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Red Scare
The fear that communists both in and outside of the US were working to eradicate American life
-McGrath warned that communists "are everywhere"
--Truman signed orders and permitted the FBI and government agencies to screen employees for political disloyalty
HUAC was created to hunt communism and investigators probed education, science, American life
McCarthyism was created->led to accusations of people without evidence -McCarthy fell from power
Inoccent Americnas were accused, alienated, fired -
Marshall Plan
U.S. program providing aid to Europe (Western) after the devastation post WW2
---Provided more than $15 billion to help finance rebuilding
-Created as a 4 year plan to reconstruct cities, industries, and other buildings that were left in shambles. Helped stop the spread of communism in Europe
---If countries were left in distraught and destruction, they will be more vulnerable and succumb to communism-->will lead to more countries falling into communism
Plan led to growth of GDP in countries -
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
Blockade happened because Soviets were trying to decrease the ability of the Allies to travel to Berlin.
--Soviets also managed to cut off imperative supplies to innocent civilians, including food, water, and more. The airlift consisted of the allies flying in and handing out basic supplies to civilians living in Western Berlin. Ultimately led to victory for the allies-->We didn't succumb to failure
--Shows the determination and perseverance the United States has
---The Soviets are intimidated -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Organization created by the United States, Canada, and parts of Western Europe
-->Used to provide collective security against the Soviets
Purpose was to secure peace in Europe
-->To secure and guard freedom in Europe
-Ensures that security in Europe is linked to North America US believed that a strong, governing Europe is imperative to resisting communism
--Aided Europe, which was in a dire situation
Allowed
-Led to the Marshall plan
---Europe did not fall into communism -
Korean War
WW2 divided Korea into Communism
--Northern half and American-occupied Southern half
War happened when North Korea invaded non-communism Southern Korea
The US came to aid South Korea to clarify they won't go "soft" on communism
Ended in 1953 Proved the strength and determination of the US
--US has no mercy on communism and will do whatever it takes to stop the spread of it
Ultimately Korea remained divided as it did before the war
---Essentially, nothing changed -
Geneva Peace Accords
Representatives from world's powers meet in Geneva to resolve problems in Asia
-Geneva agreements were signed in 1954
----France agreed to withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam
-During a 2 year period, no foreign troops could enter Vietnam while they choose a president to reunite the country
-US didn't sign papers->Could lead to full communism -Marked a turning point in the US involvement in Vietnam
--Essentially, led to the US aiding southern Vietnam which concluded to the Vietnam War -
Dien Bien Phu
Battle
French forces set foot on Dien Bien Phu and were coerced by Viet Minh commander Giap to stop fighting, with the signing of Geneva Accords
Viet Minh forces attacked Lai Chau which was loyal to the French
-Dien Bien Phu was transformed into a defense perimeter
-Giap massed troops and heavy artillery, and airfields were cut off for the French
---Denied defense mechanisms French surrendered
--Success for Viet Minh forces
The Geneva Accords came into play
--Helped stop problems -
Berlin Wall
Communist government of East Berlin, Germany, built a barbed wire and concrete wall to separate West and East Berlin
--Purpose was to keep Western "fascists" from entering communist East Berlin
Stood until 1989->Head of East German Communist Party announced citizens could cross the border as they pleased
--Crowds swarmed the wall, destroyed the wall Powerful and enduring symbol of the Cold War
--Berlin was united again->powerful message for the war
"Is the war really over?"-Berliner wrote -
Bay of Pigs
Failed attack launched by the CIA
-->Push Cuban leader Castro from power
A Cuban nationalist drove his guerilla army into Havana and overthrew a general who was an American-back president
-Kennedy beleived Castro posed no real threat, but the removal of the Cuban leader would show Russia that he was determined about winning the cold war The invasion, of 1,400 American-trained Cubans, did not succeed and were beaten by Castro's troops
President Kennedy did not want to "abandon Cuba to communism" -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Attack on Cuba
-Soviets wanted to install nuclear-armed missiles into Cuba, just 90 miles way from the US-->Would allow attacks on Eastern US
--John F. Kennedy told Americans about this dangerous plan, and decided that he would enact a naval blockade around Cuba and that the US will have to coerce with military force if needed, in order to neutralize the plan
Deal->No one invades Cuba ->Inspired Soviets to create better missiles
would reach US from Soviet land
Signed treaties for nuclear power -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
To take all authorized measures to retaliate the attacks by the forces of the US and stop further aggression, from the communist government of North Vietnam
-Proposed by president Johnson
2 US naval ship were destroyed allegedly->Johnson's motivation
Plans to increase US military involvement
-In Vietnam Launched US involvement into the Vietnam War
->Dangerous and very controversial war
Anti-war protests were prevalent after the launch operations -
Tet Offensive
Planned and strategic series of North Vietnamese attacks on cities and outposts resting in South Vietnam
Ran by commander General Vo Nguyen Giap
Purpose was to stir up rebellion in the South and deter US from wanting to stay involved
North Vietnam ended up being successful strategically Turning point for the Vietnam War
-->American withdrawal from the war
Heavy casualty toll
Failed to inspire rebellion in South Vietnam
Johnson proposed peaceful negotiations that didn't happen until years later -
My Lai Massacre
Massacre against unarmed, innocent civilians during the Vietnam War
-American soldiers partook in brutally killing most citizens
--Women, children, old men
Village if My La
More than 500 people were slaughtered
-Including young girls and women who were violated and mutilated before
-Army officers tried to keep this a secret Fueled anti-war in US and divided the country drastically
Increased bitterness in war regarding US participation in Vietnam
Soldiers in Vietnam-drug use, morale depletion -
Kent State University Shooting
Members of Ohio National Guard fired on a group of student
-Killing 4
--Injuring 9
These students were protesting the Vietnam War
-Schools closed across the country, temporarily Ohio members were fearful and felt they needed to shoot
Shooting remains symbolic for the division of opinions on thoughts about war -
Pentagon Papers
Top-secret Department of Defense
-Study for the US political and military involvement in the War
-With more than 500,00 troops in Vietnam, analyst Daniel Ellsberg opposed the war and felt that the papers should be revealed to the public
He took a copy and allowed the New York Times to publish the secrets Ellsberg was charged with conspiracy, espionage, and stealing property that belonged to the government
-Trial was called off because a White House team stole Ellsberg's things to discredit him -
War Powers Act
Congressional Resolution
-Created to LIMIT the U.S. president's authority to initiate or provoke military actions in the future
-Law requires that the president must notify Congress after deploying armed forces
-Law also limits how long units remain engaged without the approval of Congress
-Goal was to avoid a tedious conflict like the Vietnam War Several presidents have been accused of not following the demands of this Act
-Effectiveness has been questioned
-Some think this limits too much -
Paris Peace Accords
Signed by the US, South Vietnam, Viet Cong, and North Vietnam, In Paris
-To finally Agree to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam
-US agreed to withdraw all troops and advisors
-In return, North Vietnam released all prisoners of war
-Prohibition of bases through Laos and Cambodia Ended the war
Soldiers could go home to their families
Demilitarized zone stays at 17th parallel, hopefully to reunite the country
South Vietnamese would continue elections
North Vietnam would not initiate forces -
Fall of Saigon
South Vietnam, the place for Saigon falls to People's Army of Vietnam and Viet Cong
-South Vietnamese forces collapsed due to rapid advancement of North Vietnam
-North Vietnam launched an attack against Phuoc Long, located along the Cambodia border -The US did nothing to help
Congress did not want to help
Xuan Loc succumbed to communism
-Places fell into communism
South Vietnam had completely surrendered