US Foreign Policy, 1945 - 1972

 Truman's Foreign Policy (1945-53)

 The atomic bomb: Why did Truman use it?

 How relations with Russia deteriorated and the effect of

the Keenan Long Telegram.

 The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan: What were their
goals? What were their effects?

 The Berlin Airlift: How did Truman respond to the crisis?

 The Korean War: Why did the US get involved? What happened
during the war? How did it end?

 Eisenhower's Foreign Policy (1953-61)

 The Domino Theory and the policy of deterrence.

 Peaceful coexistence between the US and the Soviets.

 The U-2 spy plane: What happened and what was its effect?

 Kennedy's Foreign Policy (1961-63)

 The Cuban Missile Crisis: How did it begin? What was Kennedy's
response? What was Khruschev's response? How did it end?

 US involvement in Vietnam: Why did the US become involved?

Why did Kennedy increase the number of US troops?

 Johnson's Foreign Policy (1963-69)

 The Vietnam War

 Johnson Becomes President
 Supported the Domino Theory. Believed that US influence in south-
east Asia depended on a victory. He didn't want to be the first President to lose a
war.
 The "Candidate of Peace"
 Ran for re-election in 1964 against Barry Goldwater, who suggested
using nuclear weapons.
 Johnson ran as the candidate of peace and won in a landslide, but
was faced with two dire options: withdraw and let North Vietnam win or commit a
large number of troops.
 The Gulf of Tonkin
 North Vietnamese boats fired on the USS Maddox in the Gulf of
Tonkin. They reported the same thing a few days later.
 Controversy: was this genuine or was it a set-up by the US patrols?
 What led Congress to pass the Tonkin Resolution? What did it allow
Johnson to do?
 The War Escalates
 What was Operation Rolling Thunder? Besides attacks, what else did
Johnson announce for the South?
 Build-up: How many US troops were stationed in Vietnam by 1967?
How much was the war costing?
 Four Points vs Fourteen Points: Were the US and the Vietnamese
close to negotiating? Why?
 What tactics was the US using in the war? What happened in My
Lai in 1968? How was success measured? How was napalm used? How
many bombs were dropped? Why did the war turn againstthe Americans?
 The Tet Offensive
 What was the Tet Offensive? What was its impact? How did it affect
Johnson's leadership? US Generals wanted more troops - why did Johnson believe
this wasn't possible?
 How was Johnson affected by the credibility gap and the anti-war
movement?
 How did he attempt to change his policy?
 Results of the Vietnam War: What were they?

Higher Level (100 marks each)

2016: Who was the greater president, Truman or Johnson? Argue your case, referring to
both.

2014: What were the strengths and weaknesses of Lyndon Johnson as a political leader?

2013: Which president was more successful in his handling of US foreign policy, Harry
Truman or Lyndon Johnson? Argue your case, referring to both.

2011: Why did the US lose the Vietnam War?

2010: What were the successes and failures of the presidency of Lyndon Johnson?
2006: Which had a greater impact on the United States: involvement in Korea or
involvement in Vietnam? Argue your case, referring to both.