Assignment

How did the Cold War begin out of the ashes of WWII? Explain the Truman Doctrine and the role of Containment in US policy? Show these policies in effect, that is, especially from the Stone and Kuznick text, give some examples of these policies and their impact on the ground. Is there a disconnect between the theory and the reality in terms of what these policies alleged to do vs. what they may have actually done? Some historians have referred to the Cold War as the Third World War, both because of its longevity and reach as well as the fact that most if not all of the conflicts that defined the Cold War took place literally on the ground in what is known as the third world. How do you see the comments of former CIA station chief John Stockwell in terms of how Americans see their own role in the Cold War? In your view, was this a black and white, good vs. evil kind of war, or was it more complex? Explain. Again, the work from Stephen Kinzer, author of Overthrow, could be useful for additional background (see the Kinzer interviews below).