Sammy Quiroz

Cold War Questions

1. How did the Soviet Union and the U.S. differ?

a. The Soviet Union and the U.S. differed most fundamentally in their idea of the
postwar world. The U.S. and President Roosevelt envisioned a world of
democratic nations and an international organization that helped arbitrate disputes
and maintain the rights of nations. The Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin envisioned
a world in which the world powers would control areas of interest and would
resemble the traditional balance of power in Europe. Stalin wanted to spread pro
communist government, while the U.S. hoped to spread democracy.
2. Explain the problems between President Truman and Joseph Stalin.
a. Truman, unlike President Roosevelt, did not believe that Stalin and the USSR was
a force that could be negotiated with. He considered stalin to be untrustworthy
and suspicious. Truman and Stalin faced issues while determining the future of
Germany. Stalin wanted to ensure pro communist government in Germany, while
Truman wanted to implement democracy. Their differences result in the east/west
divide of Germany decided at the Potsdam conference.
3. How did President Truman resolve the problem between Greece and Turkey?
a. When Great Britain could no longer provide aid to Greece and Turkey, President
Truman requested $400 million from Congress in order to provide aid to these
countries and keep the Soviet Union (and Communism) from gaining power and
influence. Part of the money was supposed to go toward strengthening the armed
forces in Greece and Turkey, and another part was intended to provide economic
assistance to Greece.
4. How would the Truman Doctrine oppose Communism?
a. The Truman Doctrine opposed the spread of Communism by requesting $400
million in order to provide aid to Greece and Turkey when Britain could not. If
the U.S. had not stepped in to provide aid, Stalin and the USSR likely would have
and Communism would have gained further influence in the region of
Southeastern Europe.
5. The U.S. will change their foreign policy after WWII to containment. Give an example of
containment.
a. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine are both examples of containment.
The goal of containment was for the U.S. to contain the spread of Communism.
The Marshall Plan exemplified containment policy because it was intended to
make Communism look unappealing by improving the economy in Europe.
6. Explain how the Marshall Plan worked.
a. The Marshall Plan set forth billions of dollars that were to be used over the next
several years in order to improve the European economy. If countries in Western
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Europe, that were receiving aid from the U.S., experienced improved economic
conditions, it would make democracy more appealing to all European nations.
7. Why did the U.S. fly in supplies to the people of Berlin?
a. The U.S. flew supplies into Berlin as an act of defiance against Stalin’s blockade
of 1948. By providing food and supplies to the people of Berlin, the U.S.
demonstrated their resistance to the expansion of Communism and their active
efforts against it. Truman would not allow Stalin to spread Communism without
U.S. intervention to halt the spread of Communism.
8. What rival alliances will be formed by the U.S. and the Soviet Union?
a. The U.S. will join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Soviet
Union will join the Warsaw Pact. NATO was an alliance between 12 nations
wherein they agreed that an attack on one nation was an attack on all of them.
NATO was formed to stop the invasion of the Soviet Union and the spread of
Communism. In response, the Soviet Union created their own alliance with
communist nations of Eastern Europe called the Warsaw Pact.
9. Who helped the North Koreans invade South Korea?
a. The Soviet Union, which supported the pro communist government in the
Northern region of the country, aided the North Koreans in their invasion of the
pro Western South Korea. After the U.S. invaded North Korea, Chinese forces
would enter the conflict and assist the North Koreans in capturing Seoul.
10. What organization sent troops to help defend South Korea?
a. The United Nations sent troops to help defend South Korea after Truman made an
appeal. Because the Soviet Union was boycotting the Security Council at the time,
they lost the power to veto the appeal, and the UN agreed to send assistance to the
Syngman Rhee anti communist government of South Korea.
11. What was the role of the U.S. in South Korea?
a. The U.S. provided aid to the pro-Western government of South Korea. Truman
ordered U.S. forces into South Korea and appointed General Douglas Macarthur
to command the majority - American UN operation. Truman’s aim was to “create
a unified, independent, and democratic Korea.
12. What issue surrounded General MacArthur during the Korean Conflict? How did
President Truman resolve the conflict?
a. General MacArthur strongly opposed President Truman’s stance that the U.S.
should stay out of direct conflict with China, in fear of another world war.
MacArthur believed that the U.S.’s military ability should not be restricted, and
they should attack China or bomb them. He voiced his disagreement in the Martin
letter, which was released to the public. His insubordination of President
Truman’s wishes resulted in his dismissal from his position as General.
13. What lasting effects came out of the Korean conflict?
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a. The Korean conflict resulted in significant economic gains for the United States at
a time when many believed they were about to enter a recession. People grew
angered by the Korean conflict and began to grow suspicious of issues occurring
at home, leading to the Second Red Scare.
14. Explain “brinkmanship”
a. Brinkmanship is the tactic of pushing an issue to the verge of war, ​especially
through the threatening of nuclear war, in order to give the impression that one is
willing to use extreme methods rather than concede, and encourage the opponent
to back down.
15. How did the Eisenhower Doctrine impact the Cold War?
a. The Eisenhower Doctrine ​pledged U.S. military and economic aid to Middle
Eastern nations threatened by communist aggression. The doctrine stated that the
U.S. would use armed forces in response to any sort of aggression to the nation. It
also stated that countries that actively disavowed Communism would be given
aid.
16. How did the U.S. react to the Soviet launch of Sputnik?
a. Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in space, triggered an uneasy reaction from the
United States. The U.S. feared of Soviet dominance of space technology, and
reacted by created NASA. The launch of Sputnik also led to the beginning of the
Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
17. What population changes were occurring between 1946-1959?
a. After the end of WWII, there was a significant increase in the birth rate in the
United States. Soldiers returning from war rejoiced by having children, resulting
in one of the most monumental population increases in American history, called
the Baby Boom.
18. What were the accusations that Senator McCarthy made? Was there any basis of fact?
a. In 19505, Senator McCarthy proclaimed to have a list of 205 known communists
currently working in the American state department. McCarthy never produced
solid evidence to support his claims against government workers. His claims
contributed greatly to the growing fear of Communism occurring as part of the
Second Red Scare.
19. Why did the U.S. begin to focus on the Middle East?
a. The U.S. continued to practice their policy of containment through their
involvement in the Middle East. Their involvement in the Middle East was
supposed to contain the spread of Communism.
20. How was the Democratic party split in the 1948 Presidential Campaign?
a. The Democratic party was abandoned by two groups. Southern conservatives
were angered by Truman’s actions to further civil rights, and abandoned the
Democratic party to create their own “Dixiecrat” party. The party’s left wing also
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abandoned the Democratic party and created a new Progressive Party, represented
by candidate Henry A. Wallace
21. Why is Betty Freidan so influential?
a. Betty Friedan was an influential writer and activist who is known for her
advocacy of women’s participation in the political process and her pioneering of
the women’s rights and feminist movements.
22. What issues divided Diem and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam? What stance did the U.S. take?
a. Ho Chi Minh advocated for a pro communist government, whereas Diem
supported a pro Western, more democratic form of government. The United
States backed Diem, as they continued to practice containment and actively work
against the spread of Communism.
23. How would you describe the Warren Court of Supreme Court Justice Earl Warrant?
a. The Warren Court of Supreme Court Justice Earl Warrant was liberal and worked
to expand civil rights, civil liberties, judicial power and the power of the federal
government. The court advocated for the rights of individuals and served as a
vehicle for social change in the U.S.
24. What was the platform of President Truman in 1948?
a. President Truman ran under a platform of containment. He wanted to “get tough”
with Stalin and the Soviet Union. He did not agree with FDR’s ideas of
negotiating with Stalin and maintaining flexibility. His approach was much more
confrontational.
25. What was the platform of President Eisenhower in 1952?
a. Eisenhower platformed on his own geniality and statesmanlike pledges to end the
Korean conflict. Eisenhower won the electoral votes in a landslide, and
Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress.
26. What was the platform of President Kennedy in 1960?
a. Kennedy platformed on his “New Frontier” program, which proposed unique
domestic reforms on par with FDR’s New Deal. Kennedy also called for a
significant tax cut in order to improve economic conditions. He also managed to
win approval for the tariff reductions he had negotiated with his administration.