Ch. 25 & Ch.28 (check notes) Flashcards
“The Cold War’” was the 46-year rivalry, worldwide struggle between U.S. and Soviet Union where both countries never faced each other directly in a “hot” military conflict. Both tried to intimidate each other with who’s weapons (atomic bombs) or military power was bigger and better (arms race).
Cold War
Churchill was the first to speak of the Iron Curtain when referring to a map of Europe, “an iron curtain has descended across the continent.” Marked by the Berlin Wall which was created by Khrushchev, which physically divided the (D) West (Germany and Europe) and (C) East (Germany and Europe), after a demand of ceasing U.S. military presence in Berlin (in E.Ger.) by Khrushchev. Greece and Turkey were battling communist forces at the time and were aided by U.S.
Iron Curtain
Truman’s promise to aid nations struggling against communist movements which set a new course for American foreign policy.
Truman Doctorine
The Marshall Plan was the aim to provide financial aid to (Western) European countries to provide necessities such as food (utter famine), fuel (heat houses and factories), and money (to jump start economic growth). It was an example of how U.S. aid could serve the ends of both economic and foreign policy. Aid helped countries desperate for assistance. The prosperity following aid increased American economy by increasing trade. Aid created good relationships that worked against the expansion of communism.
Marshall Plan
Politician who stressed containing communism in its present borders.
George F. Kennan
Split by (D) West (France, Britain, and U.S.) and (C) East (Soviet Union). Berlin was split into East and West Berlin. West Berlin controlled by Allies and East Berlin controlled by Soviet Union. West Berlin to a Soviet leader was “a bone in the throat” to Soviet Union. Stalin was determined to capture West Berlin by blockading supplies, but air forces provided supplies which saved them from surrendering.
Post WWII Germany
Berlin was split into East and West Berlin. West Berlin controlled by Allies and East Berlin controlled by Soviet Union. West Berlin to a Soviet leader was “a bone in the throat” to Soviet Union. Stalin was determined to capture West Berlin by blockading supplies, but air forces provided supplies which saved them from surrendering. Soviet Union crated a blockade of all necessities around West Berlin. Allies used air force to drop supplies to West Berlin to keep them strong and keep them from surrendering.
Berlin Airlift
North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed in 1949, provided the military alliance to counter Soviet expansion. 12 Western European and North American nations agreed to act together in a defense of West Europe. Agreed “attack of one is an attack on all” (member nations). This principle of mutual military assistance is called collective security.
NATO
A response to NATO. Soviet Union formed the Warsaw Pact with its Satellite States. All communist states of Eastern Europe, except Yugoslavia, were members. Even though it was agreed not to, the Soviet Union still exerted firm control over its Warsaw Pact allies. Another example, similar to NATO, of “collective security”, or the principle of mutual military assistance.
Warsaw Pact
The nationalist leader before Japan invaded China in 1937, who fought in the Civil War against communists. Supported by U.S. and was given several billion in aid. U.S. supported Jiang because they feared that his defeat would create a communist superpower which will spread throughout most of Asia. Corrupt officials used money given by U.S. which caused distrust in Chinese people. Cause of defeat for Jiang.
Jiang Jieshi
Led communists in Civil War. Mao and Jiang joined forces to fight Japan, but resumed Civil War with a new fury after war ended. Won support of Chinese by promising to feed people and calling out Jiang and his corrupt people.
Mao Zedong
War between nationalists (Jiang) and communists (Mao) in China. U.S. supported nationalist Jiang to combat communist Mao. Nationalist Jiang and politicians were corrupt while communist Mao promised to feed people. People supported communist Mao and communist Mao won Civil War.
Chinese Civil War
The dividing line (latitude) between (C) North Korea and (NC) South Korea. Where the Cold War was “hot”.
38th Parallel
1950, North Korea forces attacked across the 38th Parallel with 90,000 North Korean troops armed with tanks and other Soviet weapons. Overtook South Korean capital of Seoul and set out after the retreating South Korean army.
1950 Korea Events
General Douglas MacArthur was the man in charge of the U.S. forces in Korea.
General MacArthur
General MacArthur chose the port city of Inchan for his counter attack, because it is such a poor landing site, with swift currents and treacherous tides. MacArthur knew the enemy wouldn’t suspect an attack there. City was well behind enemy lines and North Korea had limited supplies after the rapid advance of South Korea by North Korean troops. This gamble paid off handsomely. By 1950, North Korea had been driven north of 38th Parallel.
Inchan
Truman was concerned about the action that China would take if the U.S. carried the war into North Korea. The Chinese warned publicly to the Americans not to advance near the borders. MacArthur attacked north of the 38th Parallel and by Thanksgiving, the Allies advance had reached the Chinese border at the Yalu River. By November 25th, 1950, 300,000 Chinese soldiers attacked South Korea and U.S. positions. Badly outnumbered, U.N. troops were forced back. With China in the war, Truman favored “limited war” (war fought only to achieve specific goals), MacArthur favored “total victory”. MacArthur was fired for insubordination and for sending a letter to the House Republican leader attacking the President’s policies, which he sent after he was unable to sway Truman. The public still viewed MacArthur as a national hero after he was fired. By 1951, Allied forces had regrouped and stabilized their positions near the 38th Parallel.
MacArthur Fired
A war fought only to achieve specific goals.
Limited War
(R) candidate for 1952 election. Promised to end the war if he was elected.
Dwight D. Eisenhower *
The Korean War increased U.S. military spending. By 1960, 1/2 of the Federal Budget was accounted for military spending.
Korean impact on budget
South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was a defensive alliance aimed at preventing the spread of communism. Members: Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, France, Britain, and U.S.
SEATO
