Why Did President Eisenhower Decide To Join Great Britain

Why did the President Eisenhower decide to join Great Britain in overthrowing the Iranian government in contrast to President Truman who refused to do so?

Please read and follow instructions carefully. Respond to each instruction on the page. The U.S. & Iranian Coup d’état of 1953 Question: In 600 words, respond to the prompt: Why did the President Eisenhower decide to join Great Britain in overthrowing the Iranian government in contrast to President Truman who refused to do so? What had changed? Was it the right choice? Instructions: Write 600 words at least to answer this question. It should be posted as a "Word" file. Read over the directions for writing your essays provided on the first page of the syllabus to make sure that you are clear about what is necessary to do well on this essay. Make sure to use footnotes and to add a "List of Sources" at the end of your essay. These paper should be grammatically and syntactically correct and without typographical errors. Include the question you are answering on the title page so both you and I will be sure which question you are addressing. Special attention will be given to the thesis paragraph. Make it succinct and preview how you will argue your paper. Always end with a concluding paragraph that sums up your argument. Citations: Use footnotes, or what is called the "Notes and Bibliography" form of citation for your references (not the internal: "author date" style common in the social sciences). The first citation of a work should be complete and subsequent citations abbreviated. Read about how to use this form of citation at Quick Guide of the Chicago Manual of Style. Learn how to use footnotes (not endnotes on "Word." List of Sources: Be sure to add a "List of Sources" at the end of your essay, in which you list all the sources that you cite. Each article must be referenced in full. Consult the website of the Chicago Manual of Style to do this correctly. Make sure you cite internet sources correctly as well. Materials: "What Really Happened in Iran: The CIA, the Ouster of Mosaddeq, and the Restoration of the Shah," Foreign Affairs Stephen Kinzer, All the Shah’s Men (entire) Brands, H. W. Into the Labyrinth: The United States and the Middle East, , New York: McGraw Hill, 1994 pp. 35-44. [9] Additional sources should be referenced properly

Paper For Above instruction

The Iranian coup d’état of 1953, orchestrated by the United States and Great Britain, marked a significant shift in American foreign policy and Cold War strategy. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s decision to actively participate in overthrowing the Iranian government, contrasting sharply with President Harry Truman’s earlier reluctance, was driven by evolving geopolitical considerations, the complexities of Cold War dynamics, and the perceived necessity of safeguarding Western interests in the Middle East. This essay explores the key factors that influenced Eisenhower’s decision, examines the changes from Truman's approach, and evaluates whether this intervention was a suitable choice in the context of Cold War realities.

Historical Context and Truman’s Position

During Truman’s presidency, the U.S. foreign policy approach was characterized by cautiousness and a reluctance to interfere overtly in foreign regimes unless there was a direct threat to American security. Truman’s doctrine prioritized containment of Communism but emphasized diplomatic solutions over covert overthrows unless absolutely necessary. When Mohammad Mosaddeq, Iran's nationalist prime minister, nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) in 1951, Truman viewed the situation with suspicion but refrained from supporting a coup. His administration prioritized diplomatic isolation and economic pressure rather than direct intervention, reflecting a broader reluctance to adopt aggressive covert actions in Iran at that time.

Changing Geopolitical Dynamics

The shift from Truman to Eisenhower’s presidency was marked by significant changes in the international landscape, notably the intensification of Cold War tensions. Eisenhower’s administration believed that the Soviet Union’s expansion threatened vital American and allied interests in the Middle East. The communist threat was perceived as imminent and direct, especially after the Soviet Union’s successful testing of nuclear weapons and its influence in Eastern Europe and Asia. The strategic importance of Iran, situated at the crossroads of the Middle East and with its oil resources, became a crucial asset to prevent Soviet influence. Thus, the U.S. saw the overthrow of Mosaddeq as a means to maintain stability and ensure the pro-Western Shah’s regime.

Influence of British Interests and Intelligence Services

Great Britain’s longstanding economic interests in Iran, particularly related to oil, played a central role in shaping U.S. policy. The British feared losing control over Iranian oil following Mosaddeq’s nationalization and sought U.S. support to restore the status quo. Eisenhower’s administration was persuaded that the presence of a nationalist government sympathetic to the Soviets posed a threat to Western economic interests and regional stability. The CIA’s Operation Ajax, led by Kermit Roosevelt, was designed to depose Mosaddeq and reinstall Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, aligning Iran’s government with Western interests.

Was It the Right Choice?

Debates about whether the 1953 coup was the right decision remain contentious. Proponents argue that the restoration of the Shah's monarchy helped maintain regional stability, allowed access to vital oil resources, and contained Soviet influence during a critical period of Cold War escalation. Conversely, critics contend that the coup undermined Iran’s sovereignty, fostered anti-American sentiment, and destabilized the region in the long term. The upheaval resulting from the overthrow fueled anti-Western sentiments, culminating in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which had profound implications for U.S.-Iran relations for decades. Therefore, while the intervention might have served immediate strategic interests, its long-term consequences suggest that it may not have been the optimal course of action.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Eisenhower’s decision to join Britain in overthrowing Mosaddeq was motivated by Cold War priorities, the desire to prevent Soviet expansion, and economic interests related to oil. The dramatic shift from Truman’s cautious approach was driven by changing geopolitical realities and heightened fears of Soviet influence. Whether it was the right choice remains debatable; although it achieved short-term strategic goals, it fostered long-term regional instability and anti-American sentiment. The 1953 coup exemplifies the complexities and unintended consequences of covert Cold War interventions, highlighting the importance of considering both immediate strategic gains and long-term geopolitical stability in foreign policy decisions.

References

• Kinzer, Stephen. All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror. John Wiley & Sons, 2003.
• Brands, H. W. Into the Labyrinth: The United States and the Middle East. Basic Books, 1994.
• Report of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Iran-Contra Affair. 1987.
• Gasiorowski, Mark. U.S. Foreign Policy and the Coup in Iran of 1953. International Security, vol. 15, no. 3, 1990, pp. 245-277.
• Milani, Mohsen M. The Making of Iran's Islamic Revolution: From Monarchy to Islamic Republic. Westview Press, 1994.
• Hanhimäki, Jussi M. The Cold War: A New History. Oxford University Press, 2013.
• Kinzer, Stephen. “What Really Happened in Iran.” Foreign Affairs, 2012.
• Louis, William. The Cold War America's Military Revolution. (Harper, 1986).
• Eaton, George. “The Overthrow of Mosaddeq and Imperialism in Iran.” Middle Eastern Studies Journal, vol. 27, no. 4, 1991, pp. 589-607.
• “The CIA’s Role in Iran, 1953,” National Security Archive, 2013.