The Threat of Communism
Communism was the United States biggest threat. The United States did not want
communism to spread in Europe and Asia. They feared that if it spread there,
then it will spread in the United States. All the U.S. wanted to do was spread
capitalism and stop communism in those continents.
A. United States Stance vs. Soviet Union's Stance:
The United States main goal was to spread capitalism, whereas, the Soviet
Union's main goal was to spread communism. In capitalism, individuals and
private businesses make most of the economic decisions. However, communism
revolves around single-party rule of politics and government control of the
economy.
After World War II, the Allies divided Germany into four occupations zones. In March 1948, United States, Great Britain, and France decided to merge their occupation zones to form a new country, known as the Federal Republic of Germany. Moreover, they agreed that it would have a democratic government and a capitalist economy. This decision angered the Soviets, who controlled Eastern Germany and had access to the former German capital Berlin. On June 24, the Soviet Union set up the Berlin Blockade. They believed that this blockade would force the Allies to give up either Berlin or their plans for a West German state. President Truman responded to this blockade by creating the Berlin Airlift. The Berlin Airlift helped give food, fuel, and other vital supplies to West Germany. The Soviets noticed that their plan failed so they decided to end the blockade. Germany became two countries: communist East Germany and democratic West Germany with Berlin divided between these two countries.
In 1949, the United States, Canada, and 10 countries of Western Europe formed a new military alliance called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This group agreed to consider an attack on any member as an attack on all and formed a standing army to defend Western Europe in the event of a Soviet invasion. In contrast, the Soviet Union formed its security alliance called the Warsaw Pact. The Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania joined the Warsaw Pact. NATO and Warsaw Pact members saw each other as enemies. These two groups caused Europe to divide into two army camps.
After World War II, the Allies divided Germany into four occupations zones. In March 1948, United States, Great Britain, and France decided to merge their occupation zones to form a new country, known as the Federal Republic of Germany. Moreover, they agreed that it would have a democratic government and a capitalist economy. This decision angered the Soviets, who controlled Eastern Germany and had access to the former German capital Berlin. On June 24, the Soviet Union set up the Berlin Blockade. They believed that this blockade would force the Allies to give up either Berlin or their plans for a West German state. President Truman responded to this blockade by creating the Berlin Airlift. The Berlin Airlift helped give food, fuel, and other vital supplies to West Germany. The Soviets noticed that their plan failed so they decided to end the blockade. Germany became two countries: communist East Germany and democratic West Germany with Berlin divided between these two countries.
In 1949, the United States, Canada, and 10 countries of Western Europe formed a new military alliance called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This group agreed to consider an attack on any member as an attack on all and formed a standing army to defend Western Europe in the event of a Soviet invasion. In contrast, the Soviet Union formed its security alliance called the Warsaw Pact. The Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania joined the Warsaw Pact. NATO and Warsaw Pact members saw each other as enemies. These two groups caused Europe to divide into two army camps.
B. The Korean War:
Since 1910 Japan had ruled Korea. At the end of World War II, the Soviets
occupied the north by Japanese forces surrendering. The south was occupied by
the Americans for the same reason. They were separated by the 38th parallel. In
1948, North Korea became a communist nation whereas South Korea became an
independent nation.
In June 1950, the Korean War started by North Korea invading South Korea. The United Nations agreed to help South Korea because Truman was afraid another Asian nation was about to fall to communism. North Korean troops conquered the South Korean capital of Seoul. However, MacArthur launched a counterattack and the UN and South Korean forces advance toward the 38th parallel. In October 1950, the UN wanted MacArthur to cross the 38th parallel; however, the Chinese troops drove UN forces back. In January 1951 Seoul was back to the communists hands. MacArthur suggested dropping atomic bombs on China because he wanted to extend the war into China; however, Truman was against this strategy. Truman fired MacArthur because he continuously argued for his plan. Meanwhile, in July 1953 an armistice was signed. In the end, Korea was still divided between communist North Korea and non-communist South Korea.
In June 1950, the Korean War started by North Korea invading South Korea. The United Nations agreed to help South Korea because Truman was afraid another Asian nation was about to fall to communism. North Korean troops conquered the South Korean capital of Seoul. However, MacArthur launched a counterattack and the UN and South Korean forces advance toward the 38th parallel. In October 1950, the UN wanted MacArthur to cross the 38th parallel; however, the Chinese troops drove UN forces back. In January 1951 Seoul was back to the communists hands. MacArthur suggested dropping atomic bombs on China because he wanted to extend the war into China; however, Truman was against this strategy. Truman fired MacArthur because he continuously argued for his plan. Meanwhile, in July 1953 an armistice was signed. In the end, Korea was still divided between communist North Korea and non-communist South Korea.