The Red Nightmare documentary

1. In the beginning of the film, it appears to be an ordinary American small town, but where is it? (Between 1:00 and 2:30).       
It is not really an ordinary American small town, but really it is really a symbol for Russian trechory.
2. What is the father's (Jerry) attitude toward his responsibilities, such as attending a Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTA) and going to Army Reserve training (6:20)?     
The father's attitude towards his responsibilities is that he doesn's seem to want to go (although him and his wife know that he should); he makes up excuses to not go, but says he'll "go next week"
3. According to the film, if all people had the attitude that Jerry has, what is the Red Nightmare? (To answer this question, what does Jerry witness or experience in a Communist America at the:

• Town Square
• His Daughter's depature (note the soldier is her boyfriend, Bill)
• the PTA
• His job
• His younger children's' education    
• and at the church     

If all people had the attitude Jerry had, then the red nightmare would be communism for America. Basically, all situations noted above, had changed from America's freedom to crazily enforced rules, the daughter left the home because she had been influenced by communism, he wasn't allowed to have a lunch break because the quota wasn't met at the time, etc.
4. What is Jerry's experience like at trial?     
Jerry's experience at trial  is very different from an average American trial. He does not know what he's being accused of, he is guilty until proven innocent instead of innocent until proven guilty, and he has to defend himself. The state needs no proof in order for him to be found guilty.
 5. Consider this film in the context of the Red Square Era. If you were a high school student 50 years ago, how would you have reacted to this film in a history class?

If i had seen this film in history class 50 years ago, obviously i would;ve felt much mroe fearful of losing my freedom, in addition, i feel like i probably would've done much more to protect my freedom as well as keep communism away as best as possible.
 

The Race to Control Space

“We have vowed that we shall see space filled not with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding"
-President Kennedy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, September 12, 1962

President Kennedy was eager for the United  States to lead the way in exploring space.  The Soviet Union was ahead of the United States, having launched the first satellite Sputnik in 1957 and the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin to orbit around the earth in 1961.

President Kennedy said, “No nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space.” In 1961 Kennedy asked Congress to approve more than twenty two billion dollars for Project Apollo, which had the goal of landing an American man on the moon before the end of the decade.

Telegram A.
On April 12, 1961 cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin from the Soviet Union orbited around the 
earth in 108 minutes. The same day President Kennedy wrote a telegram to Premier Nikita 
Khrushchev congratulating the Soviets on the first successful manned flight.

Memo B.
A few days later President Kennedy wrote a memo on April 20, 1961 to Vice President 
Lyndon B. Johnson, who was the chairman of the Space Council.

Memo C.
Eight days later, Vice President Johnson responded to President Kennedy’s memo.


1. In the telegram to Premier Nikita Khrushchev, how does President Kennedy say he would like the United States and the Soviet Union to work on exploring outer space?      
President Kennedy says he would like the Soviet Union and the United States to work on exploring outer space by working together in order to "obtain the greatest benefit to mankind" He wants both nations to be able to explore outer space and share their knowledge with one another. 
2. In the memo to Vice President Lyndon Johnson, what is President Kennedy's main objective?        
In the memo to vice president Lyndon Johnson, President Kennedy's main objective was for him to "be in charge of making an overall survey of where we stand in space" To break this down, President Kennedy wants to know the answers to a few questions, which consist of things like: can we surpass the soviets in space, can we speed up the space program here, etc.
3. What is the main difference between what President Kennedy says in the telegram and what he says in the memo in terms of how the Americans and the Soviets should explore
outer space?        
The main difference in the telegram compared to the memo is that in the telegram, President Kennedy seems as though he wants to work with the Soviet Union to gain more information about outer space and work together to explore it, but in his memo, President Kennedy basically wants to do much better than the Soviets and some how beat them in the space race. These are two very different perspectives that are depicted.
4. Why do you think President Kennedy appears to be giving two conflicting statements?      
I believe President Kennedy is giving two conflicting statements because he wants to seem friendly to the Soviet Union in order to gain information from them, as well as have them not be worried about the U.S. surpassing them in the race, by reassuring them of our trust. In reality though, i think that President Kennedy's real perspective is what he stated in the memo, because it is more private and is to the Vice President, not a Soviet. 
5. How does Vice President Johnson connect the space race with the Cold War in his April 28th memo to President Kennedy?       
Vice President Johnson connects the space race with the cold war in his April 28th memo to President Kennedy by referring to how the Soviets are ahead of the United States (which they once were in the cold war) Another way he relates the space race to the cold war is talk about how we have greater resources, because we did during the cold war as well. Lastly, the soviets were the first ones in space, but we were the first to create the atomic bomb. 
6. What are Vice President Johnson’s suggestions for the President?      

Vice President Johnson's suggestions for the president are that the U.S needs to "firm up it's objectives and employ its resources" as well as "make aggressive efforts as the technological gains as well as the international rewards" (in order to gain leadership) and we need to be the first to get to the moon, it was sort of like a key propaganda factor. To conclude, more resources as well as effort needed to be put into the space program.  

NSC-68 and the Arms Race

1. Study Source 7. According to this source, how serious was the Soviet nuclear threat?     
According to source 7, the Soviet nuclear threat was a very large threat. this source is stating things such, that the Soviet Union could easily bomb the U.S. at any time, and their nuclear bomb cabability was growing. It was threatening that the Soviet Union could bomb nuclear bases in the U.S., causing a disasterous situation.
2. What measures is Source 7 calling for?    
The measures source 7 are calling for are "greatly increased air warning systems, air defences and vigorous dvelepoment and implementation of a civil defense program" Basically, source 7 is implying that greater defense mechanisms are necessary.
3. How would you describe the tone of Source 7? Use examples of words and phrases in the text to support your answer.    
I would describe the tone of source 7 as scared or threatened, perhaps worried. This can be seen through the quote "seriously damaging vital centres" and "and thus seriously hamper the ability of the United States to carry out an attack" These two quotes show concern and worry to what the Soviet Union is capable of.
4. Study Source 8. What criticisms are made of Source 7?   
The critisisms made of source 7 in source 8 are basically that source 7 was extremely exaggerated, that source 7 made the Soviet Union seem to be far mroe of an enemy than it really was at the time. Another critisism being that during the time the report came, the Korean War was going on, which made people, including president Truman,  believe that the report was "valid"
5. Do you think the author of Source 7 wanted to increase tension and the risk of war? If not, what were his motives?    
I do believe the author of source 7 wanted to increase the tension and risk of war, but not in a bad way. I believe the author just wanted to make the U.S. aware of the circumstances and perhaps just to have people on gaurd in case something really bad were to happen. i do also think another one of hi9s motives was to have the national defense increased in case something were to happen, even if the risk was less likely than he made it out to be.
6. Do the criticisms in Source 8 mean that Source 7 is not a useful historical source? Explain your answer.
I do not believe that just because source 8 has critisisms of source 7, that source 7 is not useful as a historical source. Source 7, although, exaggerated, is still useful as a historical source because it gives readers an idea of how every one felt, or what people were hearing during the time. Source 8 just proves that what they were hearing about, wasn't completely true, but that doesn't change the fact that this is the type of report people were encountering during the time.

The Formation of NATO

1. Look at Source 2. What did NATO members agree to do?   
NATO members agreed to try to resist armed attack and also agreed to recognize that if one country is attacked, all countries in alliance with the country are going to be "attacked" meaning it would turn into some type of world war because of all the different countries involved.
2. The members of NATO argued that this was a defensive alliance. Explain why Stalin was not convinced about this.   
Stalin was not convinced that this was a defensive alliance because in reality "US forces could resist any advance which Stalin might make" meaning Stalin was probably more convinced that this was just a way for the US to wimp out. He was also concerned that NATO was going to attack the German Democratic Republic.
3. Study the cartoon in Source 4. Does the cartoon give the impression that Stalin feels threatened by NATO?    
based on source 4, i do bot believe Stalin felt threatened by NATO because he seems to be relaxed and eating some semblance of a sanwich. If he was actually worried, he probably wouldn;t be eating a sandwhich and would have a much more firhgtened or threatened look on his face compared to source 4.
4. Explain how Sources 4 and 5 present NATO in different ways.  
In source 4, NATO is represented as a group of people, which is much ore realistic and less threatening than source 5. Source 5 represents NATO as a viscious dog, and much more violent compared to source 4.
5. Now explain why they present NATO in different ways.    
^same?
These two sources represent NATO in similar ways because in both sources, the Soviet Union or Stalin is seen sort of alone and on it's on. There is a similarity in how these two represent how NATO is sort of after Stalin and/or the Soviet Union as well. This is shown in source 5 as a dog, and in source 4 as a big group of people against one.

Berlin Blockade Document Analysis

1. What type of document is this? What is its purpose?      
These documents are memos or "Memorandum" to the president. The purpose of these memos are to inform the president of the situation in Berlin at the time. 
 2. When was it written? Why is that significant?     
 These documents were written on June 30th 1948. This is significant because this is prior to the Berlin airlift, when supplies were brought in to supply citizens of Berlin.
3. Who created the document? Who received the document?     
 The Document was created by the CSI, specifically Hillenkoetter and was received by the president of the united States.
4. Who is Marshal Sokolovsky?     
 Marshal Sokolovsky was the head of Russian officials, he also started the meeting that is being referred to in the document.
5. How did the CIA get information of the meeting between Marshal Sokolovsky and German members of the German industrial committee?      
 The CIA got this information from a trusted person/spy. This is known because there is no name given but the information is said to be true and reliable.
  6. What were the three Soviet alternatives as they presented themselves when this document was written? What policy did the Soviets pursue over the course of the next nine months? Why?     
The three Soviet alternatives as they presented themselves when this document was written were to start a war, life travel restrictions on Berlin or "leave entire Berlin to west, giving them the rail line." The policy the Soviets pursued over the course of the next nine months was to have Berlin become part of the Soviet's zone in order to keep it from the West, and the other three options, were not necessarily options that could be executed. 

7. Stalin stated in a speech on February 9, 1946, "he [Stalin] blamed the last war on 'capitalist monopolies' and warning that, since the same forces still operated, the USSR must treble the basic materials of national defense such as iron and steel, double coal and oil production, and to delay the manufacture of consumer goods until rearmament was complete." Who are the "capitalist monopolies?" How does this statement enlighten the Soviet viewpoint against the United States? Were the Allies justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the Soviets at the end of World War II? Why did the Soviets rely so heavily on Germany for food and industry?        

The capitalist monopolies were basically America and anyone who decided with along side with America. This viewpoint shows that Stalin believed we were basically taking over everything in an unfair way and that we were becoming this huge "monopoly" perhaps against the Soviets. The allies were justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the soviets at the end of WWII because Stalin was trying to make all countries go communist, and he really needed Berlin in order to do so, so cutting off such things made it hard for him to take over Berlin, seeing as America was in the way. The soviets relied heavily on Germany for food and industry because of their geographic location, seeing as the Soviet Union was along side Germany, as well as other countries take over by Stalin and turned Commie.  

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift

1. What is Source 37 (p. 75) saying about Josip Tito, leader of Yugoslavia?     
Source 37 is implying that Tito has obviously accepted help from America in the form of money. This is implied because of the Americans dropping coins into the leader's hands. This source is also showing that Tito may have betrayed his country by accepting financial aid, because of his cloak, marking him as a betrayer.
2. Why do you think Stalin was so hostile to Tito?        
I believe Stalin was very hostile to Tito because he had accepted help from America. This obviously would've angered Stalin because this was putting the country into a higher economic state, meaning the country would be less in favor of communism. This also gave America an upper hand because the Marshall Plan was working, at least with Tito.
3. Look back at the map in Source 27 on page 71. How does the geographical position of Yugoslavia help to explain why Stalin did not take any direct action (such as sending in troops) against Tito?     
The geographical position of Yugoslavia is right next to a bunch of countries, whom were against The Soviet Union in WWII; therefore Stalin not sending in troops was a good idea on his part, because these surrounding countries easily could have pitched in to fight against Stalin's troops.
4. Read Source 40 (p. 77). What reasons did the Soviet Union give for cutting off West Berlin?       
The Soviet Union said that there was technical difficulties, this being the reason for cutting off West Berlin. They cut off electric supply and a "shortage of coal was given as a reason for this measure"
5. Why do you think the USA did not believe these were genuine reasons?           
The USA did not believe these were genuine reasons because in reality, America was in control of the west, as said by the reading, "He could do nothing about the reorganization of the western zones, or the new currency, but he felt that he could stamp his authority on Berlin" Perhaps he didn't want part of America's guidance to get supply from the Soviet Union.
6. How do Sources 41–43 differ in their interpretation of the blockade?            
These sources differ in their interpretation of the blockade by the different perspectives of each of the sources. For instance, source 41 seems as though it is a mediating source, the source is neither in favor of one side or the other. However source 42 is much more on America's side, saying that we were resisting so much, but source 43 was in favor of the Soviet Union stating that America's plans had been reduced due to the USSR. All three sources give a different interpretation of the blockade.
7.  Which do you think is the most useful source for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade?       
I believe both source 42 and 43 are most useful for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade because these two sources are from both the perspective of America and the Soviet Union. This would give the Historian a better view of how people felt on both sides of the blockade.
8.  Which source do you think gives the most reliable view of the blockade?     
I think source 40 gives the most reliable view of the blockade because it is by a historian, and is not from a view which believes one side was greater than the other, therefore giving a more fair view of the blockade from both sides. This source is less likely to be exaggerated as well, so it could be more accurate in that way too. 

Iron Curtain Separates Europe

1. What is your overall impression of Source 26 (p. 70) and use extracts from the source to support your view. (No fence sitting; you must choose one but not both)      

• a reasonable assessment of Stalin’s aims based on the facts
• an overreaction to Stalin’s actions based on fear of and prejudice towards the USSR?        
My impression of source 26 is that this is a reasonable assessment of Stalin's aims based on the facts. As the source states, "not only is the soviet government prepared to co-operate with any non- communist controlled government in eastern Europe"  I find this to be an accurate statement; based on this quote, it is obvious that Stalin wouldn't let the countries in Eastern Europe just have their own government, because that's not what Stalin stands for. What Stalin would really like is for the countries to be communist like his, that way he wouldn't have to deal with other government types that he's not a fan of. 
2. Source 26 is a British source. Does it seem likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government?      
Seeing as America and Britain were more so on the same page and closer bonded compared to the Soviet Union with either of them, it would make sense that America was producing similar documents like source 26. In addition, there's no doubt that these types of things were discussed amongst both America and Britain, which would also imply that documents like this were being produced in America too. 
3. Study Source 27 (p. 71) and make a list of three different actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe. Explain how each factor helped.     

One of three actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe was that communists became the biggest party in 1947 elections, as well as imprisoning opposition politicians. This was helpful in achieving power in eastern Europe because if communism was leading in power, then everyone would be more willing to listen to Stalin as well as his ideas. Another step the communists took in order to take control of eastern Europe was that the communists took over Albania right after the war, therefore helping them by giving them one more country and more land. Lastly, in 1945 in Romania a communist prime minister was elected and y 1947 the monarchy there was abolished. This was helpful because it turned the country into a communist country just like Soviet Russia as well as getting rid of the monarchy making the country only communist.