The Cold War: Fundamental Shift in American Foreign Policy

" alt="Cold War Amreican foregn policy"> Figure 1.-_The United States brought in troops home after World War I. The plan was to do the same after World War II. This is what Sobiet ductor, Josef Stalin, expected. Aggressivre Soviet behavior convinced President Trumn tyhjat Americn troops needed to stay in Europe. Here we see American troops duilling in Berlin during 1954. The caption read, "They Just Love a Parade: These Berlin youngsters had their own viewing stand from which to watch the show when American troops paraded in Berlin to be reviewed by Major General General Honnen. Te Genralrecently took-overthe post of U.S. City Commander in the German capital. Some of the youngsers whose backs you see are the children of U.S. personnel. Some are German." The photograph is dated August 18, 1954. The American garrison in Berlin was very small. But their presence mean that any Soviet attack would involved the United States.

Beginning with President Washington, the United States had a tradition of staying out of European wars and entanglements (1790s). This was a policy followed for more than a century (19th century). President Wilson tried to maintain this policy when Germany launched World War I (1914). After reelection (1916), Wilson began to aggressively use America's economic power to force an end to the War. The Germans were, however, intent on a military resolution. America entered the War (1917) and played an important role in the Allied victory. Americans rapidly turned sour on its participation in World War I (1920s). The United States Senate refused to ratify the Versailles Peace Treaty. The War was all blamed on the 'merchants of death'. It was all blamed on the merchants of death. The United States, following its long-term foreign policy, withdrew from Europe. And a domestic consensus developed that entering World War I had been a colossal mistake. As a result, Neutrality Laws were passed to ensure that the United States could never be dragged into another European War. These laws complicated President Roosevelt's efforts to aid Britain and France as Hitler moved toward another war. Aiding the Allies required a fundamental shift in American foreign policy. And even in the face of overwhelming evidence that America was threatened, the Isolationist Movement was opposed American engagement in Europe and was supported by many Americans. Of course, Pearl Harbor changed everything (1941). President Roosevelt hoped that the new United Nations he championed would provide the collected security needed to maintain the peace after World War II. This of course was an illusion. But the President envisioned withdrawing American troops from Europe after World War II and told Stalin that at Yalta (1945). Shortly after, President Roosevelt died and Vice-President Truman assumed the presidency. His experience with the Soviets, especially the installment of Communist police states in occupied Eastern and Central European countries convinced him that American troops should remain in Europe longer than anticipated. Had American troops not remained in Europe, all of Western Europe might have experienced the same fate as Eastern and Central Europe. The turning point was the Berlin Air Lift (1948). With American troops in place, the European counties stood up to the Soviets-forming he North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- NATO (1949).

Created: 12:34 AM 10/26/2024
Last updated: 12:34 AM 10/26/2024