1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
Because America had helped the crazy leader Diem to set up the Republic of Vietnam which was because he was strictly anti-communist but this ended in deaths because he was also a Christian extremist and was very harsh to Buddhists.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
Because they did all of this to prevent the spread of Communism and the domino affect thus having all of Asia in Communism.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
( 8 ) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president
( 3 ) Formation of South Vietnam
( 9 ) Gulf of Tonkin Incident
( 7 ) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500
( 6 ) JFK sends military advisers
( 10 ) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang
( 1 ) U.S. stops elections in Vietnam
( 5 ) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem
( 4 ) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases
( 2 ) Viet Cong formed
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
I believe that JFK's assassination where Johnson came into presidency was a critical event in getting the US involved in the war in Vietnam. This is because I believe if JFK had never been assassinated then Johnson would've never been in power and wouldn't have gotten into the war. Also I believe that the Gulf of Tonkin Incident was a critical even in getting the US involved because had Vietnamese patrol boats not opened fire on the US ships then Johnson would have never had to pass the resolution to allow his to lead America into a full scale war.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Cuban Missile Crisis
1. Kennedy described Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 27 as the darkest days of the crisis. Use the information on page 350 to explain why.
This could be because these were the two days that the most amount of danger was shown to Kennedy.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
It could have been a possibility because they each had missiles however we don't know whether they would have used them on each other.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that source 26 is an American cartoon because the Khrushchev is the one sweating and Kennedy is the one with the button that he is able to press at anytime.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA- Khrushchev wanted the missiles as a bargaining counter. If he had missiles on Cuba, he could agree to remove them in return for some American concessions.
To test the USA- In the strained atmosphere of Cold War politics the missiles/were designed to see how strong the Americans really were - whether they would back off or face up. The Soviet Union wanted to test out Kennedy.
To trap the USA- The missiles were a trap. Khrushchev wanted the Americans to find them and be drawn into a nuclear war. He did not even try to hide them.
To get the upper hand in the arms race- Khrushchev was so concerned about the missile gap between the USSR and the USA that he would seize any opportunity he could to close it. With missiles on Cuba it was less likely that the USA would ever launch a 'first strike' against the USSR.
To defend Cuba- The missiles were genuinely meant to defend Cuba.
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I believe that they are all true except they are just using the betterment of Cuba and their protection as a way to make it seem better. I believe that Khrushchev
was trying to test the USA to see if they would use them and if Kennedy would be willing to risk that. Also I believe that Khrushchev had planted nuclear missiles on Cuba to trap the USA and that is why he didn't hide them. Another reason I believe Khrushchev put nuclear missiles on Cuba was to get an upper hand on America and use it as bargaining because if they could have the upper hand on America like having missiles closer they could bargain with America and ask for them to not have missiles in Turkey if they weren't going to have them in Cuba.
This could be because these were the two days that the most amount of danger was shown to Kennedy.
2. Do you think that nuclear war was ever a possibility in this crisis?
It could have been a possibility because they each had missiles however we don't know whether they would have used them on each other.
3. Is Source 26 a Soviet or an American cartoon? Explain your answer by referring to the details in the cartoon.
I believe that source 26 is an American cartoon because the Khrushchev is the one sweating and Kennedy is the one with the button that he is able to press at anytime.
4. Using Source 27 list any evidence you can find for and against each of the explanations.
Why did the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on Cuba?
To bargain with the USA- Khrushchev wanted the missiles as a bargaining counter. If he had missiles on Cuba, he could agree to remove them in return for some American concessions.
To test the USA- In the strained atmosphere of Cold War politics the missiles/were designed to see how strong the Americans really were - whether they would back off or face up. The Soviet Union wanted to test out Kennedy.
To trap the USA- The missiles were a trap. Khrushchev wanted the Americans to find them and be drawn into a nuclear war. He did not even try to hide them.
To get the upper hand in the arms race- Khrushchev was so concerned about the missile gap between the USSR and the USA that he would seize any opportunity he could to close it. With missiles on Cuba it was less likely that the USA would ever launch a 'first strike' against the USSR.
To defend Cuba- The missiles were genuinely meant to defend Cuba.
5. Choose the explanation(s) that you think best fit what you have found out about the crisis. Explain your choice.
I believe that they are all true except they are just using the betterment of Cuba and their protection as a way to make it seem better. I believe that Khrushchev
was trying to test the USA to see if they would use them and if Kennedy would be willing to risk that. Also I believe that Khrushchev had planted nuclear missiles on Cuba to trap the USA and that is why he didn't hide them. Another reason I believe Khrushchev put nuclear missiles on Cuba was to get an upper hand on America and use it as bargaining because if they could have the upper hand on America like having missiles closer they could bargain with America and ask for them to not have missiles in Turkey if they weren't going to have them in Cuba.
Monday, April 26, 2010
The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba
1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?
Because America had owned most of its businesses on the island and they had a huge naval base there.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
Because teh US was no longer prepared to tolerate a Soviet satellite in the heart of its own 'sphere of influence'.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
Because Castro captured or killed all of the American troops within days when JFK was no willing to send many troops over.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
The balance of power during the Cold War was very much swayed judging by the two sources because in Source 17 we can see and read about how it took the long range missiles about half an hour to get to the USSR from America and it took only about a few mins with the shorter range missiles. This shows how it was changed because since the USSR had control over the missiles in Cuba they could set them to go off very quickly and they could have the upper hand since it would only take about a few minutes for the missiles to reach America. However it would still take America about a half an hour to get their missiles into the USSR.
Because America had owned most of its businesses on the island and they had a huge naval base there.
2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?
Because teh US was no longer prepared to tolerate a Soviet satellite in the heart of its own 'sphere of influence'.
3. Why did the invasion fail?
Because Castro captured or killed all of the American troops within days when JFK was no willing to send many troops over.
4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power.
The balance of power during the Cold War was very much swayed judging by the two sources because in Source 17 we can see and read about how it took the long range missiles about half an hour to get to the USSR from America and it took only about a few mins with the shorter range missiles. This shows how it was changed because since the USSR had control over the missiles in Cuba they could set them to go off very quickly and they could have the upper hand since it would only take about a few minutes for the missiles to reach America. However it would still take America about a half an hour to get their missiles into the USSR.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The American Dream in the 1950s
For each term or name, write a concise sentence or two explaining its significance.
1.Baby Boom- After WWII, the soldiers returning from war that were settling into family life who contributed to an unprecedented population explosion.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk- The doctor that developed a vaccine for the crippling disease known as polio.
3. Interstate Highway System- An act that was authorized by Eisenhower that authorized the building of a nationwide highway network that was 41,000 miles of expressway.
4. Franchise- A system when a company offers similar products or services in many locations such as McDonalds. In places like McDonalds the franchise would send money and products to the locations so that the owner could run the business.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
In the 1950s the average American was given more time that they could spend on their leisure once given 40-hour weeks and vacation time. It also helped them to have more leisure time when people began to own labor-saving devices such as washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and power lawn mowers. Once they were given more time they could use it to enjoy sports such as fishing, bowling, hunting, boating and golf. Also many Americans became fans and attended baseball, basketball and football games and also watched professional sports games on their televisions.
1.Baby Boom- After WWII, the soldiers returning from war that were settling into family life who contributed to an unprecedented population explosion.
2. Dr. Jonas Salk- The doctor that developed a vaccine for the crippling disease known as polio.
3. Interstate Highway System- An act that was authorized by Eisenhower that authorized the building of a nationwide highway network that was 41,000 miles of expressway.
4. Franchise- A system when a company offers similar products or services in many locations such as McDonalds. In places like McDonalds the franchise would send money and products to the locations so that the owner could run the business.
5. In a paragraph, describe in detail how Americans spent their leisure time in the 1950s
In the 1950s the average American was given more time that they could spend on their leisure once given 40-hour weeks and vacation time. It also helped them to have more leisure time when people began to own labor-saving devices such as washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and power lawn mowers. Once they were given more time they could use it to enjoy sports such as fishing, bowling, hunting, boating and golf. Also many Americans became fans and attended baseball, basketball and football games and also watched professional sports games on their televisions.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Arms Race
1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?
I think that Dulles is speaking about an atomic bomb that they could drop on the USSR.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
Yes I would because the Communists are the USSR is surrounded on all sides by the NATO, the SEATO and the CENTO.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
Yes, I do think that Dulles had a nuclear weapon in mind.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
That they were using the U-2 plane to spy on the Soviet.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
Because they were spying on the USSR.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USSR had never said no to the USA flying over them and looking for evidence, they just said that they didn't want to agree to the treaty.
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
Yes, I do believe that they would have used them and possibly agreed to the treaty depending on what they were trying to hide.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
So that it would be harder for the USSR to link the missles to the USA and might believe that it was just Europe.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Bombs made more for security than to actually use on the opponent to prevent them from using theirs.
I think that Dulles is speaking about an atomic bomb that they could drop on the USSR.
2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.
Yes I would because the Communists are the USSR is surrounded on all sides by the NATO, the SEATO and the CENTO.
3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?
Yes, I do think that Dulles had a nuclear weapon in mind.
4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?
That they were using the U-2 plane to spy on the Soviet.
5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.
Because they were spying on the USSR.
6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?
The USSR had never said no to the USA flying over them and looking for evidence, they just said that they didn't want to agree to the treaty.
7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?
Yes, I do believe that they would have used them and possibly agreed to the treaty depending on what they were trying to hide.
8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?
So that it would be harder for the USSR to link the missles to the USA and might believe that it was just Europe.
9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.
Bombs made more for security than to actually use on the opponent to prevent them from using theirs.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Eisenhower & The Cold War
How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The United States had to decide whether to develope a more destructive weapon so that they could stay on top of the Soviet Union.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The US was worried that Iran would turn to the Soviets after Great Britian stopped buying oil from them so instead the CIA could give several million dollars to anti-Mossadegh supporters. This was to get the pro-American Shan of Iran back into power so that they could give the oil fields to the Western companies.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The US said that this was an act that shows that the Guatemalan government had Communist sympathies and so the CIA trained an army and marched them into Guatemala and whnen the Guatemalan army did nothing to defend the ruler he resigned.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The UN stepped in to stop the fighting and talked Great Britian, France and Isreal to stop fighting and then Egypt still had control of the Suez Canal.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
They did not help the Hungarians because they were part of the Soviet satellites and the Truman Doctrine did not cover them and then in the UN the resolutions that were passed were vetoed by the Soviet Union.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
They began pouring money into their space program after being surprised that the Soviet Union had beat them into space and were able to launch their own satelite in just about 5 months later.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The US was caught spying and Khrushchev was angered and demanded that Eisenhower apologize and no longer launch U-2 flights which Eisenhower agreed to however would not apologize.
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
The United States had to decide whether to develope a more destructive weapon so that they could stay on top of the Soviet Union.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
The US was worried that Iran would turn to the Soviets after Great Britian stopped buying oil from them so instead the CIA could give several million dollars to anti-Mossadegh supporters. This was to get the pro-American Shan of Iran back into power so that they could give the oil fields to the Western companies.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The US said that this was an act that shows that the Guatemalan government had Communist sympathies and so the CIA trained an army and marched them into Guatemala and whnen the Guatemalan army did nothing to defend the ruler he resigned.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The UN stepped in to stop the fighting and talked Great Britian, France and Isreal to stop fighting and then Egypt still had control of the Suez Canal.
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
They did not help the Hungarians because they were part of the Soviet satellites and the Truman Doctrine did not cover them and then in the UN the resolutions that were passed were vetoed by the Soviet Union.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
They began pouring money into their space program after being surprised that the Soviet Union had beat them into space and were able to launch their own satelite in just about 5 months later.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
The US was caught spying and Khrushchev was angered and demanded that Eisenhower apologize and no longer launch U-2 flights which Eisenhower agreed to however would not apologize.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Red Scare (1950s)
For each term or name, write a concise sentence or two explaining its significance.
1. HUAC- House Un-American Activities Committee which was the committee that began to investigate the Communist influence in the movie industry.
2. Blacklist- The list of people that the Hollywood executives condomned for having a Communistic background made up of approximately 500 actors, writers, producers, and directors.
3. Alger Hiss- A man that was sent to jail for supposedly having produced microfilm f government documents that the former Communist spy, Wittaker Chambers had said was written on his typewriter.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg- Said to have been one of the dealiest clashes of the Cold War when found guilty of espionage and were minor activists in the American Communist Party.
5. Joseph McCarthy- A Republican from Wisconsin that was known as being an ineffectice legislature so in order to aquire more votes to be reelected he charged that Communism was taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism- It was when people referred to as the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty without providing evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
During 1950 Joseph McCarthy realized that in order to be reelected into the Senate he needed more public votes. In order to get these votes he began suspecting other members of the Senate of Communism. He had said that he had a list of 205 names of people involved in Communism that were part of the State Department. However later on in 1954 when he made accusations against the U.S.Army he was condemned for imporper conduct that "tended to bring Senate into dishonor and disrepute." Also costing him public support when he alienated the audience and bullied the witnesses. Then just three years later he died of alcoholism.
1. HUAC- House Un-American Activities Committee which was the committee that began to investigate the Communist influence in the movie industry.
2. Blacklist- The list of people that the Hollywood executives condomned for having a Communistic background made up of approximately 500 actors, writers, producers, and directors.
3. Alger Hiss- A man that was sent to jail for supposedly having produced microfilm f government documents that the former Communist spy, Wittaker Chambers had said was written on his typewriter.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg- Said to have been one of the dealiest clashes of the Cold War when found guilty of espionage and were minor activists in the American Communist Party.
5. Joseph McCarthy- A Republican from Wisconsin that was known as being an ineffectice legislature so in order to aquire more votes to be reelected he charged that Communism was taking over the government.
6. McCarthyism- It was when people referred to as the unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty without providing evidence.
7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?
During 1950 Joseph McCarthy realized that in order to be reelected into the Senate he needed more public votes. In order to get these votes he began suspecting other members of the Senate of Communism. He had said that he had a list of 205 names of people involved in Communism that were part of the State Department. However later on in 1954 when he made accusations against the U.S.Army he was condemned for imporper conduct that "tended to bring Senate into dishonor and disrepute." Also costing him public support when he alienated the audience and bullied the witnesses. Then just three years later he died of alcoholism.
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