Changes

A decade later in 1961, the Soviet Union reacted to a different problem:  huge numbers of refugees fleeing communism in East Berlin to live in the free West Berlin.  While President Kennedy was enjoying a long, relaxing weekend, the communists built a concrete wall to separate East Berlin from West Berlin.  Barbed wire was placed atop this “Berlin Wall,” and armed guards at posts shot and killed anyone trying to escape from the East into the West (no one would want to go in the opposite direction).  Stories of daring and sometimes successful escapes are fascinating to read.  This was the wall at which President Ronald Reagan stood in the late 1980s demanding that the head of the Soviet Union “tear down this wall!”

A decade later in 1961, the Soviet Union reacted to a different problem:  huge numbers of refugees fleeing communism in East Berlin to live in the free West Berlin.  While President Kennedy was enjoying a long, relaxing weekend, the communists built a concrete wall to separate East Berlin from West Berlin.  Barbed wire was placed atop this “Berlin Wall,” and armed guards at posts shot and killed anyone trying to escape from the East into the West (no one would want to go in the opposite direction).  Stories of daring and sometimes successful escapes are fascinating to read.  This was the wall at which President Ronald Reagan stood in the late 1980s demanding that the head of the Soviet Union “tear down this wall!”

Back in 1945, the United Nations was set up by Soviet spy Alger Hiss, who was a confident of Roosevelt, initially in San Francisco.  The United Nations charter established a General Assembly on the principle of one vote per nation.  There was an 11-member Security Council on which Great Britain, China, the United States, France and the Soviet Union had permanent seats.  The other seats rotate and have representative nations from around the world.  Today the Security Council as 15 seats, and communist Hugo Chavez from Venezuela seeks a seat on it.  Any nation on the Security Council can veto any proposal.  The United Nations moved to New York City where it sits today, and many feel it is ineffective or even counterproductive.  Supporters of the United Nations say that it is important to promote peace and participate in peacekeeping operations.

Back in 1945, the United Nations was set up by Soviet spy Alger Hiss, who was a confident of Roosevelt, initially in San Francisco.  The United Nations charter established a General Assembly on the principle of one vote per nation.  There was an 11-member Security Council on which Great Britain, China, the United States, France and the Soviet Union had permanent seats.  The other seats rotate and have representative nations from around the world.  Today the Security Council has 15 seats, and communist Hugo Chavez from Venezuela seeks a seat on it.  Any nation on the Security Council can veto any proposal.  The United Nations moved to New York City where it sits today, and many feel it is ineffective or even counterproductive.  Supporters of the United Nations say that it is important to promote peace and participate in peacekeeping operations.

The United States had several reactions to the Cold War.  One was a policy of “containment”, whereby America helped smaller countries seeking to resist the spread of communism to them.  The Truman Doctrine was a statement of support to Greece and Turkey against communist advances, and Congress authorized military and economic aid.

The United States had several reactions to the Cold War.  One was a policy of “containment”, whereby America helped smaller countries seeking to resist the spread of communism to them.  The Truman Doctrine was a statement of support to Greece and Turkey against communist advances, and Congress authorized military and economic aid.