Yalta Conference
Left to Right: Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin
February 1945. US and Russia feeling each other out, trying to establish how to control post WWII Europe. Germans were to surrender unconditionally. Stalin said he would give free democracy in Poland, didn't honor this promise. He also went back on his word that he would allow Bulgaria and Romania free elections. Stalin wanted to expand USSR sphere of influence, wanted to guarantee safety of Soviet Union. The was the first US and USSR major disagreement.
Left to Right: Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin
February 1945. US and Russia feeling each other out, trying to establish how to control post WWII Europe. Germans were to surrender unconditionally. Stalin said he would give free democracy in Poland, didn't honor this promise. He also went back on his word that he would allow Bulgaria and Romania free elections. Stalin wanted to expand USSR sphere of influence, wanted to guarantee safety of Soviet Union. The was the first US and USSR major disagreement.
The United Nations Established in a conference at San Francisco in April 1945
Big 5 powers: US, Britain, USSR, France, China
UN required cooperation of the powers. UNESCO= example of something it established to help the world
Big 5 powers: US, Britain, USSR, France, China
UN required cooperation of the powers. UNESCO= example of something it established to help the world
Harry Truman, President #33
Had to replace FDR when the president died suddenly in April of 1945. Truman began as a scared man in the position, then became cocky. However, he was a very solid personality and had a lot of moxie. Truman wanted to spend millions to stop people from becoming communists, not billions to shoot them when they were. Called an "imbecile" and "judas" for his actions in the Korean war. His main policy was containment.
Had to replace FDR when the president died suddenly in April of 1945. Truman began as a scared man in the position, then became cocky. However, he was a very solid personality and had a lot of moxie. Truman wanted to spend millions to stop people from becoming communists, not billions to shoot them when they were. Called an "imbecile" and "judas" for his actions in the Korean war. His main policy was containment.
The Iron Curtain
Germany would remain divided after WW2: four zones assigned to France, Britain, US and USSR. The Iron Curtain separated Communist Europe from the rest of Europe, creating the Cold-War tension.
Germany would remain divided after WW2: four zones assigned to France, Britain, US and USSR. The Iron Curtain separated Communist Europe from the rest of Europe, creating the Cold-War tension.
The Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine, which President Truman delivered on March 12, 1947, was a monumental speech that arguably began the Cold War. It stated that the US would be providing economic and militaristic aid to Greece and Turkey so they could resist Russia and not become communist states. This meant that the US had firmly taken a stand against Russia, further increasing the post WWII tensions.
The Truman Doctrine, which President Truman delivered on March 12, 1947, was a monumental speech that arguably began the Cold War. It stated that the US would be providing economic and militaristic aid to Greece and Turkey so they could resist Russia and not become communist states. This meant that the US had firmly taken a stand against Russia, further increasing the post WWII tensions.
McCarthy Red Hunt
Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy was the head of the "red hunt" in America, where he tried to expose communists in the government. He singled out Secretary of State Dean Acheson and accused him of knowingly employing 205 communist party members. The radical McCarthy even went as far as to attack the military by saying they might have communist ties. He was condemned by the Senate for "conduct becoming a member" and was somewhat ostracized from the US. His paranoid communist beliefs came to be known as "McCarthyism."
Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy was the head of the "red hunt" in America, where he tried to expose communists in the government. He singled out Secretary of State Dean Acheson and accused him of knowingly employing 205 communist party members. The radical McCarthy even went as far as to attack the military by saying they might have communist ties. He was condemned by the Senate for "conduct becoming a member" and was somewhat ostracized from the US. His paranoid communist beliefs came to be known as "McCarthyism."
Korean War. 38th Parallel 1950-1953
North Korea invaded South Korea on the 38th parallel. Since NK was entirely communist and SK was more like a Western nation, naturally the US wanted to intervene. President Truman reacted swiftly, saying North Korea had violated the containment doctrine by invading South Korea. Truman's security council issued Nation Security Council Memorandum Number 68 (NSC-68), which asked the US to quadruple its military spending (which it did). NSC-68 represented the booming US economy and military potential.The Korean War started out well, with General MacArthur successfully invading Inchon in September of 1950, but he pushed too far north into the Yalu River area and China retaliated. Despite the Chinese threats that they would act if their borders were pushed, MacArthur proceeded anyway and his forces suffered harsh blows. As a result, Congress cut the funds for the war, saying it was unnecessary. MacArthur did not like this and asked for nuclear escalation and did not back down in Korea, resulting in President Truman removed MacArthur from Command. This did not help Truman's reputation and he was called a "pig" and "imbecile" for not trying to crush Korea. The Korean War was the first "Hot war" of the Cold War, which ended in a draw in 1953.
North Korea invaded South Korea on the 38th parallel. Since NK was entirely communist and SK was more like a Western nation, naturally the US wanted to intervene. President Truman reacted swiftly, saying North Korea had violated the containment doctrine by invading South Korea. Truman's security council issued Nation Security Council Memorandum Number 68 (NSC-68), which asked the US to quadruple its military spending (which it did). NSC-68 represented the booming US economy and military potential.The Korean War started out well, with General MacArthur successfully invading Inchon in September of 1950, but he pushed too far north into the Yalu River area and China retaliated. Despite the Chinese threats that they would act if their borders were pushed, MacArthur proceeded anyway and his forces suffered harsh blows. As a result, Congress cut the funds for the war, saying it was unnecessary. MacArthur did not like this and asked for nuclear escalation and did not back down in Korea, resulting in President Truman removed MacArthur from Command. This did not help Truman's reputation and he was called a "pig" and "imbecile" for not trying to crush Korea. The Korean War was the first "Hot war" of the Cold War, which ended in a draw in 1953.
Dwight Eisenhower, President #34
Eisenhower served from 1953-1961. A former five-star WWII general, he was the most beloved American when he was first elected. He used a "dynamic conservatism" model of minimal government control. Television was becoming a primary way to campaign for presidency, and Eisenhower was very shy in front of the camera. He was criticized for using his popularity as an asset, not for things like civil rights. Critics also believed he cared more for social harmony than for social justice.
EIsenhower administration foreign policy beliefs: cut military spending to balance the budget, focus primarily on a strong nuclear fleet and not as much on the army or navy. He wanted to negotiate an end to the Cold War with the new Russian leaders when Stalin died in 1953. However, in 1955 Nikita Khrushchev boldly rejected DE's plea for "open skies" over the US and Russia.
Eisenhower served from 1953-1961. A former five-star WWII general, he was the most beloved American when he was first elected. He used a "dynamic conservatism" model of minimal government control. Television was becoming a primary way to campaign for presidency, and Eisenhower was very shy in front of the camera. He was criticized for using his popularity as an asset, not for things like civil rights. Critics also believed he cared more for social harmony than for social justice.
EIsenhower administration foreign policy beliefs: cut military spending to balance the budget, focus primarily on a strong nuclear fleet and not as much on the army or navy. He wanted to negotiate an end to the Cold War with the new Russian leaders when Stalin died in 1953. However, in 1955 Nikita Khrushchev boldly rejected DE's plea for "open skies" over the US and Russia.
Space Race
The Space Race was a competition between the US and Russia to see who could get the most ethnology into space the fastest. It began on October 4th, 1957 when the Soviets sent Sputnik 1 into space, a satellite only weighing 284 pounds. A month later, Sputnik 2, a much larger variant of it predecessor was launched into orbit, this time carrying a dog. These breakthroughs hurt the US's morale and increased Cold War tensions between the two countries. The US responded, however, when President Eisenhower established NASA and schools began teaching more concrete subjects to further the knowledge of the American population.
The Space Race was a competition between the US and Russia to see who could get the most ethnology into space the fastest. It began on October 4th, 1957 when the Soviets sent Sputnik 1 into space, a satellite only weighing 284 pounds. A month later, Sputnik 2, a much larger variant of it predecessor was launched into orbit, this time carrying a dog. These breakthroughs hurt the US's morale and increased Cold War tensions between the two countries. The US responded, however, when President Eisenhower established NASA and schools began teaching more concrete subjects to further the knowledge of the American population.
John F. Kennedy, President #35 from 1961-1963 (killed)
John F. Kennedy was one of the most popular presidents ever. A young millionaire from Massachusetts, Kennedy won over America by his glowing TV appearances and strong patriotic policies. Despite his popularity, he was criticized for a couple of matters, such as his religion (he was the first Roman-Catholic to be nominated for president since 1928). Since he was the youngest president ever, some thought he was too young and inexperienced for the job. Kennedy used the New Frontier concept for his policies: cutting taxes, putting money into the pockets of private companies, and establishing the Peace Corps which was an army of American volunteers who helped bring "American skills" to less-developed countries. He also pushed for the New Frontier (space) and in 1969 2 men landed on the moon. His foreign policy was called Flexible Response: developing many different options for the military, which he did by increasing military spending and developing the Green Berets. Flexible Response could backfire, though, and too much military development could lead to devastating warfare.
John F. Kennedy was one of the most popular presidents ever. A young millionaire from Massachusetts, Kennedy won over America by his glowing TV appearances and strong patriotic policies. Despite his popularity, he was criticized for a couple of matters, such as his religion (he was the first Roman-Catholic to be nominated for president since 1928). Since he was the youngest president ever, some thought he was too young and inexperienced for the job. Kennedy used the New Frontier concept for his policies: cutting taxes, putting money into the pockets of private companies, and establishing the Peace Corps which was an army of American volunteers who helped bring "American skills" to less-developed countries. He also pushed for the New Frontier (space) and in 1969 2 men landed on the moon. His foreign policy was called Flexible Response: developing many different options for the military, which he did by increasing military spending and developing the Green Berets. Flexible Response could backfire, though, and too much military development could lead to devastating warfare.
Vietnam War December 1956-April 1975
Ngo Dinh Diem, the corrupt right-wing leader of Vietnam, was being threatened out of power since 1954 despite an influx of American monetary support. Since the government in Saigon, Vietnam was pro-America, Kennedy decided he needed intervene and in 1961 he sent a large amount of military advisers in South Vietnam. By the time Kennedy died in 1963, he had sent over 15,000 men to Vietnam and the US was too involved to step out of the conflict. Keeping Vietnam anticommunist was a major goal of the US, and another big goal was protecting the country's rice supply. Rice was so crucial since it was a major part of the diet in Japan, and if Japan was without rice a myriad of factors would domino into each other. The country would become malnourished and impoverished, decreasing production and eventually leading to communism. Vietnam became the lead problem for the US from the sixties to the mid seventies, and the American public was strongly against it. The War was gruesome and many civilians were killed, as seen in the infamous My Lai Massacre of 1968. Antiwar movements were also a part of the civil rights movement.
Ngo Dinh Diem, the corrupt right-wing leader of Vietnam, was being threatened out of power since 1954 despite an influx of American monetary support. Since the government in Saigon, Vietnam was pro-America, Kennedy decided he needed intervene and in 1961 he sent a large amount of military advisers in South Vietnam. By the time Kennedy died in 1963, he had sent over 15,000 men to Vietnam and the US was too involved to step out of the conflict. Keeping Vietnam anticommunist was a major goal of the US, and another big goal was protecting the country's rice supply. Rice was so crucial since it was a major part of the diet in Japan, and if Japan was without rice a myriad of factors would domino into each other. The country would become malnourished and impoverished, decreasing production and eventually leading to communism. Vietnam became the lead problem for the US from the sixties to the mid seventies, and the American public was strongly against it. The War was gruesome and many civilians were killed, as seen in the infamous My Lai Massacre of 1968. Antiwar movements were also a part of the civil rights movement.
Lyndon B. Johnson,President #36
LBJ succeeded JFK after his assassination and served from 1963-69. He fought strongly for civil rights. He believed that the key to success in the Vietnam conflict was step-by-step escalation that would cause the Viet Cong (militant communists in Vietnam) to surrender. This was not at all the reality of the situation, and the Vietnamese fought brutally with guerrilla warfare tactics. By 1968 LBJ had spent over 30 billion dollars on the war and sent over 500,000 US troops to fight in the mucky jungle. The War became so tricky that LBJ did not even run for president in 1968.
LBJ succeeded JFK after his assassination and served from 1963-69. He fought strongly for civil rights. He believed that the key to success in the Vietnam conflict was step-by-step escalation that would cause the Viet Cong (militant communists in Vietnam) to surrender. This was not at all the reality of the situation, and the Vietnamese fought brutally with guerrilla warfare tactics. By 1968 LBJ had spent over 30 billion dollars on the war and sent over 500,000 US troops to fight in the mucky jungle. The War became so tricky that LBJ did not even run for president in 1968.
Richard Nixon, President #37
Richard Nixon was a controversial president who served from 1969-1974 (told to quit). He told the US citizens to "stop shouting at one another" over the war as it was simply leading to a divide in the country. Nixon brought stellar knowledge of foreign affairs to his position; he wanted to win the war without more American bloodshed, not just end the war. In 1970, the president attacked Vietnam's neighbor, Cambodia (known as Cambodianizing the war, did so without consulting congress), which increased the scope of the war. He realized he should not have done this, and two months later he withdrew the US troops. This caused even more dissent between the hawks and doves of the US, and the cold war as a whole was not just dividing the world but it looked as though the US was going to be divided also. To reconcile this, Nixon's point of view changed and he realized the only way to get out of the Vietnam war was through Moscow and Beijing. In February 1972 he traveled to China where he made a diplomatic agreement to "normalize" the relationship between China and the US. In May that year, Nixon traveled to the Kremlin in Moscow where he said he was backed by China, something that scared the Soviets. This led to a period of detente (relaxed tension) between the countries. The US and USSR agreed on an Antiballistic Missile Treaty and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (ABM and SALT, respectively). These were made to halt the arms race. The US, however, developed defensive nuclear warheads. (MIRV's), and the Soviets did too. The Vietnam war picked up in 1972 when North Vietnam (the communists) burst through the border between North and South Vietnam, and Nixon responded by bombing strategic Vietnam places such as Hanoi. Nixon won the 72 election by a landslide since he had reduced troop numbers from 540k to 30k in Vietnam, and Dr. Kissinger (National Security Advisor) insisted that peace was at hand. Nixon's triumph came crashing down in 1974 with the Watergate scandal, and the secret that Nixon had been hiding tapes of his policies. Following his secrecy, the Supreme Court urged him to resign unless he wanted to be impeached. Richard Nixon was replaced by Gerald Ford. Ford tried to improve upon the detente between Russia and the US, but failed. The end of the Vietnam war came when Ford pleaded for to Congress for more weapons in Vietnam, but Congress refused. The South Vietnamese quickly collapsed without US aid and the war had been lost.
Richard Nixon was a controversial president who served from 1969-1974 (told to quit). He told the US citizens to "stop shouting at one another" over the war as it was simply leading to a divide in the country. Nixon brought stellar knowledge of foreign affairs to his position; he wanted to win the war without more American bloodshed, not just end the war. In 1970, the president attacked Vietnam's neighbor, Cambodia (known as Cambodianizing the war, did so without consulting congress), which increased the scope of the war. He realized he should not have done this, and two months later he withdrew the US troops. This caused even more dissent between the hawks and doves of the US, and the cold war as a whole was not just dividing the world but it looked as though the US was going to be divided also. To reconcile this, Nixon's point of view changed and he realized the only way to get out of the Vietnam war was through Moscow and Beijing. In February 1972 he traveled to China where he made a diplomatic agreement to "normalize" the relationship between China and the US. In May that year, Nixon traveled to the Kremlin in Moscow where he said he was backed by China, something that scared the Soviets. This led to a period of detente (relaxed tension) between the countries. The US and USSR agreed on an Antiballistic Missile Treaty and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (ABM and SALT, respectively). These were made to halt the arms race. The US, however, developed defensive nuclear warheads. (MIRV's), and the Soviets did too. The Vietnam war picked up in 1972 when North Vietnam (the communists) burst through the border between North and South Vietnam, and Nixon responded by bombing strategic Vietnam places such as Hanoi. Nixon won the 72 election by a landslide since he had reduced troop numbers from 540k to 30k in Vietnam, and Dr. Kissinger (National Security Advisor) insisted that peace was at hand. Nixon's triumph came crashing down in 1974 with the Watergate scandal, and the secret that Nixon had been hiding tapes of his policies. Following his secrecy, the Supreme Court urged him to resign unless he wanted to be impeached. Richard Nixon was replaced by Gerald Ford. Ford tried to improve upon the detente between Russia and the US, but failed. The end of the Vietnam war came when Ford pleaded for to Congress for more weapons in Vietnam, but Congress refused. The South Vietnamese quickly collapsed without US aid and the war had been lost.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president
Carter had some very successful diplomatic moves during his term from 1977-1981. In 1981 he invited President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel to Camp David, where he persuaded the two to sign an agreement under which Israel agreed to withdraw from territory conquered in the 1967 war and Egypt promised to respect Israel's borders. In 1979 he restored full diplomatic relations with China. Under Carter's presidency, inflation went from 6% to 13% and the value of the dollar began to diminish. July 15th 1979= Malaise speech, he urged citizens to not be too concerned with material goods in the moral Cold War crisis. the SALT II treaty was signed in June 1979 as an agreement between US and Russia, but it came to a screeching halt. ON November 4th, 1979, a group of anti- American Muslim students invaded the US embasy in Teheran, Iran and took its inhabitants hostage. Russia then went to Afghanistan, which is next to Iran, to drill for oil which is very valuable to the US.
Carter then put an embargo on wheat and tea to the USSR, and Carter requested for Americans to enlist in the draft. There was also a boycott of the Olympic games in Moscow. Carter sent a commando team to rescue the hostages, but they perished due to machinery failure and could not rescue the captives.
Carter had some very successful diplomatic moves during his term from 1977-1981. In 1981 he invited President Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel to Camp David, where he persuaded the two to sign an agreement under which Israel agreed to withdraw from territory conquered in the 1967 war and Egypt promised to respect Israel's borders. In 1979 he restored full diplomatic relations with China. Under Carter's presidency, inflation went from 6% to 13% and the value of the dollar began to diminish. July 15th 1979= Malaise speech, he urged citizens to not be too concerned with material goods in the moral Cold War crisis. the SALT II treaty was signed in June 1979 as an agreement between US and Russia, but it came to a screeching halt. ON November 4th, 1979, a group of anti- American Muslim students invaded the US embasy in Teheran, Iran and took its inhabitants hostage. Russia then went to Afghanistan, which is next to Iran, to drill for oil which is very valuable to the US.
Carter then put an embargo on wheat and tea to the USSR, and Carter requested for Americans to enlist in the draft. There was also a boycott of the Olympic games in Moscow. Carter sent a commando team to rescue the hostages, but they perished due to machinery failure and could not rescue the captives.
President Ronald Reagan, served from 1981-1989 and his Reaganomics
Reagan's policy was neoconservatism: he supported free market capitalism and had tough anti-soviet policies. He questioned welfare and affirmative action and wanted the values of family reinstated. Prime Minister of England Margaret Thatcher had the same political views as Reagan and the two became instant friends. In regards to the Soviets, he only negotiated with them when in a supreme power position and launched the Strategic Defense Initiative, putting missile-destroying satellites in space (Star Wars). Michael Gorbachev was the Soviet leader RR had to deal with. Gorbachev had two practices: Glasnost (openness and free speech) and Perestroika (restructuring), which essentially cut down on USSR military spending because Russia was bankrupt from the arms race. Reagan, who initially had great animosity towards the Soviets, embraced Gorbachev and his policies. Their friendliness began the end of the cold war. Two term approach, lower taxes and government control in first term, focus on foreign policy in second. He added 2 trillion dollars to the national debt.
Reagan's policy was neoconservatism: he supported free market capitalism and had tough anti-soviet policies. He questioned welfare and affirmative action and wanted the values of family reinstated. Prime Minister of England Margaret Thatcher had the same political views as Reagan and the two became instant friends. In regards to the Soviets, he only negotiated with them when in a supreme power position and launched the Strategic Defense Initiative, putting missile-destroying satellites in space (Star Wars). Michael Gorbachev was the Soviet leader RR had to deal with. Gorbachev had two practices: Glasnost (openness and free speech) and Perestroika (restructuring), which essentially cut down on USSR military spending because Russia was bankrupt from the arms race. Reagan, who initially had great animosity towards the Soviets, embraced Gorbachev and his policies. Their friendliness began the end of the cold war. Two term approach, lower taxes and government control in first term, focus on foreign policy in second. He added 2 trillion dollars to the national debt.
Iran Contra
this is the Iran conflict.
this is the Iran conflict.
George HW Bush, served from 1989-1993
Bush insisted on maintaining relations with Beijing even though Congress wanted to cut trade with China. Gorbachev was disliked in Russia, and glasnost and perestroika had done their damage to the Soviet Union and in December 1991 when Gorbachev resigned the Soviet Union dispersed into 15 republics. This led to the definitive end of the cold war in December 1991. Bush continued to show US military might, and reacted quickly and powerfully to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait under Saddam Hussein.Bush appointed Norman Schwarzkopf as general, whose tactics were to soften the Iraqis with bombs then launch a sea attack onto land. The US debt was at $250 billion each year of his presidency.
Bush insisted on maintaining relations with Beijing even though Congress wanted to cut trade with China. Gorbachev was disliked in Russia, and glasnost and perestroika had done their damage to the Soviet Union and in December 1991 when Gorbachev resigned the Soviet Union dispersed into 15 republics. This led to the definitive end of the cold war in December 1991. Bush continued to show US military might, and reacted quickly and powerfully to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait under Saddam Hussein.Bush appointed Norman Schwarzkopf as general, whose tactics were to soften the Iraqis with bombs then launch a sea attack onto land. The US debt was at $250 billion each year of his presidency.