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How did the U.S. government respond to the threat of Communism during the Cold War?
Quick answer:
The U.S. government responded to the Cold War threat of communism primarily through a policy of containment, aiming to prevent its spread globally. This included economic aid like the Marshall Plan, covert actions in countries such as Iran and Guatemala, and military interventions as seen in the Korean War. Domestically, anti-communist sentiment was fueled by initiatives like the House Un-American Activities Committee. In the 1970s, the policy of détente sought to ease tensions with communist nations.
The strategy of the United States in regard to the threat of communism was
that of containment. This policy involved simply stopping or slowing as much as
possible the spread of communism. This was largely in response to a series of
actions on the part of the Soviet Union to increase communist activity and
viability in Eastern Europe, Africa, China, and even as far away as Latin
America.
A suggested tactic in regard to stopping the communist threat from affecting
America was that of isolationism. This policy was widely supported by certain
factions of the republicans. However, it was eventually rejected to the widely
accepted belief that American isolationism was at least partially responsible
for the woes of World War II.
If you are writing a DBQ, please be sure to look at the sources that you are given to help guide your answer.
Overall, there are many ways...
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in which the US government reacted to communism. The general response was that of containment. The US responded to communism by trying to prevent it from spreading any farther than it had already done. This was done in a number of ways. It was done by giving help to countries through things like the Marshall Plan. It was done by covert action (as in Iran and Guatemala). It was done by military force as in the Korean War.
There were also other ways in which the US government reacted later in the Cold War. For example, there was the policy of detente. This policy, which dominated much of the '70s, emphasized reducing tensions with the communists in hopes of preventing conflict.
How did the U.S. government react to the threat of Communism during the Cold War?
One way in which the United States government reacted to the threat of Communism was to double down its offensive capability. Influenced heavily with the assertions of decorated war leaders such as Curtis LeMay, there was an insistence on the United States government reacting with swift and decisive offensive capacity to deter or obliterate the Soviet threat. LeMay's demand that the U.S. Strategic Air Command (SAC) be equipped with nuclear bombs that would be ready to be detonated at a moment's notice helps to illuminate this reaction. The fundamental belief is that the United States could beat the Soviets with a huge and committed offensive show of force. LeMay's attitude represents one way in which the United States reacted to the threat of Communism.
Another and more nuanced reaction to Communism can be seen domestically. Within the United States, there was a growing mistrust of Communists. Savvy and charismatic political leaders were able to help enhance this fear. Regular Americans were told that a Communist attack could happen "at any time" and that the best way to stop this would be to remain totally vigilant. Through exercises like the House UnAmerican Activities Committee and legislation such as the Smith Act, the United States government responded to the threat of Communism with fear, accusation, and a desire for greater control within the United States.