4) Why do you think Kennan's Long Telegram aroused so much interest in Washington in early 1946? What contributions, if any, do you think Kennan made to the emergence of the Cold War?
I feel like Kennan had many valid points that made clear sense that the Soviet Union was ready to destroy and conquer and gain as much power as they could get. Not only that but he also gave some suggestions, he actually stepped up and gave some guidance to the people, helped inspire people to become aware of the situation and even make others aware. If anything, this telegram was a warning for everyone and it was expected to be taken and followed with caution.
You and the Atomic Bomb
- Orwell says “The great age of Democracy and of national self-determination was the age of the musket and the rifle.” Why does he think this is the case?
Orwell thinks this is the case because after the invention of the flintlock, and before the invention of the percussion cap, the musket was an efficient weapon that was produced almost everywhere even making it possible for the American and French revolution. After the musket came the breech-loading rifle, which was complex but could still be produced many different countries due to it being very cheap and easy to smuggle. Even the countries who would have thought to have the least amount of chance would have a chance at the time. After those though, every development in military technique has favored the State rather than the individual, and usually only the industrialized countries.
- What has happened to democracy, national self-determination, and the individual since the invention of more sophisticated weapons? Do you agree or disagree w/Orwell’s conclusions? Why?
As stated above in the last question, more sophisticated weapons have only been made for the state and for industrialized countries, and I do agree with this. It’s almost as if this can be considered “survival of the fittest” as Darwin had stated. Those countries who progress find out more advanced things beyond anyone’s knowledge, and then with that greed of being the most powerful few and few find out about it or can even afford to make it. Weapons that are so advanced after the old days have always been exclusive to a certain group of people and that’s what we are seeing here with the atomic bomb. Not only does it require lots of responsibility but no one wants to give it away, no one wants to give the plans away and no one wants to let others use it due to fear and being overruled.
- What are Orwell’s conclusions about what might happen to our world as a result of the invention of the atomic bomb?
As a result of the invention of the atomic bomb, Orwell concludes that we may soon be killing ourselves. Mankind may soon no longer exist because all we care about so much is power and ruling everyone. If it’s not going to be a suicide for the entire planet then it probably will go back to the way it was before, slavery. He states that there are already only 3 major powers in the world and sooner or later someone is going to want to be on top and that could led to mankind extinction and the ruling of ants or other species.
The Atlantic Charter
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What are the basic principles of the Atlantic Charter? What will result of this agreement?
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The United States and Great Britain agreed to seek no territorial gains as a result of the outcome of World War II.
- Any territorial adjustments would be made with the wishes of the affected people taken into consideration.
- Self-determination was a right of all people.
- A concerted effort would be made to lower trade barriers.
- The importance of the advancement of social welfare and global economic cooperation were recognized as important.
- They would work to establish freedom from fear and want.
- The importance of freedom of the seas was stated.
- They would work towards postwar disarmament and the mutual disarment of aggressor nations.
This agreement will result in a United States and Great Britain alliance, establishing a commonality of purpose and will be one of the first steps towards the United Nations.
- As of the mid to late 1940’s, what are some of the contradictions or issues that you see facing this agreement?
While the American intervention in Greece in the late 1940s did lead to the ultimate victory of the forces the U.S. supported, it did go against the Atlantic Charter. The victorious generals in Greece established a brutal dictatorship that exacted a terrible toll in Greece for years to come. Another contradiction is Eisenhower’s administration taking steps gradually to intervene in Vietnam, leading to the greatest foreign policy disaster in American history.
Sinews of Peace (Iron Curtain)
1) According to Churchill, what "overall strategic concept" should the United States adopt? What threats should it guard against, and how should the strategic concept be carried out? In particular, what was Churchill's thinking about the United Nations and the atomic bomb?
The “overall strategic concept” that the United States should adopt is to make courts and magistrates may be set up with sheriffs and constables, and to have the United Nations Organization begin to be equipped with an international armed force. He also proposes that each of the Powers and States should be invited to delegate a certain number of air squadrons to the service of the world organization. While they would be trained in their own country they would however, move around from country to country. Some threats that would be present though are war, tyranny, and poverty. Churchill also says that the knowledge of the atomic bomb should not be shared with any other countries because of its destructive danger and power.
2) What kind of relationship did Churchill favor between the United States and the British Commonwealth? What did he mean by "special relationship," and why do you think he advocated such a relationship?
Churchill stated that the United States and the British Empire needed to establish a fraternal association, which was called a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States. This means that both would have to start growing in friendship and mutual understanding between both systems of society, and a continuance of the intimate relationship between military advisers, which would lead to common study of potential dangers, the similarity of weapons and manuals of instructions, and to the interchange of officers and cadets at technical colleges. Increased security should be established by the joint usage of Naval and Air Force bases all over the world. From this special relationship it would increase two times the mobility of the American Navy and Air Force. It would also greatly expand the British Empire Forces and lead to financial savings.
3) How did Churchill explain Soviet intentions, actions, policies, and goals? How did he think the United States and other western nations should meet Soviet challenges? Did he think another major war was inevitable? Explain.
One of the goals of the Soviet Union was by separate action, to build up a pro-Communist Germany in their areas. The main goal is to gain more power, and to have more control over more countries. Churchill states that the United States would need to team up with other countries, and they would all have to work together. Disputes and disagreements would have to be forgotten and they would have to unite. Churchill also believes that a war is not inevitable, it is imminent. He says this because he still believes “our fortune is in our own hands” and that if we do not act soon enough and simply wait for something to happen then the dangers will become worse.
4) Why did his phrase, "iron curtain," become so memorable? What role, if any, do you think Churchill's speech played in the onset of the Cold War?
The phrase “iron curtain” became so memorable because it symbolized the conflict and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas. On both sides of the Iron Curtain, states developed their own international economic and military alliances. The Iron Curtain was a border defense between the countries of Europe in the middle of the continent. Most famous however was the border marked by the Berlin Wall and its Checkpoint Charlie serving as a symbol of the Curtain as a whole. The speech that Churchill made was a speech that really brought a lot of awareness to people, and really helped the United States unite with other countries. This speech had an impact that aided the outcome of the Cold War because it explained the dangers, gave some solutions and brought forth a plan of action.
Marshall Plan
- What did the Marshall Plan propose?
In general the Marshall plan’s main purpose was the infusion of massive amounts of U.S. capital into Western Europe. It wasn't designed to increase military forces in Europe, it was designed to restore Europe's economy and rebuild it for solely economic reasons in order to battle Communism economically, not militarily.
- Why do you think the Marshall plan was important in the post-WWII era?
The Marshall plan was important in the post-WWIII era because most of Europe was in destruction and this would help aid the reconstruction of it while at the same time help battle Communism.
- What do you think motivated the U.S. to adopt this plan?
The United States was seen as a leader at the time, since they were part of the winner of World War II and was doing well economy wise even while the rest of Europe was in destruction. Due to this, it was believed that the United States had the responsibility to help and try to aid in the reconstruction of Europe to try and show their leadership. They were aware of the problems and they weren’t just going to stand there and watch the problem grow worse and suffer more.