Cold War and Detente Overview

The Cold War and Detente

Key Events

• Cuban Missile Crisis: A pivotal event that led to a lessening of tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
• Second Vietnam War: After the defeat of French colonial forces in 1954, Vietnam was divided into North (communist) and South (pro-Western) regions.

Vietnam Background

• Division of Vietnam (1954): This division saw North Vietnam, led by Ho Chi Minh and backed by the Soviet Union, and South Vietnam, supported by the U.S.
• U.S. Support: Under Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy, the U.S. provided military and financial aid to the South Vietnamese government under Ngo Dinh Diem (1955-1963).
  • Disenchantment with Diem: His regime was seen as corrupt and ineffective, leading to the U.S. supporting a military coup against him in November 1963.

Escalation of Conflict

• Johnson's Intervention (1965): With increasing Viet Cong strength, President Lyndon Johnson escalated U.S. involvement by conducting bombing raids in the North and deploying combat troops in South Vietnam.
  • Goal: Prevent a communist takeover and uphold the South Vietnamese government.
• Domino Theory: U.S. policymakers framed the conflict as a fight against the spread of communism throughout Asia.

Guerrilla Warfare and Challenges

• Viet Cong Tactics: The Viet Cong utilized guerrilla warfare—disappearing among the local population and launching surprise attacks, making it hard for U.S. forces to win despite their superior technology and numbers.
• Public Sentiment: Growing U.S. troop presence led to a significant anti-war movement, particularly among college students, mirrored in Europe where leaders like Charles de Gaulle criticized American policies.

Vietnam War Impact

• Television Coverage: Graphic images of war increased public dissent in America, culminating in a withdrawal agreement with North Vietnam in 1973.
• Aftermath: In 1975, Vietnam was reunified under communist control, undermining the domino theory and showcasing limitations of U.S. influence.
  • End of Monolithic Communism Idea: The Sino-Soviet split demonstrated that communism was not a unified front led by Moscow.

U.S.-China Relations

• Shift in Focus: American priorities moved from containing Soviet influence to addressing the threat posed by communist China, especially during Mao Zedong's cultural revolutions.
• Mao's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976): Aimed to consolidate communist ideology but led to widespread chaos and resistance among various societal groups.
  • Deteriorating Relations: Despite initial animosity, President Nixon's visit to China in 1972 marked a thaw in relations, leading to normalized diplomatic ties in 1979.

Policy of Detente

• Detente Phase (1970s): Marked by reduced tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, symbolized by treaties such as the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (1972).
  • Equal Power Strategy: Aimed to ensure neither superpower could easily win a nuclear conflict.
• Helsinki Accords (1975): Addressed European borders established post-WWII and emphasized human rights.

Limitations of Detente

• Carter's Human Rights Focus: Following rioting in the Soviet sphere, his administration aimed to refocus American foreign policy on human rights.
• Soviet Actions in Afghanistan (1979): The invasion spurred a renewed U.S. stance against the Soviets, leading to the cancellation of the Olympic Games and embargo on grain.

Reagan Era and Cold War Resurgence

• Reagan Administration (1980s): Marked a shift back to Cold War rhetoric and a military buildup against the Soviet Union, characterizing it as an "evil empire."
  • Military Innovations: Introduction of advanced weapon systems, including nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).
  • Support for Insurgents in Afghanistan: Evolved a Vietnam-like scenario that bogged down Soviet forces, highlighting superpower limitations in dealing with guerrilla warfare.