Memo on our Cold War Containment Policy

Memorandum on Cold War Containment Policy

To: President Ronald Reagan
Cc: Mark Shirk
From: Grace Picariello
March 9, 1981

     Following the second World War, major changes were taking place in regard to the international standing of large nations and important global actors. The power of the United States had never been greater and America accepted its' role as an undisputed hegemon. Among the largest of the superpowers were the Soviet Union and the United States of America. Although these nations had fought together during World War Two, the fundamental differences between us were and are bountiful. The Soviet Union valued the teachings and practices of communism while the United States is an inherently democratic, capitalist nation. After World War Two, tensions arose between the Soviet Union and America. Post-War Presidents began to take action to halt the spread of communism. 

     We became involved in multiple wars in which the goal was to fight communism ideologies from spreading, or even existing. Our actions utilized the military heavily which proves to be a highly contentious debate to this day. As a "Beacon on the Hill", the United States saw its' exceptional international standing and its' responsibility to "form a more perfect union" (US Constitution). And so, we became very involved in conflicts around the world, whilst trying to spread our values and ideals. While this might have been for a noble cause, there were a lot of pitfalls to the measures we took. All of the post World War Two Presidents took part in escalating the conflict overseas in one way or another. While the justification and morality of this is debated, I am here to tell you that there is more we can do in these next four years of your term as President to stop the evils of communism.

The Problem/Debate
     Many scholars and students argue over whether or not the United States would be justified in taking such a hands on roll in stopping the spread of communism. While some believe that the nation would be better off remaining isolationist as it was before World War Two, others contend that we have not taken enough action to contain communist threats.


National Security Council Document 68

     The NSC-68 document tells us that as a superpower of the world, the United States needs to check

communist expansion efforts around the world. The document explains that, "three realities emerge as a consequence of this purpose: Our determination to maintain the essential elements of individual freedom...our determination to create conditions under which our free and democratic system can live and prosper; and our determination to fight if necessary to defend our way of life" (NSC- 68). All of these goals are founded in the US Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. Under these provisions, it would be a moral necessity for the United States to take proper action to defend our views. The expansion of communism had been noted to come from Soviet backed groups more often than from the Soviet Union itself. National Security Council Report #68 explains the importance of the United States adopting a strong containment policy as it rejects the more lenient detente policies. NSC-68 encourages the United States to take on a more militant form of containment by utilizing the army when needed to stop the spread of communism. 

     NSC-68 also explains the evils of communist leaders. The document contends, "the fundamental design of those who control the Soviet Union and the international communist movement is to retain and solidify their absolute power" (NSC-68). Therefore, "The design...calls for the complete subversion or forcible destruction of the machinery of government and structure of society in the countries of the non-Soviet world" (NSC-68). Mr. President, we must listen to the words in this document during the duration of your first term in office. 

Solution

     In order to implement stronger policies to contain the spread of communism, we must create a strong international organization whose main goal is to promote western ideals of freedom, liberty, and capitalism. We must educate those around us of the fundamental problems that arise with the implementation of communist ideas. We also must remind others of the successes that America and other democratic nations have seen with a capitalist economy and a government run for the people, and by the people. The military will prove necessary in these actions. We must be strong and display our international standing and strength to the world. The United States ought to team up with other democratic nations in order to get the message out on a global scale. If there were an international organization in place, militaries of many nations would have the opportunity to join forces and invade nations that were falling to communism and implement alternative forms of government. Or, in an even better situation, the international organization would be able to stop the spread of communism to weaker nations before it even began by militarily invading the nation(s) responsible for the takeover.

Works Cited

The Executive Secretary, "A Report to the National Security Council", Washington (April 14, 1950):      https://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/coldwar/documents/pdf/10-1.pdf

The Constitution of the United States of America