Chapter 8 - Alliances and Shifts Flashcards
1
Q
Why was SEATO needed?
A
- 1950 Sino-Soviet alliance strengthened May 1953 when USSR agreed to provide defence-related tech to China
- Sep-Oct = K visited China as sign of enforcing Sino-Soviet links
- USSR provided significant economic and tech expertise to strengthen Chinese economy and national security
- Dulles suggested Southeast Asia alliance in response
2
Q
How did SEATO vary from NATO?
A
- NATO = majority members were European states and collectively bordered each other
- SEATO = had a few common borders, spread out over wide area
3
Q
Which states were part of SEATO?
A
- Great Britain
- United States
- France
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Pakistan
4
Q
Why did the USSR create the Warsaw Pact?
A
- May 1955 = USA pressured French to allow West Germany to be admitted to NATO as a member
- USA’s actions underlines its commitment to centrality of Germany
5
Q
What was the importance of the Warsaw Pact to USSR?
A
- A means of legitimising USSR influence in Eastern Europe
- Just as NATO had legitimised USA influence in Western Europe
- Consolidated political and economic relationship between USSR and its satellites
6
Q
Which states were part of the Warsaw Pact?
A
- USSR
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Albania
- East Germany
- Poland
- Hungary
- Czechoslovakia
7
Q
How did Eisenhower’s national security policy mirror Truman’s?
A
- USA must retain sufficient influence in W Europe and in Asia
- Should be collective Western defence strategy (included Germany and its economic and military potential)
- Soviet threat was significant and containment of Soviet territorial expansion was fundamental to US security interests
- USA must retain strong nuclear arsenal and conventional forces to deter and counter Soviet opportunism
8
Q
How did Eisenhower’s National Security Policy differ from Truman’s?
A
- E rejected T’s commitment to a major expansion of US’ conventional forces
- E believed containment limited and its effectiveness insufficient as basis of US foreign policy
9
Q
Why did Eisenhower introduce the New Look Policy?
A
- Containment had created stalemate = Dulles wanted to roll back communism to bring Cold War to successful conclusion for USA
- D convinced security of US national interests and guarantee of international peace depended on reducing Soviet global power
- Wanted peaceful means - never attempted to undermine USSR’s sphere of influence or ‘liberate’ any pro-Soviet states
10
Q
What was massive retaliation?
A
- Nuclear weapons as basis of US national security
- Importance of nuclear weapons presented as cost-effective guaranteeing US security
- NSC 162/2 (Oct 1953) = USA displaying nuclear superiority / determination to use nuclear weapons against aggressor to deter aggression against W Europe
11
Q
What was brinkmanship?
A
- US use nuclear strength to force agreements from communist opponents, up to point of potential war
- Ability to reach verge of war without engaging in war = essential foreign policy and diplomacy
12
Q
What was the impact of Diet Bien Phu?
A
- March-May 1954
- Turning point
- Paved way for French withdrawal from Vietnam, and divided Vietnam
- 1st time non-European nationalist force had defeated elite troups from a European colonial power
13
Q
What were the agreements of the Geneva Conference?
A
- July 1954
- Ceasefire in Vietnam instead of long-term solution
- 2 zones to be created, split by 17th parallel
- French forces to move out of N zone, nationalist forces to move out of S zone
- Division to not be permanent - national elections to take place in 2 years
14
Q
What was the US’ response to the Geneva Conference?
A
- Refused to sign agreements (along with the regime set up in S zone)
- USA pledged support to regime of Diem (new S Vietnam President)
15
Q
Why did USA support Diem?
A
- Supporting the existence of a pro-American independent non-communist government in Vietnam
- Aiding such a government to eliminate pro-communist subversion and influence
