Containment Of The Soviet Union And Nato example essay topic

Major world events of the past have caused the United States change its government. Starting in 1939, events that began to occur which led to a number of wars could not be ignored and caused the American isolationist policy to no longer be in effect. The end of the isolation policy, a policy that avoided alliances and other types of involvement in the affairs of other nations, Some of the events that led to the United States involvement in wars are the bombing of pearl harbor, the Yalta conference, containment, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, support of country's in risk of taken over by communism. The world is constantly changing and with it so must the need for military security and the protection of democratic ideals.

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated that that day would forever "live in infamy". He addressed the congress on December 8, 1941 and announced the United States entry into World War II based on the Pearl Harbor attacks that took place on the previous day. The president felt that this attack justified the official entry into the war by the United States since it was an "unprovoked" act of the Japanese (Doc 1). Because of this attack, isolationism was no longer a viable option for Americans to support. President Roosevelt had to keep the faith of Americans and ensure safety by making sure an attack such as this wouldn't occur again. Soviet containment was the only way the United States could halt the spread of communism.

Containment was the United States policy after World War II of trying to keep the Soviet Union from expanding its area of influence and dominance. In July 1947, Foreign service officer George Kennan announced that the Soviet Union was not easily discouraged because of a single victory of their opponents (Doc. 3). Kennan said, "any United States policy toward the Soviet Union must be that of a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of soviet expansive tendencies" (Doc. 3).

In prevention of communism the United States participated in the Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949, dropped off cargo in West Berlin to help supply the blockaded country with food, coal etc. in order to demonstrate support of containment of Soviet Union expansion. The United States made a total of 189,963 flights and supplied West Berlin with a total of 1,783,573 short tons of cargo. The numbers of the United Kingdom and France total flights was 87,841 and 424. The United Kingdom and Frances total short tons of cargo were 541,937 and 896.

They were unable to compare with the United States numbers and major impact on the Berlin Airlift. The formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) caused the United States to make a long-term commitment to international involvement. An armed attack against one or more of the members of NATO was considered an attack against them all (Doc. 4). Over fifty years later, in January of 1991, President George Bush stated that the purpose of the United States in the Persian Gulf was "to drive Iraq out of Kuwait, to restore Kuwait's legitimate government and to ensure the stability and security of this critical region" (Doc. 7).

Iraq, known for its oil resources, had constant conflict and the United States stepped with hopes of peace and to reach an end of the arms race. The 1991 United States involvement in the Persian Gulf War is an example of the long-term commitment to international involvement. This commitment began with the United States entry into NATO. The United States involvement in World War II, containment of the Soviet Union and NATO shows the impact of a strong country. America upholds its government ideals and takes military action when needed. Many years of the United States involving itself in other countries have made it the strongest world power.

Everyday the United States must deal with the world's conflicts.