Cold War Lecture Notes - NSC 68

Introduction

• Re-evaluation of Cold War events and documents as part of ongoing learning.
• Focus on National Security Council Paper NSC 68, a significant document guiding Cold War strategies.

Background

• Cold War: global conflict affecting society and expanding into space.
• Debate on the origins: happenstance, deliberate policy, or both.

National Security Council (NSC)

• Established post-WWII for reorganizing US defense and national security.
• Aimed to replace ad hoc advisory systems and enhance coordination among US agencies.
• By 1950, NSC became a primary body for US foreign policy under President Truman.

NSC 68

• Drafting began in 1950 amidst debates on US response to USSR aggression.
• Influenced by earlier documents like the Long Telegram and Article X by George Kennan.

George Kennan's Perspective

• Kennan: career diplomat and head of State Department Policy Planning Staff.
• Argued Soviet behavior was grounded in Russian insecurity, not just ideology.
• Advocated for confrontation and containment with dialogue.

Paul Nitze's Perspective

• Replaced Kennan; never lived in USSR; saw USSR as an existential threat.
• Drafted NSC 68 with a focus on ideological incompatibility.

NSC 68 Document Overview

• Presented to President Truman on April 7, 1950.
• Framed US-Soviet relations ideologically.
• Argued USSR aimed for global domination, and US must oppose it.

Proposed Courses of Action

1. Continuation of current policies.
2. Isolation.
3. War.
4. Rapid build-up of political, economic, and military strength.

Arguments Against

• Continuation: US would fall behind USSR militarily, politically, economically.
• Isolation: Would allow USSR to dominate Eurasia, threatening US power.
• War: Morally unacceptable, impractical due to potential mutual destruction.

Recommended Action

• Expand military, economic, scientific capabilities.
• Prepare to deter and confront USSR.

Impact of NSC 68

• Recommended permanent war footing for the US.
• Creation of international security alliances and overseas military bases.
• Truman approved post-Korean War, leading to increased defense spending.

Kennan vs. Nitze

• Archival documents suggest neither fully correct, but Kennan closer to reality.
• Soviet views (via Novikov telegram) mirrored US fears of world domination.

Cycle of Mistrust

• NSC 68 fueled Cold War tensions.
• Led to arms races, ideological competition, global conflicts.

Conclusion

• NSC 68 was pivotal in shaping Cold War policies.
• The cycle of competition led to technological advances but also widespread destruction.

Wrap-up

• Importance of understanding history as complex and nuanced.
• Encouragement to support the channel and engage with content for further learning.