Grade 12 Topic 1

How did the Cold War period shape international relations after World War II?

The Two Sides of the Cold War

• The Western Bloc:
  • Canada, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, UK, West Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Turkey
• The Eastern Bloc:
  • East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria

Origins of The Cold War

Left-Wing vs. Right-Wing Economic Policies

• Left-wing economic policy:
  • High government spending (G) on social upliftment projects
  • Requires high taxes (T) or nationalization of businesses to finance spending
• Right-wing economic policy:
  • Low government spending (G)
  • Requires only low taxes (T) to fund spending
  • Discourages nationalization of private businesses
• $G \& T$ are high for left-wing, $G \& T$ are low for right-wing

Political Spectrum

• Left-wing:
  • Communism, Socialism, Social Liberalism
• Right-wing:
  • Classic Liberalism, Autocracy

World War II Combatant Countries

• Axis Powers:
  • Germany, Japan, Italy (far right on the political spectrum)
• Allies:
  • USSR, China, France, USA, UK (spanned a range from left to right on the political spectrum)

Dominance of Ideologies (Mid-1900s)

• West: Tendency for right-wing ideas to be dominant
• East: Tendency for left-wing ideas to be dominant

The Way That World War I Ended

Invasion of Germany (1945)

• Allies invading Germany from West and South (Americans, British, and French)
• Russians invading from the East

Four Parts of Occupied Germany and Berlin

• Berlin is sub-divided between the Capitalist West and the communist East.
• The economy and people were not happy, due to the extent of the damage caused when the Allies took the Capital.

Poland

• Restructured under the communist Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland (previously occupied by Nazi Germany and freed by the USSR)
• Free and fair elections were promised but never occurred

USSR and USA: Creation of Spheres of Interest

Yalta Conference (February 4-11, 1945)

• The Big Three (Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, Josef Stalin) meet to discuss the division of Germany after the war
• Discussions:
  • Post-war governing of Germany and Poland
  • Conditions under which Stalin would enter the war against Japan
  • Governing of Manchuria after Japanese surrender
  • Voting procedures for the United Nations Security Council
  • Reparation of Germany
• Outcomes:
  • Germany split into 4 occupying zones
  • Soviet Union to attack Japan after the Nazis were defeated
  • Free elections in Poland

Potsdam Conference (July 17-August 2, 1945)

• The Big Three meet to discuss the rebuilding of Europe and their common enemy (Imperial Japan)
• Outcomes:
  • Demilitarized Germany
  • Division of Germany into 4 zones
  • Persecution of Nazi members
  • Established a Council of Foreign Ministers
  • Returned control of occupied nations to local governments

Potsdam Conference Issues and Outcomes

• Issues:
  • Truman: German industrial recovery necessary for full European recovery; Stalin should take rep. from his zone, leave others to recover.
  • Stalin: USSR needs German reparations; Soviet zone mainly agricultural; Stalin insists additional payments are needed.
• Outcomes:
  • Truman offers some industrial machinery from other zones, must be paid for by food shipments from Soviet zone.
  • Truman accepts new Soviet-established German/Polish border.
  • Truman hints about atom bomb.
  • Stalin accepts, but feels bullied.
  • Tensions increase.

USSR and Satellite States (Late 1940s)

• German Democratic Republic (East Germany), Poland, USSR, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary

European and Middle Eastern Countries with Strong Communist Movements (Not Communist Themselves)

• France, Austria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran

Events Leading to the Building of the Berlin Wall

• 1947: USA & UK help their zones of Germany to recover economically
• 1948: USA, UK, and France introduce a new currency into their zones of Germany
• 1948: USSR leaves the Allied Control Council
• 1948-1949: Berlin Blockade and Berlin Airlift
• 1949: Lifting of the Berlin Blockade
• 1949: West Germany and East Germany are established
• 1952: East Germany closes border between East and West Germany
• 1953: USSR troops crush the East Berlin Uprising
• 1953: East Berlin Uprising
• 1961: East Germany builds the Berlin Wall
• Increased exodus to West Berlin
• 'Brain drain' To West Germany
• More opportunities in West Germany
• West Germany undergoes its Economic Miracle

Events Leading to the Establishment of COMECON

• 1944: The spread of communism
• 1947: Truman Doctrine and COMINFORM + Molotov Plan
• 1948: Marshall Plan + OEEC
• 1949: COMECON

The Truman Doctrine (1947)

• President Harry Truman gave a speech on March 12, 1947.
• Triggered by the British announcing they would stop funding Greece and Turkey with military and financial aid at the end of March 1947.
• He requested $400,000,000$ in economic and military aid to help those who meet the requirements
• Aimed to provide political, military, and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from internal or external authoritarian forces (based on anti-communism)
• Changed America’s usual foreign Policy of not getting involved in the Eastern Hemisphere in times of peace (such as the beginning of both WW1 and WWII) into one of possible intervention in far away conflicts.
• Greece was experiencing a civil war between a Democratic Greece and a Communist Greece.
• USA thought USSR was involved with supporting the Communist Greek Party but in order to keep good international relationships the USSR was not actively involved in the Civil War.
• Important as Greece and Turkey had a strong Communist Party
• Foreign Policy problems faced by Truman with the Soviets:
  1. Soviet’s not withdrawing troops from Northern Iran in early 1946 (even after the signing of the Tehran Declaration of 1943)
  2. Soviet attempts to pressurize Iranian Government into Granting USSR oil concessions while fomenting separatist notions by Azerbaijani separatists in Northern Iran
  3. Soviet pressuring Turkey into giving transit and base rights through the Turkish Straits (The Montreux Convention)
  4. Soviets rejection of the Baruch plan for international control over nuclear energy and Weapons in June 1946
• Truman’s Justification:
  1. A communist victory in Greece would destabilise Turkey and so the rest of the Middle East. (Strategic importance)
  2. Compelled to support ‘free people’ in their struggles against ‘ totalitarian regimes,’ as the spread would, “undermine the foundations of international peace and hence the security of the United States.”

COMINFORM (Communist Information Bureau)

• Aims:
  • Keep political control of Europe
• Members:
  • Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, France, Italy
• Encouraged members to block Marshall Aid
• Discouraged contact with non-communists

Molotov Plan (1947)

• A Reaction to the change in American Foreign Policy (Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan)
• A policy that looked to financially aid Soviet aligned countries to rebuild their country after WWII
• All countries who followed the Molotov Plan could not receive aid from the Marshall Plan

The Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program) (1948-1952)

• American Initiative to aid Western Europe in which America gave over $12 Billion$ in economic support.
• More was given to the major industrial powers of Europe to make Europe prosperous and therefore prevent the spread of Communism.
• 1948-1952 industrial production grew by $35\%$, Agricultural production increased more than pre-war outputs, Europe embarked on two decades unprecedented growth.
• Did the Marshall plan Recuperate European Economies?
• To a smaller degree, Economists have stated that the economies were already recovering, and the Marshall Plan accelerated the process.
• The Marshall plan stabilised Europe political landscape as rationing decreased which reduced discontent which supported the progression of Capitalism over Communism in Europe.

The Organisation for European Economic Co-operation

• The OEEC, set up in 1948, to coordinate efforts to restore Europe’s economy under the European Recovery Program (Marshall plan).
• Helped to abolish quantitative trade restrictions between member countries, allocated scarce resources sharing, and devised a system for regular consultation on matters of common economic concern.
• Superseded by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

The Warsaw Pact vs NATO

• The Treaty of Brussels was signed on March 17, 1948 between Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as an expansion to the preceding year’s defense pledge, the Dunkirk Treaty signed between Britain and France; it is considered a precursor to NATO.
• The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C. on April 4, 1949, thereby establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a mutual defense treaty between 12 nations.
• NATO was little more than a political association until the Korean War (1950-1953) galvanized the organization’s member states.
• In 1954, the Soviet Union suggested it should join NATO to preserve peace in Europe, but the NATO countries, fearful that the Soviet Union’s motive was to weaken the alliance, ultimately rejected this proposal.
• The Warsaw Pact was created in reaction to the integration of West Germany into NATO in 1955 and represented a Soviet counterweight to NATO, composed of the Soviet Union and seven other Soviet satellite states in Central and Eastern Europe.
• For 36 years, NATO and the Warsaw Pact never directly waged war against each other in Europe; the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies implemented strategic policies aimed at the containment of each other in Europe while working and fighting for influence within the wider Cold War on the international stage.

Events Leading up to the Brezhnev Doctrine

• NATO 1949
• West Germany joins NATO 1955
• Warsaw Pact 1955
• Hungarian uprising 1956
• Prague Spring 1968
• Brezhnev Doctrine 1968

Containment and Brinkmanship in Cuban Missile Crisis

• Cuba and its main neighbors

Cuba Pre-Revolution

• Many inequalities between those who lived in cities and those in the country.
• The Macheteros (sugar cane cutters) only worked for 4 months out of the year.
• The positives of healthcare and education did not reach the rural areas.
• Peasants were severely malnourished.
• Positives of Havana
  • Cuba’s economy was strong as it sold products to America such as sugar.
  • Cuba was ranked highly when it came to literacy rates, doctors per capita, private clinics, income distribution was compared better than other Latin American Countries.
  • Had a thriving middle class and therefore stable society
  • Supported strongly by American businesses and population

Chaotic Political Scene

• Social issues compounded by violent, chaotic, and corrupt political history
• The Platt Amendment: Granted US the right to intervene militarily in Cuba
• Led to occupation between 1901-1909 and continue to intervene to protect American interests
• Racism
• The Island’s private clubs and Beaches were segregated

Democratic Hopes

• Revolution occurs in 1933 where students, labourers, and disaffected army officers joined in rebellion against the current government.
• The US made a deal with Fulgencio Batista, army sergeant, who supported many different leaders until in 1940 he was elected president.
• Batista steps down in 1944
• Due to corruption and the influence of action groups / gangs Batista overthrows the government in 1952 and becomes a military dictator until 1959.
• What did Batista do in his reign as a military dictator?
  • Batista suspended the constitution as well as many political liberties
  • Aligned himself with wealthy landowners (Owned the bigger sugar plantations)
  • By the end of his reign over 70% of sugar production was owned by foreigners with the majority being Americans.
  • Batista repressed all strikes.
  • Negotiated lucrative deals with the American Mafia, ran the drug, gambling, and prostitution establishments.
  • Negotiated lucrative contracts with US based multinational companies as well.
  • Repressed the people by creating the Bureau for the Repression of Communist Activities (Secret police) to carry out wide scale violence, torture and public executions.

FIDEL CASTRO! POST REVOLUTION.

• Makes Che Guevara a native born Cuban (Making him eligible to take any position within the Government)
• Castro began to expropriate all landholdings exceeding 4 square Kms., began heavier taxation and exchange control.
• Expropriation of economic assets such as oil refineries without compensations
• America tried to intervene by formal protest on 11 June 1961 but the Cuban Government stated that the law was a final and sovereign decision.
• This alienated Cuba from America
• America increases trade embargoes from weapons only (1958) to a full trade embargo in 1960
• Fidel Castro signs a trade pact with the USSR due to the American's Embargoes in February 1960.

The Bay of Pigs

• JFK was briefed on a plan approved by Eisenhower to train anti- Castro rebels and send them into Cuba to fight
• 1400 anti-Castro soldiers would launch onto Cuban soil (paratroopers and naval attack)
• The plan was to land at the Bay of Pigs after an airstrike against Cuban Air bases
• The bombers left Nicaragua (painted in Cuba’s Airforce colours) failed to bomb accurately the airfields of Cuba
• JFK denied the 2nd airstrike .
• Brigade 2506 landed at Bay of Pigs and immediately came under heavy fire and lost the battle.
• 1200 soldiers were captured and around 100 killed of Brigade 2506

The Aftermath

• The captured soldiers were kept for 20 moths as the two sides were negotiating.
• Castro settled on $53 million$ worth of baby food and medicine in exchange for the prisoners.
• Kennedy’s Administration was seen in a more negative light as they were exposed as actively supporting a counter revolutionary force against an ally of USSR.
• Castro tied Cuba closer to the USSR as he was afraid of the American’s actively invading Cuba.
• Emboldened Khruschev as it showed that Kennedy could possibly be a weak leader.

Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline

• 1959: Cuban Revolution
• 1960: Cuba nationalises American companies in Cuba, establishes an economic relationship with the USSR.
• April 1961: The Bay of Pigs Invasion (Failed Invasion of Cuba by the US)
• 1962: USA installs nuclear missiles in Turkey (near USSR border), USSR installs nuclear missiles in Cuba (near USA border), USA imposes a trade embargo on Cuba.
• October 16, 1962: President met with Gromyko (Soviet FM), discussion on Invasion/quarantine began
• October 18, 1962: Images of missile bases revealed
• October 22, 1962: Kennedy announced quarantine measures on the radio
• 1962: USA prevents Soviet ships bringing more nuclear missiles to Cuba
• 1962: USA and USSR both fear the outbreak of war during this Cuban Missile Crisis, the removal from Cuba
• USA and USSR agree to remove nuclear missiles from Turkey and Cuba, and the USA pledges never to invade Cuba

Why was the USSR interested in helping Cuba?

• Cuba was a new Communist state
• Cuba provided a launch base for USSR inter-continental missiles (ICMs)
• Khrushchev wanted to test strength of new US president, JFK
• Khrushchev wanted to force JFK into bargaining over US missile in Europe

What happened during the October Crisis?

• 14 October 1962, US U2 spy plane takes photos of suspected USSR missile sites on Cuba
• Sites nearing completion, experts believe they could be ready in 7 days
• 15 October US spy planes identify 20 Soviet ships bound for Cuba carrying missiles
• 20 October, Kennedy decides to blockade Cuba
• 22 October, Kennedy publicly calls on Khrushchev to remove weapons
• 23 October Khrushchev refuses to acknowledge blockade or presence of Soviet missiles on Cuba
• 24 October, 1st Soviet ships (accompanied by submarine) approach 800 km exclusion zone
• 24 October, 10:32 am, Soviet ships stop and turn round
• 25 October, aerial photos show continued construction of missile sites
• 26 October, Kennedy receives another letter offering to negotiate over missiles in Cuba with removal of blockade and US invasion threat
• 27 October, Kennedy receives second letter calling for withdrawal of US missiles in Turkey too
• 27 October, US U2 plane shot down over Cuba & pilot killed. Kennedy decides to ignore second letter, but accepts terms of 1 st letter
• 28 October, Khrushchev agrees to dismantle Soviet missiles in Cuba

What was the outcome of the crisis?

• Cuba remained Communist & heavily armed (without nuclear missiles)
• Both leaders didn’t lose face and came away with concessions
• Helped renew the thaw – world saw the futility of MAD
• Permanent hotline between White House & Kremlin set up
• Supported theory of containment & co-existence because alternatives unimaginable

The Extension of the Cold War in China

• Chinese Civil War
• People’s Liberation Army & Chinese Communist Party, Kuomintang & the nationalist Chinese government
• left-wing, right-wing

Two Chinas

• People’s Republic of China (PRC), Republic of China (ROC)/Taiwan left-wing, right-wing

Chinese History

• 1912 – Nationalist revolt overthrew the last dynasty
• 1925 – Nationalist govt under leadership of Chiang Kai-Shek
• Nationalist govt constantly under threat by growing communist movement
• 1934 – 1935: Communists embark on The Long March
• Marched 10 000km to northwest China
• To escape harassment by Nationalists
• Mao Zedong emerges as leader of the communists

The Long March (1934-1935)

• Only one third of those who went on the march survived.

Chinese Civil War (cont.)

• WW2: Chinese political groups combined resources and armies to fight the Japanese
• After war: civil war to see who would gain control of the country
• 1949:
  • Guomindang (Nationalist army) were defeated and forced to flee to Taiwan
  • Communist rule was established
  • China renamed: The People’s Republic of China (PRC)
  • Under leadership of Mao Zedong
  • Named Chairperson of National Peoples’ Congress (govt)
  • Dictator
  • PRC: One-Party State (Communist Party was only party allowed, criticism of govt not tolerated)

The Great Leap Forward

• To solve China’s problems, Mao introduced “The Great Leap Forward” Improve industry, agriculture, education, healthcare and attitude to women
• Introduced Women into the Labour Force (Bulk of the agricultural work) so that men could be sent to work on large scale irrigation, mining and new Industrial projects
• Introduction of Social Welfare Programs (Childcare centers and Dining Halls)
• No concubines within a marriage. Marriage based on love and mutual consent. Economic independence (advocated that women should be economically independent from their partners)
• Tried to do too much too fast = FAILURE
• No incentives, people refused to work, famine, Communes – built too quickly, not well funded

The Great Leap Forward Failures

• Widespread Famine Result of the collapse in agricultural production.
• Poor agricultural practices Unrealistic targets which resulted in methods such as close planting which led to crop failure.
• Excessive Industrialization focus Government redirected resources to focus on industrialization and leaft farmers with insufficient tools and resources to produce food
• Destruction of traditional farming practices:
  • The use of collectivisation of farms disrupted the traditional methods of farming and local knowledge.
  • Unrealistic steel production goals: The forced nature of industrialisation led to lower quality steel being produced using inefficient methods, including backyard furnaces.
  • Mass mobilization Large scale mobilization of population led to exhaustion and reduced productivity in both agriculture and industry.
  • Environmental damage Intense focus on steel production led to mass deforestation as trees were cut down for fuel.
• Mao attempted to reassert his authority in China
• Implemented “The Cultural Revolution”
• Gid rid of political opponents and enemies of communism
• Focused on school children and the youth
• Encouraged to criticise liberals
• Return to the basic principals of the revolution
• Mao believed the progress made by China had created an elitist group Scientists, engineers, factory managers had too much power
• “Red Guard” formed (groups of youth banded together) to criticize all those deemed ‘untrustworthy’
• Writers, economists, journalists Anyone who had developed a superior attitude

Cultural Revolution

• Cult of personality Mao purged the communist party of all who disagreed with him

• Killed or sent to labour camps Enthusiasm of Red Guard became dangerous

• Schools and colleges were closed (teachers and lecturers killed)Economy started to suffer

• Red Guards fought rival groups of Red Guards Foreigners and embassies attacked Massacres and cannibalism
  Youth were encouraged to carry a copy of ‘The Little Red Book’ at all timesBook containing quotes by Mao

• To use when “weeding out intellectuals” Became the standard by which people were judged

• Liu Shao-chi was expelled from communist party Mao's main rival Cultural Revolution came to an end

• Mao wanted a self-sufficient economy for China Took Stalinism with some changes

• Collectivisation, organized peasants into communes

• State-owned industries and reinvested profits into more industrial development

• Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution Industrials growth slowed

• Moa dies 1976 Economy stagnant Technology lagged behind world by 30 years Chinese lived in cramped conditions Poor food and clothing, few comforts and no freedoms To what extent was Mao able to transform China into a superpower between 1949 and 1976? Killed more people than Hitler and Stalin combined

USA’s response to communism in China 1949 - 1973

• Realised this would change balance of power

• China = USSR’s ally Concentrate military might westward Mao remained hostile to USA

• USA provided aid to Chiang Kai-Shek USA continuously vetoed China’s application for membership to UNO

• USA discouraged allies entering China Banned US citizens from visiting China Cut off all trade and organized an international embargo (govt order prohibiting trade or commerce with a particular nation) Thougher on China than on Soviet Union “Wedge theory” A strategy to prevent, divide, and weaken an adversary Encouraged a split Successful: Sino-Soviet split 1960

China’s relationship with the Soviet Union between 1949 to 1973

• Communism under Mao was welcomed by USSR Became a major ally Khrushchev gave economic aid to China
  But friendly relationship did not last long Sino-soviet relations: relationship between China and Soviet Union

• Mao started to believe that USSR was no longer fit to lead the communist world De-Stalinisation was introduced by Khruschev More co-operation with western world (peaceful co-existence) China become suspicious China believed Soviet Union were departing from doctrines of true communism

• Mao wanted China to take over leadership role

• Mao felt that Soviets attitude to West was too soft End of 1960:

  • War of words Soviets cut off all aid to China
  • Territorial disputes (1960: troops stationed along common border in Asia)
  • 1962: China in conflict with India Soviets unofficially support India
  • Mao criticised how Soviet Union handled the Cuban Missile Crisis
  • 1963: China refused to sign the Test Ban Treaty (Nuclear weapons testing banned)
  • Relationship deteriorated Mao and Khruschev disliked each other

• Battle between China and Soviet Union for control of communist world Weakened Khruschev’s position in Soviet Union (falls 1964) Peaceful co-existence with west failed USSR refused to set up nuclear bombs in China (could have influenced victory of Cold War)

• Almost led to war between China and Soviets Two countries isolated each other diplomatically Worked in West’s favour

• 1949 – 1969 USA tried to contain communism in China Tried to disrupt, destabilise and weaken China Believed China threatened security of non-communist neighbours

• Formed alliances with countries on China’s borders:

  • Japan South Korea Nationalist govt in Taiwan Formed Southeast Treaty Organisation (SEATO) with Thailand, Phillipines and South Vietnam Formed ANZUS Treaty with Australia and New Zealand Stationed US troops in these countries

• China aids North Vietnam with weapons CHINA VIETNAM

IMPROVED RELATIONS WITH THE USA 1970 – 1979

• Sino-Soviet split gave USA chance to form ties with mainland China Period of rapproachement: renewal of friendly relations Nixon visits China 1972: signs Shanghai Communique Develop trade, educational and cultural exchanges China's relationship with neighbouring states: Tibet, India, Vietnam and Taiwan

TIBET:

• Mao wanted to reassert China’s right to rule Tibet 1950: China invaded Tibet Swift and total defeat of Tibetan army Incorporated Tibet as an autonomous state of China Took over leadership from Dalai Lama Tibet rejects this in 1959

• When communism came to power, wanted to get rid of all religions, including Buddhism, main religion of Tibet Wanted to remold Tibet’s identity (to fit with China) Used intimidation and re-education Cultural genocide: destruction of a culture with regards to arts and intellectual activities

• Mao introduced land redistribution

• Nobility and monastery land was seized for peasants Hope to destroy wealthy 1956: monks revolted Tibetans used guerilla warfare against China China destroyed villages and monasteries Threatened to blow up Dalai Lama’s palace and kill him 1959: 86 000 Tibetans dead Dalai Lama’s government in exile

• Abduction attempt of Dalai Lama: 1959 300 000 Tibetans surrounded Dalai Lama’s palace to protect leader Dalai Lama escaped

• Fighting between China and Tibet armies Lasted only 2 days, Tibet defeated China rounded up and executed thousands of monks, burned temples and monasteries Dalai Lama’s bodyguards: publicly executed 300 000 Tibetans: missing = imprisoned, killed or in exile

• China established the “Western China Development Program” Weaken Tibetan population Provide jobs for Han Chinese Chinese hold most of govt positions Tibetan govt still in exile Dalai Lama in India

INDIA

• China wanted to build a highway along border Border with India not defined: in the Himalayas Border war 1962

• China made small territorial advancements Ceasefire November 1962 China’s relationship with Pakistan improved, India’s rival China and India relations deteriorate

• Good now: BRICs

VIETNAM

• Struggle in Vietnam between communism and capitalism North – communism South – capitalism Vietnam war begins China supports North Vietnam Gave aid (economic and weapons) 1976- Mao dies, relations improve China tried to go to war with Vietnam for land and to consolidate power
• Failure

TAIWAN

• After Civil war – nationalist govt flee to Taiwan China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and tried to get them to return

• 1950s – multiple attempts by nationalist govt to retake control of China All failed

• Led to fragile relationship Currently: cordial, diplomatic truce

A three-way Cold War?

• Economics x Military x Technology x Diplomacy

• The economic and foreign policies of China (PRC) between 1949 and the 1990s Step towards the USSR in 1950 Turn left towards communism under Mao in 1949 Step back from the USSR in the 1960s during the Vietnam War Move nearer to the USA in the 1970s despite its very different economic policies Turn slightly right towards market socialism under Deng in the 1980s, while improving relations with the USA Turn slightly right again towards a socialist market economy under Jiang in the 1990s, while further improving relations with the USA Left turns and right turns represent changes in economic policy Steps towards or away from other powers represent changes in foreign policy

• Step together with the USSR in the early 1950s during the Korean War, following the USSR's lead on many issues

The Extension of the Cold War in Vietnam

• Vietnam before the first Indochina War French Colonize Indochina before WW2 (French Indochina).

• After Nazi Germany take Paris in WW2 (End of French control of Indochina) Nazi Germany allow Japan to use Vietnam as a staging ground for their continued operations of Southeast Asia.

• Ho Chi Minh returns to Vietnam in 1941 and heads up the fight against Japan on the behest of the Allied powers.

• The Viet Minh were trained by The Americans and provisioned by the Allies so that they fought against the Japanese.

• Vietnam before the First Indochina War After Japan was defeated by the Allied powers they left and left a power vacuum in which the Viet Minh occupied and established control over North and Central Vietnam and declared it as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Headed by Ho Chi Minh (communist).

• France needed to recuperate funds for the repair of France after the War and so wanted to reoccupy their colony of French Indochina and so occupied South Vietnam.

• After failed peace talks France naval bombarded a city in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and so started the First Indochina War.

First Indochina War

• Between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and a combination of French and British troops.
• The use of Guerilla war tactics by the DRV against the conventional tactics of the South allowed the DRV to win the war by defeating the French Garrison in 1954 at the battle of Dien Bien Phu where the Communist DRV beat France and so France agreed to peace negotiations in Geneva. First Indochina War

Geneva Accords-1954

• Signed by Viet Minh and the French to agree to a cease fire and temporary division of Vietnam in two.
• The split was at the latitude of 17 degrees and was called the 17th parallel.
• All troops needed to stay on their respective sides of the 17th parallel.
• The Final Declaration: A vote for July 1956 for the reunification of the two halves of Vietnam. Geneva Accords- 1954

American Involvement in the First Indochina War

• President D. Eisenhower Domino Theory- The flourishing of a Communist Vietnam will then continue the effect to the rest of Indochina.

• Proxy War- Eisenhower supported the French forces by sending planes, advisors, and war material. Eisenhower's backing of Diem

• The setting up of Diem as the leader of Southern Vietnam Diem, who was anti-communist, won rigged elections in 1954 to become the president of Southern Vietnam.

• 26th of October Diem proclaims South Vietnam as the Republic of Vietnam which breaches the Geneva Accords mandate for the elections in 1956.

• Eisenhower then further cemented Americas approval by sending a letter to Diem in which he stated that he would be sending an increase of Aid.

  • Diem proceeded to become a repressive dictator that targeted autonomous religious sects and any parties that were in support of North Vietnam violently.

• Effect of Eisenhower’s backing of Diem As Diem became repressive and violent it cemented a negative view of America as they were then associated with the repressive actions of Diem and his government because of the following points:

• Diem supported the landlords of the Republic of Vietnam against the peasants. Increase of rent

• No land reforms Appointed family to important roles within the country. Showed little respect to the Buddhist population
  (composed 90? Of the population).

• John F. Kennedy Won the elections in 1961 and so replaced Eisenhower in the lead up to the Vietnam War. He inherited the proxy war and the Domino Theory. During his reign he also needed to compete and fix the Cuban Missile Crisis.

• What happened during Kennedy's Presidency Domino Theory ContinuedProxy war continuedUnderstood Tactics must change

• Domino Theory Americas foreign policy does not change towards Communists. Kennedy is also contending with the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis

• Proxy War Kennedy refused an escalation of sending American Ground forces during his presidency but did send a squadron of UH-1 Helicopter with American pilots as well as ground forces for the protection of American equipment.

• Initially a good tactic as North Vietnamese could not counter the air superiority

• Battle of Ap Bac occurred which changed the outlook of Kennedy

The changing of TacticsOPERATION RANCH HANDSTRATEGIC HAMLET POLICY

Operation Ranch Hand

• January 1962-1971 Agent Orange (Napalm) and Agent Blue (Herbicide) sprayed by aircraft to get rid of foliage in the forest and to destroy crop land so that ariel reconnaissance can see the North Vietnamese troop movement and limit their logistics.

• In the end it was a failure as it did not stop the Viet Cong, but it did limit the number of ambushes, and there were too many civilian deaths.

• Strategic Hamlet Policy 196