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EXAM 2- June 2013
OUTLINE PAPER 1929-2000
There will 3 questions on the paper with 4 parts and then one
extended question (essay) from a choice of two (race or wider
world)
- The RACE issue in America
-
USA and the WIDER WORLD
- Change in the USA (Don’t try to answer this- not studied!)
The War in Iraq.
How many soldiers have died in Iraq since
2003?
• 5272 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since 2003
• 45 509 officially wounded
Why is America fighting in Iraq?
1. Humanitarian reasons?
To save the Iraq people from the terror of
Saddam Hussein
2. To combat terrorism?
3. Self- defence?
4. To destroy weapons of mass destruction?
Oil?
What is America’s role in the world today?
Since 1945 The USA has been involved in
many conflicts
• The War in Korea
The war against Vietnam
1990-91 Gulf War
Conflicts against the East in the Cold war
• The Cuban Missile Crisis
EXAM 2- June 2013
OUTLINE PAPER 1929-2000
There will 3 questions on the paper with 4 parts
and then one extended question (essay) from
a choice of two (race or wider world)
- 1. Change in the USA (Don’t try to answer thisnot studied!)
2. The RACE issue in America
3. USA and the WIDER WORLD
The USA and the WIDER
WORLD
What changing role did
America play in World
Affairs between 1929 and
2000?
How and why did American
foreign policy change 1929-1945?
From 1920s Isolation
.......................................
to War
America’s position was
strange.
It had two sides.
In some ways it was
isolationist.
In other ways it was
involved in World
affairs and problems,
and this stemmed from
their position in the
1920s.
Isolationism
The idea that America should stay
out of the affairs of other nations.
This would help to improve their
financial position as well as save
lives.
Why did America want to be
isolationist?
• The cost of financing wars
• Arguments/ wars often didn’t involve nor
concern America
• Causalities figures- innocent American
lives were lost fighting other nations’
battles
• What side should they be on? Germany?
Britain? There were immigrants from
many nations.
America and the League of Nations
• Read page 3 of the booklet
Answer the following questions
1. What
was the League of Nations?
2. Describe America’s attitude
towards the League of Nations.
In some ways the USA did adopt an isolationist
approach in the period 1919-1939?
Evidence of isolationist position
The USA refuses to help Britain in WWI
in 1914
 The USA did not join the League of
Nations in 1919
The USA introduced immigration quotas in
the 1920s.
 The USA introduced the
ForneyMcCumber import tariffs1929.
But, was the USA
truly
isolationist
in the period 1919-1929?
In the 1920s and 30s America
remained isolationist when it came
to matters concerning EUROPE and
relating to war. However, their
isolationist position changed when it
affected trade.
America’s concern lay in protecting
and promoting American trade
particularly in the Pacific area.
• In the 1930s most politicians wanted to follow
a policy of friendship towards other countries.
• 1933 Good neighbour policyMontevideo Inter-American
Conference (lend money to poorer
nations).
• The Neutrality Acts (1-4) were further
evidence of America’s isolationist position.
They said....
Did American policy change in the 1930s?
America’s priority was to get out of Depression. Congress
carried on with its policy of isolationism by passing a
series of Neutrality Acts
1935 Neutrality Act –forbade the selling of arms and
warring materials to either sides.
1936 Neutrality Act – reinforced that selling of arms
was forbidden and stopped loans to countries at war.
1937 Neutrality Act – U.S. ships were prohibited from
transporting any passengers or articles to warring sides,
and U.S. citizens were forbidden from travelling on ships
of warring nations.
1939- Neutrality Act- Cash and Carry scheme- the USA
could sell materials and supplies to Europe as long as the
buyer came and got them.(Hoped to aid GB and France)
• However, by 1939 there was a move away
from isolationism
• The 1939 Neutrality Act said...
• 1941 Lend lease said...
1. The USA sponsored the Washington Disarmament
Conference which negotiated navy limitations with Britain,
France, Japan and Italy 1921, 1922.
2. US Secretary of State Charles Dawes negotiated a $200
million loan to Germany in 1924 in what became known as the
Dawes Plan.
3. Kellogg Briand Pact of 1928- international treaty to avoid war
4. Good neighbour policy- Montevideo Inter-American
Conference (lend money to poorer nations).
5. In 1929 the USA helped Germany to re-negotiate reparations
with the Allies - the Young Plan so that they could be
postponed until Germany could afford to pay them.
6. The USA joined the Geneva Peace Conference 1932.
1930
Further evidence of a policy of
isolationism in the 1930s
• Neutrality Acts
• Did not join WWII in 1939
Exam questions for OUTLINE study
‘A’ question.
(6 lines)
What does the source show you......(2)
Two marks for two relevant selections from the
source and information
How isolationist was the USA in the
1920s and 1930s?
It was isolationist because……
-it refused to join the LEAGUE
OF NATIONS 1919
-it restricted immigration into
USA 1920s-it introduced the FordneyMcCumber tariffs 1920s.
However, it became less isolationist because
America….
1. It invested in Europe- Dawes Plan, Young
Plan –lent money to Germany
2. ‘Good Neighbour’ policy- Loaned money to
poor countries
3. Took lead in disarmament meetings- KelloggBriand Pact and Washington Naval Agreement
4. Neutrality Acts- after WWII started in
1939 the ‘Cash and Carry Scheme’- nations at
war could buy US goods as long as they paid
cash and collected them.
B question
• Describe.................
(4)
(12 lines)
• Give facts about..........
Detailed accurate information
Describe the USA’s policy of isolationism during
the 1930s
•
•
•
•
Isolationism was.... (brief definition)
Reason for isolationism....
Evidence of isolationism... (1920s and 30s)
Evidence to show move away from
isolationism and reasons for this.... (Cash and
carry- Neutrality Act 5, Good Neighbour?)
How did the USA become involved in
the war in Europe in the years
1939-41
Increasing concern over Europe
By the 1930s there is increasing pressure to get
involved in the war and the development of
American action shows an increasing
commitment to the Allies short of actually
fighting
The CDA believed....
Whereas the AFC stated....
ACT OF HAVANA
ATLANTIC CHARTER
• The COMMITTEE to DEFEND AMERICA (CDA),
set up in1939, supported Roosevelt in wanting
to help Britain- short of going to war.
• AMERICA FIRST COMMITTEE (AFC), set up in
1940, opposed anything that might risk
American neutrality. They felt Britain was
refusing to negotiate with Hitler because they
wanted to convince America to enter the war
on their side.
July 1940 Act Of Havana – Roosevelt promises to
take over European possessions in the Americas
which might fall into Nazi hands and be a starting
point for a Nazi attack on the USA.
September 1940 :
1. Increased spending on weapons
2. Conscription - all men 21 to 35
3. Ban (embargo) on sale of iron and steel to
Japan – very annoying for Japan
4. US swaps destroyers for British naval bases in
the Caribbean and Newfoundland.
March 1941 Lend Lease
August 1941 the Atlantic Charter.
• THE ATLANTIC CHARTER.
• In August 1941, Roosevelt and Churchill met
on a ship off Newfoundland and issued the
Atlantic Charter, It lasted 4 days and it
established goals for the post-war world.
• 1 Free trade in the world
• 2Freedom of the seas
• 3. Freedom of the people to choose their own
government
• 4. An end to the use of armed force
• 5. Final destruction of Nazi tyranny.
• By September, 15 other countries had signed the
Charter and the ideas was put forward of an
international organisation to protect the security
of all countries. This was the origin of the United
Nations.
• By Nov 1941 few Americans supported the idea
of isolationism. The USA had increased support
for Britain, escorting merchant ships, some British
ships were repaired in US shipyards. A US ship,
Reuben James was sunk off Iceland and soon
Congress revised the neutrality Acts to allow US
merchant ships to arm and also carry munitions
directly to Britain.
DESCRIBE THE ATLANTIC CHARTERexam style question (4)
Describe the role
the US played before it got involved in
WWII? (4)
• Cash and Carry Scheme
• Lend Lease Scheme which began in March 41
but continued until 1945
• July 1940 Act Of Havana – Roosevelt promises
to take over European possessions in the
Americas which might fall into Nazi hands and
be a starting point for a Nazi attack on the
USA
• 1941- Atlantic Charter
How isolationist was the USA in the 1920s
and 1930s?
• It was isolationist because……
It refused to join the LEAGUE OF NATIONS
It restricted immigration into USA
It introduced the Fordney Mc-cumber Tariffs.
Neutrality acts intended to keep the USA out of
future wars
Didn’t join WWII inn1939
However, it wasn’t isolationist because….
1.Invested in Europe- Dawes Plan, Young Plan
2. Good Neighbour policy- Loaned money to poor
countries
3. Took lead in disarmament meetings- Kellogg- Briand
Pact and Washington Naval Agreement.
4. Cash and carry Scheme (Neutrality Act 5)- nations at
war could buy US goods as long as they paid cash
and collected them.
5. Lend-lease schemes (money to GB and USSR)- was
this purely for defence?
Deteriorating relations with Japan
1939-41
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Japanese Empire
Alliance with Nazi Germany
America’s economic boycott
Invasion of Indo-China
America cut off oil supplies
General
Source E
Source F
From ‘The Second World War’ Winston
Churchill 1949, talking about Roosevelt
We have sought no shooting
war with Hitler. We do not seek
it now…. But when you see a
rattlesnake poised to strike,
you do not wait until it has
struck before you crush it.
These Nazi submarines and
raiders are the rattlesnakes of
the Atlantic.
Had he (Roosevelt) not acted as
he did, in the way he did… a
hideous fate may well have
overwhelmed mankind and made
its whole future for centuries sink
into shame and ruin. It may well
be that he not only anticipated
history but altered its course and
altered it in a manner which has
saved freedom and earned the
gratitude of the human race for
generations to come.
President Roosevelt’s
Address to the Nation,
September 11th 1941.
From
Task
Study sources E and F and use them to explain why Roosevelt was
prepared to take the USA into another war by 1941.
D Style question- 8 marks
How successful....
• (Other questions include:
How important....
Was X a turning point -see later instruction)
• Analyse and evaluate- try not to just describe
• Try to balance your answer
• Reach a judgment
How successful was Roosevelt in
keeping the US isolated in the
1930s? (8)
• On the one hand Roosevelt was successful
because...
• However, the US was not truly isolationist
because....
• Judgement
(it is not always possible to balance your
How successful was Roosevelt in
keeping the US isolated in the
1930s? (8)
• On the one hand Roosevelt was successful
because...
• Neutrality Acts (1-4)
However, the US was not truly isolationist
because....
1933- Good Neighbour policy
Pre-war support
1939- Neutrality Act 5
1941- Lend Lease
Act of Havana
Atlantic Charter
Judgement
• Successful?
It was becoming increasingly difficult to justify
the isolationist position. Yet, FDR remained as
isolationist as he could given the support for
it.
FDR managed to maintain the balance of
retaining an isolationist position by not getting
involved in the war but also by support the
allies by providing goods.
How did the USA become
involved in the war against
Japan 1939-1941?
‘
General Tojo
Japan
The rising threat of Japan
• Japan had become an
industrialised country by the
end of the nineteenth century.
They had fought on the Allied
side in World War One but felt
insulted when the League of
Nations covenant did not
acknowledge racial equality.
• 1921 the Washington Naval
Conference said Japan’s
navy was to be no more
than 60% that of Britain or
America. This caused a lot of
bad feeling among the
Japanese
• After the war the
economy of Japan
continued to grow but
after the Wall Street
Crash trade between
America and Japan
diminished.
• At home the Japanese
army was influencing the
government. Japan has
few natural resources. If
Japan could not get what
it needed by trade it
would get it by war.
• Japanese emperor
The invasion of Manchuria
• The Japanese army attacked Manchuria
1931
(part of China) in 1931. China appealed
to the League of Nations for help. Japan
Manchuria
had secured Manchuria and six years
later began attacking other parts of China
(Shanghai and other cities were
bombed).The League condemned Japan
as the aggressor, gave financial aid to
China and asked it to withdraw. Instead
Japan withdrew from the League.The
League could not enforce its decision
because the USA and Soviet Union
(Russia) were not members. Germany and
Italy recognised the new Japanese state
and left the League soon afterwards.
America did not begin trade sanctions but
asked Americans to boycott Japanese silk
• 1940 German successes in the Second World War
gave Japan the confidence to move on British
and French colonies in Asia and the Pacific.
• July 1941 Indo China was taken from France.
(Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam)
• America increased aid to China and began to cut
trade with Japan.
• August 1941 USA banned the sale of oil so Japan
was forced to look to SE Asia for oil deposits since
90% of its oil came from America.
Why was Japan a rising threat in the 1920s and 30s?
• The League of Nations did not acknowledge racial equality with
Japan. – Angry? Revenge?
• 1921 the Washington Naval Conference said Japan’s navy was to be
no more than 60% that of Britain or America. This caused a lot of bad
feeling among the Japanese
• The Japanese economy continued to grow after WWI but it had few
natural resources. So the army encouraged the government to invade
MANCHURIA (China). Japan ignored the League of Nations when it
told them to leave Manchuria.
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria and other parts of China
threatened America’s power. THE USA CUT THE OIL SUPPLIES
FROM THE USA TO JAPAN (90%)
• ( German successes in WWII gave the Japanese the confidence to
take over British and French colonies in the Asia and the Pacific e.g
Indo-China was taken from France.)
1940s
The end of isolation: USA and Second World
War.
Pearl Harbor 1941
• At dawn on December 7 1941 the Japanese launched a
surprise attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
• 4battleships were sunk, 10 craft destroyed; 188 planes
destroyed and 155 damaged, 2345 people killed.
• The next day America declared war on Japan.
• There was no reason to declare war on Germany but Hitler
declared war on America on December 11th 1941.
Deteriorating relations with Japan
1939-41
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Japanese Empire
Alliance with Nazi Germany
America’s economic boycott
Invasion of Indo-China
Oil supplies
General Tojo
Pearl Harbor December 7 1941
4 battleships sunk
4 battleships damaged
2 destroyers sunk
1 destroyer damaged
3 cruisers damaged
1 other ship sunk
3 others damaged
188 aircraft destroyed
155 aircraft damaged
The USS Shaw explodes during the Japanese air raid
on Pearl Harbor.
Saved
4 aircraft carriers;
All the oil storage
tanks.
Above: The battleship USS Arizona
after a bomb penetrated into the
forward magazine causing massive
explosions and killing 1,104 men.
Above : Dousing the flames on the
battleship USS West Virginia,
which survived and was rebuilt.
A photo taken from a Japanese plane during the attack shows
vulnerable American battleships, and in the distance, smoke rising
from Hickam Airfield where 35 men having breakfast in the mess
hall were killed after a direct bomb hit.
Describe what happened at Pearl Harbour
(4)
• A surprise attack was launched on the American
Naval base in Hawaii on the 7th Dec 1941
• The Japanese missed 4 American aircraft carriers
which were out on exercises and huge oil stores
4 battleships sunk
4 battleships damaged
2 destroyers sunk
1 destroyer damaged
3 cruisers damaged
1 other ship sunk
3 others damaged
188 aircraft destroyed
155 aircraft damaged
Why did the USA get involved in WWII?
• The Japanese attacked the American naval fleet in Pearl Harbour on Dec
7th 1941 causing huge damage and over 2000 deaths. The next day the
USA declared war against the Japanese and fought them in the Pacific.
• Hitler declared war on America on 11th Dec in 1941 so troops were sent to
fight on the Western Front in Europe.
1. America had moved towards involvement from 1939 with the Act of
Havana, Increased spending on weapons
2. Conscription - all men 21 to 35
3. Ban (embargo) on sale of iron and steel to Japan – very annoying for
Japan
4. US swaps destroyers for British naval bases in the Caribbean and
Newfoundland.
• March 1941 Lend Lease
Deteriorating relations with Japan
1939-41
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Japanese Empire
Alliance with Nazi Germany
America’s economic boycott
Invasion of Indo-China
Oil supplies
General Tojo
Look at these two sources about relations between the USA and Japan and answer
the question that follows.
Source A
From a speech by Charles Lindburgh,
September 1939, twelve days after
Britain declared war on Germany.
Lindburgh was a popular figure following
his solo flight across the Atlantic. He
became a leading member of the
America First Committee.
We must not be misguided by foreign
propaganda to the effect that our
frontiers lie in Europe. One need only
glance at a map to see where our true
frontiers lie. What more could we ask
than the Atlantic Ocean on the east and
the Pacific Ocean on the west?
Source B.
Speech by a member of the Japanese
government to leading politicians and
military leaders, November 5th 1941.
In the first few months of the war it is
very likely that we would achieve total
victory. I am convinced that we should
take advantage of this opportunity. We
shall use the high morale of the
Japanese people and their
determination to overcome the crisis
facing the country, even at the risk of
losing our lives. It would be better to
attack now than to sit and wait while
the enemy puts more and more
pressure upon us.
Use Sources A and B and your own knowledge to explain why relations between
the USA and Japan changed in the 1930s.
C style question 6 marks
• Source B says..... (describe what is in the
source, not forgetting to use the caption)
• In contrast source C says.... (explain what this
source suggests. What is different between
the two?)
• Foreign policy changed because.... (Make sure
you focus on reasons for change suggested in
both sources)
• Source c suggests the continuation of an
isolationist position and the inference that
America should not want to get involved in
war. Lindburgh argues that the oceans would
act as barriers against American involvement
in war
• Source D gives a different view and suggests
that the Japanese were ready to take action in
order to secure victory. He asks the Japanese
people to prepare themselves for an attack
(war) and believes that Japan should strike
before its enemy puts even more pressure on
it.
In this final section you need to explain WHAT HAS CHANGED
.
• Relations between America and Japan deteriorated
between 1939-41
• The militaristic government was determined to
develop a Japanese empire. They had invaded IndoChina and other areas of the Pacific
• American exports to Japan were forbidden and the
sale of iron, chemicals and planes was stopped.
• 1941- Japan invaded the French colonies of IndoChina. AMERICA CUT OFF 90% OF ITS OIL.
• The Japanese and Americans tried to negotiate.
GCSE How isolationist was America in the period
1929-41? (4)
Did not join the League of Nations.
Did nothing when Japan invaded Manchuria 1931 or took other
parts of China 1937.
Neutrality Acts 1-4
Did not join the Allies in 1939 when war was declared.
However
Cash and Carry in 1939 to help the Allies.
Havana Act1940
Lend Lease 1941
Atlantic Charter- 1941
When Japan invaded Indo China in 1941 it cut oil supplies.
The USA contribution to Allied
victory in WWII?
In Africa and
the Middle
East
Europe
The Pacific
How much did the USA contribute to Allied
victory in WWII?
In Africa and the Middle East
1. North Africa-El Alamein
2. Tehran Conference December 1943 –’Big Three – Roosevelt,
Churchill and Stalin meet.
In Europe
1. Eisenhower, theD-Day landings
2. The liberation of Paris and surrender of Germany.
3.
Troops fought on Western Front
4.
Daylight bombing raids in Germany-Hamburg and Dresden
The Battle of El Alamein
The Battle of El
Alamein occurred and
was the first serious
setback that Hitler had
suffered.
In February 1941 German
reinforcements sent by
Hitler were on the attack
and 200 miles inside
Egypt. Victory would have
given them control of the
Suez Canal and all of the
Middle East.
As Italian troops advanced into
Egypt, the British army, led by
General Wavell, pushed them back
into Libya
In September
1940 Hitler's
ally, Italy,
began to
invade Egypt (
British
territory)- to
gain more land
for an Italian
Empire and to
try to cut off
British oil
supplies from
the Suez Canal.
• By May 1943 the Germans had been defeated
in North Africa and more than 250 000
German troops surrendered. This was
important because it enabled the Allies,
under U.S. General Eisenhower, to land in
Algeria. The USA played a decisive role in
helping to push Germany out of Africa and
eventually out of Italy.
• The British Army recaptured Tobruk on 12th
November, 1942 Winston Churchill was convinced
that the battle of El Alamein marked the turning
point in the war and ordered the ringing of church
bells all over Britain. He later said; "Before Alamein
we never had a victory, after Alamein we never had
a defeat."
D-Day Landings-OPERATION OVERLORD. At 6.30 am on 6th June
1944, the landings began. The Allies landed on five beaches,
each of which had a code name
.
The Americans called their two
beaches Utah and Omaha.
The war in Europe.
• America sent
troops to fight on
the Western Front
with British and
Canadian forces.
• D Day landings 1944
• The Americans called their two beaches Utah and Omaha.
• 5000 Americans died on Omaha beach.
•
The D-day landings were extremely significant
because by Spring 1944 the allies were ready to
attempt the battle to regain France. By 25th
August 1944 Paris had been liberated and as the
Allied advance continued they eventually
invaded of Germany. The superiority of the Allies
overwhelmed them in the end and 11 months
later Germany surrendered on May 8 1945.
The War in the Pacific
American war in the Pacific
• CORAL SEA –’sea’ battle (fought by
planes)which would decide the control of New
Guinea and Australia
• MIDWAY- sea battle which damaged the
Japanese navy
• GUADALCANAL- strategically important
islands (Solomon Islands)- Route to USA from
Australia
WHAT HAPPENED?
BATTLE OF CORAL
SEA
BATTLE OF MIDWAY
BATTLE OF
GUADAL CANAL
ISLAND HOPPINGIWO JIMA AND
OKINAWA
RESULT?
The Battle of Coral Sea
The Battle of Coral Sea took place in May
1942. If the Japanese had succeeded at
Coral Sea, the way would have been open
for the Japanese to have captured New
Guinea and leave Australia isolated from
Allied help and more open to a Japanese
attack. The Battle of Coral Sea was fought
entirely by planes – no ship on either side
made any visual contact with any enemy
ship.
• The Japanese lost 43 planes to the
Americans 33. However, the battle is
seen as an American victory simply
because it stopped Japan doing what
it had set out to do - capture Port
Moresby and isolate Australia. In this
sense, it was a strategic victory for
America.
The Battle of Midway
• The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942,
must be considered one of the most decisive
battles of World War Two. The Battle of
Midway effectively destroyed Japan’s naval
strength when the Americans destroyed four
of its aircraft carriers and experienced sailors.
Japan’s navy never recovered from its mauling
at Midway and it was on the defensive after
this battle.
• The Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway
had forced planners in the Imperial Army to
reconsider their plans of expansion and to
concentrate their forces on consolidating the
territory that they had captured. The victory
at Midway was also a turning point for the
Americans as after this battle, they could
think in terms of re-capturing taken Pacific
islands - the first confrontation was to be at
Guadalcanal.
The Battle of Guadalcanal
• Guadalcanal is part of the Solomon Islands which
lie to the north-eastern approaches of Australia.
Though it is a humid and jungle-covered tropical
island its position made it strategically
important for both sides in the Pacific War. If
the Japanese captured the island, they could cut
off the sea route between Australia and America.
If the Americans controlled the island, they
would be better able to protect Australia from
Japanese invasion and they could also protect
the Allied build-up in Australia that would act as
a springboard for a major assault on the
Japanese. Hence the importance of the island.
• The American victory at Guadalcanal ensured
that Australia was safe from a Japanese invasion
while the sea route from Australia to America
was also protected. The role played by the US 1st
Marine Division and its commander, Vandegrift,
have gone down in Marine Corps history.
•
Island hopping
• There were a number of islands captured by
the Allies in 'Island Hopping' which was also
known as 'leapfrogging' e.g. ,, Iwo Jima and
Okinawa .
•
Why were the Battles of Midway
and Guadalcanal turning points in
the War in the Pacific (8 marks)
TURNING POINT QUESTIONS
• Turning point = The point at which a very
significant change occurs; a decisive moment
;a moment when the course of events is
changed
• The situation before....
• The situation during..... (what happened)
• Why a turning point- why a big change?
Why were the Battles of Midway
and Guadalcanal turning points in
the War in the Pacific (8 marks)
• Turning point question
• A turning point is a complete change in
events, or a decisive change occurs
• (i.e something big happens!)
To answer a turning point question
you need to look at
• Before the event-describe the situation
• During the event-what happened
• Why it was a decisive change. (‘After’)
Before Midway and Guadalcanal
• The Battle of Midway took place in June 1942
and Guadalcanal in August. Before this point,
the Japanese seemed invincible in the Pacific,
as they had captured a huge amount of
territory in South-East Asia including
Manchuria, Indo China, Malaya and Singapore.
The Allies had been unable to stop Japanese
invasion which had been vital to secure
Japanese supplies of oil.
During (what happened)
Midway was roughly halfway between Hawaii and Japan. The
Japanese hoped that if they attacked Midway the Americans
would send in their fleet and this would give the Japanese the
chance to destroy the American carriers that it had failed to
destroy in the Pearl Harbor attack, thus destroying American
influence in the Pacific once and for all. However, the
Americans held onto Midway and the Japanese lost 4 aircraft
carrier and 3000 men. Because the Americans held onto
Midway it meant that they used it as a base to attack
Guadalcanal which was situated in the approaches to
Australia. The Americans took 6 months to take the Island
Why a turning point (why such a big thing!)
• They were the first Allied sea and land victories of the Pacific campaign.
• Midway seriously crippled the Japanese fleet and reduced the quality of
its pilots
• Capturing Guadalcanal meant that America was able to protect Australia
and use the island as a base to attack other islands (Saipan in the
Marianas in July 1944). After this the Americans launched their
devastating attack on Tokyo in March 1945.
• Guadalcanal marked the start to the strategy of island hopping by which
the Americans fought its way closer and closer to Japan and helped win
the war.
• It was from one of the islands (Tinian in the Marianas) that they
recaptured that the planes set out to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki which
led to the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
The Atomic Bomb
• By summer 1945 Japan was in retreat but
kamikaze pilots and strong resistance led
to high losses of American soldiers.
• President Truman decided to use the
atomic bomb as a means of bringing the
war to a quick end.
• On August 6 and 9 1945 atomic bombs
were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• A week later the Japanese government
surrendered.
How did the USA justify the use of an
atomic bomb on the cities of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki?
(6)
• To bring the war to an end as quickly as
possible because the Japanese had refused to
surrender.
• It would save up to 500 000-1 000 000
American lives
• To avoid having the Russians join the war
against Japan.
• To avoid taking further huge casualties which
would have resulted in invading Japan. Up to 1
million American lives.
• (they had a bomb they wanted to test!)
Describe how the US contributed to winning
the Second World War. (4)
1. NEUTRALITY ACT 5- CASH AND CARRY
2. Lend Lease from March 1941.
. War in Europe• America sent troops to the Western Front.
• It carried out daylight bombing raids on Germany.
• In 1944 it played an important part in D Day and in the
subsequent defeat of Germany in 1945.
Fighting in Africa
• They fought in Northern Africa- El Alamein
Fighting in the Pacific–
America fought the Japanese in the Pacific and had
recaptured all Japanese conquests by 1945-Coral sea,
MIDWAY, Guadalcanal
It developed the atom bomb to bring an end the war in the
Pacific.
1930s
1940s
Isolationism?
Pre-war involvement
Japan
1941- why did the US
get involved in WWII?
INACTIVE FOREIGN
POLICY
What contribution did the USA
play in WWII?
(Europe, Africa, Pacific)
How did it justify the use of the
atomic bomb.
REACTIVE FOREIGN POLICY
Why was WWII a turning point in
American foreign policy?
1. Situation before
2. Situation during war
3. Why was the war such a significant event in
foreign policy? What changed?
Why was WWII a turning point in
American foreign policy?
1. Situation before- Isolationist
2. Situation during war-
3. Why was the war such a significant event in
foreign policy?
Why was WWII a turning point in
American foreign policy?
Situation before- Isolationist
Situation during war- 1941 reaction to pearl
Harbor brought US into conflict- Fought in
Africa, Europe and Pacific then dropped
bomb.
Why was the war such a significant event in
foreign policy?
• 1. Stalin had broken his promise to support Eastern European
Aftercountries and instead took them over and established
Communism. Stalin and the West clashed over Berlin. The
Americans believed that the Russians were trying to take over
the world. Some people thought after WWII the USA would
return to isolationism, Stalin’s behaviour put an end to this.
America would engage in policy of containment.
•2.The
. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the face of
modern warfare and encouraged other nations to develop
similar weapons as America. America had to defend itself against
the growth of countries that threatened her (Russia). This would
lead to the policy of containment.
3. WWII had shown America as
powerful, wealthy and
scientifically advanced. This reputation forced America to
officially abandon an isolationist position and take a more
active role in world affairs. America was particularly keen to
take a stand against her old enemy-Communist Russia.
Why was WWII a turning point in
American foreign policy?
1. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the face of
modern warfare and encouraged other nations to develop
similar weapons as America.
2. America now realised it had to defend itself against the
growth of countries that threatened her (Russia). This would
lead to the policy of containment.
3. WWII had shown America as powerful, wealthy and
scientifically advanced. This reputation forced America to
officially abandon an isolationist position and take a more
active role in world affairs.
America was particularly keen to take a stand against her old
enemy-Communist Russia.
From World War
to
Cold War
The USA and the Cold War
1945-1990
The Cold War is the popular term applied to the
struggle between the Soviet bloc countries
(Communist countries in Eastern Europe) and the
Western countries (non-communist) from 1945 to
1990.
How and why was the USA
involved in the Cold War?
• During the Second World War the USA and USSR had
united against Hitler but after the war ended the old
hostility returned.
• In the past the two sides would have gone to
war to resolve their differences but atomic
weapons meant war could lead to mass
destruction.
• SO a ‘Cold War’ took place – a war that
stopped short of fighting and used
propaganda.
COLD WAR = A WAR OF WORDS
HOT WAR= FOUGHT WAR
What caused the Cold War?
Different Ideas
America believed in capitalism and the USSR in communism.
America was a democracy but in the USSR people could only
vote for communists.
Results of the Second World War
The USSR wanted to make sure that no country would threaten it
in the future.
Increased Tensions-The USSR had taken over the countries of
Eastern Europe.
• 1. Different political and economic ideas.
The Americans believed in freedom and choice –
democracy and capitalism. The Russians
believed that being part of the greater good –
the state – was more important. They believed
in state control of policies and production.
• 2. Mutual fear
• The Russians believed that their system was
best, but that the Americans were trying to
use their wealth and power to destroy it by
selling Coca Cola and Levi jeans to the
Russians. The Americans believed the Russians
were trying to take over the World.
• 3. Broken promises
• The Allies had agreed at Yalta and Tehran that Russia
would advance on Germany from the east and
Britain, France and America from the west. They
would then divide Germany into 4 zones. The
Russians had promised at Yalta and Tehran that they
would look after the eastern European countries
until free elections could be held.
• THEY DID NOT. THEY SET UP COMMUNIST STATES
UNDER THEIR CONTROL. These became known as
satellite states and included Poland, Romania,
Czechoslovakia and Hungary
• . The new president HARRY TRUMAN was
convinced that the Soviet Union intended to
take over the whole of Europe. He was
determined to stand up to the Communist
leader.
• ON TOP OF THIS IT LOOKED AS IF THEY WERE
TRYING TO SPREAD COMMUNISM INTO
TURKEY AND GREECE.
US policy of containment
• Domino Theory
• Truman Doctrine
• Marshall Plan/Aid
• NATO V Warsaw Pact
• Relations deteriorate between America and
Russia
• The Potsdam Conference
• This was the second peace conference of 1945
(the 1st in Yalta in February). Stalin was already
furious that the Americans had tested an
atomic bomb at a desert site in the USA. Stalin
wanted compensation for the 20 000 000
dead Russians in the war but this would have
crippled Germany (remember the Treaty of
Versailles?)Truman refused this and also
insisted on free elections in the area
controlled by the Soviet troops.
At the Potsdam conference, it was agreed:
• 1.To divide Germany into 4 zones and four sectors of
Berlin that would be administered by one of the
Allies.
• 2.Demilitarise Germany
• 3.Re-establish Democracy in Germany.
• 4. Germany would pay reparations to the Allies in
equipment and materials, most of this would go to
the Soviet Union
• 5. The Nazi Party would be banned and the leading
Nazis would be put on trial
• 6.Participate fully in the United Nations
• 7.Move Poland’s boarder
• In March 1946 Churchill
spoke of an Iron
Curtain’ which had
descended between
Soviet controlled
Eastern Europe and
Western Europe.
From World War to Cold War
America’s policy of Containment
• The USA supported a policy of Containment to
prevent communism spreading in a ‘domino
effect’ (they believed that countries would fall to
communism one by one like dominoes).
• Containment was the opposite of
isolationism and became the cornerstone of
American policy during the Cold war.
The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Aid 1947.
• March 1947
• President Truman offered
help to any government
threatened by ‘internal or
external forces’. By doing
this he hoped to stop the
spread of communism.
• Truman said ‘I believe that
we must help free peoples
to work out their own
destiny in their own way.’
• Marshall Aid put the
Truman Doctrine into
practice. Secretary of State
George T Marshall offered
$13 billion in aid to
countries recovering from
the effects of war.
• Stalin said it was a plot to
dominate Eastern Europe
and refused to let Soviet
controlled countries to
accept it.
• What was the Iron Curtain?
• After WWII, the USA followed a policy of
containment. What was that?
• What was the domino theory?
• What was ..
i-The Truman Doctrine
ii-Marshall Aid?
Look at these two sources about American foreign policy and answer the
questions that follow.
Source B
Source C
There will be no opposition to any action
which our government takes to bring
about world peace as long as it does not
commit 130 million American people to
another world war. I fear we are again
being expected to police the world and
sort out Europe's problems. We do not
want to get involved in Europe.
[An American politician speaking in 1935] [The announcement of the
Truman doctrine in
1947)
(c) Use Sources B and C and your own knowledge to explain why American
foreign policy had changed up to the late 1940s. [6]
Level 1 Generalised answer, paraphrases the
sources, lack of focus
(1-2)
Level 2 Answers worth 3 marks will mostly
describe
Answers worth 4 marks will try to focus
on the concept of change
Level 3 Answers which refer to both the
sources and own knowledge to explain
the concept of change (5-6)
• Source B says..... (Use the source)
• In contrast source C says....
• Foreign policy changed because....
(Isolationism to containment)
• 1930s states that America would make every
effort to avoid conflict and involving itself in
international disputes. This reflects America’s
isolationist position in the 1920s and 30s.
America did not want to get involved in world
affairs.
• Source B, however, is a declaration of the
Truman Doctrine. This was.....
• There is a clear change in foreign policy from
isolationism or inactive foreign policy to a
proactive policy of containment. This was
because of America’s fear of the influence of
Stalin and Soviet Russia. Stalin had broken his
promise to support Eastern European
countries and instead took them over and
established Communism. The Americans
believed that the Russians were trying to take
over the world. President Truman sought to
prevent the spread of Communism
throughout the world which meant that
America had to take a proactive approach to
foreign policy which is why things changed
The Berlin Crisis 1948
Crisis Berlin 1948
After the war Berlin had been split into 4
zones of occupation.
• In 1946 the 3 Western zones merged.
• In June 1948 a new currency was introduced
and Stalin was alarmed. He believed a rich
Germany could be a threat so he tried to get
control of West Berlin.
• The Soviets used their zone to help rebuild the
war torn soviet economy. Life in the soviet zone
was hard.
• In June 1948 Soviet
troops cut off all road,
rail and canal links
between the West and
West Berlin.
• The Berlin Blockade was
an attempt to starve the
Western powers into
giving in.
• Truman said ‘We are
going to stay, period.’
• If the Americans used their army to open the road to
Berlin this would have been an act of war.
• Instead a massive airlift of supplies was organised
mainly by the USA.
• By September 1948 aircraft landed every 3 minutes
and Stalin could only sit and do nothing. If the planes
were shot down that would be an act of war.
• June 1948-May 1949 over 27,000 trips were made
and 2 million tons of supplies were airlifted in.
• Stalin was forced to reopen supply routes in May
1949.
Result
NATO and the WARSAW PACT
• The USA joined a
peacetime alliance for the
first time in its history.
• At the time of signing the
USSR announced it had
tested its first nuclear
bomb. The USA no longer
had the only nuclear
weapons.
• September 1949 the
V
North Atlantic Treaty
•
Organisation (NATO)
was signed by America
and 11 Western powers each
committed to the defence of
the other.
In 1955 the USSR
created the Warsaw Pact
of East European
communist countries.
The Berlin Wall 1961
The Berlin Wall 1961
During the Cold War period of the 1950s relations
between the superpowers improved slightly leaving
some with a sense of optimism.
• 1959 Khrushchev met
• 1959 Nikita Khrushchev
Eisenhower
made a visit to America
• A summit meeting in Paris
was arranged for May 1960
between America, USSR,
Britain and France. It was
hoped this meeting would
provide an opportunity for
the powers to discuss their
differences.
• U2 spy Plane
2 days before this meeting
in 1961 a US U2 spy
plane was shot down
over the Soviet Union. It
had been carrying hightech cameras. The pilot
Gary Powers was shown
on Soviet television.
• The Americans had to
admit to spying.
Khrushchev said he
would only attend the
summit if President
Eisenhower apologised.
• The President refused
and relations took a turn
for the worse.
• Powers on trial in the USSR
The Berlin Wall
• Khrushchev was
determined that Berlin
would never be the capital
of a united Germany.
• August 1961 a 45
kilometre concrete wall
was erected by the
Soviets through Berlin to
stop refugees moving to
the West.
• Kennedy did nothing to
stop the city being
divided.
What was the result?
• Public opinion in the West was shocked by the
shooting of any people trying to escape from East
Berlin.
• Relations got worse between the Superpowers and
there was an increase in weapons production.
• The West won the propaganda victory because the
communists had to build walls to keep their people
in.
• When Kennedy did nothing about the wall the USSR
saw this as a sign of weakness.
This wall became a symbol of the Cold War.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Why was Berlin important to America in the Cold War?
(8)
West Berlin was the flagship for capitalism during the
Cold War.
When Stalin tried to starve Berliners in 1948-49 the west
refused to back down. West Berlin was a symbol of the
division between democracy and communism.
Khrushchev said Berlin was the centre of spying.
Those living in the East could travel freely and work in
the west and vice versa until 1961.
Between 1945 and 1960 over 3 million crossed to the
west from the east for a better quality of life so the USA
was winning the propaganda war using Berlin.
The Berlin Wall became the symbol of the Cold War.
Exam question- C (6 marks)
In the exam in June 2010, you will be asked a
question about why Foreign Policy changed
during a particular time period
c) Question
Use sources B and C and your own
knowledge to explain why
American foreign policy had
changed up to [by] the late 1940s
•
There will be no opposition to
any
action
which
our
government takes to bring
about
world peace as long as
The th
it does not commit 130
million American people to
another war. I fear we are
again being expected to
police the world and sort out
Europe’s problems. We do
not want to get involved in
Europe.
An American politician
speaking in 1935
The announcement of the
Truman Doctrine, 1947
Level 1 Generalised answer, paraphrases the
sources, lack of focus
(1-2)
Level 2 Answers worth 3 marks will mostly
describe
Answers worth 4 marks will try to focus
on the concept of change
Level 3 Answers which refer to both the
sources and own knowledge to explain
the concept of change (5-6)
Use sources B and C and your own knowledge to
explain why American foreign policy had changed up
to [by] the late 1940s
• 1st step- Use source B- what does it say about
American Foreign Policy
It suggests an ‘isolationist’ position
Explain this position- WHY ?
Why? after WWI didn’t join League of Nations, immigration,
tariffs then later the Neutrality Acts.
However, this was not really the caseGood Neighbour, Dawes, Young, Washington Naval etc
• 2nd step- Now look at C- what does it say or
show about American foreign policy?
• Late 1940s announcement of Truman
doctrine. – explain what this is...
In contrast to source B, source C suggests that
.....
• 3rd step WHY has the policy changed
• 3rd step - Explain WHY the policy changed
Why did it go from ‘isolationism in the 1930s to
containments in the late 1940s?
- WWII
- USSR and Communist bloc
Why was WWII important in
American foreign policy?
• It brought the US out of Isolationism- explain
• The US helped contribute to the victoryexplain
• They used the atomic bomb-explain
• The events at the end of WWII led to the Cold
War- explain
1950s
The Korean War 1950-1953
Japan surrendered in 1945
and Korea a former colony
was occupied in the
north by Soviet forces and
south by the Americans.
Korea was divided along the
38 Parallel.
The Soviets left a communist
government under Kim Il
Sung and the Americans
left a ‘democratic’
government under
Syngman Rhee.
• Both Korean governments claimed the right to rule
over the whole country and June 1950 North
Korean troops backed by the Soviets invaded S
Korea.
• Truman was afraid of the ‘domino effect’ and sent in
US forces and appealed to the United Nations for
backing. The UN called on North Korea to withdraw
and decided to send an army.
• 16 countries sent troops but the Americans provided
50% of land forces, 93% air forces and 86% naval
forces.
Fighting the war
1950 General MacArthur was appointed
Commander in Chief by Truman. By
October most of North Korea was
occupied by the Americans.
Mao Zedong communist ruler of China
warned the USA to stay away from China’s
borders. When this warning was ignored
thousands of Chinese troops were sent to
help the N Koreans in Nov. 1950.
Feb 1951 MacArthur forced out of the
north.
MacArthur asked for an invasion of China
and advised using nuclear weapons.
Truman said no and eventually MacArthur
was dismissed.
The end of the war
• Both sides dug in along the 38 Parallel.
• The war dragged on until 1953 and ended in
stalemate in July 1953.
• The new border ran across the 38 parallel.
• The USA carried on helping the ‘democratic’
government of S Korea.
• 37-50,000 US soldiers had died.?
• Relations with China were damaged and
remained poor until the 1970s.
• The war was always a limited one and never
became a general war.
Why has the Korean War been called the
USA’s war?
(4)
• America initiated a war through fear of the Domino
Theory.
• Truman sent in troops and asked the United Nations for
backing in Korea in 1950.
• America provided the majority of the land forces, ships
and airplanes.
• General MacArthur an American was appointed
Commander in Chief by Truman.
The North
Leader: Kim Il Sung
Communist
Supported by Russia and then
China
The South
Leader Syngman Rhee
Capitalist/ democratic
Supported by US forces and
the United Nations and 16
other countries
USA provided 50% of land
forces
93% air forces
86% naval forces
General Mc Arthur wanted to
used Nuclear weapons against
China.
The Cuban
Missile
Crisis, 1962
Leader-1959
Bay of Pigs Incident- 1961
1962- U2 spy plane- implications
The crisis
The results
1960s
The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
• 1959 The corrupt Cuban
leader Batista was
overthrown by Fidel Castro
a left wing Cuban.
• The USA recognised his
government because
America had huge financial
interests there.
• Castro began reforms which
threatened American
interests – he planned to
nationalise American
businesses and he made
trade agreements with the
Soviets.
• America began to fear the
threat of a communist
country just 90 miles off its
mainland.
The Bay of Pigs April 1961
• Action
• The CIA convinced
Kennedy that Castro should
be overthrown.
• 1961 April a CIA backed
force of 1400 anti-Castro
exiles invaded at the Bay of
Pigs.
• It failed- put down by
20,000 Cuban soldiers.
• Kennedy realised he had
been badly advised.
• In July Castro nationalised
American industries and got
protection from the Soviet
Union. He declared himself
communist.
• 1962
• In October US spy planes
photographed Soviet
missiles in place on Cuba.
This put every major
American city in range of
nuclear attack.
• It seemed Khrushchev
had decided to use Cuba
to pressurise Kennedy
into removing US missile
sites from Turkey.
• What could Kennedy
do?
• He needed to look strong
after the Bay of Pigs.
• He could invade Cuba
and destroy the sites.
• He could attack the
Soviet Union - could lead
to nuclear war.
• He could blockade Cuba
using the US navy – and
stop supplies.
• Naval Blockade
Timeline
22 October
23 October
24 October
26 October
27 October
28 October
Kennedy announced the Cuban Blockade.
Soviets said they were defending Cuba
against US aggression.
Soviet ships reached the blockade and turned
back.
Khrushchev sent Kennedy a letter saying he
would remove the missiles if America lifted
the blockade and promised not to invade
Cuba.
Khrushchev sent a second letter adding the
condition that America remove its missiles
from Turkey. Kennedy agreed to the first
letter in public and to the second letter in
private.
Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles
from Cuba.
What were the results of the crisis?
• Both Presidents were accused of ‘brinkmanship’ but emerged
with credit.
• Kennedy had forced Khrushchev to back down and avoided
war. USA had ‘won’.
• Khrushchev was praised for his sense but criticised by China
for backing down.
• Relations between the super powers got better and a ‘hotline’
was installed in 1963 between the White House and Kremlin
to improve communication.
• 1963 Test Ban Treaty signed outlawing nuclear testing in the
atmosphere, under water or in space.
Why did the USA get involved in the Cuban
Missile Crisis?
• Cuba was a communist country and the USSR was an
ally of Castro and was giving Cuba help.
• The Cubans had nuclear weapons 90 miles off the
coast of Florida.
• The USA wanted to make up for the failure of the Bay
of Pigs 1961.
• Kennedy wanted to look strong after doing nothing
about the Berlin Wall.
• Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis a turning
point in foreign policy?
• Before
• During
• After
• Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis a turning
point in foreign policy?
• Before- Bay of pigs incident- policy of
containment
• During- the events of the crisis
• After- What did it lead to? What changed in
the long-term?
• America realised how close to war they had
come and decided it must never happen again
so they tried to improve relations with USSR.
i) They set up a hotline between the White House
and the Kremlin
ii)1963 Test Ban Treaty signed outlawing nuclear
testing in the atmosphere, under water or in
space.
iii) The crisis eventually paved the way for
groundbreaking talks in 1972- SALT I which
aimed to reduce ICBM and anti-ballistic missiles
and the Helsinki accords.
• America had contained communism on its
doorstep but it had come at a tremendous
cost and nearly lead to war. Brinkmanship
needed to be avoided.
• Kennedy came out of the Crisis looking strong
and the Americans were able to keep the face
that they removed missiles from Turkey quiet.
• Kennedy had forced the USSR to remove the
missiles from Cuba and claimed a victory.
Who gained the most from the Cuban
Missile Crisis? (4)
• Kennedy came out of it a hero for avoiding nuclear
war.
• He made the Russians remove their missiles from
Cuba.
• Khrushchev was praised for being sensible and
preventing an invasion of Cuba.
• America removed its missiles from Turkey.
• Kennedy came out looking stronger and Khrushchev
was replaced as President 2 years later.
More American soldiers
committed suicide after
returning home from Vietnam
than were killed fighting in the
war.
•
•
•
•
58,000 soldiers were killed
500, 000 deserted
Over 100,000 soldiers committed suicide
8% of soldiers were estimated to be smoking
marijuana, 22% were on heroin, 730 officers
were shot in the back or had grenades thrown
at them by their own men.
Why did the USA get involved in
the Vietnam war?
• 1954
• 1956
• 1963
• 1964
• 1965
• 1968-My Lai
The Tet Offensive
• 1973
• 1975
• 1976 -
• Ho Chi Minh
• Vietcong (aka Charlie)- Vietnamese guerrilla forces in
the south who supported the NORTH VIETNAMESE
Army and Ho Chi Minh (Communists)
• Guerrilla warfare
• Operation Rolling Thunder
• Ho Chi Minh Trail
• Tet Offensive
The War in Vietnam 1963?-1973
America fought a long and difficult war against communism in
Vietnam but was not successful against the communist
guerrilla forces.
• In 1954 Communist
rebels led by Ho Chi Minh
drove the French out of
Indo-China.
• The area was divided
into:
• Cambodia
• Laos
• North Vietnam
South Vietnam.
• The North of Vietnam
became communist under
Ho Chi Minh
• The South was controlled
by Ngo Dinh Diem.
• Ho Chi Minh wanted a
communist Vietnam and set
out to achieve it by war.
• Eisenhower and later
Kennedy sent weapons and
‘advisors’ to help the South
as part of their policy of
containment to stop the
spread of communism. They
feared the domino theory.
• Later Johnson said war was
necessary for American
economic recovery.
• LBJ
1963 USA stepped up Involvement
• In 1963 the Vietcong (communist forces)
had control of 40% of the countryside of
South Vietnam so Johnson increased
support.
• In August 1964 North Vietnamese boats
attacked American ships in the Gulf of
Tonkin.
• 1965 Johnson launched Operation
Rolling Thunder a massive bombing
offensive against North Vietnam and sent
in 180,000 combat troops as a quick way
of defeating the Vietcong.
• By 1968 over 540,000
American soldiers were
fighting in Vietnam.
• The Chinese and
Soviets sent weapons
and supplies to the
Vietcong and
thousands of
communist soldiers
came along the supply
line called the Ho Chi
Minh Trail.
Guerrilla warfareused by weak forces against militarily strong forces
• 1- to avoid military confrontation but to keep
the enemy under pressure.
• 2- small skirmishes
• 3- Use land, mountains and jungle
US tactics
Napalm
Agent orange
Operation Rolling Thunder
Search and destroy
interrogation
Vietnamese
tactics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Guerrilla tactics
Booby traps
Bouncing betty
Tin can traps
Fuel tank trap
Vietcong tunnels
HO CHI MINH TRAIL
US Tactics
• They fought a high tech war
using B52 bombers,
helicopters and rocket
launchers.
• Chemicals like Agent Orange
and Blue – a defoliant to stop
the Vietcong hiding in the
jungle.
• Napalm – a type of burning
jelly which sticks to the skin to
flush out ‘Charlie’ as the
Americans called the
Vietcong.
• Vietcong Tactics
They fought a guerrilla war- use the
environment, avoid full scale
confrontation but use constant
skirmishes
• They dug 48,000 miles of tunnels
(with kitchens , weapons stores,
hospitals etc)
• They carried out surprise attacks and
disappeared into the jungle.
• They merged with civilians easily so
they were hard for US troops to
identify.
• They were resilient in spite of heavy
losses.
Punji traps- a deep covered hole in
ground with upturned bamboo or metal
points covered in poison or human
excrement
Bouncing Betty- mine just under the
surface, exploded when trodden on.
Tin can trap- grenade pin removed and
put in a can- detonated when the wire it
tripped over
Fuel tank trap- rubber band put over
grenade and put in fuel tank. When the
rubber perished the grenade would
blow up
• Vietcong in tunnels
• Vietcong Tactics
They fought a guerrilla war- use the
environment, avoid full scale confrontation
but use constant skirmishes
• They dug 48,000 miles of tunnels (with
kitchens , weapons stores, hospitals etc)
• They carried out surprise attacks and
disappeared into the jungle.
• They merged with civilians easily so they
were hard for US troops to identify.
• They were resilient in spite of heavy
losses.
Punji traps- a deep covered hole in ground
with upturned bamboo or metal points
covered in poison or human excrement
Bouncing Betty- mine just under the
surface, exploded when trodden on.
Tin can trap- grenade pin removed and
put in a can- detonated when the wire it
tripped over
Fuel tank trap- rubber band put over
grenade and put in fuel tank. When the
rubber perished the grenade would blow
Ho chi Minh Trail
The North Vietnamese used the Ho Chi Minh
trail to send guerrillas, weapons, equipment
and food to the Vietcong in the south. The 1
000 km route wound its way across forests,
valleys, hills, rivers and roads. It was much
more that one single routeway.
The Tet Offensive January 1968
• The Vietcong carried
out the Tet Offensive
during the Tet religious
festival.
• South Vietnam towns,
US bases and the US
embassy Saigon were
attacked.
• The Vietcong were
driven back with 50,000
dead and although they
lost the battle they won
a propaganda victory.
Opposition to the War
• The war was
televised and millions
saw its horrific results
from their homes.
• 1969 CBS showed
shocking images of
the massacre of 504
men, women and
children by troops at
My Lai in 1968.
• This widened the
divide between
Americans who
supported the war
and those who did
not.
• Lieutenant William Calley
who led the attack was
sentenced to life but
served 3 days of the
sentence.
• An Anti War protest
movement gained
support – Martin Luther
King Muhammed Ali and
Jane Fonda spoke out.
• Students protested in
Kent State university (4
shot)
• Protests took place all
over the USA – young
men burned their ‘draft’
cards.
• Johnson had to put up
with chants of ‘ Hey, hey
LBJ, how many kids did
you kill today?’
• He did not seek reelection in 1969 Nixon
became President.
Nixon’s Vietnamisation and ‘giving the
war back’
• The American public were
more reluctant to be part of
the war so Nixon’s solution
was to strengthen the
South Vietnamese army so
it would be strong enough
to defend the country itself,
giving him an excuse to
withdraw US troops.
• As the process of
Vietnamisation began
peace talks were held to
try to end the war.
• 1973 a ceasefire had
been agreed and by the
end of the year American
troops had left.
• In 1975 the war started
again and America sent
supplies but no troops.
• 1976 Ho Chi Minh
succeeded in uniting
Vietnam as a single
communist country.
•
Cambodia and Laos
became communist and
the policy of containment
failed.
• 58,000 US soldiers died.
• 900,000 North
Vietnamese died.
Why did the USA get involved in the Vietnam
War?
• The weak government in S Vietnam was on the verge of
collapse by 1965 so the USA intervened to stop
communism spreading.
• America believed in the Domino theory that if one
country went communist then all the others around it
would follow.
• American was following a policy of containment to stop
the spread of communism.
• Later Johnson said the war was necessary for economic
recovery in the USA.
Why did the USA ‘lose’ the war in
Vietnam?
Why was Vietnam so important to US foreign policy? (8)
• Unlike Korea, this was America's war. They were prepared to go to war
alone against the Vietnamese. America's belief in the Domino Theory
meant that they were determined to stop Communism from spreading.
• America felt it had the military strength, the power of the nuclear bomb
and the justification to stop communism from spreading. This was their
mission!
• Events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, gave many Americans the impression
that Communism was really taking a hold on the world. America had to
stop it.
In the longer term
• Many Americans lost their belief in their country.
• The war led to a loss of American reputation around the world.
• Nixon announced the end of the Truman Doctrine – containment had not
worked.
• The Americans made an effort to relax tension with communist powers –
USSR and China.
Why did the USA lose the Vietnam War?
The Americans were defeated for 6 reasons:
• The Vietcong treated the South Vietnamese well and got their
support.
• The US bombings killed many civilians and made North
Vietnam determined to win.
• The Vietcong were skilled guerrilla soldiers and the Americans
had no response.
• American troops were not used to fighting in the jungle.
• The North Vietnamese had support from China and the USSR.
• Americans at home turned against the war. (televised war
allowed people at home to watch it)
• What impact did the Vietnam War have upon the USA and Vietnam?
The most significant protests came at Kent State University in Ohio. Protest against the
war led to the death of four students were shot. Protests struck across the whole
of American society. Concerts like Woodstock, where 400,000 "hippies" attended
were further examples of the growing anger of many towards the policies in
Vietnam
• The war had a great impact upon American politics.
It led to a significant decline in the popularity of the Democratic president
L.B.Johnson. After Tet his popularity went down from 48 to 36%. As a result of this
he decided not to stand for nomination.
The election deeply divided society between those who wanted to continue and
increase involvement in the war against those who wanted American withdrawal.
This was more so in the Democratic Party Convention. Known as 20,000 National
Guards greeted the "Battle of Chicago" over 12,000 protestors. The event was to
help the Democrats lose the election with Republican Party under Nixon winning.
Nixon began the process of Vietnamization, which was the gradual removal of US
troops from Vietnam. Again, however, protestors inside the US believed that this
was too slow. Further violence e.g. Kent State University convinced him to speed
up the process.
.Over 2.5 million Vietnamese soldiers and civilians were killed by the war. 1.5 million
were injured
Villages were often destroyed or terrorised by both the Vietcong or the US
A million tons of bombs were dropped on the Vietnamese and the dropping of Agent
Orange and Blue has resulted in thousands of deformed babies.
In 1976 South Vietnam was re-united with North Vietnam. Today the country remains
united but very poor.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Why was Vietnam so important in American Foreign Policy
Unlike Korea, this was America's war. They were prepared to go to war alone
against the Vietnamese. America's belief in the Domino Theory meant that they
were determined to stop Communism from spreading.
America felt it had the military strength, the power of the nuclear bomb and the
justification to stop communism from spreading. This was their mission!
Events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, gave many Americans the impression that
Communism was really taking a hold on the world. America had to stop it.
However………………!!!
When the American's left Vietnam, Vietnam did fall to communism. However,
other countries did not. This proved that the Domino Theory was, in fact, wrong!
This was the first occasion that the American public turned against its country's
ambitions. US society became deeply divided by the war they eventually lost
(although they would claim they withdrew!) This would have long lasting,
psychological effects on future involvement in wars. Was it really worth it if the
Domino Theory was wrong?
The war left America wondering what her role in world affairs was. The USA for
the next fifteen years became very reluctant to send in her troops into another
country to try to sort out their troubles.
1930S
INACTIVE
Foreign Policy
ISOLATIONISM
Yes- Neutrality Acts 1-4
No- Good Neighbour,
Montevideo Conference
Act of Havana
Atlantic Charter
Neutrality 5- Cash and Carry
1940s
REACTIVE
Foreign Policy
Reaction to
PEARL HARBOR
AMERICA’S
CONTRIBUTION TO
WWII
Atlantic Charter
Lend Lease
WAR in EUROPE<-AFRICA,
PACIFIC, ATOMIC BOMB
1947-1970
PROACTIVE
Foreign Policy
CONTAINMENTDOMINO THEORY
Truman Doctine, Marshall Plan
Berlin Blockade and Wall
KOREA, VIETNAM, CUBA
1970s
DETENTE
IMPROVING
RELATIONS WITH
USSR AND CHINA
CHINA- Pingpong, visit
USSR- SALT I , Helsinki, SPACE
,1980-85
RETURN TO
COLD WAR
REAGAN AND STAR
WARS
SDI-STAR WARS & NEUTRON
BOMB
IMPROVEMENT
GORBACHEV
1990s
•RISE OF RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM?
IRAN, IRAQ
1970s
How did the Cold War
relationships change?
Détente
• What was detente?
• Détente means relaxation of
tension. This word has been
used to describe periods of
‘thaw’ in cold War relations.
• It applies between 1971
when the Soviets and
Americans held a series of
summit meetings and 1979
when the soviets invaded
Afghanistan.
• Nixon was anti-communist
but he wanted friendly
relations with China and the
Soviets. Later Presidents
Ford and Carter followed
this policy.
Why did the Superpowers want Détente?
• Communism could not be contained by
force alone.
• The arms race was expensive and
dangerous.
• Nixon wanted to go down in History as
a peacemaker.
• Both the USA and USSR had economic
problems and hoped détente would
help.
Improvements in Relations during
Detente (2 pages)
CHINA
PING-PONG DIPLOMACY
NIXON VISITS CHINA 1972
CHINA JOINS THE UNITED
NATIONS
USSR
The Strategic Arms limitation
Talks (SALT)
The Helsinki Accords 1975
Apollo Soyouz mission of 1975
(SALT II was never agreed by
the American Senate because
the Soviet Union invaded
Afghanistan in 1979.)
Nixon and China
1. Both America and China distrusted the
Soviets so tried to improve relations
with each other.
2.1971 the USA agreed that China should
take its seat in the United Nations.
3.Sporting links meant the USA table tennis
team played matches in Peking giving rise
to ‘ping pong diplomacy’.
4.1972 Nixon visited China.
Describe President Nixon’s policy to
China. (4)
• Nixon wanted to cut spending on arms.
• Nixon wanted friendly relations with China
because they were both suspicious of the
USSR.
• Nixon got the Chinese a seat in the United
Nations.
• The American and Chinese table tennis teams
played matches in Peking.
• Nixon visited China in 1972 on a ‘journey for
peace’ to create friendly relations.
• China could pose a threat to Asia and Nixon
wanted to stop China expanding
• Détente with the USSR
(SALT I, HELSINKI ACCORDS & SALTII –
never finally agreed )
• 1972 Nixon flew to Moscow.
• Brezhnev and Nixon 1972
This was a landmark in RussoAmerican relations.
• The Strategic Arms limitation
Talks (SALT) started in 1969
leading to the SALT I
agreement which ran for 5
years:The number of intercontinental
ballistic missiles and antiballistic missiles were limited.
Agreements were made not to
test intercontinental ballistic
missiles and submarine
launched missiles.
The Helsinki Accords 1975
• President Ford signing the
• In 1975, 35 countries
Accords after meeting
including the USA and
Brezhnev.
USSR signed an agreement
which has been seen as the
high point of détente and a
commitment to improve
relations.
• The USA recognised the
current borders of Europe.
• The Declaration of Human
Rights was a promise by all
countries to respect basic
human rights of speech,
religion and movement.
• Apollo Soyouz mission of 1975 which marked the
beginning of superpower co-operation in space.
•
(c) Use sources B and C and your own knowledge to
explain why American attitude towards the USSR
changed.
• 1st step- Use source B- what does it say about
American attitude towards the USSR
What is Kennedy saying about Russia?
How will the USA respond to Russian action?
Explain this position- WHY did Kennedy say this?
Discovery of missiles on Cuba
Communist country 90miles away
Threatened security of America
(America conscious that they had missiles in Turkey)
• 2nd step- Now look at C- what does it say or
show about American attitudes towards
Russia?
• SALT I talks -explain what these were...
In contrast to source B, source C suggests that
.....
• 3rd step WHY has the policy changed
• 3rd step - Explain WHY the policy changed
Why did it go from ‘declaring war on USSR’ if
necessary to peace talks and reducing Arms?
•
•
•
•
Brinkmanship in CMC nearly led to nuclear war
Communism could not be contained by force alone.
The arms race was expensive and dangerous.
Nixon wanted to go down in History as a
peacemaker.
• Both the USA and USSR had economic problems
and hope détente would help.
The Impact of the War in Afghanistan 1979
• President Carter tried to
get further agreements on
arms limitation through
SALT II talks. The Soviet
leader Brezhnev and
Carter signed this
agreement to get rid of
nuclear weapons
completely.
• SALT II was never agreed
by the American Senate
because the Soviet Union
invaded Afghanistan in
1979.
Result
• Diplomatic links were
broken.
• 1980 the American
Olympic team withdrew
from the Moscow Games.
• SALT II signed by President Carter
and Brezhnev
The emergence of Islamic fundamentalism
in Iran
In 1979 America’s closest ally the Shah of Iran
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was forced to abdicate.
This unsettled the whole region The USA had vital oil
interests in the Gulf area and especially Iran. The
period saw a growth in religious fundamentalism
which demanded an end to American oil interests.
Iran was now controlled by Ayatollah Ruhollah
Khomeini who denounced the USA as the ‘Great
Satan’ and announced he wished to destroy all
Western influence in his Islamic republic.
•
• The emergence of Islamic fundamentalism in
Iran• Nov 1979- US Embassy hostage crisis
The emergence of Islamic
fundamentalism in Iran
• In 1979 America’s closest ally the Shah of Iran
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was forced to
abdicate. This unsettled the whole region The
USA had vital oil interests in the Gulf area and
especially Iran. The period saw a growth in
religious fundamentalism which demanded
an end to American oil interests.
• Nov 1979- 66 Americans were taken hostage
after the US Embassy in Tehran was taken over
by militant students. 52 Americans were
• Nov 1979- 66 Americans were taken hostage after
the US Embassy in Tehran was taken over by militant
students. Khomeini demanded the extradition of the
Shah who was in New York receiving treatment in
return for the hostages The USA refused to hand the
Shah over and suspended Iranian oil imports. Carter
threatened military action. Khomeini refused to
budge and threatened to try the hostages on a
charge of spying. US rescue mission went wrong
when a helicopter crashed. Negotiations for the
release of the hostages resumed after the death of
the Shah in July 1980. 52 Americans were released
having spent 444 days in captivity.
1980s- The Second Cold War
1980s
1981 Reagan replaced Carter and America returned to its antiSoviet foreign policy.
• Reagan had increased
the defence budget. The
USA developed the
neutron bomb which
could kill people without
damaging property.
• 1983 US scientists began
to work on the Strategic
Defence Initiative (SDI) or
Star Wars a giant shield
in space which would use
lasers to shoot down
enemy missiles.
• He wanted to undermine
the USSR.
1980s- the Second Cold War
Ronald Reagan
• Neutron bomb
• Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) or Star
Wars
The USSR
• The Afghan war had cost
the USSR a huge amount
of money because a brief
war had turned into their
equivalent of Vietnam.
• 1985 Gorbachev became
the new leader and he
realised big changes
were needed. The USSR
could not afford to spend
money on defence
• Gorbachev followed
policies of perestroika
(restructuring) and of
glasnost (openness).
• Reagan and Gorbachev
had a series of meeting in
1985 in Geneva and 1986
in Iceland.
Russian President -Gorbachev
• Impact of Afghanistan- cost
• Finanacial cost of the Cold war and arms race
• Perestroika (restructuring) and of glasnost
• ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------• In 1987 INF (Intermediate Range Nuclear
Force) Treaty was signed.
In 1985 Reagan and Gorbachev met in Geneva.
In 1987 INF (Intermediate Range Nuclear Force) Treaty
was signed.
 This was a turning point in the arms race when both
leaders agreed to destroy medium and short range
weapons in Europe within 3 years.
The End of the Cold War •
• Gorbachev’s policies led
to the Soviet grip on
Eastern Europe
loosening.
• 1989 leaders of
communist controlled
Eastern Europe were told
Soviet troops would no
longer be able to defend
them – the Soviet Union
was removing its control.
• 1990 East and West
Germany were united and
in 1991 the USSR split
into republics.
Berlin Wall came down in
November 1989
The Cold War had ended
in 1993 when Bush and
Yeltsin signed the Start 2
Disarmament treaty.
America's Purpose?
Foreign Policy after the Cold War
In the 1990s the problems facing America
involved her will and capacity to use her
power effectively to maintain a stable and
secure world order which in turn was
conducive to American interests and ideals.
(world police again?)
1. Threats to International peace
and order
• The (Persian) Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February
1991) and the Second Gulf War, were fought against
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
• Known as Desert Storm for the military response, it was
a conflict, which was initiated with United Nations
authorization, by a coalition force from 34 nations
against Iraq with the expressed purpose of expelling
Iraqi forces from Kuwait after its invasion and
annexation on 2 August 1990.
• The great majority of the military forces in the coalition were
from the United States, with Saudi Arabia, the United
Kingdom and Egypt as leading contributors, in that order.
Around US$40 billion of the US$60 billion cost was paid by
Saudi Arabia.
• Throughout much of the Cold War, Iraq had been an ally of
the Soviet Union, and there was a history of friction between
it and the United States.
• The Search for Peace- i) America and
Northern Ireland
• The Search for Peace- ii) America and the
Israel and Palestinian conflict
• In what ways did the US role in foreign affairs
change 1929-1990? (10)
• Was US influence in world affairs always one of
powerful leadership through the period 19291990? (10)
• How did the USA develop its role as a world
power 1929-1990? (10)
What was détente? (2)
• Détente means relaxation of tension. This word has
been used to describe periods of ‘thaw’ in cold War
relations.
• It applies between 1971-79 when the Soviets and
Americans held a series meetings
• Nixon was anti-communist but he wanted friendly
relations with China and the Soviets. Later Presidents
Ford and Carter followed this policy.
Describe what happened at Pearl
Harbour in 1941. (4)
• A surprise attack was launched on the American
Naval base in Hawaii on the 7th Dec 1941
• 8 battleships were sunk, 10 other craft were
destroyed, 188 planes destroyed, 159 damaged and
2400 died
• The Japanese missed 3 American aircraft carriers
which were out on exercises and huge oil stores
• As a result the USA declared war on Japan
Explain why the USA became involved
in the Cuban Missile Crisis. (6)
• Cuba was a communist country and the USSR was an
ally of Castro and was giving Cuba help. America was
anti-Communist, believed in the Domino theory and
the policy of containment originally set out by
Truman.
• The Cubans had nuclear weapons 90 miles off the
coast of Florida.
• The USA wanted to make up for the failure of the Bay
of Pigs 1961.
• Kennedy wanted to look strong after doing nothing
about the Berlin Wall.
Why was Berlin an important city to
the USA during the Cold War?
• West Berlin was the flagship for capitalism during the
Cold War.
• When Stalin tried to starve Berliners in 1948-49 the west
refused to back down. West Berlin was a symbol of the
division between democracy and communism.
• Khrushchev said Berlin was the centre of spying.
• Those living in the East could travel freely and work in
the west and vice versa until 1961.
• Between 1945 and 1960 over 3 million crossed to the
west from the east for a better quality of life so the USA
was winning the propaganda war using Berlin.
• The Berlin Wall became the symbol of the Cold War.
Was US influence in world affairs
always one of powerful leadership
throughout the period 1929-1990?
• 1920s/30- isolationism
• 1940s- prewar- WWII- Truman Doctine,
Marshal Aid, Berlin Air lift
• 1950s- Korea
• 1960s- Berlin Wall, Cuban Missile crisis,
Vietnam
• 1970/80s- detente
1930s- Isolationism- Inactive Foreign Policy
1940s- Reactive Foreign policy (WWII)
Why did Foreign Policy change?
Attack on Pearl Harbor and America
involvement in WWII
• 1940s- Reactive Foreign Policy
• 1947-1970 –Proactive Foreign Policy
The Policy of Containment (domino
Theory/ Truman Doctine and Marshall
Aid)
• Why does US policy change
»Threat of communism
»American belief in the Domino Theory
»The Rise of Stalin and his attempt to
force Communism on Eastern Europe.
• 1947-1970- Policy of containment
• 1970- detente
• Why the change?
Fear of Nuclear bombs
cost of the arms race
attitude of the presidents
• 1970 Detente
• Late 1970s/80s- Second Cold War
Why the change?
The USSR invade Afghanistan
Attitude of Reagan- increased expenditure on arms
• 1980s –second Cold War
• 1989- End of Communism
• Why did American foreign policy change?
– End of communism
– Communism could not be contained
– Arms race was too expensive
– Afghan war was too expensive
– Russian President GorbachevGorbachev followed
policies of perestroika (restructuring) and of
glasnost (openness).
– Rise of extremism- change of focus.