Cold War Tensions RiseCold War Tensions Rise

Living on the Edge 1949-1960Living on the Edge 1949-1960

Race for the H-BombRace for the H-Bomb

Russia launches A-bomb Russia launches A-bomb (1949)(1949)

US must up it one better US must up it one better H- Bomb (Thermonuclear) H- Bomb (Thermonuclear)

(1950)(1950)10.4 Million tons of TNT (A-bomb = 10.4 Million tons of TNT (A-bomb =

15,000 tons)15,000 tons)Differences (Fusion versus Fission)Differences (Fusion versus Fission)

Soviet Union explode Soviet Union explode thermonuclear device in 1953thermonuclear device in 1953

BrinkmanshipBrinkmanship Dwight D. Eisenhower Dwight D. Eisenhower

President 1953-1961President 1953-1961 Secretary of State John Foster DullesSecretary of State John Foster Dulles

Compromise with Communists immoralCompromise with Communists immoral Keep peace and contain Communism by going to the “Brink of Keep peace and contain Communism by going to the “Brink of

War”War” Greater Dependence on Nuclear Weapons and BombersGreater Dependence on Nuclear Weapons and Bombers

Soviets answer with more of the sameSoviets answer with more of the same Arms Race with SovietsArms Race with Soviets

CIACIA

Central Intelligence Agency Created Central Intelligence Agency Created Covert activity to match KGB of Soviet Covert activity to match KGB of Soviet

UnionUnionSpies sent to gather information on Spies sent to gather information on

Soviet operationsSoviet operationsSecret Operations to overthrow Secret Operations to overthrow

governments unfriendly to U.S.governments unfriendly to U.S.

Iran – 1951-1953Iran – 1951-1953 Prime Minister Mohammed Prime Minister Mohammed

Mossadegh Mossadegh Opposed to British ImperialismOpposed to British Imperialism Nationalized Oil IndustryNationalized Oil Industry US fears of oil shortages to Post War Europe and JapanUS fears of oil shortages to Post War Europe and Japan

CIA covertly ousted Mohammed Mossadegh CIA covertly ousted Mohammed Mossadegh Fear Mossadegh was working with Coimmunist Tudeh Fear Mossadegh was working with Coimmunist Tudeh

PartyParty Replace with Shah Reza PahlaviReplace with Shah Reza Pahlavi US Companies take over oil indusrtyUS Companies take over oil indusrty Iranian people suffer under repression of Shah and US Iranian people suffer under repression of Shah and US

economic policieseconomic policies Iranian Revolution 1979 – Ayatollah Khomeni Iranian Revolution 1979 – Ayatollah Khomeni

comes to power (Nationalist, Anti Western Cleric)comes to power (Nationalist, Anti Western Cleric) US seeks new Ally in Saddam Hussein in IraqUS seeks new Ally in Saddam Hussein in Iraq

Guatemala - 1954Guatemala - 1954 Jacobo Arbenz Guzman elected presidentJacobo Arbenz Guzman elected president

Nationalizes land owned by American Fruit Nationalizes land owned by American Fruit CompaniesCompanies

Gives land to Guatemalan PeasantsGives land to Guatemalan Peasants Suspected of being a CommunistSuspected of being a Communist

Really just want land back (Allen Dulles CIA chief and Really just want land back (Allen Dulles CIA chief and Stock holder United Fruit Company)Stock holder United Fruit Company)

CIA Trained Army in Honduras against ArbenzCIA Trained Army in Honduras against ArbenzDictator Carlos Castillo Armas take over countryDictator Carlos Castillo Armas take over countryReturns land to US Fruit CompanyReturns land to US Fruit CompanyEventually Armas and CIA form Death SquadsEventually Armas and CIA form Death Squads

100,000 die100,000 die Peasants turn to drug trade because left on poor Peasants turn to drug trade because left on poor

soilsoil CIA uses drug money to help support dictatorsCIA uses drug money to help support dictators

KhrushchevKhrushchevNikita Khrushchev becomes new Nikita Khrushchev becomes new

Soviet PremierSoviet PremierDenounces Stalin’s actionsDenounces Stalin’s actionsEastern European Nations see as Eastern European Nations see as

softening of Soviet Resolvesoftening of Soviet ResolveKhrushchev’s position still unstableKhrushchev’s position still unstable

Must put down any potential threats to Soviet Must put down any potential threats to Soviet SphereSphere

Must not appear weak against the WestMust not appear weak against the WestEventually becomes more aggressive than Eventually becomes more aggressive than

Stalin Stalin

Summit in Geneva - July 1955Summit in Geneva - July 1955 Stalin Dies in 1953 – Tensions easeStalin Dies in 1953 – Tensions ease Summit Between Soviets and EisenhowerSummit Between Soviets and Eisenhower

First meeting since WWIIFirst meeting since WWII ““Spirit of Geneva”Spirit of Geneva”

Soviets recognize West Germany, Austria and JapanSoviets recognize West Germany, Austria and JapanEisenhower calls for “Open Skies”Eisenhower calls for “Open Skies”

Prevent surprise attacks by Nuclear WeaponsPrevent surprise attacks by Nuclear Weapons

NATO rearms Germany – Destroys peace NATO rearms Germany – Destroys peace Soviets form Warsaw Pact in reactionSoviets form Warsaw Pact in reaction Reject “Open Skies”Reject “Open Skies” Nothing AccomplishedNothing Accomplished

IsraelIsraelPalestine partitioned in 1948Palestine partitioned in 1948

United Nations ResolutionUnited Nations ResolutionHolocaust Survivors, RefugeesHolocaust Survivors, Refugees

US, Soviets approveUS, Soviets approveNo one asks PalestiniansNo one asks Palestinians

US sees Israel as ally in Middle EastUS sees Israel as ally in Middle EastBulwark against CommunismBulwark against CommunismUS Military Aid used to expand territory US Military Aid used to expand territory

and fight against Arab neighbors (Egypt)and fight against Arab neighbors (Egypt)$3.1 Billion annually including Nuclear $3.1 Billion annually including Nuclear

ArsenalArsenal

Egypt and Aswan Dam Egypt and Aswan Dam Gamal Abdel Nasser Gamal Abdel Nasser

Nationalized Suez Canal (British and French)Nationalized Suez Canal (British and French) Closed to traffic – Tolls to build DamClosed to traffic – Tolls to build Dam

Israel, France, Britain threaten warIsrael, France, Britain threaten war Invade Egypt (UN and US denounce)Invade Egypt (UN and US denounce) Nasser asks US for aid -Denied Nasser asks US for aid -Denied Turn to SovietsTurn to Soviets

Soviets Threaten to use missiles vs UK troopsSoviets Threaten to use missiles vs UK troops US countersUS counters

UN resolution UN resolution Egypt reopens canal 1957Egypt reopens canal 1957

US and Soviets both secretly give Nasser aid US and Soviets both secretly give Nasser aid Nasser become hero – Pan Arabism (Anti-Israel, Anti Nasser become hero – Pan Arabism (Anti-Israel, Anti

West)West) Unites oppostionUnites oppostion

Hungarian Revolt - Oct. 1956Hungarian Revolt - Oct. 1956 Khrushchev seen as less menacing than Khrushchev seen as less menacing than

StalinStalin Eastern European countries demand more Eastern European countries demand more

independence from Soviet controlindependence from Soviet control Demand free elections, libertiesDemand free elections, liberties Imre Nagy Reformer elected Imre Nagy Reformer elected Soviet Army leaves Hungary Soviet Army leaves Hungary

Hungarian Revolt Hungarian Revolt Hungarians threaten to leave Warsaw PactHungarians threaten to leave Warsaw Pact Soviets roll in tanks (30,000 killed)Soviets roll in tanks (30,000 killed) US sends aid onlyUS sends aid only Eisenhower now seen as all bark no bite (Failure of Eisenhower now seen as all bark no bite (Failure of

Brinkmanship – all or nothing Egypt, Hungary)Brinkmanship – all or nothing Egypt, Hungary)

Eisenhower DoctrineEisenhower Doctrine Soviet prestige raised among Arab world Soviet prestige raised among Arab world

due to aid to Nasserdue to aid to Nasser Middle East becomes Cold War TheaterMiddle East becomes Cold War Theater

US vs USSR (Israel, Iran vs Syria, Egypt, Palestine)US vs USSR (Israel, Iran vs Syria, Egypt, Palestine)

Both sides dump Billions of $ in Military Both sides dump Billions of $ in Military Aid into regionAid into region Competition in Third World (Hearts and Minds)Competition in Third World (Hearts and Minds) Eisenhower vows to defend Middle East against Eisenhower vows to defend Middle East against

Communist Threat (Containment)Communist Threat (Containment) Leads to support of dictators (Shah) and ends Leads to support of dictators (Shah) and ends

peace in region (New Era of Imperialism)peace in region (New Era of Imperialism)

Science and TechnologyScience and Technology Cold War strategies turn to new innovations to Cold War strategies turn to new innovations to

win the warwin the war Cheaper than conventional Cheaper than conventional

militariesmilitaries Eisenhower – Republican Eisenhower – Republican

(Reduce Taxes)(Reduce Taxes)

Scientific Development Budgets soar on both sidesScientific Development Budgets soar on both sides Military Industrial Complex – US (52% vs. 26% WWII)Military Industrial Complex – US (52% vs. 26% WWII) Destroys Soviet EconomyDestroys Soviet Economy

Bomber, Missile Gaps and the Space RaceBomber, Missile Gaps and the Space Race Competition to build the best means to destroy the Competition to build the best means to destroy the

other sideother side B-52s, Multiple Warheads, ICBMs, Titan SubsB-52s, Multiple Warheads, ICBMs, Titan Subs

Sputnik – Oct 1957Sputnik – Oct 1957 Soviets launch first man-made satellite into Soviets launch first man-made satellite into

spacespace Fear US was falling behind Soviets Fear US was falling behind Soviets Technology GapTechnology Gap

US schools beef up science and math US schools beef up science and math

programsprograms Soviets could now launch warheads at US targets Soviets could now launch warheads at US targets

No one safe – Anxiety about Nuclear HolocuastNo one safe – Anxiety about Nuclear Holocuast Duck and CoverDuck and Cover Bomb SheltersBomb Shelters

US attempts initially fail (embarrassment)US attempts initially fail (embarrassment) NASA created to build successful rocket ($billions)NASA created to build successful rocket ($billions) Finally launch in Jan 1958Finally launch in Jan 1958

U-2 Spy Flights – 1955 - 1960U-2 Spy Flights – 1955 - 1960CIA begins high altitude flight CIA begins high altitude flight

missions over Soviet Unionmissions over Soviet UnionAerial photography of Soviet Missile sitesAerial photography of Soviet Missile sites““Open Skies” rejected at GenevaOpen Skies” rejected at GenevaFlights in stratosphere – Beyond reach of Flights in stratosphere – Beyond reach of

Radar, Soviet planes and anti-aircraftRadar, Soviet planes and anti-aircraftViolation of the “Spirit of Geneva”Violation of the “Spirit of Geneva”

US violated UN resolution against illegal US violated UN resolution against illegal flights over national air spaceflights over national air space

Done covertlyDone covertly

Francis “Gary” Powers – May Francis “Gary” Powers – May 19601960

Powers enters Soviet Air SpacePowers enters Soviet Air Space Shot down by Soviet pilot Shot down by Soviet pilot

Soviet technology more advanced than US suspectedSoviet technology more advanced than US suspectedUS lies about missionUS lies about mission

Weather experimentsWeather experiments Pilot lost in stormPilot lost in storm

Khrushchev claims Soviet Missile brings down Khrushchev claims Soviet Missile brings down pilot pilot

Exaggerates capabilities of Soviet Missile DefensesExaggerates capabilities of Soviet Missile Defenses

Powers capturedPowers captured Failed to take cyanideFailed to take cyanide Interrogated by KGB Interrogated by KGB

Reveals secrets about missionReveals secrets about missionEventually traded for Soviet Spy held by USEventually traded for Soviet Spy held by US

Khrushchev Denounces Khrushchev Denounces EisenhowerEisenhower Eisenhower forced to admit authorization of Eisenhower forced to admit authorization of

U-2 MissionU-2 Mission Seen as an aggressor to Soviet UnionSeen as an aggressor to Soviet Union UN denounces US actionsUN denounces US actions

Leads to US negative attitude toward UNLeads to US negative attitude toward UN

Khrushchev also seen as weakKhrushchev also seen as weak Revealed that missions had been going on since Revealed that missions had been going on since

19551955 Hard liners in Communist Party call him weakHard liners in Communist Party call him weak Forces more aggressive stance on part of SovietsForces more aggressive stance on part of Soviets

Cold War Heats UpCold War Heats Up 1960s open with even more aggressive actions by 1960s open with even more aggressive actions by

both sides in Cold Warboth sides in Cold War