Ap Us History 2001 Dbq Essay

Immediately after World War II, the world was thrown into a massive ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union, which culminated into the Cold War. The Cold War ignited overwhelming, panic-inducing fears across the United States, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, elected in 1952 and remained president until 1960, was faced with the challenge of quelling the fears of the American people. Americans during the Cold War, particularly during the presidency of Eisenhower, had constant fears of Soviet expansion, the pertinent anticommunist crusade at home, the spread of communism, and the neverending uneasiness of total nuclear annihilation, all fears which the Eisenhower administration would inadequately allay.

What were the cold war fears of the American people in the aftermath of the second world war? How successfully did the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower address these fears? Use the documents and your knowledge of the years 1948 – 1961 to construct your response.

Here are two of the most important orations of the cold war period, by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Dwight D Eisenhower’s describing the policies and efforts to contain the Cold War era. Churchill starts with his famous speech “the Iron Curtain” delivered in Fulton Missouri in 1946 after being invited by President Truman. The “Iron Curtain” speech was the initial platform that announced and defined the declarations of the Cold war to come with the urgency to have a tight relationship between the countries of democracy against communism. Then with President Eisenhower’s speech in 1953 a “Chance for Peace” this was an initiative that outlined the clear recognition of the prospects the world faced and the cost in sincere efforts to end the cold war. The “Iron Curtain” and “Chance for Peace” both reveal the conviction and strong efforts that are desired to restrict the fears encompassed with the Cold war.

Both President Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon were presidents during the cold war. Their uses of presidential power within foreign policy greatly shaped the United State’s strategies in cold war politics. Comparing their actions as Chief Diplomat, Chief Legislator, Chief Executive and Commander in Chief shows how they have used both their formal and informal powers to lead the nation. President Eisenhower was much more successful in gaining congress approval through working with them yet had much more trouble dealing with peace abroad. Nixon was able to use powers to make successful gains within the cold war abroad, yet had trouble

Ronald Reagan was elected to the presidency as not only the 40th president of the United States, but also as the eighth United States president to preside over the Cold War. That conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union began roughly around 1945, as a direct result of World War II, with fortunes and policies having ebbed and flowed over the thirty-six years prior to Reagan’s taking office. Throughout those nearly four decades, there have been arms races, space races, containment preventing the spread of communism, a congressional “red scare” (also known as “McCarthyism”), and further rising of tensions with the Cuban Missile Crisis which acted as perhaps the Cold War’s absolute zenith. Thus with the missile crisis still in

After the ravages of World War II, the United States experienced a long period of economic boom, thanks to the increased production of weapons during the war and to the low price of oil. However, despite the nationwide economic prosperity, Americans felt increasing fear in the looming shadow of the communist Soviet Union. Sputnik’s successful launch increased tensions that had been building since the aftermath of World War II; as a result, President Eisenhower and his administration instituted numerous measures to calm down the hysteria that pervaded the US, but these attempts had no real effect on reducing tensions felt by both sides.

After reading Chapter 26 there were some strong Cold War Strategies. Eisenhower disagreed with Communism at home and around the world. Eisenhower and his advisees talked about rolling back Soviet power in Europe and freeing captive people from communism. The secretary had made a threat with nuclear weapons in response to any aggression from the Soviet Union. In order for Eisenhower to support this threat he had to adopt a strategy that was called the “New Look” that did not emphasize armies, but increased the nuclear arsenal with long range bombers, missiles, and nuclear-powered submarines.

Eisenhower’s Supreme Commander role and contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization had been beneficial. For example, it had strengthen ties and alliances through actions such as protecting a nation against the spread of communism and the Soviet Union. These alliances would help us in later events, such as when the United States is at war and need more soldiers and other forms of support. Moreover, with his prior experiences, Eisenhower was able to do well in his position. However, his role had negative impact because he increased tensions between America and the Soviet Union. The actions taken by America could have been a reason for the Soviet Union to attack them.

In his careful handling of “the Sputnik ‘crisis,’” Eisenhower was able to alleviate any pressure on the Soviet Union, but the same could not be said about the fears of Americans (421-422). When America had to play catch-up in space technology and when Eisenhower minced the details on American nuclear superiority, he barely “half-succeeded” in allaying American fears (422). Unfortunately, this was only one of many issues that Eisenhower faced before the end of his time

World War II led to the rise of communism; using the policy of containment, Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy based their foreign policy off of previous president before they took office. While all of the Cold War presidents contributed to stopping the spread of communism, they used some similar and different tactics. Both Truman and Eisenhower used the policy of containment and employed different types of military uses to stop communism. While Kennedy used similar strategies as his preceding presidents, he mainly focused on economic aid. According to Edward Ayers in the American Anthem: Reconstruction to the Present textbook, the policy of containment was a tactic used to stop communism from spreading as a result of the Soviet Union’s power

Dwight Eisenhower in largely considered one of the greatest leaders in United States history. His military record in WWI and WWII is impeccable. He was an integral component of one of the most vital transportation projects ever undertaken, the Interstate Highway System. His stout stance on civil rights in America was showcased by his immediate desegregation of the Armed Forces and continued through his fight for the desegregation of schools. Eisenhower’s civil rights beliefs were even personally commended by Martin Luther King in a hand written letter. Furthermore, Eisenhower’s fiscal efforts saw sizeable growths in the economy throughout his tenure. Along with this, his presidency saw, a national deficit cut in half, mostly though a severe reduction in defense spending. His incredible leadership was constantly on display throughout his time in office. Yet, what is most interesting about Eisenhower is his profound effect on the Cold War. While all of these contributions were of great importance to the country, none held the gravitas and immediately devastating potential that Eisenhower’s dealings with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) during the Cold War did. When fully investigated, it can even be surmised that nearly all of Dwight Eisenhower’s contributions to the country during his Presidency were completed in an effort to combat the enemy in some manner. Eisenhower seemed to be constantly looking for a way to gain an advantage against the USSR, no

Although Eisenhower began his presidency with a clear view of what he wanted to accomplish in foreign policy. However, he soon discovered the realities of international power and domestic politics would prevent him from making significant changes in either. Ike came into office with what was called a “new look” strategy. Desiring to take advantage of the cost effective nuclear superiority of the United States, America began a massive nuclear buildup between 1952 and 1959. Ultimately Ike reconciled that it would be best to use a more restrained approach to foreign diplomacy. Generally, Ike believed a more restrained approach to the presidency was a good idea domestically especially. Eisenhower recognize the need to support financial

After World War II it was obvious that the Americans were filled with many fears resulting from all the threats from the Soviets also known as the Cold War. These fears include the probability that the Cold War would escalate into a nuclear war that could in part result to the second fear which is the overpowerment of communism. It was clear to many Americans that Eisenhower was doing all that he could do to prevent a nuclear war and the spread of communism but his efforts ended up being a little below successful.

The Cold War started in 1945 and ended in 1961, during that time major changes were made to U.S. policy abroad, while McCarthyism targeted the Department of State at home. The Containment approach used by President Eisenhower was more effective then President Truman’s approach at containment or at the reconstruction in Europe. Containment was arguably better due to the cost advantages to the United States. Through the use of foreign policy and a system of alliances, America was able to prove it was worthy to place itself as a World super power.

Moreover, the presidency of Kennedy also helped in the development of the thaw. Kennedy’s ‘Flexible Response’ offered a more diverse approach to communism and the USSR, moving away from the basis on nuclear weapons to a wider range of options. This move from an emphasis on nuclear weapons may have contributed to the thaw because it provided a less hard-line approach than that of Truman and Eisenhower.