Primary Source Analysis - Adriana Castillo

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University of North Texas *

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2610

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History

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Dec 6, 2023

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pdf

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1 Adriana Castillo Manuel Grajales HIST 2620 Section 033 November 03 , 2023 Primary Source Analysis "The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950" and "Percy L. Julian Decries Racial Segregation in Dallas, 1956" are two documents from the mid-20th century that reflect contrasting perspectives on the role of the United States in the world. These documents provide insight into the beliefs, justifications, and underlying agendas or biases of their respective authors. The National Security Council Issues NSC-68 and Percy L. Julian Decries Racial Segregation in Dallas highlights the United States' role in the world during the mid-20th century. The authors of NSC-68 argued for a strong national security state and increased defense spending to combat communism, while Julian decried racial segregation in Dallas, arguing for racial equality and justice. These documents highlight the complex issues shaping American society and foreign policy during this period, highlighting the United States' dual role in the global struggle against communism and its domestic struggle for civil rights. "The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950", known as NSC-68, was a top-secret report produced during the early years of the Cold War. It was authored by a group of policymakers, with Paul H. Nitze playing a prominent role. NSC-68 called for a significant
2 expansion of the United States' military and economic resources to counter the perceived threat of communism, particularly from the Soviet Union. The authors of this document believed that the primary role of the United States in the world was to lead the free world in the fight against communism. The justification for their beliefs was rooted in the prevailing Cold War mindset. The authors argued that the United States had a moral and strategic obligation to prevent the spread of communism, which they viewed as an existential threat. They believed that the United States should maintain a strong military, promote economic and military aid to friendly nations, and engage in propaganda efforts to counter communist influence. The underlying agenda of NSC-68 was the promotion of a robust national security state. This document served as a blueprint for increased defense spending, the establishment of NATO, and other Cold War policies. It was heavily influenced by the bias of viewing the world through the lens of the bipolar struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, which sometimes led to an exaggerated perception of the communist threat. Overall, "The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950" is a top-secret report produced by the National Security Council (NSC) of the United States government in 1950. It was produced during the early Cold War period, when the US and the Soviet Union were in a tense rivalry for global influence. The document was heavily biased against communism and the Soviet Union, advocating for a significant increase in military spending and the development of a more powerful military. It also called for economic and military assistance to friendly nations, particularly in Europe, to resist communist influence. The document also emphasized
3 propaganda and information warfare to counter communist propaganda, positioning the US as the leader of the free world in the struggle against communism. "Percy L. Julian Decries Racial Segregation in Dallas, 1956", Percy L. Julian was an African American chemist and civil rights advocate who delivered a speech in 1956 decrying racial segregation in Dallas, Texas. Julian, like many civil rights activists of the time, believed that the role of the United States in the world should be as a beacon of democracy and equality. He argued that the U.S. could not effectively promote these principles abroad while it still practiced racial segregation at home. The justification for Julian's belief was a moral one. He argued that racial segregation and discrimination were fundamentally un-American and that the United States' credibility on the global stage was undermined by its failure to live up to its own ideals. Julian believed that the United States needed to address its domestic racial issues as a crucial step in demonstrating its commitment to equality and justice. The underlying agenda in Julian's speech was to advocate for civil rights and equality for African Americans. His bias was rooted in the experience of being a victim of racial discrimination, which fueled his passion for the civil rights movement. He sought to use his platform to raise awareness about the injustices of segregation and to encourage change within the United States. In general, Percy L. Julian, an African American chemist and civil rights advocate, delivered a speech in Dallas in 1956, highlighting the injustices faced by African Americans. The speech was part of the broader civil rights movement, aiming to end racial segregation and secure equal
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