The Cold War Begins
1945-51
After WWII:
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2 “superpowers”
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U.S.
U.S.S.R.
rest of the industrialized world in ruins
Nuclear weapons
Menace in the post-war world

Between 1945 and 1950, numerous
events seem to demonstrate an
aggressive, expansionist Communist
movement.
“The Iron Curtain”
Berlin Airlift

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U.S.S.R closes off
land routes between
West and Berlin,
1948-49.
U.S. and allies
organize air campaign
to ferry supplies to
the city.
China goes Red!
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1949: Forces led by
Mao Zedong install a
communist
government in
mainland China.
Communist
movements active in
other parts of Asia.
American reactions

1947: The Truman
Doctrine
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“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.”
Congress grants $400
million in aid to Greece
and Turkey
The Marshall Plan

1948: Congress
agrees to plan that
provides $13 billion in
aid to Western Europe
“Containment”

Term attributed to
George F. Keenan,
U.S. diplomat
The North Atlantic Treaty
Organization
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Formed in 1949
Original participants:

U.S., Canada, U.K.,
France, Low Countries,
Italy, Iceland,
Portugal, Denmark,
Norway
Modes of Deterrence

Forward, collective defense

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NATO, other regional pacts
Nuclear (unilateral)

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Relies on threat of retaliation with U.S. atomic
arsenal.
Basis of defense JCS planning in 1948 & 1949.
Late 1940’s U.S.:
Poor ability to wage nuclear war
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Not enough bombs.
Not enough trained crews and planes.
Need bases overseas for bombers.
How bolster nuclear deterrent?
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Improve Strategic Air Command
Build a bigger bomb (H-Bomb)
Context of U.S. Military Policy
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Post WWII demobilization.
Truman-era defense budgets.
Inter-service rivalry.
Drive to centralize military planning.
National Defense Act of 1947
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Creates the National Security Council.
Creates the National Military Establishment:
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Creates Secretary of Defense
Secretary to oversee three military executive
departments: Army, Navy, and Air Force
Creates the CIA.
1949 Amendment to NSA:
Department of Defense created

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Replaces “National Military
Establishment”
Army, Navy and Air Force
become subordinated within
DoD.
Deputy and assistant Secretaries
of Defense created.
Chairman for the JCS created.
Civilian “Encroachment” into
Military Affairs

Congress:
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Women’s Armed Forces
Integration Act, 1948.
Uniform Code of Military Justice,
1949.
The President:
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Executive Order 9981 (July
1948) – ordered racial
integration of the armed forces
Meanwhile, State Dept. and JCS
planners meet in early 1950.

Study results become known as NSC-68.
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Presents international communism as
implacable enemy to U.S and the West.
Warns of growing Soviet atomic arsenal.
Calls for a great, rapid build-up U.S. and allied
defense capabilities to deter communist
expansion and risk of war.
Korea

1945: Had been
divided at 38th parallel
by U.S. and Soviet
occupation forces in
1945.
The North Invades the South

Attacks on June 25, 1950,
with:
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90,000 troops
150 Soviet-made tanks
South Korean army
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95,000 men
Untrained, armed only to
fight guerillas
UN & ROK forces pushed back
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U.S. throws in forces
to help South Koreans
stave off defeat.
UN forces hold a
perimeter defeating
approaches to the
port of Pusan at end
of July.
Tough fighting along the Pusan
perimeter, July-September.
Truman & policy early in the war

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Obtained United Nations’ sanction of
intervention to defend Korea.
Sought goal of re-establishing pre-war
border and ending the conflict (by military
means or negotiations).
UN Commander:
Douglas MacArthur*

Develops a plan to save
the ROK:
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Invade at Inchon (Sept.
15, 1950)
Attack successful, 8th Army
drives NKPA back towards
the 38th parallel.
* - 8th Army Commander:
Walton H. Walker
October: Change of war goals

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Truman allows MacArthur’s troops to
pursue NKPA forces beyond the 38th
parallel.
Truman, Rhee push UN to accept the
reunification of Korea as a war aim.
Chinese Intervention?

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Some constraints
placed on MacArthur’s
drive north.
MacArthur assured
Truman Chinese
would not enter the
war.
"We face an entirely new war."
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Nov. 25, 1950:
Over 250,000 Chinese
soldiers launch an
offensive.
UN forces driven back
south of 38th parallel
by January 1951.
New Commander for 8th Army

Matthew Ridgway
takes command in
January 1951.

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Rallies UN forces.
Jan. 15: Launches
counterattack back up
the peninsula.
Meanwhile, back at the UN…
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U.S. allies dismayed at China’s entry into
the war.
UN agrees to continue the war, reverts
back to original war aims:

Restore pre-war borders & end the conflict