ASSIGNMENT 1 - "The Cold War and U.S. Diplomacy"
Select a president from the table, "Presidents and Their ' Doctrines,'" in Roskin, Chapter 4. Then write a 3-5 page paper on the doctrine that president used according to Roskin.
President from the Table
President Years Doctrine
Truman 1945-1953 Contain the expansion of communism, presumably everywhere.
Eisenhower 1953-1961 Use nukes and spooks to prevent Communist or other radical takeovers.
Kennedy 1961-1963 Respond flexibly to communist expansion, especially to guerrilla warfare.
Johnson 1963-1969 Follow through on Kennedy doctrine by committing U.S. troops in Vietnam.
Nixon 1969-1974 Supply weapons but not troops to countries fighting off communism.
Ford 1974-1977 Continue Nixon Doctrine
Carter 1977-1981 Make clear to Soviets that Persian Gulf is a vital U.S. interest.
Reagan 1981-1989 Sponsor anticommunist guerrillas who are trying to overthrow pro-Soviet
regimes.
1. Summarize a situation that required U.S. diplomatic efforts during the president's time in office.
2. Explicate the diplomatic doctrine the president followed, with reference to specific actions or events that occurred.
3. Describe the effects of these diplomatic efforts for the U.S. and other countries.
4. Assess, in conclusion, the advantages and disadvantages of the particular doctrine that was followed.