To what extent were the hot wars of the Cold War caused by the American containment strategy? Name Class Teacher Date

To what extent were the hot wars of the Cold War caused by the American containment strategy? Name Class Teacher Date

Last name 2 Table of contents: A. Plan of investigation and statement of relevancy 3 B. Summary of evidence 4 C. OPVL analysis of two primary sources...5 D. Essay E. Reflection F. Works Cited

Last name 3 B. Plan of investigation: * This can also be done as a set of bullet points This investigation assesses to what extend the active conflicts of the Cold War Era (1947-1991) such as the Vietnamese and Korean wars were caused by the American containment strategy. This research question aligns with our unit of inquiry statement, which deals with external factors and how they can influence and create conflict. It also ties into the global context orientation in space and time, as the research question explores the connections that exist and existed between civilizations and their struggle for dominance after the Second World War. This topic is interesting because there are multiple historical opinions that have dealt with the role of American containment. Both the Americans and Soviets saw the role of America differently, both between the two nations and within their own borders. To achieve a thorough analysis, this investigation will focus on primary and secondary documents. First, it will explore several key primary documents such as Article X and the NSC- 68 document. These documents will be analyzed for their, origin, purpose, and limitations. Finally, these documents will be placed into historical context by looking at similar themes as described by relevant secondary source material.

Last name 4 B. Summary of evidence: * The factual material summarized below is relevant to the investigation and it has been well researched, organized and correctly referenced. Source 1: Primary source "Article X," by George Kennan (an American diplomat and advisor in Moscow after WWII until April 1946). Published in Foreign Affairs Magazine in 1947 Citation information: Works Cited: Kennan, George F. "Article X, 1947-1945 1952 - Milestones - Office of the Historian." Office of the Historian, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2015. Parenthetical: (Kennan) Summary of information: Kennan was an American diplomat in Moscow after World War II. At this time the USSR was beginning to not follow through on its commitments made with its Western allies during the war with regards to how to manage and rebuild Europe. Kennan was seen as an expert on the Soviet Union (Russell). Kennan wrote Article X after is infamous Long Telegram outlining his thoughts on how to deal with the Soviets. In particular he states, It is clear that the main element of any United States policy toward the Soviet Union must be that of a long- term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies (Kennan). Kennan s line about containment influenced the American s position on dealing with the USSR (along with the Truman Doctrine). What is notable, is that Kennan was actually stressing non military action as the main means to containment, however this is ignored or misunderstood. The words firm and vigilant seemed to be focused on with a disregard for patient[s] and long- term. Kennan became the father of containment, even though in later interviews, he felt he was misunderstood (ABC). Kennan s Article X went on to directly influence the NSC- 68 document, which outlined the parameters for military interactions, like those taken during the Korean War.

Last name 5 C. OPVL analysis of two primary sources * There is evaluation of the sources and explicit reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation. *OPVL can be written in bullet point as well Source 1: "Article X," by George Kennan, excerpt And the patient persistence by which it is animated means that it can be effectively countered not by sporadic acts which represent the momentary whims of democratic opinion but only by intelligent long- range policies on the part of Russia's adversaries - - policies no less steady in their purpose, and no less variegated and resourceful in their application, than those of the Soviet Union itself. In these circumstances it is clear that the main element of any United States policy toward the Soviet Union must be that of a long- term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies. It is important to note, however, that such a policy has nothing to do with outward histrionics: with threats or blustering or superfluous gestures of outward "toughness." While the Kremlin is basically flexible in its reaction to political realities, it is by no means unamenable to considerations of prestige. Like almost any other government, it can be placed by tactless and threatening gestures in a position where it cannot afford to yield even though this might be dictated by its sense of realism. Unlike the Long Telegram, which is an internal report, Kennan s Article X was published in Foreign Affairs Magazine in 1947. Therefore, it is in essence a recount of the opinions of an eyewitness; it may have been altered due to the passage of time and the desire to meet certain expectations within the context of being published. For example, events might be altered or Kennan s role or position changed to be more inline with the audience s sensibilities (opinions). However, the article was initially planned as an internal report to the Secretary of Defense; Kennan later got permission to publish it. Therefore, we may suppose a certain level of frankness in the report. The article is clearly valuable as it outlines Kennan s firm opinion that the US needs to contain Soviet expansionism. The author was a so called expert on the USSR, and his opinions were taken into consideration. However