Chapter 17 - The Uneasy Peace

Mao Zedong's victory in China was seen as a frightening failure of containment by many Americans. This suggests that the Americans were trying to contain or limit the influence of communism in China, but Mao's victory indicated that their efforts had failed. The mention of Mao, Mao Zedong, and Zedong in the answer options confirms that Mao Zedong is the correct answer.

Khrushchev insisted that the United States vow never to attack Cuba before he agreed to remove the Soviet missiles from there.

When Egypt seized the Suez Canal from Great Britain, the United States condemned the invasion of Egypt by American allies. The Suez Canal is a crucial waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, allowing for the transportation of goods between Europe and Asia. The seizure of the canal by Egypt was seen as a violation of international law and sparked tensions between Egypt, Britain, and their respective allies. The United States, as a proponent of international law and order, condemned the invasion and expressed its disapproval of the actions taken by its allies.

Stalin considered capitalism a threat to world peace.

In June 1950, forces from North Korea invaded South Korea. The invasion was carried out by the Communist forces.

On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy announced the decision to send warships and bombers to Cuba.

After World War II, Western nations were concerned about the spread of communism. To address this fear, they adopted a policy of containment. This policy aimed to prevent the expansion of communism by containing it within its existing borders. It involved various strategies such as military interventions, economic aid, and alliances with anti-communist countries. The goal was to limit the influence and power of communist regimes and prevent them from gaining more territory or converting other nations to their ideology. This policy was a response to the perceived threat of communism and was intended to protect the interests and values of Western nations.

After World War II, Western nations were concerned about the spread of communism. In order to prevent the further expansion of communism, they adopted a policy of containment. This policy aimed to limit the influence and expansion of communist ideologies and governments, primarily led by the Soviet Union. It involved various strategies such as military alliances, economic aid, propaganda, and diplomatic efforts to prevent the spread of communism. The goal was to "contain" communism within its existing borders and prevent it from spreading to other countries.

Khrushchev insisted that the United States vow never to attack Cuba before agreeing to remove the Soviet missiles from the country. This suggests that Khrushchev wanted to ensure the safety and security of Cuba, as he wanted a guarantee that the United States would not pose a threat to the country in the future. By demanding this pledge, Khrushchev aimed to protect Cuba from potential aggression and maintain stability in the region.

After the Soviets launched Sputnik in 1957, the arms race shifted into high gear. Sputnik was the first artificial satellite to be launched into space, and its successful launch by the Soviet Union caused great concern and fear in the United States. It marked the beginning of the Space Age and intensified the competition between the two superpowers, leading to increased investment in science, technology, and military capabilities. The launch of Sputnik was a significant event that had a profound impact on the Cold War and accelerated the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The correct answer is Mao Zedong. Many Americans saw Mao Zedong's victory in China as a frightening failure of containment.

The correct answer is "the Suez Canal". When Egypt seized control of the Suez Canal from Great Britain, the United States condemned the invasion of Egypt by American allies. The Suez Canal is a strategically important waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, and its control has been a contentious issue throughout history.

The correct answer is Sputnik. After the Soviets launched Sputnik in 1957, the arms race shifted into high gear. Sputnik was the world's first artificial satellite, and its launch by the Soviet Union marked a significant advancement in space technology. This event caused a sense of urgency and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to an acceleration in the development of military technology and the arms race between the two superpowers.

In June 1950, forces from North Korea invaded South Korea. This invasion was carried out by the Communist forces.

On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy announced the decision to send warships and bombers to Cuba. This indicates that the correct answer is President Kennedy.

Stalin considered capitalism a threat to world peace. This is because he believed that the capitalist system promoted inequality and exploitation, leading to social unrest and conflicts between different classes. In addition, Stalin saw capitalism as a rival ideology to communism, and believed that the spread of capitalism would undermine the influence and power of the Soviet Union. Therefore, he viewed capitalism as a destabilizing force that posed a threat to the stability and harmony of the world.

In the early 1950s, backyard bomb shelters were built due to public fear of nuclear attack. This fear was a result of the tense political climate during the Cold War, with the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a nuclear arms race. The public was aware of the destructive power of nuclear weapons and the potential for a devastating attack. As a result, many people took precautions by building bomb shelters in their backyards as a means of protection against a potential nuclear attack.

After World War II, the Soviet Union demanded a powerless Germany that could not attack the Soviet Union. This can be explained by the fact that the Soviet Union wanted to ensure its own security and prevent any future aggression from Germany. By demanding a powerless Germany, the Soviet Union aimed to weaken its military capabilities and eliminate any potential threat. This was also in line with the Soviet Union's goal of expanding its influence and maintaining control over Eastern Europe.

Stalin's vision for the political future of postwar Europe was driven by a desire for a powerless German nation. This can be seen through his actions during the postwar period, where he implemented policies and strategies aimed at weakening Germany and preventing it from becoming a major power again. Stalin believed that a weak Germany would be less of a threat to the Soviet Union and would be easier to control and manipulate. This desire for a powerless Germany was also reflected in the division of Germany into East and West, with the establishment of the Soviet-controlled German Democratic Republic in the East.

During President Eisenhower's time, many newly independent nations were emerging around the world. To secure their allegiance and prevent them from aligning with the Soviet Union, Eisenhower turned to the CIA for assistance. The CIA played a crucial role in covert operations and propaganda campaigns to promote pro-American sentiment and prevent the spread of communism in these nations. This aligns with the idea that Eisenhower relied on the CIA to promote the allegiance of newly independent nations.

President Eisenhower's containment policy differed from President Truman's policy in that Eisenhower's policy included the idea of massive retaliation. This means that instead of engaging in limited wars or using diplomacy to contain the spread of communism, Eisenhower's policy focused on the threat of nuclear weapons and the willingness to use them in response to any aggression. This shift in approach was a significant departure from Truman's policy of containing communism through military intervention and alliances.

The correct answer is Western oil companies and the Shah sharing the profits from buying and selling Iranian oil. This is because the CIA operations in Iran in the early 1950s, known as Operation Ajax, aimed to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. The operation was successful in removing Mossadegh from power and reinstating the Shah as the leader of Iran. One of the main motivations behind this operation was to protect the interests of Western oil companies, who had been affected by Mossadegh's nationalization of the Iranian oil industry. As a result, the Shah and the Western oil companies were able to share the profits from buying and selling Iranian oil.

At the Yalta Conference, held in February 1945, the Soviet Union agreed to enter the war against Japan after the defeat of Germany in return for gaining territories in Asia. This agreement was made in order to secure Soviet interests in the Pacific region. The Soviet Union had been neutral towards Japan since signing a non-aggression pact in 1941, but with the impending defeat of Germany, they saw an opportunity to expand their influence in Asia and gain territorial concessions. This agreement ultimately led to the Soviet Union's entry into the war against Japan in August 1945.

Truman blamed the fall of the Nationalists in China partly on the refusal of Jiang Jieshi to solve his nation's problems. This suggests that Truman believed that Jiang Jieshi's inability or unwillingness to address the issues facing his country contributed to the downfall of the Nationalists. It implies that Truman saw Jiang Jieshi as responsible for not taking the necessary actions to address the challenges and maintain the Nationalist regime in power.

After World War II, the Soviet Union demanded a powerless Germany that could not attack the Soviet Union. This demand was a strategic move by the Soviet Union to ensure its own security and prevent any future aggression from Germany. By keeping Germany weak and powerless, the Soviet Union aimed to safeguard its borders and maintain control over Eastern Europe. This demand also allowed the Soviet Union to exert influence and control over the Eastern Bloc countries, establishing a buffer zone between itself and the Western powers.

The correct answer is public fear of nuclear attack. In the early 1950s, there was a heightened sense of fear and anxiety among the general public due to the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. This fear was fueled by the development and testing of nuclear weapons by both countries. As a result, many people built backyard bomb shelters as a means of protection in case of a nuclear attack. This fear and the subsequent construction of bomb shelters were not directly caused by any specific legislation or a nuclear attack by a particular country, but rather by the overall public fear of nuclear attack.

The early formation of the United Nations aimed at establishing an international peacekeeping organization and was formed in 1945. However, it did not specifically focus on preserving self-determination for all nations.

President Eisenhower's containment policy differed from President Truman's policy in that Eisenhower's policy included the idea of massive retaliation. This means that instead of engaging in limited wars or disarmament efforts, Eisenhower believed in responding to any aggression by the Soviet Union or its allies with a full-scale nuclear attack. This approach was intended to deter any potential aggressors and maintain peace through the threat of overwhelming force.

The CIA operations in Iran in the early 1950s resulted in Western oil companies and the Shah sharing the profits from buying and selling Iranian oil. This suggests that the CIA's involvement in Iran was aimed at ensuring the financial interests of Western oil companies and maintaining the Shah's control over the country's oil resources. This arrangement allowed the companies to benefit economically while the Shah maintained his power and influence.

During President Eisenhower's time in office, there were numerous newly independent nations emerging around the world. To secure their allegiance and prevent them from aligning with the Soviet Union, Eisenhower relied on the CIA to promote their allegiance. This could involve covert operations, propaganda, or other methods to influence these nations to align with the United States and its interests.

After World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States viewed each other with distrust. This was due to the ideological differences between the two superpowers, as the Soviet Union was a communist state and the United States was a capitalist democracy. Additionally, both countries had competing interests and ambitions for global dominance, leading to a tense and hostile relationship known as the Cold War. This period was characterized by political and military rivalries, arms races, and proxy wars, further solidifying the mutual distrust between the Soviet Union and the United States.

The correct answer is "alleviated the animosity between former American and German enemies." The Berlin airlift was a massive effort by the United States to provide food, supplies, and aid to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade in 1948-1949. This humanitarian effort helped to rebuild trust and foster positive relations between the United States and Germany, as it demonstrated American support and commitment to the German people. It played a significant role in alleviating the animosity that existed between the two nations after World War II.

President Kennedy did not set up negotiation meetings with Fidel Castro. This is because Kennedy's administration had a strained relationship with Castro's government and did not engage in diplomatic negotiations. Instead, Kennedy took actions such as the secret invasion by La Brigada at the Bay of Pigs, interrupting Cuban trade, and sending warships and bombers to Cuba as part of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After the failure of the Berlin blockade, Germany became two separate countries. This is because the blockade was an attempt by the Soviet Union to cut off West Berlin from the rest of Germany, which was under the control of the Western Allies. However, the blockade was unsuccessful, and as a result, the division between East and West Germany became more pronounced. The Western Allies established the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), while the Soviet Union established the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). This division lasted until the reunification of Germany in 1990.

The importance of winning the loyalty of emerging nations to the United States is not described by the statement "The United States needed the industrial goods produced in emerging nations." This statement does not explain a reason for the importance of winning their loyalty, as it focuses on the United States needing the industrial goods produced in these nations rather than the loyalty aspect.

During the time period mentioned, most Americans believed that having a superior nuclear arsenal compared to the Soviets would serve as a deterrent and prevent nuclear war. They believed that by having more and better bombs, they would be able to maintain a balance of power and discourage the Soviets from initiating a conflict. This approach was rooted in the idea of mutually assured destruction, where both sides would be deterred from attacking each other due to the catastrophic consequences it would bring.

The policy of massive retaliation was a strategy adopted by the United States during the Cold War. It involved the threat of using nuclear weapons in response to any aggression by the Soviet Union or its allies. The first option, "The United States could respond to a Communist attack by fighting a nuclear war," describes a result of this policy, as it emphasized the willingness to engage in a nuclear war. The second option, "The idea of using an army to fight a small war virtually disappeared," also describes a result, as the focus shifted away from conventional warfare. The fourth option, "The Soviet Union stepped up its own research to build more powerful nuclear weapons," also describes a result, as both superpowers engaged in an arms race. Therefore, the third option, "The Soviet Union discontinued the development of nuclear weapons," does not describe a result of the policy of massive retaliation.

Truman blamed the fall of the Nationalists in China partly on the refusal of Jiang Jieshi to solve his nation's problems. This suggests that Truman believed that Jiang Jieshi's failure to address and resolve the issues facing his country contributed to the downfall of the Nationalists. It implies that Truman saw Jiang Jieshi as responsible for not taking the necessary actions to address the challenges and maintain stability in China, leading to the rise of Mao Zedong and the Communists.

During the time period mentioned, many Americans believed that having a stronger nuclear arsenal than the Soviets would act as a deterrent and prevent nuclear war. They believed that by having more and better bombs, they would have the upper hand in any potential conflict and discourage the Soviets from initiating an attack. This approach was seen as a way to maintain a balance of power and ensure national security.

At the Yalta Conference, which took place in February 1945, the Soviet Union agreed to enter the war against Japan in exchange for gaining territories in Asia. This agreement was made with the aim of coordinating efforts to defeat Japan after the defeat of Germany in World War II. The Soviet Union sought to expand its influence in Asia, particularly in territories such as Manchuria and the Kuril Islands. This agreement paved the way for the Soviet Union's eventual entry into the war against Japan in August 1945, shortly before Japan's surrender.

The early formation of the United Nations aimed at promoting international peace and security, as well as preventing future conflicts. While the United Nations did support the idea of self-determination for nations, it was not the primary focus or objective of its formation. The main goal was to establish a global organization that could maintain peace and prevent wars through international cooperation.

After the failure of the Berlin blockade, Germany became two separate countries. This can be inferred from the given options as the other options do not provide any information about the division of Germany. The Berlin blockade was a Soviet attempt to block the Western Allies' access to West Berlin. Its failure led to the division of Germany into East Germany, controlled by the Soviet Union, and West Germany, which was supported by the Western Allies.

The statement "The United States needed the industrial goods produced in emerging nations" does not describe a reason for the importance of winning the loyalty of emerging nations because it focuses on the United States' need for industrial goods, rather than the importance of winning their loyalty. The other statements highlight reasons such as dependence on natural resources, access to vast markets, and defense against Communist expansion.

The policy of massive retaliation, also known as the Eisenhower Doctrine, was a strategy adopted by the United States during the Cold War. It involved the threat of using nuclear weapons in response to any aggression by the Soviet Union or its allies. One of the results of this policy was that the United States could respond to a Communist attack by fighting a nuclear war. Another result was that the idea of using an army to fight a small war virtually disappeared, as the focus was on the use of nuclear weapons. Additionally, the Soviet Union stepped up its own research to build more powerful nuclear weapons. However, the given answer option, "The Soviet Union discontinued the development of nuclear weapons," does not describe a result of the policy of massive retaliation.

The correct answer is "alleviated the animosity between former American and German enemies." The Berlin airlift was a humanitarian mission conducted by the United States and its allies to provide food, fuel, and supplies to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade in 1948-1949. By successfully delivering essential goods to the people of Berlin, the United States demonstrated its commitment to supporting the people of Germany and helped to rebuild trust and foster a positive relationship between the former enemies.

President Kennedy did not set up negotiation meetings with Fidel Castro. This is because Kennedy's administration had a policy of isolating Cuba and did not engage in direct negotiations with Castro. Instead, Kennedy took actions such as authorizing a secret invasion by La Brigada at the Bay of Pigs, interrupting Cuban trade, and sending warships and bombers to Cuba as part of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Stalin's vision for the political future of postwar Europe was driven by a desire for a powerless German nation. This can be understood in the context of the aftermath of World War II, where Germany had been a major aggressor and had caused immense destruction. Stalin wanted to ensure that Germany would not be able to regain its power and become a threat again. By keeping Germany weak and powerless, Stalin aimed to maintain control and prevent any potential challenges to his own political influence in Europe.

After World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States viewed each other with distrust. This was due to the ideological differences between the two countries, with the Soviet Union being a communist state and the United States being a capitalist democracy. The two superpowers were engaged in a Cold War, characterized by political and military tension, proxy wars, and an arms race. The distrust between them led to the formation of opposing military alliances, such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and a constant state of competition and suspicion.

During his meeting with Churchill and Stalin in Potsdam, Germany, in July 1945, Truman did not feel cooperative because he had learned that the United States had developed the atomic bomb.

During his meeting with Churchill and Stalin in Potsdam, Germany, in July 1945, Truman did not feel cooperative because he had learned that the United States had developed the atomic bomb.