Reviewing Leaders Eisenhower and Dulles in the US

Reviewing Leaders

Eisenhower and Dulles in the US • 1952, Eisenhower in, had been Chief of Staff and Commander • Dulles, Sec. of State • Both strongly anti-Communist • Dulles had discussed roll-back • No attempt ever made • ‘New Look’ policy instead • Use of alliances • Assisting forces fighting communism • CIA used • Notable was threat of nuclear weapons • Brinkmankship • Also aware of the dangers though • Summits in 55 and 59

Khruschev and Co-Existence • New attitudes in Soviet Union • Stalin died in 1953, Nikita Khruschev part of a collective leadership • ‘New Course’ • Peaceful co-existence • Should accept differences with West • Capitalism would eventually die out • Khruschev wins power struggle

Other Factors in the Cool • • Avoiding a nuclear holocaust Wanted to decrease military spending Korean War ended in 1954 April 1955, Austrian State Treaty • • First meeting of the heads of government Geneva Summit, July 1955 • Better relationship in terms of trade exhibitions, scientific information and cultural exchanges • 1956, Khruschev gives de. Stalinization speech • • Creates problems for him Suez Canal crisis created problems for US • Eisenhower Doctrine out of this

Technology • 1957 Sputnik launched by Soviets • Panic in America • Khruschev suggests he can wipe out a city • Missile Gap • Gaither Report created • Increase in missile spending • Build-up of conventional forces • Buildup of fallout shelters • U-2 spy planes showed the gap did not exist • Eisenhower created NASA in 1958, increased science education

1958 -1960 • Eisenhower confident in nuclear superiority • Khruschev in 1958, issues ultimatum to the West to leave Berlin • Did not, he backed down • Accepted an invitation to visit US in 1959 • Paris Summit May 1960 planned • U-2 Incident • Before summit, US plane shot down, Eisdenhower embarrassed • Refused to apologize at Paris • Cancelled his visit to Soviet Union • Thaw was at an end