Eisenhower's Key Policies in the Cold War
Rollback: A Shift from Containment
- Definition: Rollback aimed to remove communist governments, not just contain them.
- Contrast with Containment: Unlike Truman's containment policy, which sought to prevent the spread of communism, rollback was more aggressive, seeking to reverse communist gains.
Rollback was not always applied militarily. It often relied on covert operationsand diplomatic pressure.
The New Look: A Strategic Military Doctrine
- Emphasis on Nuclear Weapons: Eisenhower believed that nuclear deterrence was more cost-effective than maintaining large conventional forces.
- Key Components:
- Massive Retaliation: The threat of an overwhelming nuclear response to any Soviet aggression.
- Air Power: Expansion of the air force to deliver nuclear weapons.
- Covert Operations: Use of the CIA to undermine communist regimes, as seen in Guatemala and Iran.
The New Look aimed to balance military strengthwith economic sustainability, reflecting Eisenhower's concern about the costsof a prolonged arms race.
Domino Theory: The Fear of Communist Expansion
- Definition: The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow, like a row of dominoes.
- Impact on Policy: This theory justified U.S. intervention in regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America to prevent the spread of communism.
The domino theorywas a key rationale for U.S. involvement in Vietnam, as policymakers feared the entire region would fall under communist control.
The Korean War Resolution
- Armistice: Eisenhower negotiated an armistice in 1953, ending active combat but leaving Korea divided along the 38th parallel.
- Nuclear Threats: He used the threat of nuclear weapons to pressure China and North Korea into negotiations.
