Cold War Escalation And Impact

03 November 2004 (Lecture #29)

• When Stalin dies, an oligarchy forms until Khrushchev consolidates power
• Committed to communism and denounces Stalin’s approach of harsh oppression
• Liberalizes the system – allow Soviet satellites to practice their own version of communism

o Does not allow countries to become democratic

o Soviets occupy Hungary when it tries to elect democratic leaders

• US Prosperity – economy successfully transitions to post-war economy

o Pent-up demand unleashed; industrial markets (European reconstruction, …)

o Veterans returned and bought much and found secure, good jobs

• Alarm-ism

o Red scare – fear of communism forces within the US

o Nuclear – Sputnik and fear of Soviet perceived superiority (not true)

• Détente – Khrushchev and Eisenhower want to try to work together to reduce the threat

o U-2 shot down over Russia (sours détente)

o Khrushchev affected when he visits the US; see those in DC prosperous à not like Russian peasants

• JFK wins; much more photogenic

o Surrounded himself with the best and brightest

o Discarded massive response strategy for a flexible response

§ Included an option for limited war