For Part 1 Of The Unit 3 Exam, Read The Four Documents Attac

For Part 1 Of The Unit 3 Exam Read The Four Documents Attached Above

For Part 1 of the Unit 3 Exam, read the four documents attached above. Using the documents and the textbook, write an essay answering the questions below. Grades will be based on the content of the answer and must be more than 400 words in length. Direct quotes do not count toward the required word count. Video link: Here is the actual footage of Dwight D. Eisenhower delivering his 1961 "Farewell Address" — (Document 4 is a transcript of this speech).

Paper For Above instruction

The Cold War era was a defining period in United States history, shaped by contrasting perceptions of global threats and differing strategies for national security. Analyzing four pivotal documents reveals how U.S. leaders understood and responded to the challenges posed by totalitarianism, communism, and international power dynamics. This essay explores the characterization of these threats by leaders such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, George Kennan, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, comparing their perspectives and examining their influence on U.S. foreign policy.

In Document 1, Franklin D. Roosevelt characterizes World War II as a monumental struggle against the forces of fascism and Nazi Germany, representing a direct threat to democracy and freedom worldwide. Roosevelt describes fascism as a malignant ideology that must be confronted decisively, emphasizing the importance of unity among Allied nations to defeat tyranny. Had Roosevelt survived into the Cold War era, it is likely he would have viewed the Soviet Union as a similarly formidable threat but with different nuances. While he might have regarded Soviet expansion as dangerous, Roosevelt's approach to the USSR was initially pragmatic and aimed at fostering cooperation, exemplified by his support for the temporary alliance during WWII. Nonetheless, his underlying concern for democracy might have led him to confront Soviet communism as an ideologically driven menace, though perhaps with a preference for diplomatic engagement over confrontation, contrasting with the more containment-focused strategies later adopted.

Documents 2 and 3 detail primary arguments about the Soviet threat and the U.S. response. In Document 2, George Kennan emphasizes that the Soviet Union's expansionist policies stem from internal weaknesses and ideological insecurity. Kennan describes the USSR's system as inherently fragile—reliant on aggressive foreign policy to maintain internal stability—yet also vulnerable because of its economic and political shortcomings. He portrays Soviet Communism as a paranoid, expansionist ideology, but one that can be contained through a calculated and firm U.S. policy. The National Security Council (Document 3) builds upon this by recommending a strategy of containment—using diplomatic, economic, and military means to prevent Soviet expansion without provoking direct conflict. Both Kennan and the NSC suggest that understanding Soviet weaknesses and ideology is key; therefore, U.S. strategy should focus on perseverance, patience, and a firm stance to keep Soviet influence in check.

The textbook offers examples of how these ideas influenced U.S. foreign policy. For instance, the Truman Doctrine exemplifies containment by providing military and economic support to resisting Soviet-backed communist movements, notably in Greece and Turkey. The Marshall Plan further reflects the belief in economic strength as a deterrent, aiming to solidify Western democracies and prevent communist appeal. These policies demonstrate the practical application of Kennan's concepts of containment and the understanding of Soviet vulnerabilities articulated in the NSC documents.

In his farewell speech, Eisenhower reflects on the Cold War by warning of the growing power of the "military-industrial complex," emphasizing the importance of balanced national priorities and vigilance. His message echoes the concerns seen in Documents 2 and 3—namely, the need for strategic awareness and cautious diplomacy. Eisenhower warns against the influence of a powerful military establishment that could threaten democratic control, urging the nation to remain cautious yet prudent. His speech relates to Roosevelt’s earlier stance by emphasizing the ongoing need for vigilance against global threats but adds a warning about over-reliance on military solutions. Both leaders acknowledge the Cold War's persistent danger but differ in tone: Roosevelt's call to rally democracy and Eisenhower's caution about the military-industrial complex's influence highlight evolving priorities in U.S. foreign policy across different eras.

References

• LaFeber, W. (1994). The American age: U.S. foreign policy at home and abroad. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A new history. Penguin Press.
• Kennan, G. F. (1947). The sources of Soviet conduct. Foreign Affairs.
• Schlesinger, A. M. (2002). A thousand days: John F. Kennedy in the White House. Houghton Mifflin.
• Hogan, M. J. (2017). The Marshall Plan: America, Britain, and the reconstruction of Western Europe, 1947-1952. Cambridge University Press.
• McDougall, W. A. (1985). Promising the earth: The politics of the American discourse on ecology, 1962-1980. Basic Books.
• Beschloss, M. (2002). The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman, and the destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945. Simon & Schuster.
• Farewell Address of Dwight D. Eisenhower (1961).
• Office of the Historian. (n.d.). The Cold War. U.S. Department of State.
• Spector, B. I. (1985). The U.S. and the Cold War: The formative years. Praeger.