Episode 2: Harry Truman and His Foreign Policy Outlook

Context: Post-World War II

• Adversaries in WWII: Imperial Japan, Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany
• Allies: Great Britain, Free France, China, USA, Soviet Union (Communist)
• Post-WWII competition with Communist world led by Soviet Union

The Cold War

• First World (The West): USA, North America, Western Europe, Japan
  • Values: Liberalism, Free markets, Capitalism, Democracy, Rule of law
• Second World (Communist Powers): Soviet Union, People's Republic of China
  • Aim: Spread Communism
• Third World: Former colonies, Cold War battleground

Truman Doctrine

• U.S. policy to support free peoples resisting subjugation (Communism)
• Need to show systems (Capitalism vs. Communism) as better for Europe, Asia

Marshall Plan (George Marshall)

• Economic and financial aid to Europe and Asia
• Aim: Prevent political extremism by stabilizing economies
• Had psychological and economic boons, boosted American economy

The Berlin Airlift (1948)

• Two Germanies: West Germany (First World), East Germany (Communist, Second World)
• West Berlin inside East Germany
• Stalin cuts off access to West Berlin
• U.S. airlifts goods to prevent West Berlin from falling to Communism
• Success in showcasing U.S. support to Europe

George Kennan's Memo

• Communism not sustainable without free markets, democracy
• Strategy: Stop its spread, not fight outright, will collapse under its weight

National Security Act of 1947

• Created National Security Council, Department of Defense, CIA
• Unified military branches under Pentagon

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

• Collective security alliance (North Atlantic countries)
• Article 5: Armed attack against one = attack against all
• Purpose: Deter Russian attacks, keep U.S. involved in Europe

Foreign Policy Setbacks (1949)

• August 1949: Soviets' first nuclear device
• October 1, 1949: China becomes a Communist nation
• Republicans criticize Democratic Party as weak on Communism

Anti-Communist Sentiment and McCarthyism

• FBI's J. Edgar Hoover, Senator Joe McCarthy drive anti-Communism
• McCarthy falsely claims 250 Communists in State Department
• House Committee on Un-American Activities targets alleged Communists
• Loyalty oaths for federal employees by Truman
• Hollywood/Academia targeted

Notable Trials and Developments

• Alger Hiss: State Department official, likely Soviet spy; trial boosts Richard Nixon
• Edward Teller: Pushes for thermonuclear weapons
  • November 1, 1952: U.S. detonates first thermonuclear weapon
  • August 12, 1953: Soviets' first thermonuclear weapon
  • 1961 (Tsar Bomba): Largest Soviet thermonuclear test (50 megatons)

Next up: Episode 3