1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
Some ways Dulles may have in mind that would liberate 'captive peoples' short of war could be diplomacy, espionage, or overthrowing governments, like in Central and South America.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
I do not agree that the Communist world was encircled, especialy in Asia. I think this because Aisia was predominantly Communist, and only a smal section of it in the far South East belonged to SEATO, which did not pose a threat to the USSR, or China. In the West however, the Communist world was sorounded. Most of Europe blonged to NATO, and most of the Middle East belonged to CENTO. However, the Soviets controlled an equal amount of Eastern Europe through the Warsaw Pact, as was in NATO in the West. So, it is not fair to say that the Communist world was encircled based on the Massive amount of land they controlled, and the fact that their enemies were only in a small perimiter in only small sections of their border.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
I do not think that the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind. This is because to use them would most certainly be an act of war, and he specificaly said there were ways to do it without war. On the other hand, he could have meant that there would be no need fo rconventional war if the bombs destroyed the Soviet Union first. However, it is unlikely that Dulles could have known the path that the race for the best bomb was going to take when he made that statment in 1952. Thus, if Dulles ever intended for the further development of nuclear weapons to be a way to liberate nations peacfully, it likly happend after he made this statment.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
Source 16 is saying that the U.S is using the U2 as a way to spy on the Soviets, something that the cartoonist obviously saw as wrong judging from the evil looking expression on the face of the American.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The USSR was so angry about the US spy flights because it was an invasion of Soviet airspace, President Eisenhower refused to apologise or stop the flights when he was asked to by the Soviets. These things caused the Soviets to feel both threatened and insulted by the United States.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USA justified this violation of Soviet territory by
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
The USSR would definatly have used U-2 planes if they had had them. They would have used them because they were already using people to spy on the U.S and the jump to planes is not a great one, and would lower the cost of human life on the Soviet Side.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
The US had missle sites in Europe so that they couldd more easily and quikly defend the European allies as well as respond to Soviet threats more quikly.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Neuclear Deterennt is the idea that if a country has neucleear wepon, another will not attack with nuclear weopns for fear of retaliation.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Eisenhower & The Cold War
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The U.S reacted to the Soviet Unions explosion of their first atomic bomb by beginning and winning the race for the Hydrogen bomb. The U.S also implemented programs to help people survive nuclear fallout. It also entered the policy of brinkmanship. The U.S did the first and last listed in order to deter the Soviets from attacking. The programs were implemented because they were supposed to help people survive if the deterrents weren't enough.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The U.S used the CIA and money lending to the old government counter the new regime. It did this because it feared that without the money from the oil, the new government would ask the Soviet Union for aid.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The U.S reacted to this by having the CIA train an army and have it invade Guatemala. It did this because it believed the Guatemalan government had Communist sympathies.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The U.S did not really react to this, however the U.N did act to stop the fighting. The U.S however did initiate this conflict because it did not give a loan to Egypt, which caused it to nationalize the Suez Canal.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The United States did nothing about this, despite the Truman doctrine.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The U.S responded to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik by rushing to develop its own satellite, and did so at the end of January 1958.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The U.S responded to this by saying that they would stop the flight, something that they planed to do any way. However they refused to apologize, and the arms race talks with the Soviet Union were canceled.
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The U.S reacted to the Soviet Unions explosion of their first atomic bomb by beginning and winning the race for the Hydrogen bomb. The U.S also implemented programs to help people survive nuclear fallout. It also entered the policy of brinkmanship. The U.S did the first and last listed in order to deter the Soviets from attacking. The programs were implemented because they were supposed to help people survive if the deterrents weren't enough.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The U.S used the CIA and money lending to the old government counter the new regime. It did this because it feared that without the money from the oil, the new government would ask the Soviet Union for aid.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The U.S reacted to this by having the CIA train an army and have it invade Guatemala. It did this because it believed the Guatemalan government had Communist sympathies.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The U.S did not really react to this, however the U.N did act to stop the fighting. The U.S however did initiate this conflict because it did not give a loan to Egypt, which caused it to nationalize the Suez Canal.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The United States did nothing about this, despite the Truman doctrine.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The U.S responded to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik by rushing to develop its own satellite, and did so at the end of January 1958.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The U.S responded to this by saying that they would stop the flight, something that they planed to do any way. However they refused to apologize, and the arms race talks with the Soviet Union were canceled.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Red Scare (1950s)
For each term or name, write a concise sentence or two explaining its significance.
1. HUAC
HUAC was an orginazation that investigated people that were suspected of being Communists. It is most famous for its investigation of the movie industry and the Hollywood 10.
2. Blacklist
Blacklist was a list of people who were considered by the government to have a Communist background.
3. Alger Hiss
A man who was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. Too many years had passed for prossecuters to prove his guilt for espionage but he was convicted of purgery. Richard Nixon uesd this case to gain popularity.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
The Rosenbergs were people who were minor activists in the Communist Party in the U.S and were sentenced to death for leaking information to the Soviets on the Atomic Bomb.
5. Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy was an American Senator who accused many people of being Communists as well as starting many witch hunts against supposed communists. He thought that Communists were taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism
McCarthyism was the accusation of people of being communism with no evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
McCarthy's actions were prompted by his desire to retain his seet in the Senate, and saw the nations fear of communism as a way to gain support. He also saw communism as dangeorus to the world and the U.S. Thus, he started accusing people of being communists whithout any evidence, and started McCarthyism. He also insulted and accused many of these people in the Senate floor, so he could not be accused of slander, but still put forth baseless accusations. His actions caused many people to have to take loyalty oaths and undergo investigations. It also caused many people to not want to speak out for fear of this, as well as causing anti-Communism to be the main focus of foreighn policy.
1. HUAC
HUAC was an orginazation that investigated people that were suspected of being Communists. It is most famous for its investigation of the movie industry and the Hollywood 10.
2. Blacklist
Blacklist was a list of people who were considered by the government to have a Communist background.
3. Alger Hiss
A man who was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. Too many years had passed for prossecuters to prove his guilt for espionage but he was convicted of purgery. Richard Nixon uesd this case to gain popularity.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
The Rosenbergs were people who were minor activists in the Communist Party in the U.S and were sentenced to death for leaking information to the Soviets on the Atomic Bomb.
5. Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy was an American Senator who accused many people of being Communists as well as starting many witch hunts against supposed communists. He thought that Communists were taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism
McCarthyism was the accusation of people of being communism with no evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
McCarthy's actions were prompted by his desire to retain his seet in the Senate, and saw the nations fear of communism as a way to gain support. He also saw communism as dangeorus to the world and the U.S. Thus, he started accusing people of being communists whithout any evidence, and started McCarthyism. He also insulted and accused many of these people in the Senate floor, so he could not be accused of slander, but still put forth baseless accusations. His actions caused many people to have to take loyalty oaths and undergo investigations. It also caused many people to not want to speak out for fear of this, as well as causing anti-Communism to be the main focus of foreighn policy.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Korean War Lessons
It is 1952. A new president, Eisenhower, has been elected in the US. Your task is to write a report for him on what lessons the United States can learn from the war. Your report should advise the President on:
the US aims in Korea
how the support of the UN helped
how far the US achieved its aims
whether MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea
why MacArthur was removed
the military and civilian cost of war
Finally, make up your own mind as to whether, on balance, the policy of containment succeeded and then write up your ideas as a balanced report.
The United States partially succeeded on its policy of containment. In the years after WWII, many countries fell to Communism, the most important being China. China's fall to Communism was a great blow to the U.S and its policy of containment; it had always thought that China was one of its major supporters in Asia. The spread of Communism was contained in North Korea however. It was able to push North Korea out of South Korea, which were its goals as stated in the UN. However, MacArther did not follow the strategy, and continued into North Korea against warnings from the UN, and U.S officials. He caused China to enter the war, and caused many civilian and military casualties that were not necessary, as well as loosing all of North Korea again to the Communists anyway. The decision to remove him was a good one, but could have been better if he had been removed after he secured South Korea, and not have been allowed to invade North Korea. This caused casualties that were much larger than one would expect for the actual size of the war; 1.4 million. Granted, the majority of these were Communist casualties (both civilian and military), but the fact remains that the conflict should not have been allowed to reach this level, but was necessary up to the point of attacking North Korea. The lesson to be learned from this is not to trust that enemy militaries are lesser than our own, because the Soviet Union will help them gain modern militaries very quickly. Just as important as the U.S meeting its goal to push North Korea out of South Korea, the U.S also was able to gain support from the UN, and have an American lead the UN forces against North Korea. The U.S was able to do this because it supported the attacked nation, not the attacker. This also proved that the U.S had the support of other Nations in its fight against Communism, which was very important. However, even though the UN forces did help the Americans, the Americans still bore the brunt of the burden in fighting North Korea.
the US aims in Korea
how the support of the UN helped
how far the US achieved its aims
whether MacArthur should have been allowed to invade North Korea
why MacArthur was removed
the military and civilian cost of war
Finally, make up your own mind as to whether, on balance, the policy of containment succeeded and then write up your ideas as a balanced report.
The United States partially succeeded on its policy of containment. In the years after WWII, many countries fell to Communism, the most important being China. China's fall to Communism was a great blow to the U.S and its policy of containment; it had always thought that China was one of its major supporters in Asia. The spread of Communism was contained in North Korea however. It was able to push North Korea out of South Korea, which were its goals as stated in the UN. However, MacArther did not follow the strategy, and continued into North Korea against warnings from the UN, and U.S officials. He caused China to enter the war, and caused many civilian and military casualties that were not necessary, as well as loosing all of North Korea again to the Communists anyway. The decision to remove him was a good one, but could have been better if he had been removed after he secured South Korea, and not have been allowed to invade North Korea. This caused casualties that were much larger than one would expect for the actual size of the war; 1.4 million. Granted, the majority of these were Communist casualties (both civilian and military), but the fact remains that the conflict should not have been allowed to reach this level, but was necessary up to the point of attacking North Korea. The lesson to be learned from this is not to trust that enemy militaries are lesser than our own, because the Soviet Union will help them gain modern militaries very quickly. Just as important as the U.S meeting its goal to push North Korea out of South Korea, the U.S also was able to gain support from the UN, and have an American lead the UN forces against North Korea. The U.S was able to do this because it supported the attacked nation, not the attacker. This also proved that the U.S had the support of other Nations in its fight against Communism, which was very important. However, even though the UN forces did help the Americans, the Americans still bore the brunt of the burden in fighting North Korea.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
War in the Pacific
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
At the Battle of Midway the American's turned back the Japanese assault there, destroying over 200 Japanese planes, 4 aircraft carriers, and a cursor. Moreover, it marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific because afterwards the Allies, mostly Americans with some Australians, began a campaign of island hoping towards Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The United States adopted the strategy or island hopping. They would advance island by island, slowly pushing the Japanese back towards mainland Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
Th Japanese fought so hard on Iwo Jima because it was the only thing that prevented the U.S from attacking the island of Okanawa, the last obstacle before mainland Japan. Also, there were the most defenders on the island than almost anywhere else on Earth, making it very difficult fighting for the Americans.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The Allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because the if fighting for that island was so intense, and the enemy would rather die than surrender there, the fighting for their homeland would be even fiercer.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the project to build the Atomic Bomb, and was done in order to avoid an invasion of Japan.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs on Japan so that millions of Americans would not need to die assaulting Japan.
At the Battle of Midway the American's turned back the Japanese assault there, destroying over 200 Japanese planes, 4 aircraft carriers, and a cursor. Moreover, it marked a turning point in the war in the Pacific because afterwards the Allies, mostly Americans with some Australians, began a campaign of island hoping towards Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The United States adopted the strategy or island hopping. They would advance island by island, slowly pushing the Japanese back towards mainland Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
Th Japanese fought so hard on Iwo Jima because it was the only thing that prevented the U.S from attacking the island of Okanawa, the last obstacle before mainland Japan. Also, there were the most defenders on the island than almost anywhere else on Earth, making it very difficult fighting for the Americans.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The Allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because the if fighting for that island was so intense, and the enemy would rather die than surrender there, the fighting for their homeland would be even fiercer.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the project to build the Atomic Bomb, and was done in order to avoid an invasion of Japan.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs on Japan so that millions of Americans would not need to die assaulting Japan.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
War for Europe and North Africa - Part II
6. What was D-Day?
D-Day was an invasion by the Allies accross the English Channel. They specificaly attacked three beaches at Normandy with aroung 3 million troops.There were also paratroopers that attacked the night before as well as a large navel bombardment. This wa the largest land-sea-air operation in recorded history.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
At the Battle of the Bulge Hitler tried one last offensive to try and defeat the Allies. His attack formed a bulge into the Allied lines, trying to split the Americans from the British. It lasted for a month and eventualy the Germans were defeted and pushed back. They would never have the resources or men to mount an attack again.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
The Allied troops found the Death Camps in Germany, where thousands of people were kille din each.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler commited suicide after giving one last speach in which he blamed every one else for the war and its failure. F.D.R died shortly into his fourth term as president from a stroke before V-E Day. Harry S. Truman became the next President.
D-Day was an invasion by the Allies accross the English Channel. They specificaly attacked three beaches at Normandy with aroung 3 million troops.There were also paratroopers that attacked the night before as well as a large navel bombardment. This wa the largest land-sea-air operation in recorded history.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
At the Battle of the Bulge Hitler tried one last offensive to try and defeat the Allies. His attack formed a bulge into the Allied lines, trying to split the Americans from the British. It lasted for a month and eventualy the Germans were defeted and pushed back. They would never have the resources or men to mount an attack again.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
The Allied troops found the Death Camps in Germany, where thousands of people were kille din each.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler commited suicide after giving one last speach in which he blamed every one else for the war and its failure. F.D.R died shortly into his fourth term as president from a stroke before V-E Day. Harry S. Truman became the next President.
Monday, March 8, 2010
War for Europe & North Africa
1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that the U.S would focus on Hitler before the Pacific because Churchill felt it was more important.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was so crucial to the Allies because it allowed ships carrying troops and supplies to safely cross the Atlantic. Also they could focus their navel resources elsewhere.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The battle of Stalingrad was so important because it marked a turning point in the Eastern Front. During the battle Hitler lost an entire army and because of this any hopes of ever conquering the USSR. Furthermore it opened another front Germany had to defend on against many angry Soviets rather than an easy attack.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
In the war in North Africa the Allied armies, predominantly American, went to help the British already their defend against Rommel as well as continue the attack from another side (the west). This allowed the Allies to open another front in order to try to divert some pressure from the Soviet Union, as well as provide a staging ground from which they would be able to attack Sicily, then Italy, and finally Germany from the South if they were able. They weren't but it did also prevent Hitler from focusing all of his troops on the Western Front to defend against D-day once D-day occurred.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy the Italian people and their king overthrew Mussolini and thought that they had been removed from the war. Unfortunately, the Germans remained in Italy trying to fight off the Allies until close to the end of the war and some very tough and bloody battles were fought there.
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed that the U.S would focus on Hitler before the Pacific because Churchill felt it was more important.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was so crucial to the Allies because it allowed ships carrying troops and supplies to safely cross the Atlantic. Also they could focus their navel resources elsewhere.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The battle of Stalingrad was so important because it marked a turning point in the Eastern Front. During the battle Hitler lost an entire army and because of this any hopes of ever conquering the USSR. Furthermore it opened another front Germany had to defend on against many angry Soviets rather than an easy attack.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
In the war in North Africa the Allied armies, predominantly American, went to help the British already their defend against Rommel as well as continue the attack from another side (the west). This allowed the Allies to open another front in order to try to divert some pressure from the Soviet Union, as well as provide a staging ground from which they would be able to attack Sicily, then Italy, and finally Germany from the South if they were able. They weren't but it did also prevent Hitler from focusing all of his troops on the Western Front to defend against D-day once D-day occurred.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy the Italian people and their king overthrew Mussolini and thought that they had been removed from the war. Unfortunately, the Germans remained in Italy trying to fight off the Allies until close to the end of the war and some very tough and bloody battles were fought there.
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