Heimlich's History: America as a World Power During the Cold War

Introduction

• Continuation of Unit 8 in AP U.S. History curriculum.
• Focus on America's military and diplomatic responses during the Cold War.

Post-World War II Decolonization

• Massive decolonization movement post-WWII.
• Collapse of major empires in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• U.S. and Soviet Union aimed to influence newly independent nations.
  • U.S.: Democratic capitalism.
  • Soviet Union: Authoritarian communism.

U.S. Interventions in Latin America

Guatemala (1954)

• U.S. coup to overthrow socialist government led by Jacobo Arbenz.
• Arbenz nationalized land affecting U.S. business interests (United Fruit Company).
• CIA trained insurgents to overthrow Arbenz, installing a military dictatorship.

Cuba

• Cuba under military dictatorship responding to U.S. influence.
• 1959: Fidel Castro's communist regime overthrew the government.
• U.S. response: Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) under Kennedy was a failure.
• Led to Cuban Missile Crisis (1963).

Cuban Missile Crisis

• Soviet nuclear weapons discovered in Cuba.
• Prompted U.S. tension due to proximity.
• Resolved through negotiations, avoiding nuclear conflict.
• U.S. had similar weapons stockpiled in Turkey.

U.S. Interventions in the Middle East

Iran (1953)

• CIA overthrow of Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister.
• Reinstated Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi favoring U.S. interests.
• Motivation: Control over oil industry after nationalization attempts.

U.S. Involvement in Asia

Vietnam

• French colony of Indochina decolonized; Vietnam divided at the 17th parallel.
• North Vietnam: Communist under Ho Chi Minh.
• South Vietnam: Democratic, supported by U.S.
• Eisenhower provided $1 billion in economic aid to South Vietnam.
• Domino Theory: If South Vietnam fell to communism, surrounding regions would follow.

Eisenhower's Warning

Military-Industrial Complex

• Warning against the relationship between military and industrial production.
• Risk of policy decisions influenced by munitions production interests.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to subscribe and engage with further educational content.
• Review packet available for students.