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The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, or SEATO, was formed in 1954 in an effort to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia (where Vietnam is located).  Its members included the United States, Great Britain, France, Thailand, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Pitcairn Island, Tristan de Cunha, and the Philippines.

The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, or SEATO, was formed in 1954 in an effort to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia (where Vietnam is located).  Its members included the United States, Great Britain, France, Thailand, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Pitcairn Island, Tristan de Cunha, and the Philippines.

In 1957, when World War II General Dwight Eisenhower was president, he announced the "Eisenhower Doctrine":  the United States would use armed force to oppose communist aggression in Middle East.  This was inspired by the "Domino Theory," which was the view that when one country falls to communism, then like dominos its neighbors will also fall to (become controlled by) communism.

In 1957, when World War II General Dwight Eisenhower was president, he announced the "Eisenhower Doctrine":  the United States would use armed force to oppose communist aggression in Middle East.  This was inspired by the "Domino Theory," which was the view that when one country falls to communism, then like dominoes its neighbors will also fall to (become controlled by) communism.

Also in 1957, the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union) launched a man into outer space in a rocket famously named "Sputnik".  This caused a panic in the United States about how the Soviet Union appeared to be more advanced than Americans, and was ahead of the United States in exploring outer space.  Some conservatives felt that it was tactical ploy by the Russians to send Americans on a "wild goose chase" in outer space, causing the United States to spend lots of money on something unlikely to be productive.

Also in 1957, the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union) launched a man into outer space in a rocket famously named "Sputnik".  This caused a panic in the United States about how the Soviet Union appeared to be more advanced than Americans, and was ahead of the United States in exploring outer space.  Some conservatives felt that it was tactical ploy by the Russians to send Americans on a "wild goose chase" in outer space, causing the United States to spend lots of money on something unlikely to be productive.

Spying was a central aspect of the Cold War.  The United States sent secret spy planes to fly over the Soviet Union to take pictures of activities there from high in the sky.  But in 1960, while Eisenhower was still president, one of these "U-2" (not the rock group!) planes crashed and an American pilot was captured.  This caused an international uproar and hurt ongoing attempts at reconciliation (rapprochement).  The pilot was later traded in exchange for a Soviet spy held by the United States, but the cause of the crash of the U-2 plane remains a mystery.

Spying was a central aspect of the Cold War.  The United States sent secret spy planes to fly over the Soviet Union to take pictures of activities there from high in the sky.  But in 1960, while Eisenhower was still president, one of these "U-2" (not the rock group!) planes crashed and an American pilot was captured.  This caused an international uproar and hurt ongoing attempts at reconciliation (rapprochement).  The pilot was later traded in exchange for a Soviet spy held by the United States, but the cause of the crash of the U-2 plane remains a mystery.

In 1961, soon after the inauguration of the new President John F. Kennedy (the only Catholic president, who had defeated Richard Nixon in a very close election in 1960), the communists built the "Berlin Wall" quickly while Kennedy was enjoying a long vacation weekend.  This Wall sealed off the East German section of Berlin from the West German section in order to stop the migration of people from communism to freedom.  It was a humiliation to Kennedy that he did nothing to stop this, and many Americans were outraged by this barbarism of a massive wall to cage people in and end their freedom to leave.

In 1961, soon after the inauguration of the new President John F. Kennedy (the only Catholic president, who had defeated Richard Nixon in a very close election in 1960), the communists built the "Berlin Wall" quickly while Kennedy was enjoying a long vacation weekend.  This Wall sealed off the East German section of Berlin from the West German section in order to stop the migration of people from communism to freedom.  It was a humiliation to Kennedy that he did nothing to stop this, and many Americans were outraged by this barbarism of a massive wall to cage people in and extinguish their freedom to leave.

Then, in 1962, the Soviet Union challenged President Kennedy again, whom the communists did not respect.  They installed missile launchers in Cuba, which the communist Fidel Castro had taken over, and aimed directly at American cities and targets.  Cuba, a mere 90 miles from Florida, could then destroy American cities in a very short period time.  This created the "Cuban Missile Crisis," and with the American Air Force immediately going on high alert for the possible bombing of Cuba.  President Kennedy then ordered a blockade of Cuba until the missile launchers were removed, and the Soviet Union backed down and ostensibly took the missiles back.  Some say that not all the missiles left Cuba, however, and it remains a threat to American security to this day.

Then, in 1962, the Soviet Union challenged President Kennedy again, whom the communists did not respect.  They installed missiles in Cuba, which the communist Fidel Castro had taken over, and aimed them directly at American cities and targets.  Cuba, a mere 90 miles from Florida, could then destroy American cities in a very short period time.  This created the "Cuban Missile Crisis"; an Air Force general immediately put bombers on high alert for the possible bombing of Cuba.  President Kennedy then ordered a blockade of Cuba until the missiles were removed, and the Soviet Union backed down and apparently taken back by ship.

Throughout the 1960s, both the United States and Soviet Union built ever-bigger nuclear weapons, pointing them at each other.  This became known as the "arms race," and newspapers began to clamor for peace treaties that would limit the building of these weapons.  In 1972, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treat ("SALT") was ratified by the U.S. Senate and contained promises to reduce these "arms" or weapons pointed at the enemy.  Conservatives opposed this treaty because it embraced the approach of "Mutual Assured Destruction" and prevented each side from building defensive systems.  In addition, there was no way to enforce the communists' side of the bargain; many expected the communists to simply ignore their promises, while the Americans abided by theirs.

Throughout the 1960s, both the United States and Soviet Union built ever-bigger nuclear weapons, pointing them at each other.  This became known as the "arms race," and newspapers began to clamor for peace treaties that would limit the building of these weapons.  In 1972, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treat ("SALT") was ratified by the U.S. Senate and contained promises to reduce these "arms" or weapons pointed at the enemy.  Conservatives opposed this treaty because it embraced the approach of "Mutual Assured Destruction" and prevented each side from building defensive systems.  In addition, there was no way to enforce the communists' side of the bargain; many expected the communists to simply ignore their promises, while the Americans abided by theirs.