jan 1, 1955 - TOPIC 8.7: America as a World Power

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Latin America:
Cuba and Castro: The rise of Fidel Castro and his shift to communism in Cuba can be understood through cause and effect. Castro’s revolution was caused by dissatisfaction with the corrupt Cuban government of Fulgencio Batista. In effect, Cuba became a communist state and a threat to U.S. interests, which led to U.S. efforts to remove Castro through various methods, such as the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Bay of Pigs: The failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion was a direct result of misunderstanding of Cuban support for Castro and a lack of proper planning. The U.S. underestimated the strength of Castro’s government and the loyalty of the Cuban people to it, leading to a failed attempt to overthrow him.
Cuban Missile Crisis: The Cuban Missile Crisis was a cause-and-effect event. The cause was the Soviet Union’s decision to place nuclear missiles in Cuba, which directly led to the U.S. blockading Cuba and a tense confrontation. The effect was that both countries negotiated and reached an agreement to avoid nuclear war.

Middle East:
OPEC: Cause and effect is also seen with the formation of OPEC. The cause was the increasing control that oil-producing nations wanted over their natural resources. The effect was that OPEC became a powerful player in global politics, particularly in the 1970s when it raised oil prices, affecting economies worldwide, including the U.S.
Afghanistan: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s was part of the cause-and-effect relationship in the Cold War. The cause was the Soviet Union’s desire to support a communist government in Afghanistan. The effect was that the U.S. provided military aid to Afghan resistance fighters (Mujahideen), ultimately contributing to the Soviet Union’s defeat and the collapse of the Soviet government in the 1990s.

Technology:
Eisenhower’s “Military-Industrial Complex” Speech: Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex is based on the cause-and-effect relationship. The cause was the increasing power and influence of defense contractors, and the effect could be an overemphasis on military spending, potentially undermining democracy and civilian priorities.
Sputnik and the Space Race: The launch of Sputnik in 1957 was a cause-and-effect event. The cause was the Soviet Union’s successful launch of a satellite, and the effect was that the U.S. invested heavily in science and technology, ultimately landing a man on the moon in 1969. This shifted U.S. priorities towards space exploration and scientific progress to compete with the Soviets.


The End of the Cold War:
Detente with China:
The U.S. worked to improve its relationship with China, which was seen as a way to reduce Cold War tensions. This led to a new diplomatic approach.

"Vietnamization” and Armistice:
Vietnamization was a plan by the U.S. to slowly hand over the war effort to South Vietnam while pulling out American troops. Eventually, an armistice (a ceasefire agreement) was reached, which helped end U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

SALT I and II:
SALT I and SALT II were agreements between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to limit the number of nuclear weapons. These agreements were part of efforts to reduce tensions during the Cold War.

Reagan and the Fall of the Berlin Wall:
President Ronald Reagan played a role in the end of the Cold War by supporting actions that weakened Soviet power. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a symbol of the end of the division between East and West, marking the collapse of the Soviet Union’s control over Eastern Europe

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