced the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, perceived as a significant Asian "domino" in the context of global communism.

  • Red Scare in the US:

    • Richard Nixon leads an anti-communist Congressional Committee that uncovers espionage by Alger Hiss, a State Department official, sparking fears of communist infiltration.

  • Joseph McCarthy’s Campaign:

    • Senator McCarthy took control of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), probing for communists in various societal sectors, including government and entertainment.

  • Klaus Fuchs Incident:

    • Klaus Fuchs, a British physicist, was discovered to have been providing nuclear secrets to the Soviets, intensifying fears during the Cold War.

  • China-USSR Treaty:

    • In February 1950, China and the USSR signed a treaty of friendship and mutual assistance, raising US concerns about the spread of communism.