JFK and the Cold War
Because of the fear of communism, America should provide aid to other countries, convince the public that communism is not superior, and try to contain it to the farthest extent.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy immediately ordered a naval blockade. With communism so close to America, Kennedy thought that its influence might reach its arms into America. When the Soviets launched Sputnik into space, Kennedy was afraid that the public might think that communism was a superior race, seeing what it can do. He quickly started up the space program, and America sent the first man to the moon.
Many different Religious/Social, Political, and Economical situations were created as a caution in light of containing communism.
Religious/Social
Reverend Billy Graham an Evangelist and spiritual adviser to multiple presidents, was a preacher whose national broadcasts and sermons have now gathered over 2.2 billion followers. He spoke out against the communists of the Soviet Union and he praised the US Cold War Policy. In turn, he helped convince the public that communism is not the superior form of government. (He is currently 95 and living right outside of Asheville, NC!)
Reverend Billy Graham an Evangelist and spiritual adviser to multiple presidents, was a preacher whose national broadcasts and sermons have now gathered over 2.2 billion followers. He spoke out against the communists of the Soviet Union and he praised the US Cold War Policy. In turn, he helped convince the public that communism is not the superior form of government. (He is currently 95 and living right outside of Asheville, NC!)
Political
At the time of Kennedy's rein as President, US and the Soviets were still interlocked in the mental and strategical battle of the Cold War. Each government system was completely opposite, and feared the other. One system supported total government control while the other emphasized freedom and rights. This fear led to mounting tensions and a stockpile of nuclear weapons which could have been used at any moment. The political cartoon shows that both sides were afraid to use their nuclear weapons, and only used them as intimidation.
At the time of Kennedy's rein as President, US and the Soviets were still interlocked in the mental and strategical battle of the Cold War. Each government system was completely opposite, and feared the other. One system supported total government control while the other emphasized freedom and rights. This fear led to mounting tensions and a stockpile of nuclear weapons which could have been used at any moment. The political cartoon shows that both sides were afraid to use their nuclear weapons, and only used them as intimidation.
Economic
During the Kennedy Administration, the US government continued to provided millions and billions of dollars in aid in the form of money and military support to Turkey, and now to Greece. He was afraid that communism was starting to influence more of the world, and with the Soviets within arms distance of these countries, they were quite vulnerable. Because of fear, we donated this aid to give ourselves more assurance in the days to come, and it worked well in preventing the spread of communism.
During the Kennedy Administration, the US government continued to provided millions and billions of dollars in aid in the form of money and military support to Turkey, and now to Greece. He was afraid that communism was starting to influence more of the world, and with the Soviets within arms distance of these countries, they were quite vulnerable. Because of fear, we donated this aid to give ourselves more assurance in the days to come, and it worked well in preventing the spread of communism.
Fear impacted the decisions that we made in the past, and by looking back, we could learn from our mistakes and triumphs.
US as a World Power
As the US Senator Albert Beveridge said, "Would not the people of the Philippines prefer the just, humane, civilizing government of this
Republic to the savage, bloody rule from which we have rescued them." When we got to the Philippines, the natives fought back for their own country, not wanting our rule or influences. Kennedy said that we should not just rely on military power, but take a more "flexible response". He said that we need to be willing to work with other countries for a greater good, and show that Communism and "aiding" other countries with military force is not the best solution.
As the US Senator Albert Beveridge said, "Would not the people of the Philippines prefer the just, humane, civilizing government of this
Republic to the savage, bloody rule from which we have rescued them." When we got to the Philippines, the natives fought back for their own country, not wanting our rule or influences. Kennedy said that we should not just rely on military power, but take a more "flexible response". He said that we need to be willing to work with other countries for a greater good, and show that Communism and "aiding" other countries with military force is not the best solution.
Progressive Era
During the Progressive Era, the government was becoming more and more present in American's daily lives. They thought it was their duty to stop child labor and other issues within our country. Roosevelt feared that big companies would start to abuse their power and that breaking up trusts would do more harm than good. He decided that keeping the public informed would keep the companies in check. During the Cold War, Kennedy was afraid that the Soviets would start to dominate the world, so he did everything he could to convince the public that communism was not superior.
During the Progressive Era, the government was becoming more and more present in American's daily lives. They thought it was their duty to stop child labor and other issues within our country. Roosevelt feared that big companies would start to abuse their power and that breaking up trusts would do more harm than good. He decided that keeping the public informed would keep the companies in check. During the Cold War, Kennedy was afraid that the Soviets would start to dominate the world, so he did everything he could to convince the public that communism was not superior.
World War I
At the start of World War I, Americans started to take positions over the war. John Works said that we should stay out of the war, what have they done to us? Robert Lansing took the opposite view. He proposed that since Germany is a bully to other democratic nations, "Germany must not be permitted to win this war and to break even, though to prevent it, this country is forced to take an active part."(Glencoe 325) During the Cold War, America believed that we should prevent the Soviet's regime of communism from spreading throughout the world. We didn't go to physical war with them, if we did, we may not be alive today. We went to war mentally and tactically, with one goal in mind: Containing Communism
At the start of World War I, Americans started to take positions over the war. John Works said that we should stay out of the war, what have they done to us? Robert Lansing took the opposite view. He proposed that since Germany is a bully to other democratic nations, "Germany must not be permitted to win this war and to break even, though to prevent it, this country is forced to take an active part."(Glencoe 325) During the Cold War, America believed that we should prevent the Soviet's regime of communism from spreading throughout the world. We didn't go to physical war with them, if we did, we may not be alive today. We went to war mentally and tactically, with one goal in mind: Containing Communism
The Roaring 20s
During the Roaring 20s, the Nativism movement resurged. The cry of " Keep America American" spread across the country. Americans feared the incoming immigrants, and viewed them as radicals. President Harding signed the Emergency Quota Act and later the National Origins Act, which limited the amount of incoming immigrants to 3 and then 2% of the population of that ethnicity currently residing in America. The Ku Klux Klan was also reinstated and had gathered over 4 million members by 1924. During the Cold War, similarly to the Roaring 20s, Americans began to fear anyone who had a hint of association with communism or anyone involved in multiple liberal groups. Because of this fear, many citizens lost their jobs and their reputations, ruining the lives they had led in America.
During the Roaring 20s, the Nativism movement resurged. The cry of " Keep America American" spread across the country. Americans feared the incoming immigrants, and viewed them as radicals. President Harding signed the Emergency Quota Act and later the National Origins Act, which limited the amount of incoming immigrants to 3 and then 2% of the population of that ethnicity currently residing in America. The Ku Klux Klan was also reinstated and had gathered over 4 million members by 1924. During the Cold War, similarly to the Roaring 20s, Americans began to fear anyone who had a hint of association with communism or anyone involved in multiple liberal groups. Because of this fear, many citizens lost their jobs and their reputations, ruining the lives they had led in America.
The Great Depression
When America fell into it's Great Depression of the 1930s, Hoover and then Roosevelt had different plans to fix it. Hoover, being a free market capitalist, proposed we should let the problem run its course and we will eventually rebound. Roosevelt immediately decided to address and fix the issue. He created his New Deal Acts, and some might argue that he didn't help at all, but most say that he lessened the impacts of the Great Depression on America's Public. Kennedy wasn't going to sit back and let the Cold War run its course, he had already seen that that doesn't improve the situation. He immediately got to work an a solution. He started to provide more aid to foreign countries, he tried to fight against the Berlin Wall, and he even took care of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He may have not won the Cold War, but he most definitely lessened the impacts of it.
When America fell into it's Great Depression of the 1930s, Hoover and then Roosevelt had different plans to fix it. Hoover, being a free market capitalist, proposed we should let the problem run its course and we will eventually rebound. Roosevelt immediately decided to address and fix the issue. He created his New Deal Acts, and some might argue that he didn't help at all, but most say that he lessened the impacts of the Great Depression on America's Public. Kennedy wasn't going to sit back and let the Cold War run its course, he had already seen that that doesn't improve the situation. He immediately got to work an a solution. He started to provide more aid to foreign countries, he tried to fight against the Berlin Wall, and he even took care of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He may have not won the Cold War, but he most definitely lessened the impacts of it.
Fear impacted the decisions made at the beginning of the millennium, and we can minimize those impacts by looking back at what we did right during the Cold War.
Current Significance
As President Bush said, “The war that we fight today, is much like the Cold War of yesterday, we are fighting the followers of a murderous ideology that despises freedom, crushes all dissent, has territorial ambitions, and pursues totalitarian aims”. This group that we wage war with is trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and if they succeed, could cause incredible damage to our country. We feared the Communists then, we fear the Terrorists now. As the Cold War showed, we should try to contain this following to where it originated. Yesterday we were fighting these terrorists with guns and bombs like the old days. We need to realize that physical war is not the best way to wage war. In my opinion, I would much rather wage a war such as the Cold War (No nuclear weapons though please); more peacefully. America is one of the most advanced democracies in the world, and with our power and smarts, we could beat the terrorists without guns and other weapons. Today, President Obama has been trying to end the war as peacefully as possible, slowly retrieving troops back to the US. We are starting to become more tactical with our "moves", and I think we are starting to realize the power and impacts that fear has on our decisions.
As President Bush said, “The war that we fight today, is much like the Cold War of yesterday, we are fighting the followers of a murderous ideology that despises freedom, crushes all dissent, has territorial ambitions, and pursues totalitarian aims”. This group that we wage war with is trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and if they succeed, could cause incredible damage to our country. We feared the Communists then, we fear the Terrorists now. As the Cold War showed, we should try to contain this following to where it originated. Yesterday we were fighting these terrorists with guns and bombs like the old days. We need to realize that physical war is not the best way to wage war. In my opinion, I would much rather wage a war such as the Cold War (No nuclear weapons though please); more peacefully. America is one of the most advanced democracies in the world, and with our power and smarts, we could beat the terrorists without guns and other weapons. Today, President Obama has been trying to end the war as peacefully as possible, slowly retrieving troops back to the US. We are starting to become more tactical with our "moves", and I think we are starting to realize the power and impacts that fear has on our decisions.
Works Cited
Primary Sources
Ben-Ami, Shlomo. "Is Georgia the Start of a New Cold War?; The West Must Work to Integrate Russia into a New Global Order, Not Isolate It." The Gazette [Montreal] 4 Sept. 2008, Editorial / Op-Ed: n. pag. Print.
Bush, George W. "War." Vital Speeches Of The Day 72.18/19 (2006): 530-534. History Reference Center. Web. 27 May 2014.
Secondary Sources
Appleby, et al. The American Vision: Modern Times. Columbus: Glencoe, 2008. Print.
"The Cold War and U.S. Popular Culture." The Cold War. Ed. Walter Hixson. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 2000. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 23 May 2014.
"Origins: Did the Soviet Union Start the Cold War?" History in Dispute. Ed. Benjamin Frankel. Vol. 1: The Cold War: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. 258-264. World History in Context. Web. 1 June 2014.
Soward, Adam. "anticommunism." American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 1 June 2014
Stokes, Doug. "Why the End of the Cold War Doesn't Matter: The US War of Terror in Colombia." JSTOR 29.4 (2003): 569-85. Print.
Tertiary Sources
Anderson, Troy. "Billy Graham." Second Coming Herald. Kings Highway Web Design, 2012. Web. 3 June 2014. <http://secondcomingherald.com/2012/08/evangelist-billy-graham-says-america-faces-a-final-call-to-repentance/>.
Flow under the Proposed Law. Map.“America of the Melting Pot Comes to End; Effects of NewImmigration Legislation Described by Senate Sponsor of Bill – Chief Aim, He States, Is toPreserve Racial Type as It Exists Here Today.” By David A. Reed. New York Times 27 Apr. 7 1924, Special Features Radio Programs Special Features Automobiles sec.: XX3. The NewYork Times: Archive 1851-1890. Web. 6 Apr. 2012.
"The Turbulent 1950's." The Turbulent 1950's. N.p., 2007. Web. 1 June 2014. <http://www.edb.utexas.edu/faculty/salinas/students/student_sites/Fall2007/Korie_Ryan/Image/On_No_Account_To_Be_Used.jpg>.
"Unit 6 Cold War." Lockport High School. N.p., 2002-2011. Web. 1 June 2014. <http://www.lockportschools.org/cms/lib/NY19000563/Centricity/Domain/256/cold%20war.gif>.
U.S. Government. "Russian Pressure: Basis of US Aid to Turkey." Apushcanvas. PBWorks, 2014. Web. 3 June 2014. <http://apushcanvas.pbworks.com/w/page/52709589/The%20Cold%20War%20Begins%201945%20to%201952>.
Primary Sources
Ben-Ami, Shlomo. "Is Georgia the Start of a New Cold War?; The West Must Work to Integrate Russia into a New Global Order, Not Isolate It." The Gazette [Montreal] 4 Sept. 2008, Editorial / Op-Ed: n. pag. Print.
Bush, George W. "War." Vital Speeches Of The Day 72.18/19 (2006): 530-534. History Reference Center. Web. 27 May 2014.
Secondary Sources
Appleby, et al. The American Vision: Modern Times. Columbus: Glencoe, 2008. Print.
"The Cold War and U.S. Popular Culture." The Cold War. Ed. Walter Hixson. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 2000. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 23 May 2014.
"Origins: Did the Soviet Union Start the Cold War?" History in Dispute. Ed. Benjamin Frankel. Vol. 1: The Cold War: First Series. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. 258-264. World History in Context. Web. 1 June 2014.
Soward, Adam. "anticommunism." American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 1 June 2014
Stokes, Doug. "Why the End of the Cold War Doesn't Matter: The US War of Terror in Colombia." JSTOR 29.4 (2003): 569-85. Print.
Tertiary Sources
Anderson, Troy. "Billy Graham." Second Coming Herald. Kings Highway Web Design, 2012. Web. 3 June 2014. <http://secondcomingherald.com/2012/08/evangelist-billy-graham-says-america-faces-a-final-call-to-repentance/>.
Flow under the Proposed Law. Map.“America of the Melting Pot Comes to End; Effects of NewImmigration Legislation Described by Senate Sponsor of Bill – Chief Aim, He States, Is toPreserve Racial Type as It Exists Here Today.” By David A. Reed. New York Times 27 Apr. 7 1924, Special Features Radio Programs Special Features Automobiles sec.: XX3. The NewYork Times: Archive 1851-1890. Web. 6 Apr. 2012.
"The Turbulent 1950's." The Turbulent 1950's. N.p., 2007. Web. 1 June 2014. <http://www.edb.utexas.edu/faculty/salinas/students/student_sites/Fall2007/Korie_Ryan/Image/On_No_Account_To_Be_Used.jpg>.
"Unit 6 Cold War." Lockport High School. N.p., 2002-2011. Web. 1 June 2014. <http://www.lockportschools.org/cms/lib/NY19000563/Centricity/Domain/256/cold%20war.gif>.
U.S. Government. "Russian Pressure: Basis of US Aid to Turkey." Apushcanvas. PBWorks, 2014. Web. 3 June 2014. <http://apushcanvas.pbworks.com/w/page/52709589/The%20Cold%20War%20Begins%201945%20to%201952>.