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Following the defeat of Japan, the Korean peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel into Soviet [North] and American [South] occupation zones
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South: Capitalist Republic of Korea [August]
North: Communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea [September] -
Shift in balance of power: USA fear a 'monolithic' communist threat.
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[Chinese Communist Party]
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USA [Dean Acheson issues government report on China and US strategy]
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USA lose nuclear monopoly
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Compelled by Soviet pressure and approach of UN forces to Yalu River, China sent 300,000 'volunteers' into conflict.
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China and USSR form a formal alliance, which included mutual security guarantees and prompted the USA to review its Asian policies.
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Introduced by Dean Acheson, Secretary of State
Military defense line to contain communism in Asia; runs from Japan through the Ryukyu Islands to the Philippines
Excluded South Korea and Taiwan -
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War between Soviet backed North and US backed South divisions of Korea [DPROK/ROK]
'Indirect conflict' between USA and USSR
North Korea invade the South on 25 June; UN Security Council (absent the boycotting USSR) passed resolutions calling for a ceasefire and international military aid to the South -
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Treaty tied Japan's security and economy closer to the USA, consolidating Japan as a key American ally in the Far East
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Eisenhower won the US presidency, later introducing a 'New Look' policy that prioritised nuclear weapons over conventional forces.
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A series of strikes and riots across the GDR were suppressed by Soviet troops and tanks; event discourages Western hopes for German reunification
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Agreement reached to halt the fighting in Korea; restores pre- war status quo near 38th parallel
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US policy report emphasises that the most effective way to deter Soviet aggression was for the USA to forcefully display nuclear superiority
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Leads to collective leadership in USSR, removes major obstacle to ending Korean War.
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Secretary of State John Foster Dulles announced this strategy [reliant on threat of instant nuclear response to deter communist expansion]
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Follows French defeat at Dien Bien Phu; temporarily divides Vietnam at 17th parallel, establishes ceasefire
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The Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation was formed as a regional alliance to contain communism in Asia, mimicking the structure of NATO.
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Four occupying powers agreed to withdraw from Austria on the condition it remained a neutral state [seen as a major success for peaceful coexistence]
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NATO expands; allows for FRG rearmament
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Triggered by NATO expansion; consolidates its military control over Eastern Europe.
[Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, East Germany (GDR),Albania] -
Meeting of 'big four': President Eisenhower, PM Eden, PM Bulganin, PM Faure
- Khrushchev also in attendance
[First high-level meeting since 1945]
Discussed issues on security, armaments, German unification and East- West relationships
Failed to resolve status of Germany
'Improved international atmosphere' -
At 20th party congress, K denounces Stalin's crimes + his "cult of personality".
Promotes idea of 'Destalinisation' of Eastern bloc
- Lead to a decrease in military spending, allowing domestic investment -
- Worker protests occur; demand bread, liberty, freedom for Catholic Church, end of Soviet domination of Poland
- Gomulka chosen as leader; has argument with Khrushchev [Assures K Poland will remain a loyal member of the Warsaw Pact, in return for more freedom of domestic affairs and withdrawal of Soviet troops]
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- Inspired by revolt in Poland National revolt led by Imre Nagy; brutally crushed by 4,000 Soviet tanks after Nagy declared Hungarian neutrality and withdrawal from the WP.
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Khrushchev becomes the first Soviet leader to visit the USA; he and Eisenhower agree to settle international issues through diplomacy rather than force.
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- Had been scheduled for May 1960, meant to address nuclear weapons and Berlin. Failed on first day; Khrushchev demanded an apology for the U2 Spy Plane [that was shot down May 1], and Eisenhower refused
- Relations grow tense; end of 'thaw'
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US U-2 Spy Plane, having taken off from Pakistan, shot down by Soviet Air Defence forces
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John F. Kennedy took office, reaffirms the Truman Doctrine + increasing US defence spending to counter the perceived global communist threat
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Kennedy and Khrushchev meet for the first time; aimed to settle status of Germany, K sought to reaffirm Truman Doctrine [USSR would do whatever necessary to support survival of liberty, symbolised by West Berlin].
- Meeting confirms stalemate in East- West relations regarding future of Europe
- Khrushchev observes Kennedy as a 'young and politically vulnerable leader'.