Key Idea: How the Cold War shaped the Americas from 1945 to 1981: US containment, fear at home, wars in Korea and Vietnam, covert action in Latin America, and Canada's own path.
Containment to the New Look, 1945 to 1957
- The Truman Doctrine (1947) pledged to resist communism, backed by the Rio Pact (1947) and the OAS (1948).
- McCarthy's unproven accusations (1950 to 1954) spread fear and hardened policy.
- Korea (1950 to 1953): Truman clashed with MacArthur; it ended in stalemate at the 38th parallel.
- Eisenhower and Dulles relied on nuclear threat and the CIA, as in Guatemala against Árbenz (1954).
Kennedy to Carter
| Leader or theme | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Vietnam | Gulf of Tonkin (1964); My Lai (1968); Kent State (1970); Saigon falls 1975 |
| Kennedy | Alliance for Progress (1961): aid for reform that fell short |
| Nixon | Covert action against Allende; Pinochet's coup (1973) |
| Carter | Human rights; Panama Canal Treaty (1977) |
| Canada | NATO (1949), NORAD (1958); Pearson criticised US bombing (1965) |
The US fought communism with alliances, wars and secret operations; each brought short wins and long distrust.
What did Guatemala in 1954 show? Covert action worked quickly but left lasting instability and distrust.
How did Canada treat Vietnam differently? It did not fight, took in draft resisters and criticised the bombing, though it supplied materials.
How did Latin American students use Vietnam? As a symbol of US imperialism.
What replaced costly conventional war under Eisenhower? Nuclear deterrence and CIA covert action.