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UNITED STATES V. SOVIET UNION
THE RED SCARE (WAR AT HOME)
After WWII, many Americans became worried that communists
might be working secretly in the United States to overthrow the
government.
Between 1946 and 1950, several people in the United States
were arrested as Soviet spies. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg (New
York natives) were convicted of stealing nuclear secrets. Despite
protests, they were executed in 1953.
In 1957, President Truman ordered investigations of government
workers to determine if they were loyal to the United States.
Thousands of employees underwent questioning. Nearly 3,000
people were forced to resign, even though little evidence of
communist activity was found.
MCCARTHYISM
In 1950, Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin announced that
he had a list of 205 state department employees who were
Communist party members. McCarthy was never able to prove
his claims. Yet his dramatic charges won him national attention.
During the next four years, McCarthy’s campaign spread fear
and suspicion across the nation. Businesses and colleges
questioned employees,. Many people were fired. Others, afraid
of losing their own jobs, refused to defend accused co-workers.
In 1954, the Senate held televised hearings to investigate
McCarthy’s charges that there were communists in the United
States Army.
MCCARTHYISM CONT…
On national television, the American public watched on as
Senator McCarthy bullied witnesses, gave evasive answers,
changed statistics and was seen as having “no sense of
decency.” He quickly began to lose his supporters.
Joseph McCarthy lost his last bit of support when he went after
the U.S. army for being “weak on communists.”
In December 1954, the Senate decided to censure, or officially
condemn, McCarthy for “conduct unbecoming of a member.”
As a result, he lost his power but kept his job.
Why were innocent people fired without evidence?
THE ARMS RACE
Meanwhile, the United States and the Soviet Union took up an
arms race. Each side built up its supply of missiles and atomic
weapons. By 1953, both nations tested powerful new hydrogen
bombs.
In 1957, a Soviet rocket launched Sputnik, the world’s first
artificial satellite. This was a terrifying moment for the American
people.
Why was the launch of Sputnik scary for Americans?
THE ARMS RACE CONT…
If the soviets were able to launch a satellite into space, there
missiles were capable of reaching the U.S.
Nikita Kruschev, leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin, boasted
they were turning out rockets “like sausages.” Many Americans
feared that they were falling behind the Soviets.
In fact, the United States was well ahead of the Soviet Union.
Between 1958-1960 the number of atomic weapons stockpiled
tripled from 6,000-18,000. Billions of dollars were spent on
weapons.
In response to Sputnik, the U.S. created the National,
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. Schools
also began boosting their science programs.
CONFLICTS IN CUBA
In 1952, Fulgencio Batista staged a military coup and took
power of Cuba, cancelling their elections. He soon proved
himself to be a dictator, unconcerned with the issues plaguing
the people in Cuba. Cuba experienced high unemployment
rates and limited access to clean water. Batista created ties
between him and operations of organized crime (making
himself loads of $$), as well as, allowing American companies to
dominate the economy as well as being anti-communist.
What happens in countries were people are suffering, don’t
have jobs, access to water, etc.?
Why did the U.S. back Batisita?
CONFLICTS IN CUBA CONT…
In 1959, Fidel Castro led a revolution that set up a socialist state
in Cuba. Castro’s government took over private companies,
including many owned by American businesses. Castro’s
government also tried, exiled and executed many who had
connections to Batista’s government. As a result, thousands of
Cubans (mostly upper and middle classes) fled to the United
States.
What do socialism and communism have in common?
Why would people support socialism?
Why did the U.S. try to have Castro assassinated?
BAY OF PIGS INVASION
The Soviet Union began supplying the new socialist state with
economic aid. In response, President Eisenhower approved of a
secret plan to train an army of Cuban exiles to invade Cuba.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy became President, inheriting President
Eisenhower’s plan.
On April 17th, about 1,200 Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs
on the Southern coast of Cuba. However, the attack was
planned poorly, people did not join in the revolt, Castro knew
about the plan, and President Kennedy had cancelled air
support for them. Quickly, Castro’s forces rounded up the
invaders. In the end, the Bay of Pigs strengthened support for
Castro in Cuba and embarrassed the U.S.
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
After the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Soviet Union decided to give
Cuba more weapons.
In October of 1962, President Kennedy learned that the Soviets
were secretly building missile bases on the island. If the bases
were completed, atomic missiles could reach American cities
within minutes.
One week later, President Kennedy approached the American
public on television about the missile sites. He announced the
navy would begin a “strict quarantine” of Cuba. American
warships would turn back any Soviet ship carrying missiles.
Do you think this approach would work? Why?
How would you feel if you found out Cuba had missiles pointed
at American cities today?
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS CONT…
Throughout the week Soviet ships headed toward Cuba. After
coming across the blockade of American ships, they turned
back.
President Kennedy and Khrushchev came to a compromise.
Khrushchev agreed to take the missiles out of Cuba. In return,
President Kennedy agreed not to invade Cuba and to take
missiles out of Turkey.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world came to
nuclear war. Millions were relieved at the avoidance of World
War III.
STEPS TO AVOID WAR
As the conflict eased, the U.S. and the Soviet Union set up a
direct telephone link (known as the “hot line”) so the leaders
could communicate instantly. Both were taking steps to avoid
mutually assured destruction.
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)- when two or more
opposing sides face the threat of complete annihilation on both
sides if they go to nuclear war.
Do you think the “hot line” was a good idea?