Dr. Kevin Lasher
POL 315: Politics of War & Security
What was the Cold War?
Military, ideological, political and economic struggle between US and USSR
Lasted from 1947-91 US and USSR came close but
never fought directly against each other
Numerous “smaller” wars against surrogates and other forces
Struggled to weaken each other’s alliances and acquire new allies in non-European world
What was the Cold War?
Nuclear arsenals and possibility of mutual assured destruction brought a level of stability to superpower conflict
Potential for WW III and global destruction
US policy of containment had many ups and downs and modifications
Ended with collapse of USSR in 1991
What was the Cold War?
1947-51: Beginning of Cold War1952-1963: Regularization of the Cold War1963-1972: Vietnam Period and Nuclear Parity1972-1980: Détente1981-85: Cold War II1986-91: End of the Cold War
Establishment of the Cold War
Uneasy alliance was breaking down as WW 2 was ending
Suspicions on both side
US and USSR hopeful that alliance could continue in some form
Realism “says” US-Soviet conflict almost inevitable
Establishment of the Cold War
Traditionalists say that Cold War was the fault of Stalin and the USSR
Revisionists say that Cold War was primarily the fault of Truman and USA
Post-revisionists say that Cold War was the fault of both sides, with more blame on the Soviet side
Causes of Cold War: Systemic View
Two “superpowers” – US and USSR – dominate international system at close of WW II
Much of Europe is destroyed during fighting (power vacuum)
Uncertainty over treatment of defeated major powers Germany and Japan (especially Germany)
Causes of Cold War: Systemic View
Development of bipolar system with fairly rigid alliances and a de-colonializing Third World which is “up for grabs”
US and USSR want to avoid World War III, even before the expansion of nuclear arsenals
Causes of Cold War: Domestic View
US wants a “return to normalcy” and withdrawal from Europe, reluctantly concludes that is not possible
USSR wants a buffer zone in Eastern Europe and to prevent a renewed threat from a revived Germany
US and USSR desirous of maintaining “awkward alliance,” if possible
Causes of Cold War: Domestic View
Two diametrically opposed political/economic/ideological systems
Democratic capitalism vs. Soviet totalitarianism/communism
Soviet ideology predicts the eventual triumph of socialism over capitalism
Causes of Cold War: Individual View
Brand-new President Truman must prove his “toughness” following death of Roosevelt
Totalitarian dictator Stalin is surprisingly pragmatic in matters of foreign policy
Stalin wanted limited Soviet expansion but also some form of alliance with US
Both leaders want to promote their evolving national interests, but also want to avoid direct conflict
Establishment of the Cold War
Was Cold War inevitable?
No, but it was very highly likely
Nature, length and ending of Cold War were NOT predetermined
Also quite possible that the Cold War would transform into a Hot War (but it never did)
Post-War Realism?
Stalin: “Whoever occupies a territory also imposes on it his own social system. Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army has the power to do so. It cannot be otherwise.”
Eastern Europe
USSR will not be attacked by Germany again (WWI and WW II)
Stalin demands a “buffer zone” in Eastern Europe
Allies unsure how much control/influence Stalin will seek
Eventually: Stalin takes total control
Eastern Europe
Wasn’t a “master plan” for domination of Eastern Europe
Process of coalition governments, puppet liberal parties, communist dictatorship
Different pace in different countries There was actually some support for
communism (not brutal dictatorship) in certain EE countries
Uncertainty about Germany 1945-49
Road to Cold War/Containment
FDR-Truman transition Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech Kennan’s “Long Telegram” British exhaustion and withdrawal
from Greece and Turkey Truman Doctrine American actions in Europe
President Harry Truman
Inexperienced in foreign policy
“An honest and diligent mediocrity” (British diplomat)
Deal with FDR legacy; inherited FDR’s team
Need to show “toughness” with Soviets
Would FDR act differently? (probably not)
Churchill Speech
March 1946: “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.”
Called for Anglo-American alliance to resist Soviet expansionism
Speech viewed negatively in US
Churchill Speech
Ambiguous speech Called for Anglo-American
alliance, avoidance of appeasement, working with UN to create a “settlement” with Russia
Declared that a new war could be avoided
Warning rather than specific set of policies
George Kennan: Father of Containment
American diplomat in Russia; expert in Russia and USSR
February 1946 “Long Telegram” and later “Mr. X” article in Foreign Affairs outlines containment strategy
He summarized/crystalized views of others
George Kennan: Soviet Threat
Traditional Russian insecurity combines with
Marxist ideology to create a view of international
relations which makes cooperation with capitalist United States impossible
George Kennan: Soviet Goals 1) To undermine the general political and strategic
potential of major western powers2) To weaken Western influence on Third World nations3) To weaken democratic and non-communist
governments wherever possible4) To work to cause tension/conflict among major
Western powers5) All unofficial Soviet efforts will be negative and
destructive in character
George Kennan: Soviet Hostility
“In summary, we have here a political force committed fanatically to the belief that with US there can be no permanent modus vivendi -- that it is desirable and necessary that the internal harmony of our society be disrupted, our traditional way of life be destroyed, the international authority of our state be broken, if Soviet power is to be secure.”
George Kennan: Western Response
“Soviet power … is neither schematic nor adventuristic. It does not work by fixed plans. It does not take unnecessary risks. … It is highly sensitive to logic of force. For this reason it can easily withdraw--and usually does when strong resistance is encountered at any point. Thus, if the adversary has sufficient force and makes clear his readiness to use it, he rarely has to do so. If situations are properly handled there need be no prestige-engaging showdowns.”
George Kennan: Western Response
Must treat Soviet threat with courage, detachment and objectivity
Must educate American people about reality of Soviet threat
Strengthen our own society Provide leadership and positive programs
for the rest of the world
George Kennan: Western Response
“Finally we must have courage and self-confidence to cling to our own methods and conceptions of human society. After all, the greatest danger that can befall us in coping with this problem of Soviet communism, is that we shall allow ourselves to become like those with whom we are coping.”
Did we follow this advice?
George Kennan: Mr. X Article
“Balanced against this are the facts that Russia, as opposed to the western world in general, is still by far the weaker party, that Soviet policy is highly flexible, and that Soviet society may well contain deficiencies which will eventually weaken its own total potential. This would of itself warrant the United States entering with reasonable confidence upon a policy of firm containment, designed to confront the Russians with unalterable counter-force at every point where they show signs of encroaching upon the interests of a peaceful and stable world.”
George Kennan: Mr. X Article
“But the United States has it in its power to increase enormously the strains under which Soviet policy must operate, to force upon the Kremlin a far greater degree of moderation and circumspection than it has had to observe in recent years, and in this way to promote tendencies which must eventually find their outlet in either the breakup or the gradual mellowing of Soviet power. For no mystical, Messianic movement , and particularly not that of the Kremlin, can face frustration indefinitely without eventually adjusting itself in one way or another to the logic of that state of affairs.”
Road to Cold War/Containment
FDR-Truman transition Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech Kennan’s “Long Telegram” British exhaustion and withdrawal
from Greece and Turkey Truman Doctrine American actions in Europe
Great Britain Withdraws
February 21, 1947 Great Britain states that it will cease aid to Greece and Turkey
US fears both might fall to Soviets
Truman Doctrine
March 1947 Truman announces $400 million in military/economic aid to Greece and Turkey
Both are semi-authoritarian, anti-communist regimes
Greek government was “completely reactionary” and leaders were “weak, stupid and venal” (US official)
Truman Doctrine
“One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.”
Truman Doctrine
“I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way. I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes.”
Truman Doctrine
“Should we fail to aid Greece and Turkey in this fateful hour, the effect will be far reaching to the West as well as to the East.”
“We must take immediate and resolute action.”
“The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.”
American Actions in Europe
Creation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949
Marshall Plan economic aid to countries of Western Europe, 1948-51
Berlin Airlift 1948-49 Creation of West Germany (1949)
and its inclusion in NATO (1955)
Key Conflicts of Cold War
Berlin Crisis, 1948-49--- USSR blockades West Berlin, US airlifts supplies, Stalin lifts blockade after one year
Korean War, 1950-1953
--- US/UN/South Korea vs. North Korea/China--- war ends in stalemate with return to status quo
Key Conflicts of Cold War
Hungarian Revolution, 1956--- “democratic uprising” in Soviet-controlled Hungary is crushed by Soviet invasion, US does not intervene
Berlin Wall, 1961--- USSR/East Germany construct wall to separate West Berlin and East Berlin to end “depopulation” of East Germany
--- US briefly considers breaking down Berlin Wall, but does not
Key Conflicts of Cold War
Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
Vietnam War, 1964-1973 --- US supports weak anti-communist
government in struggle with communist/nationalist North Vietnam
--- US defeat reverberates throughout US political system
Czechoslovakia, 1968 --- Soviet invasion to crush democratic
revolution, US does not intervene
Key Conflicts of Cold War
Détente, 1972-80--- US and USSR try to reduce tensions and find areas of cooperation along with continuing competition, US opening to China to adds complexity to US-Soviet relations
Reagan’s First Term, 1981-1985--- tough rhetoric plus major military build-up intensifies Cold War tensions
Nuclear Weapons
Creation of vast nuclear arsenals for both sides brought a level of stability to the Cold War conflict
Nuclear Weapons: Cuba
