Unit 3 Exam Part 1 - 40 Points

Unit 3 Exam Part 1 40 Pointsattached Filesdocument1 4freedomspdf

For Part 1 of the Unit 3 Exam, read the four documents attached above. Using the documents and the textbook, write an essay (minimum 400 words) answering the questions listed below.

Part 1 Questions :

1. In Document 1, how does Franklin D. Roosevelt characterize World War II and the threat posed by fascism and Nazi Germany? Had he survived, do you think Roosevelt would have characterized the Cold War and the Soviet Union in the same way? Why, or why not?
2. Describe the primary arguments explained in Documents 2 and 3. How does Kennan explain the threat of the Soviet Union and communism? How does he characterize the weaknesses of the Soviet system? How do Kennan and the NSC (Document 3) suggest the United States respond to the perceived threat of the Soviet Union and communism?
3. Using the textbook, provide some specific examples of how the ideas in Documents 2 and 3 shaped U.S. foreign policy from that period.
4. In his farewell speech (video and Document 4), what does Eisenhower say about the Cold War? How does his message reflect the ideas from Documents 2 and 3? What warnings does he give for the future? How does Eisenhower's speech relate to Roosevelt's (Document 1)?

Part 2 of the exam requires choosing one essay question from the list and writing a response of more than 300 words, based on chapters 22 and part of chapter 23 in the textbook.

Part 3 involves selecting one question from another set of options covering chapter 23 and all of chapter 24, with an answer of more than 300 words. Each essay must be original, well-supported, and incorporate scholarly references.

Paper For Above instruction

The first part of the Unit 3 Exam centers around understanding influential American speeches and policy documents during the Cold War era, examining how American leaders perceived threats and articulated responses to global challenges. Roosevelt’s depiction of World War II as a fight against fascism and Nazi tyranny set the tone for the United States' stance on totalitarian regimes and served as a foundation for postwar foreign policy. Roosevelt emphasized the importance of collective security and the need for global cooperation. Had he survived into the Cold War period, it is likely he would have viewed the Soviet Union differently than he did Nazi Germany. While both posed ideological and strategic threats, Roosevelt’s experience with fascist tyranny might have made him cautious about the Soviet Union's expansionist policies, yet he might have favored containment and diplomacy, recognizing the complexities of the Soviet system and its ideological motivations, primarily driven by security concerns and distrust of capitalist nations.

The primary arguments in George Kennan’s Long Telegram (Document 2) and the NSC-68 report (Document 3) reveal a deeply analytical perspective on the Soviet threat. Kennan characterizes the Soviet Union as inherently expansionist, driven by a desire for security and ideological supremacy, but also fundamentally weak structurally, reliant on internal control and repression. He advocates a policy of containment, asserting that the U.S. must counter Soviet expansion through strategic political and military means without engaging in direct conflict. Similarly, NSC-68 emphasizes the necessity of a substantial military buildup to confront Soviet power, viewing the expansion of communism as a systemic threat to freedom globally. Both documents recommend a firm and proactive U.S. response, emphasizing the importance of military strength, alliances, and ideological combat to contain Soviet influence.

The influence of these ideas on U.S. foreign policy became evident through policies like the Marshall Plan, NATO, and increased defense spending. The U.S. adopted a policy of containment, aiming to prevent the spread of communism in Europe and later in Asia, highlighting the practical application of Kennan’s and NSC-68’s strategic insights.

In Eisenhower’s Farewell Address, he warns of the growing influence of the "military-industrial complex," reflecting fears expressed in the earlier documents about unchecked military expansion and the influence of defense contractors. He advocates for a balanced approach, warning against excessive reliance on military power and emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation. This message echoes Roosevelt’s ideals of collective security but also acknowledges the new realities of Cold War tensions, emphasizing vigilance and prudence.

In conclusion, Roosevelt’s initial depiction of WWII, Kennan’s containment strategy, NSC-68’s militarization stance, and Eisenhower’s cautious farewell speech collectively shaped a foreign policy focused on safeguarding democracy through strategic strength, diplomatic engagement, and vigilance against expansionist threats. These documents collectively outline a paradigm of American response to Cold War adversaries rooted in ideology, strategic containment, and a cautious but assertive approach to global politics.

References

• Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Books.
• Kennan, G. F. (1947). The Long Telegram. Foreign Affairs, 25(4), 661–686.
• National Security Council. (1950). NSC-68: United States Objectives and Programs for National Security. U.S. Department of State Archives.
• Elsey, C. (2004). Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Cold War. Routledge.
• Schlesinger, S. (2010). Prelude to the Cold War. Harvard University Press.
• LaFeber, W. (1997). America, Russia, and the Cold War, 1945-2000. McGraw-Hill.
• Beschloss, M. (2002). The Presidents' War. Smithsonian Books.
• Hanhimäki, J. (2004). The Cold War: A New History. Routledge.
• Robert D. Schulzinger (2009). The Wise Men: Six U.S. Foreign Policy Leaders and the Sm of the Cold War. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Hogan, M. J. (2017). The Cold War: A New History. Oxford University Press.