the cold war under eisenhower

1953-1960

Peaceful Coexistence?

  • Death of Stalin (1953) + the rise of Nikita Khrushchev allowed for a “new course”

  • Both sides wished to de-escalate tensions, avoid nuclear war, and save $ after the costly Korean conflict

  • Geneva Summit (Jul. 1955): 1st meeting for Cold War leaders since WWII

  • Proposals from both sides were rejected (disarmament, united Germany, Open Skies) but was a signal of improved relations


Eisenhower + the CIA: Operation Ajax

  • National Front/Mosaddegh support oil nationalization (from the British)

  • Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) refused to consider a 50/50 split of oil revenues

  • Brits refuse to work at Abadan refinery + blockade Iran’s oil exports = crushing Iran’s economy

  • Iran’s pro-Soviet Tudeh communist party begins to support Mosaddegh (alliance of convenience)

  • Brits appeal to John Foster Dulles, warning of Soviet Plot





Operation Ajax

  • Referendum (1953) gives Mosaddegh power to make law → reduces the power of the Shah

  • Shah changes their mind on the nationalization issue after being wanted by the CIA = supports the coup

  • Shah issued orders to replace Mosadegh w/ loyalist General Zahedi = pro Mosaddegh protests occur → coup fails

  • 2nd coup attempt = paid “Tudeh” activists took to the streets → promoted communist revolution

  • Anti-Mosaddegh Islamists join the demonstration

  • 2nd group of paid pro-Shah demonstrators use threat of communism + violence to stoke unrest + install Zahedi (Shah in power)

  • CIA bribes, support for the Shah, & opposition to the “violence” of Tudeh communists vital to the success of the coup

  • Even though the US did get some Iranian oil concession, support for the coup seems more in line w/ keeping Soviet influence out of Iran + supporting British interests


Guatemalan Coup (1954)

  • Fears that poverty/inequality could lead to communism in S. America

  • Eisenhower believed that “strongmen” would best preserve political/economic stability

  • Arevalo + Arbenz threatened the status quo in Guatemala = proposed major land reform at the expense of United Fruit Co. (UFC)

  • Arbenz confiscated 15% of UFC’s unused land

  • UFC begins propaganda/lobbying campaign labeling Arbenz as a communist

  • Arbenz had many communists in his gov

  • Nationalization of land seen as communist

  • Arbenz sided w/ international communists in claiming the US used bacteriological warfare in Korea

  • OAS votes to condemn communism in the Americas

  • Arbenz sought military aid from the communist bloc

  • CIA trained 100-200 Guatemalans in Nicaragua

  • US-backed Colonal Armas was to take power

  • Supported by CIA planes/bombs Armas + his “army” enter Guatemala City

  • Fearing wider invasion + losing support at home → Arbenz forced to flee

  • Armas created a ruthless dictatorship → returned land to UFC → imprisoned + executed leftists


Taiwan Strait Crisis + Brinkmanship (1954-55)

  • The crisis focused on who would control the islands of the Chinese coast (ROC v. PRC)

  • PRC began shelling of ROC military installations on the islands + threatened to attack Taiwan

  • Sep. 1954: JCS recommends nukes to defend Taiwan

  • Dec. 1954: US - ROC sign mutual defense treaty

  • Formosa Resolution authorization use of force to defend ROC → Navy sent to the region

  • Mar. 1955: Dulles + others speak of a willingness to use nukes + “destroy Red China’s military potential”

  • Apr. 1955: China seeks negotiation