In your Cold War file folder in your Google Docs account, read pages 353 to 355 of Vietnam War.
1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
Since the Americans were afraid of a communist plan to dominate all of South east Asia, they gave $500 million a year into the French war effort and helped the French to set up a non-communist government in the south of the country. This war lasted from 1946 to 1954. After the war, the country was split into North and South Vietnam until elections could be held. The USA made a rule that prevented the elections from taking place because it feared that Communists would win. They viewed Vietnam as the first domino in a long line of countries that would fall to communism, and the US had to prevent this.
The US supported leaders as long as they were anti-communist, even if the governments were corrupt (which they were). This increased support of communist parties.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
The US politicians viewed it as stopping the spread of communism, and they would do anything it would take to do this.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order.Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
(1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang (military)
(1955) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam (political)
(1954) Formation of South Vietnam (political involvement)
(1960s) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases (military)
(1960) Viet Cong formed (military)
(1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500 (military involvement)
(1962) JFK sends military advisers (military involvement)
(1963) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president
(1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem (financial, political)
(1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident (military involvement)
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
Assassinations of JFK-This was really important because in the middle of this situation that the US is in, the president is assassinated and there is a new one, which changes everything. JFK believed in a more peaceful approach to conflicts, and Johnson didn't think this way at all.
I think when JFK sends military "advisers" to fight the Viet Cong is significant because it increased tension between north and south vietnam and American involvement was really large.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Cuban Missile Crisis
In your Cold War file folder in your Google Docs account, read pages 350 to 351 of Cuban Missile Crisis.
1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
On Wednesday, October 24, the blockade of Soviets into Cuba begins. This would not directly be an action of war, but also doesn't fix the main problem of missiles in Cuba, since they are already there.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, an American U-2 plane is shot down over Cuba. The pilot is killed. The president is advised to launch immediate attack back on Cuba, but Kennedy decides to delay an attack. Also, Kennedy ignores the second letter Krushchev sent to him, and accepts the first. Kennedy says that if the Soviet Union doesn't withdraw than an attack will follow.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes I do think that nuclear was was a possibility in this crisis because the missiles were set up already. If someone had done something that angered the other side even a little too much, it could have turned into nuclear war.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
Kennedy and Krushchev are arm wrestling. They are both sitting on hydrogen bombs, but Kennedy is about to push a button to detonate the Soviet bomb. I think this is a Soviet cartoon because it is implying that Kennedy's actions will spark a nuclear war, the Soviets will fire their bomb and then the Americans will fight back.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA
-Having missiles on Cuba could be used in a bargain with the US. Krushchev could agree to remove the missiles in return for something from the US.
To test the USA
-The Soviets wanted to see what the US would do if they put missiles in Cuba, whether they would confront the situation or not do anything. Krushchev thought Kennedy was young an inexperienced (compared to Eisenhower), and he wanted to test him and see what he was capable of.
To trap the USA
-The Soviets wanted to start a war with the US, but wanted to start it indirectly. The Soviets could use Cuba to do this.
To get the upper hand in the arms race
-The Soviets and the US were racing to have better arms than each other because in a war this would be extremely important. Each side wanted to be prepared and wanted to know, if they were fighting against the other, that they would win. Since Cuba is a lot closer to the US than the USSR is, this made the Soviets more confident.
To defend Cuba
-The soviets wanted to help Cuba because they might not have had enough power if they were in trouble
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I think that the Soviets put missiles on Cuba to get the upper hand in the arms race. This makes most since because if they ever did have a nuclear war, which was a possibility, it would be important that they had more missiles and that they would be close by and ready to be used if necessary.
1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
On Wednesday, October 24, the blockade of Soviets into Cuba begins. This would not directly be an action of war, but also doesn't fix the main problem of missiles in Cuba, since they are already there.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, an American U-2 plane is shot down over Cuba. The pilot is killed. The president is advised to launch immediate attack back on Cuba, but Kennedy decides to delay an attack. Also, Kennedy ignores the second letter Krushchev sent to him, and accepts the first. Kennedy says that if the Soviet Union doesn't withdraw than an attack will follow.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
Yes I do think that nuclear was was a possibility in this crisis because the missiles were set up already. If someone had done something that angered the other side even a little too much, it could have turned into nuclear war.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
Kennedy and Krushchev are arm wrestling. They are both sitting on hydrogen bombs, but Kennedy is about to push a button to detonate the Soviet bomb. I think this is a Soviet cartoon because it is implying that Kennedy's actions will spark a nuclear war, the Soviets will fire their bomb and then the Americans will fight back.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA
-Having missiles on Cuba could be used in a bargain with the US. Krushchev could agree to remove the missiles in return for something from the US.
To test the USA
-The Soviets wanted to see what the US would do if they put missiles in Cuba, whether they would confront the situation or not do anything. Krushchev thought Kennedy was young an inexperienced (compared to Eisenhower), and he wanted to test him and see what he was capable of.
To trap the USA
-The Soviets wanted to start a war with the US, but wanted to start it indirectly. The Soviets could use Cuba to do this.
To get the upper hand in the arms race
-The Soviets and the US were racing to have better arms than each other because in a war this would be extremely important. Each side wanted to be prepared and wanted to know, if they were fighting against the other, that they would win. Since Cuba is a lot closer to the US than the USSR is, this made the Soviets more confident.
To defend Cuba
-The soviets wanted to help Cuba because they might not have had enough power if they were in trouble
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I think that the Soviets put missiles on Cuba to get the upper hand in the arms race. This makes most since because if they ever did have a nuclear war, which was a possibility, it would be important that they had more missiles and that they would be close by and ready to be used if necessary.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba
In your Cold War file folder in your Google Docs account, read pages 347 to 349 of Cuban Missile Crisis.
1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Cuba had been an American ally for a long time. Americans owned most of the businesses on the island and they had a huge naval bade there.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
They didn't want to anger the Soviets so they gave weapons to Cuban exiles so they weren't directly fighting.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The exiles were met by 20,000 Cuban troops armed with tanks and modern weapons. Castro killed or captured all within days. To Cuba and the USSR, the failed invasion suggested that the US was unwilling to get directly involved in Cuba.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Before, the US had the power, and their missiles were directed toward the Soviets. Now, the Soviets have missiles on Cuba with a large range of destruction, giving them power.
1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Cuba had been an American ally for a long time. Americans owned most of the businesses on the island and they had a huge naval bade there.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
They didn't want to anger the Soviets so they gave weapons to Cuban exiles so they weren't directly fighting.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
The exiles were met by 20,000 Cuban troops armed with tanks and modern weapons. Castro killed or captured all within days. To Cuba and the USSR, the failed invasion suggested that the US was unwilling to get directly involved in Cuba.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
Before, the US had the power, and their missiles were directed toward the Soviets. Now, the Soviets have missiles on Cuba with a large range of destruction, giving them power.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The American Dream in the 1950s
Read Chapter 27, section 2. (pages 847-855)
1. Baby Boom
When soldiers returned from WWII, there was a big population explosion called the baby boom, during the 1940s-1960s, and the birthrate soared. This was the largest generation in the nation's history.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk
He developed a vaccine for polio.
3. Interstate Highway System
Since many people were buying cars and commuted to cities for work, the local and state governments constructed roads linking major cities connecting to schools, shopping centers and workplaces to residential suburbs.
4. Franchise
A company that offers similar products or services in many locations.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
In the 1950s, Americans had a lot more leisure time than they had before. There were labor saving devices like washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and lawn mowers. Americans spent their leisure time playing sports, attending sports games or watched television. Also, many Americans read and cooked.
1. Baby Boom
When soldiers returned from WWII, there was a big population explosion called the baby boom, during the 1940s-1960s, and the birthrate soared. This was the largest generation in the nation's history.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk
He developed a vaccine for polio.
3. Interstate Highway System
Since many people were buying cars and commuted to cities for work, the local and state governments constructed roads linking major cities connecting to schools, shopping centers and workplaces to residential suburbs.
4. Franchise
A company that offers similar products or services in many locations.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
In the 1950s, Americans had a lot more leisure time than they had before. There were labor saving devices like washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and lawn mowers. Americans spent their leisure time playing sports, attending sports games or watched television. Also, many Americans read and cooked.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Arms Race
I've shared a new document with you in your Cold War file. It is titled Arms Race. Read this carefully and answer the questions below. (A lot of this material expands upon what you read about in 26-4)
1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
Maybe Dulles was thinking of nuclear weapons as an "alternative to war" because dropping a nuclear bomb wouldn't injure America's people but would help "liberate captive peoples."
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
Yes I would agree that the communist world was encircled because they were surrounded by communist opposers.
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?
Yes I think that Dulles was thinking of nuclear weapons because he said that quote in 1952 and that was the same year that they successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
The Soviet cartoon is commenting on how the U.S. are using the U-2 planes to spy on them. The USSR used people to spy on the U.S. whereas the U.S. used high tech spy planes.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The U.S. spy flights violated Soviet air space. When Soviet missiles shot down a U-2 spier, Eisenhower at first denied that the man was on a spying mission, but eventually had to admit it because of the evidence. But President Eisenhower didn't apologize and didn't promise that the flights would stop. This made the USSR extremely angry towards the U.S.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USA justified the violation of soviet territory because it kept them fully informed about Soviet's advances with their weapons technology. They flew so high up that soviet bombs couldn't hit them (at first).
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
Yes, I think they would have used them because they would have felt like they had the right to do what the U.S. did to them and spy with high tech planes.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
I think they had missiles based in Europe in case they needed to hit Soviet cities very quickly since the missiles coming from the U.S. might have taken a half an hour.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Since both sides have nuclear weapons, neither side wants to attack first in fear of being destroyed themselves.
1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
Maybe Dulles was thinking of nuclear weapons as an "alternative to war" because dropping a nuclear bomb wouldn't injure America's people but would help "liberate captive peoples."
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
Yes I would agree that the communist world was encircled because they were surrounded by communist opposers.
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?
Yes I think that Dulles was thinking of nuclear weapons because he said that quote in 1952 and that was the same year that they successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
The Soviet cartoon is commenting on how the U.S. are using the U-2 planes to spy on them. The USSR used people to spy on the U.S. whereas the U.S. used high tech spy planes.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
The U.S. spy flights violated Soviet air space. When Soviet missiles shot down a U-2 spier, Eisenhower at first denied that the man was on a spying mission, but eventually had to admit it because of the evidence. But President Eisenhower didn't apologize and didn't promise that the flights would stop. This made the USSR extremely angry towards the U.S.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USA justified the violation of soviet territory because it kept them fully informed about Soviet's advances with their weapons technology. They flew so high up that soviet bombs couldn't hit them (at first).
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
Yes, I think they would have used them because they would have felt like they had the right to do what the U.S. did to them and spy with high tech planes.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
I think they had missiles based in Europe in case they needed to hit Soviet cities very quickly since the missiles coming from the U.S. might have taken a half an hour.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Since both sides have nuclear weapons, neither side wants to attack first in fear of being destroyed themselves.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Eisenhower & The Cold War
Read Chapter 26, section 4, Two Nations Live on Edge, (pages 828-833). This section discusses the Hydrogen Bomb, Brinkmanship, the CIA in the Middle East and Latin America, the Warsaw Pact, the Eisenhower Doctrine, the Space Race, and the U-2 Incident.
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
Truman had to think about making a better weapon to counter act the Soviet Union's advancement. The U.S. wanted to stay ahead (with respect to weapons) because they would be more prepared for a nuclear war. In November, 1952, the U.S. exploded the first Hydrogen bomb. However, in August 1953 the Soviet Union exploded their own.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The U.S. feared that the Iranian prime minister would turn to the Soviets for help when their government faltered. In 1953, the CIA gave money to the opposers of the prime minister. The CIA wanted the pro american Shah of Iran to return to power. The Shah did return to power and turned over control of Iranian oil fields to western companies.
The U.S. cared so much about Iran asking the Soviets for help because then they probably would become communist, and the policy of containment was trying to prevent this.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The CIA trained an army that invaded Guatemala. The Guatemalan army refused to defend the president, and he resigned. The army's leader became dictator.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
Egypt tried to get the Soviets and the Americans to compete by improving relations with each on in order to get more aid. The U.S. then withdrew the loan offer. In response to this, the head of Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal. The canal was supposed to be open to all nations, but they didn't let ships pass, so Israel, Great Britain and France sent troops. They seized the canal. The UN stepped in to stop the fighting. They withdrew, but Egypt was allowed to keep control of the canal.
President Eisenhower issued a warning in January 1957 called the Eisenhower Doctrine. This said that the U.S. would defend the Middle East against an attack by any communist country.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The Hungarian people, who were under the control of the Soviets, revolted because they wanted a democratic government. A liberal Hungarian communist leader set up a new government in Hungary and demanded that the Soviets leave. The Soviets fired on protesters, they overthrew the new government and replaced it with pro-Soviet leaders. The U.S. did nothing to help Hungary. The american policy of containment didn't extend to driving the Soviets out of the satellite nations.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, circled around the earth every 96 minutes. Americans were shocked at being beaten and started to collect money for their own space program. The U.S. wanted to catch up. The first attempt was a failure, but the second, on January 31, 1958, the U.S. successfully launched its first satellite.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
At first, President Eisenhower denied that the U-2 had been spying. He eventually had to admit it because the Soviets had evidence. Eisenhower agreed to stop the U-2 flights. This caused more tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
Truman had to think about making a better weapon to counter act the Soviet Union's advancement. The U.S. wanted to stay ahead (with respect to weapons) because they would be more prepared for a nuclear war. In November, 1952, the U.S. exploded the first Hydrogen bomb. However, in August 1953 the Soviet Union exploded their own.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The U.S. feared that the Iranian prime minister would turn to the Soviets for help when their government faltered. In 1953, the CIA gave money to the opposers of the prime minister. The CIA wanted the pro american Shah of Iran to return to power. The Shah did return to power and turned over control of Iranian oil fields to western companies.
The U.S. cared so much about Iran asking the Soviets for help because then they probably would become communist, and the policy of containment was trying to prevent this.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The CIA trained an army that invaded Guatemala. The Guatemalan army refused to defend the president, and he resigned. The army's leader became dictator.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
Egypt tried to get the Soviets and the Americans to compete by improving relations with each on in order to get more aid. The U.S. then withdrew the loan offer. In response to this, the head of Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal. The canal was supposed to be open to all nations, but they didn't let ships pass, so Israel, Great Britain and France sent troops. They seized the canal. The UN stepped in to stop the fighting. They withdrew, but Egypt was allowed to keep control of the canal.
President Eisenhower issued a warning in January 1957 called the Eisenhower Doctrine. This said that the U.S. would defend the Middle East against an attack by any communist country.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
The Hungarian people, who were under the control of the Soviets, revolted because they wanted a democratic government. A liberal Hungarian communist leader set up a new government in Hungary and demanded that the Soviets leave. The Soviets fired on protesters, they overthrew the new government and replaced it with pro-Soviet leaders. The U.S. did nothing to help Hungary. The american policy of containment didn't extend to driving the Soviets out of the satellite nations.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, circled around the earth every 96 minutes. Americans were shocked at being beaten and started to collect money for their own space program. The U.S. wanted to catch up. The first attempt was a failure, but the second, on January 31, 1958, the U.S. successfully launched its first satellite.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
At first, President Eisenhower denied that the U-2 had been spying. He eventually had to admit it because the Soviets had evidence. Eisenhower agreed to stop the U-2 flights. This caused more tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Red Scare (1950s)
Chapter 26, section 3 in the textbook (pages 822-827)
1. HUAC
The House UnAmerican Activites committee investigated communist influence in the movie industry.
2. Blacklist
Hollywood executives made a list of people who had a communist background. These actors' careers were ruined because they could no longer work.
3. Alger Hiss
A former state department official, Alger Hiss, was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. He was arrested for lying about a document that someone claimed to have been on his typewriter.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
Spies connected with a suspicion of communist americans who were thought to have leaked atomic bomb information. The pleaded the fith amendment and claimed they were being persecuted for being jewish and having radical beliefs. They were found guilty and sentenced to death.
5. Joseph McCarthy
He was an Anti-communist activist, republican and senator.
6. McCarthyism
McCarthy accused many people of being communists without evidence. Now, this refers generally to the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty without providing 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 wanted to be reelected as senator. He claimed he had names of communists in the State Department, but actually he didn't. The republicans didn't stop him at first because they thought they would have a better chance of winning the 1952 presidential election if McCarthy was an anti-communist activist. Later, a small group of senators spoke against his actions. In 1954, McCarthy made accusations against the army which led to a nationally televised investigation. This turned the public against him. The senate condemned him and he died three years later.
1. HUAC
The House UnAmerican Activites committee investigated communist influence in the movie industry.
2. Blacklist
Hollywood executives made a list of people who had a communist background. These actors' careers were ruined because they could no longer work.
3. Alger Hiss
A former state department official, Alger Hiss, was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. He was arrested for lying about a document that someone claimed to have been on his typewriter.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg
Spies connected with a suspicion of communist americans who were thought to have leaked atomic bomb information. The pleaded the fith amendment and claimed they were being persecuted for being jewish and having radical beliefs. They were found guilty and sentenced to death.
5. Joseph McCarthy
He was an Anti-communist activist, republican and senator.
6. McCarthyism
McCarthy accused many people of being communists without evidence. Now, this refers generally to the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty without providing 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 wanted to be reelected as senator. He claimed he had names of communists in the State Department, but actually he didn't. The republicans didn't stop him at first because they thought they would have a better chance of winning the 1952 presidential election if McCarthy was an anti-communist activist. Later, a small group of senators spoke against his actions. In 1954, McCarthy made accusations against the army which led to a nationally televised investigation. This turned the public against him. The senate condemned him and he died three years later.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Korean War Lessons
Read Korean War (gdocs) and answer the prompt below. (Also, if you want to read about the Korean War in your Americans textbook, it is 26-2)
Prompt:
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
The goals of the United States in Korea were to drive the communists out of South Korea and restore power to the South Korean government. The United Nations supported and helped the United States with this goal. The US was successful in driving the communists back into North Korea. Then, they had a bigger goal-to drive communism out of Korea entirely, so they advanced to the Chinese border. The Chinese built up an army to help North Korea gain back their land and they pushed the UN forces down past the 38th parallel. At this point, Truman wanted to stop fighting but MacArthur wanted to take on China and North Korea and continue fighting, possibly using nuclear weapons. The UN was against MacArthur's idea, but MacArthur threatened to invade China. Truman took him out of power because he disagreed with MacArthur's aggressive policy towards communism.
In my opinion, MacArthur should not have been allowed to invade China and North Korea because the Chinese military was very strong and the United Nations forces would have faced many more casualties. If he had used nuclear weapons, there would have been a lot more destruction and lives lost.
The United States can look back on these events and learn many things. If at first the UN forces settled with their original goal of getting to the 38th parallel, there would have been fewer casualties. If the UN had stuck to the policy of containment, the conflict would have been shorter with less destruction and casualties.
Prompt:
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
The goals of the United States in Korea were to drive the communists out of South Korea and restore power to the South Korean government. The United Nations supported and helped the United States with this goal. The US was successful in driving the communists back into North Korea. Then, they had a bigger goal-to drive communism out of Korea entirely, so they advanced to the Chinese border. The Chinese built up an army to help North Korea gain back their land and they pushed the UN forces down past the 38th parallel. At this point, Truman wanted to stop fighting but MacArthur wanted to take on China and North Korea and continue fighting, possibly using nuclear weapons. The UN was against MacArthur's idea, but MacArthur threatened to invade China. Truman took him out of power because he disagreed with MacArthur's aggressive policy towards communism.
In my opinion, MacArthur should not have been allowed to invade China and North Korea because the Chinese military was very strong and the United Nations forces would have faced many more casualties. If he had used nuclear weapons, there would have been a lot more destruction and lives lost.
The United States can look back on these events and learn many things. If at first the UN forces settled with their original goal of getting to the 38th parallel, there would have been fewer casualties. If the UN had stuck to the policy of containment, the conflict would have been shorter with less destruction and casualties.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)