NSC 68: United States Objectives and Programs for National Security
Overview
Date Presented: April 7, 1950
Presented to: President Harry S. Truman
Historical Context: NSC 68 provided a blueprint for the militarization of the Cold War era, impacting U.S. foreign policy from its presentation until the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
Key Historian Quote: Ernest R. May highlights its significance in shaping American militarization and foreign policy.
Drafting and Purpose
Drafted by: Department of State and Department of Defense
Department of State: Focuses on diplomacy
Department of Defense: Focuses on military actions
Goal: Ensure U.S. protection and prevent adversarial advancements during the Cold War.
Key Positions and Beliefs
USSR Threat:
Viewed USSR under Stalin as seeking to expand and dominate globally.
Highlighted Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe post-WWII as evidence.
Main Objectives Outlined in NSC 68
Military Budget Expansion
Prepare for possible hot war scenarios.
Necessitated increased military readiness.
Increase Aid to Allies
Building on the Marshall Plan to preempt Soviet global dominance.
Development of the Hydrogen Bomb
In response to the Soviet atomic bomb success in 1949.
Aimed to regain strategic upper hand.
Rejection of Isolationism
Shift from longstanding U.S. policy initiated by George Washington.
Embrace active involvement in global affairs, particularly within NATO.
Moral Stance on Nuclear Attacks
Rejection of surprise nuclear attacks due to moral implications.
Shift from earlier atomic bombings in Japan (1945).
Policy of Rollback
Opposed to détente and containment.
Aimed to eradicate communism rather than just contain it.
Importance
Impact on Cold War Understanding: Essential for comprehending U.S. strategies and actions during the Cold War.
Role in NATO: Strong involvement and protection of NATO allies.
Conclusion
NSC 68: A pivotal document outlining U.S. national security strategy during the Cold War, influential in shaping foreign policy and military actions.
Student Action: Understanding NSC 68 is crucial for grasping Cold War dynamics and U.S. international relations.