Jacobo Arbenz – leader of Guatemala who was deposed in 1954 when a small-scale insurgency composed of Guatemalan dissidents and CIA pilots forced the leftist regime from power. The operation that the Bay of Pigs was based on.

Aswan High Dam – 1955, an immense Egyptian power and irrigation project that was funded by the U.S. and British to keep Egypt out of the communist camp. When Egypt formally recognized communist China they withdrew their financial and technical assistance. Nasser proceeded to nationalize the Suez Canal, and the Soviets offered their assistance to Egypt. Israel feared for its safety, so together with France and Britain they attacked Egypt. They did this behind the U.S. back, annoying us and forcing us to disapprove of the actions of our closes

Gomulka – selected as first secretary of the Polish United Workers’ (Communist) Party in 1955. Khrushchev, alarmed at the removal of his hardliners, threatened force and troop deployment. Gomulka threatened popular uprising and Soviets backed down. Poland stayed in Soviet bloc and supported them.

Flexible Response – idea created by Secretary of Defense McNamara to replace “massive retaliation”. Felt that MR tied hands of leaders to go to nuclear war or surrender. FR was designed to provide decision-makers with option for gradual escalation of hostilities in the event of a conventional attack by Soviet forces in Europe.

Eisenhower Doctrine – in 1957, a statement that extended the Truman Doctrine, it offered economic and military assistance to any Middle East nation facing communist subversion. Eisenhower backed up his word by protecting Jordan and Israel from a coup like that that happened in Iraq.

Berlin Wall – wall built to divide East and West Berlin in 1961. Stopped flow of refugees and eased tensions between Soviets and Americans. Although very unpopular with the people, actually benefited both powers.

Bandung Conference – 1955, Nehru, the leader of India helped create Conference of Non-aligned Nations. Wanted to create a more stable world where impoverished nations and those still trapped in colonial bondage could develop resources to build better lives.

Bay of Pigs – invasion of Cuba to remove Castro from power in 1961. Operation was backed by CIA. U.S. were fearful of a Soviet ally and “unsinkable aircraft carrier” so close to our borders. Inherent flaws in plan and no support from U.S. military or government brought a quick and embarrassing end to invasion. The situation put Washington and Kennedy in a bad light, which Khrushchev tried to take advantage of.

Some topics in this essay:
Missile Crisis, Warsaw Pact, East German, Cuba Khrushchev, China Khrushchev, Fidel Castro, Defense McNamara, Secretary Eisenhower, Algeria France, Operation CIA, bay pigs, cuban missile crisis, cuban missile, dulles �, “massive retaliation”, � 1955, missile crisis, nuclear war, wall built, � leader, communist party,