Foreign Conflicts in the Cold War Agenda Bell

Foreign Conflicts in the Cold War

Agenda • Bell Ringer: Is it a war, when it is not declared? (10) • Lecture: Conflicts of the Cold War (15) • Kennedy Speech, Cold War (20) • 1968 nomination analysis, the speeches and Vietnam. (15)

Korea • N. Korea Communists invade S. Korea in 1950. • Americans win UN agreement to invade after the Soviets boycott the meeting. • After Mac. Arthur decides to move troops into N. Korea, it goes from “containment” to a fight against communism. • American and UN forces take the northern half of Korea easily. China gets scared. – They send armies in and push back forces to the 38 th. • Mac. Arthur said, “we are really fighting the Chinese, lets bomb them. ” • Truman fires Mac. Arthur

Vietnam • Lyndon Johnson elected in 1964, a gradual increase in troops would occur under his leadership. • While the war is initially supported, over time as war continues, support wanes. • It lasts nearly ten years, with the final blow coming when Saigon is taken by the Viet. Cong in 1975 and South Vietnam falls to Communism. • By 1968 we would have over 500, 000 troops there. Draft is active in USA.

Afghanistan • 1979 the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan. • Per idea of Containment, technically we should help. – However, the possibility of another Vietnam keeps us away. – We supply arms to the Afghan people, but no troops. • Soviets would fight this war for ten years, with no clear win in sight.