The Eisenhower The Eisenhower EraEra

John Foster DullesJohn Foster Dulles• Eisenhower’s Sec. of State• Deeply hated Communism• Opposed Truman Doctrine

– Advocated a policy of ‘liberation’ . . . not ‘containment’

• Formulated policies of Brinkmanship & Massive Retaliation

BrinkmanshipBrinkmanshipDiplomatic policy of going to the “brink” of war, but not actually going to war.

• Dulles: “"The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art . . . If you are scared to go to the brink you are lost.”

• Goal: Get your opponent (USSR)to do what we want by creating the risk of nuclear war.

Massive Massive RetaliationRetaliation

The United States would use overwhelming force (AKA nuclear weapons) in response to an attack by the Soviet Union. • Retaliation would be disproportionate to the size of the attack.• Goal: Deter any attack in the first place

Roots of the Vietnam Roots of the Vietnam WarWar

Indochina – Ruled by the French since 1893

First Indochina WarFirst Indochina War• 1946 - 1954• Vietminh fights the colonial

French forces for control of Vietnam.

• Vietminh – Vietnamese nationalist group led by Communist Ho Chi Minh.

Battle of Dien Bien Battle of Dien Bien PhuPhu

• March – May 1954• 25,000 French troops surrounded by Vietminh forces• French surrender.• KEY POINT:• French retreat from• Vietnam

Geneva Geneva ConferencConferenc

ee• 1954• Granted Vietnam

independence from France

• France divided into two zones along the 17th Parallel. – North governed by the

Vietminh under Ho Chi Minh– South governed by former

pro-French faction led by Ngo Dinh Diem

• Called for elections to reunify Vietnam in 1956

17th Parallel

Eisenhower & Diem blocks elections in 1956 U.S. goal is to strengthen South Vietnam & not let

nation be unified under Ho Chi Minh

$

U.S. U.S. GoalGoal

Contain Communism

in Southeast Asia

SEATOSEATOSoutheast Asia Treaty Southeast Asia Treaty

OrganizationOrganizationAnti-Communist alliance between U.S., France, Britain, Australia, New Zealand,

Philippines, Thailand, & Pakistan

What was the Eisenhower What was the Eisenhower Doctrine?Doctrine?

What was the Hydrogen What was the Hydrogen Bomb?Bomb?

What are ICBMs?What are ICBMs?

Why was the Arms Race Why was the Arms Race an application of Dulles an application of Dulles

policy of Brinkmanship & policy of Brinkmanship & Massive Retaliation? Massive Retaliation?

How did launching of How did launching of Sputnik effect the United Sputnik effect the United

States?States?

Eisenhower’s farewell address:Eisenhower’s farewell address:What was the Military Industrial What was the Military Industrial

Complex? Complex?