Hottest Times of the Cold War
History M25 - Krister Swanson - Moorpark College
At War’s End:
Axis powers are totally destroyed
Colonial empires have crumbled
2 superpowers to fill the void
It is this situation that creates the Cold War
Big Three at Yalta (2/45)
USSR agrees to enter war against Japan
USSR maintains control over Eastern Europe – Stalin promises free elections
Germany’s divided into 4 occupation zones (United States, GB, Fr, & USSR)
Start of the Cold War
USSR dominates Eastern Europe (satellite states)
UN is ineffective at first
New Germany never formed, boundaries set by occupation zones
Stalin draws the "iron curtain"
The U.S. Responds
NSC & CIA protect U.S. from danger & unwanted influences
1947: Truman Doctrine: U.S. will work to contain Communism
1948-51: Marshall Plan gives $12.5b in aid to European nations to help them rebuild & keep them from going Communist
Soviet Response to Marsh. Plan
Stalin purges all opposition in Eastern Bloc
Blocks US access to W. Berlin
U.S. airlifts in needed suppliesè no response from Sovs
1949: FDR formed from west zones, GDR formed from Soviet zone
Key Issues of Contention
Soviet control of E. Europe/U.S. support of W. Europe
Influence in the Middle East and the Mediterranean
Spread of communism in Asia where former colonies are becoming new nations
Fear of Nuclear War
China Goes Communist
1920’s: Civil War between Nationalists (Chang Kai Shek) & Communists (Mao)
1930’s: Japanese aggression
WWII: Communists success vs. Japan, è support for Mao
We support Shek & Nationalists, but Mao comes to power in 1949
Korean War
USSR occupies NK (Comm.), we occupy SK (Dem., Cap.)
6/50: NK invades SK with Soviet trained army
UN resolution passed to support S. Korea, we supply majority of troops
we get whipped early, massive counterattack succeeds, push toward China
MacArthur Truman
"total victory"
big winner in WWII
charismatic
away for 14 years (big ego)
not charismatic
containment
civilian control
Chain Reaction in Vietnam
Pre-World War II Vietnam is French Indochina
WWII: Japan occupies Vietnam
1945-54: Vietminh vs. French (U.S. supports French because Ho Chi Minh is comm., we need France in Europe)
U.S. policy based on domino theory, must stop comm. in SE Asia
1954: Dien Bien Phuè Geneva Accords : Vietnam split in two (Ho in North, Diem in South)
1961: Involvement escalates under JFK 900 è 16,000 troops)
1963: Diem overthrown & killed
1963: JFK assassinated – LBJ will follow his policies
LBJ Takes Over
Wants to maintain JFK’s policy – McNamara "we must escalate"
LBJ needs reason è Gulf of Tonkin Incident è Congress issues Tonkin Gulf Resolution: authorizes "all necessary measures"
Escalation Begins
4/65- start calling draftees
Soldiers disproportionately poor minorities (exemptions for health reasons, being married, and education)
Convinced we can defeat VC & N. Vietnamese with resources & technology
Military Action Overview
1965: Rolling Thunder: massive bombing on Ho Chi Minh Trail
1965-67 Defoliation & Search & Destroy
1967:Pacification: secure countryside by removing VC and burning villages
1968: Tet Offensive: massive assault throughout South by NVA and VC, pub opinion in U.S. goes anti-war
1969: Vietnamization: turning the war over to the South Vietnamese & withdrawing U.S. troops
1970: Bombing & invasion of Cambodia: hope to eliminate VC bases, supplies & support
1972 Christmas Bombings: force NV back to bargaining table