Eisenhower & The Cold War

1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.

After the USSR exploded their first atomic bomb, the US made sure they were prepared, both how to minimize casualitys and to retaliate. They developed and successfuly tested the first H-bomb.

2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.

The CIA saw to it that the pro-American Shah of Iran regained power in Iran so that the country, which was struggling economically, wouldn't turn to the USSR for help.

3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.

The CIA invaded the country and overtook the government to stop communist actions that were being taken by the government.

4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.

The UN stopped the fighting, but did not syntaphise with any of the three invadeing countries at all, and rather let Egypt keep control of the land. After this the US released a doctrine saying that the US would not hesitate to defend the middle east against any communist country.

5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.

The US did nothing. It was appearent that Esienhower was not going to enforce the policy of containment in the sattalite nations.

6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.

The US was shocked at the Soviets' scientific superitority. US scientists frantically worked to put up their own sattalite, and eventually did.

7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.

President Eisenhower did admit to the flights spying on the USSR, and promised to discontinue them, but would not appoligize. This caused the 60s to begin with a great tention between the two superpowers.