Sem2.HW3

39.4
Question: How convincing was America's attempts to influence other parts of the world to side with them in the Cold War?

The USIA (1953) wasn't convincing because the Soviets and Eastern European leaders tried to isolate their citizens from Western news by banning the radio programs. They jammed the signals with loud sounds so that their citizens couldn't hear the news.

The CIA (1950s) helped influence affairs in foreign countries and support foreign policies. This attempt was convincing because they helped countries like Guatemala, Iran, and the Dominican Republic from becoming communist countries. Another convert of the CIA was the U-2 flight.

Foreign aid to Egypt wasn't convincing because the leader of Egypt built trading ties with communist nations. The US and the British withdrew their offers to help Egypt, which almost caused France, Israel, and Britain to go to war with Egypt and the Soviets, but the US stopped the crisis.

39.5
Question: How wise were America's decisions to produce advanced weapons during the Cold War's first 20 years?

America's decision to produce advanced weapons weren't wise because the arms race that started between the US and the Soviets cause the creation of deadly weapons. If the US didn't panic of the news that the Soviets also created atomic bombs, the arms race may not have happened.

America's decision on Brinkmanship (1950s) was a wise decision. The US was able to use the atomic bomb as a threat to the Chinese, saying they would drop an atomic bomb if they attacked Quemoy or Matsu. Since only the US and the Soviets had an atomic bomb, China backed off.

The Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) was a wise decision because it prevented the Cold War from turning hot. Either side would respond to a nuclear attack by launching its own missiles. It made both superpowers step back from all-out war.