The development of American foreign policy between 1945 and 1950 and the beginning of the Cold War

After the end of World War II, the world was in a phase of upheaval and reorganization. The superpowers USA, Soviet Union, Great Britain and France faced the challenge of redesigning the international system. While the US initially focused on a stance of neutrality and restraint on the conflicts in Indochina and Europe,this basic attitude changed significantly in the course of the increasing tensions between East and West. American foreign policy was increasingly shaped by a strategy in the years between 1945 and 1950, aimed at curbing communism, securing one’s own interests and establishing a new world order. This period marked the transition from the end of theWorld War II to a Cold War era in which the US significantly expanded its global influence and laid the foundations for decades of tension.

Change in American Indochina Policy: From neutral to active support

In the first years after the end of the war, the American government initially pursued a rather wait-and-see attitude towards France and French colonial rule in Indochina. The USA largely withdrew from the conflicts in the region and primarily wanted to promote the reconstruction of Europe. But within a short time, the American position shifted considerably: fromA neutral stance was an active support of the French efforts to regain control of their colony in Indochina. The reasons for this were diverse and multi-layered. A decisive factor was the basic anti-communist attitude, which was deeply rooted in American thinking. The American leadership saw in the communist Viet Minh a threat thatwas to be curbed by the support of the French colonial power. There were also domestic policy considerations: American politics was then strongly influenced by the fear of communism, which was reinforced by the experiences of the Cold War that was emerging. In addition, foreign policy developments and changes in the international system played an important roleroll. The US saw an active support of France as an opportunity to limit the influence of communism in Southeast Asia and to secure its own position in the world. Economic interests, such as access to raw materials and markets, as well as strategic considerations, such as controlling important sea routes and trade routes, had a significant impact on this price change.Overall, the multitude of these factors led to a worldview that defined the fight against the communist threat as a primary goal. The US attitude was increasingly shaped by a consistent containment policy, which ultimately formed the basis for the Cold War.

The emergence of the Cold War and the American role

These developments contributed significantly to the emergence of the Cold War, which was to dominate world politics in the decades that followed. The US and the Soviet Union developed into the central opponents in a bipolar world order. American support in Vietnam was an expression of this bipolar conflict situation. The history of the Vietnam War reflectedThe profound confrontation between the two superpowers. While the French army initially fought for the recapture of its colony, the conflict quickly developed into a proxy war as part of the Cold War. The French troops no longer only fought against the Vietnamese liberation movements, but increasingly became representatives of theAmerican and Western interests in the fight against communist influence in Southeast Asia. The argument in Indochina thus became part of a global conflict in which the power interests of the superpowers collided.

Post-war order and the first tensions between the superpowers

After defeating Nazi Germany and Japan, the USA, together with Great Britain, had built up a new world order. But already in the last year of the war, the first cracks appeared in the coalition of the so-called “United Nations”. The Soviet dictator Josef Stalin considered a post-war order realistic in which he considered possible cooperation with the Western powers.At the same time, however, he expected the West to tolerate the aggressive expansion and consolidation of the Soviet sphere of influence in Europe. However, these objectives were contradictory, which led to growing distrust. Stalin and his advisors were not always fully aware of the actual objectives of the Soviet Union, and those caused by the warDevastations in the Soviet Union strengthened their willingness to assert their own interests, regardless of the wishes of the Western powers.

Churchill, Roosevelt and Truman: The transition to a hard attitude towards the Soviet Union

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin D. Roosevelt have in the past approved a Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe. But the brutal Sovietization and the repression of democratic freedoms in the countries controlled by the Soviet Union led to growing distrust. After Roosevelt’s death, Harry S. Truman came to thepower, which adopted a much harder attitude towards Moscow. Truman was determined to curb the Soviet expansion and limit the influence of the Soviet Union in Europe and beyond. This attitude was supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans. The increasing distrust of Moscow and the fear of communist spread led toa change in American foreign policy. The conviction arose that only a clear and determined line to the Soviet Union could secure peace.

The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan: Strategies to Containment

In March 1947, President Truman announced the so-called “Containment” doctrine, which had an impact far beyond Europe. The aim was to support all countries that fought against communist movements or foreign pressure. The message was clear: The US would help to preserve freedom and fight communist aspirations. At the same time, the Marshall Plan(1947) launched a significant economic initiative. The aim was to restore Western Europe’s economic stability and deepen transatlantic relations. Generous financial aid should stabilize economies to limit the influence of the Soviet Union. These measures were part of a comprehensive strategy based on militaryDeterrence and economic cooperation based to ensure stability in Europe and other regions.

Regional Security Alliances and the Global Order

In addition to Europe, Japan should be built into a regional power in the Far East. The aim was to curb Chinese and Soviet communism and to ensure the security of the USA and the West as a whole. The establishment of the North Atlantic Defense Community (NATO) in 1949 and the later steps towards integration of West Germany into the defense systems of theWestens (1955) were key measures to implement this strategy. The peace treaty with Japan in 1952 marked the official conclusion of the Pacific War and the beginning of a new partnership. This promoted regional stability in East Asia and strengthened the US global security architecture. These alliances should prevent a Soviet advance insecure Europe and Asia and strengthen the American leadership in the world.

The connection of security and economy in the Cold War

The Truman Doctrine and the economic reintegration policy were two sides of a medal. Security policy aimed to curb the influence of the communist powers, while economic development should promote the development of a liberal, capitalist order. Both strategies served to secure the so-called “American Way of Life” – aDemocratic, rule of law system that guaranteed individual freedom rights, economic development opportunities and a high standard of living. The Southeast Asia region played a key role in this: It should initially serve as a raw material and sales market for Japan and Europe in order to then grow into an independent, economically strong sub-centre. The goal was toInvolve the region in a system that was open to American-Western values and social models and based on mutual benefit.

The beginning of a new era in the international system

The years after 1945 mark the beginning of an era in which the US increasingly focused its global foreign policy on curbing communism and securing its interests. The change from an initial neutral stance towards France to an active involvement in the Vietnam War reflects the global tensions that were shaped by the bipolar world order.The decisions and strategies of that time laid the foundation for the Cold War, which dominated the world for several decades. The combination of military deterrence, economic cooperation and ideological influence shaped the international order as well as the domestic political development of the United States. Engagement in Vietnam became a symbolThis era and is an example of the global conflicts that still show their after-effects today.