HISTORY

ORIGIN

origin
“Cold war” – no direct fighting, client states fight for ideologies on powers behalf, comp in space/arms race,
propaganda spread ideologies (make ideology look bad to other)
 “West” – USA, Britain, France. Mainly USA (most powerful)
 Before WW2, Lennin wanted communism (Bolshevik revolution, established communist party), America
feared spread of communism. Superpowers believed their ideologies to be correct.
 West distrusted USSR bc communism threatened western ideologies; WW1 – Bolsheviks deserted allies and
made peace with Germany; disliked Stalin’s totalitarianism (forced labour, public trials, purges) Stalin signed
Nazi Soviet non-aggression pact.
 Soviet distrusted West bc believed capitalism wrong (rich prosper, poor suffer); West sent aid to Mensheviks;
Stalin distrusted policy of appeasement (give in to aggressors so no war) believed Britain and France saw
soviets as enemies; allies gave away Russian land – Paris peace conference laws.
 Europe needed rebuilding after WW2, caused conflict, each superpower wanted their ideology to rule.
 Cold war – economic and ideological struggle between USA and USSR supported by allies after WW2.
 Lasted 4 decades until collapse of communism.

teh
TEHERAN

HISTORY P1-COLD WAR

 HISTORY

YALTA

yal
Big three meet at Yalta (Russia) to discuss post war settlements. Much tension. Agreements were temp
solutions.
 Split Germany and Berlin in 4, sections given to USA, USSR, Britain, France. No agreement on political system
in different zones.

POTSDAM
USSR got Poland, installed pro-soviet provisional government, Allied Declaration on Liberated Europe forced


pot
USSR to follow democracy, stalin, at yalta, promised free democratic elections.
Stalin wanted German reparations; western allies’ thought was too large an amount.

 To discuss post-war settlements, discussion highlighted USSR and USA differences.

 Germany:
1. Each zone administered by victors of WW2.
2. Powers get reparation from zone of occupation (soviet zone rural-get additional reparations)
 “Big3.three” (Churchill,
Poland’s border Roosevelt,
moved. Stalin), decided,
Along line in capital
created of Iran,
by rivers thatNeisse)
(Oder, no Anglo-American invasion
Germany through Balkans. Only Balkan and soviet troops to fight in Eastern Europe. This:
4. Germans in Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland to return to Germany.
1. Limited west participation in post-war political affairs.
 USSR and west couldn’t agree on:
2. Encouraged Stalin to believe he had free hand in eastern Europe bc of agreements w/ Churchill.
1. Germany: Stalin said cripple Germany, Truman (replaced Roosevelt) didn’t want Treat of Versailles
3. Convinced Stalin that west accepted soviet control in eastern Europe
repetition (caused WW2)
2. Reparations: Stalin wanted compensation for 20 mil Russian deaths, Truman didn’t want same
mistake as end of WW1
3. Eastern Europe: Truman opposed Yalta decision (pro-soviet government set up)
 Stalin refusing to consider German reunification, and refusal to give up wartime gains, major factors
of cold war

spheres of
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
 Europe started rehab of devastated countries; USSR made territorial advances in eastern Europe.
 Communist governments established in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Albania etc
 Countries known as Soviet satellite states (dependant on Soviet Union)

SOVIET TAKEOVER
soviet
 Acted as “buffer zones” for USSR, protection if soviets under attack – bought time.

 USSR (still under Stalin) still vulnerable to West, feat intensified – USAs atomic bomb.
 Russian economy exhausted from war. Needed German reparations, this why Stalin uncooperative at
Yalta and Potsdam about Germany.
 West viewed soviets defence as attempt to expand, bc soviets took control of governments.

HISTORY

WEST’S REACTION
west’s
 George Kennan (American embassy official) sent “long telegram” saying soviets need to be stopped.
 Churchill declared “iron curtain” descended over Europe. Europe divided in 2 by soviet policy. In
west; free democratic states, in East; communist domination by soviets.
 Stalin accused Churchill of being warmonger, trying to start Soviet-West war. Speech widened gap
between USSR and West, but didn’t atop communist expansion.
 Soviet Union created physical iron curtain by adding barbed wire, barricades and trenches along
eastern European lines.

policy of
POLICY OF CONTAINMENT

 USA attempted to combat spread of communism with Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.
 Greece:
o Civil war between communists and monarchists after Nazi retreat. British unable to contain Greek
communists – communist support from neighbouring Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Albania.
o Couldn’t afford civil war in Greece, appealed to USA
o Truman believed if 1 country fell to communism, neighbours at risk. Announced USA would
“support free people resisting subjugation by armed minorities/outside pressure”
o Arms and other necessities made available to Greece. Communists defeated.
 Turkey:
o Similar situation, Stalin demanded return of states that Turks gained from Russians. Turks
appealed to USA, received aid.
o USA made it clear they wouldn’t tolerate soviet aggression.
o $400 mil given to Greece and Turkey to stop communism.
 Iran:
o Britain, as promised, removed troops from Iran at end of WW2, but soviet troops stayed, only
HISTORY

marshall
MARSHALL PLAN
 HISTORY

 Truman believed communism grew in poverty-stricken countries. E.g. post-war Europe. Feared
western countries (France/Italy) might fall prey bc of poor economic situation.
 Prevention plan announced by US secretary of state George Marshall (1947). Marshall plan was
response to Europe’s economic needs. offered money, equipment, goods, to aid people seeking to
preserve independence & democratic institutions against totalitarian pressures.
 Stated that not directed at any country/doctrine, but against hunger, poverty, desperation, chaos.
 Countries receiving aid had to remove trade barriers, and cooperate economically with each other.
 Consequences: By sep 1947 Britain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark,
Sweden, west Germany, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, turkey, Norway, Iceland applied for
Marshall aid.
 16 counties set up Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. Congress approved $12 bil to
rebuild Europe. By 1953: USA spent $17 bil to help countries rebuild economy.
 Plan was success economically, politically. Malnutrition disappeared; industrial output increased.
Communist party weakened. Tension rose.

soviet
SOVIET REACTION
 Stalin couldn’t afford aid, saw MP & TD as threats, called them imperialist plot to dominate Europe.
 Accused USA of dollar imperialism (expand support base, made countries financially dependent)
 Soviets concerned what impact MP would have on satellite states. Forbade Eastern European
satellite states from participating. Set up Cominform

COMINFORM

comi
Set up Sep 1947 to combat Marshall Plan. Main purpose: commit Eastern European communist
members to common strategy under soviet leadership against American led imperialism.
 Industrialised, collectivised eastern European states, expected to trade w/ Cominform members
 Yugoslavia rejected, expelled from Cominform, remained communist.
 Marked turning point in USSR-West relationship.
 1949: Molotov plan introduced. Created Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) to assist
satellite states economically
HISTORY

first
FIRST BERLIN CRISIS
 HISTORY

 By 1948: cold war was diplomatic conflict between West and East. Soviet Union wanted Germany to
remain weak and divided, Allied powers agreed united Germany would mean stable Europe.
 At Potsdam, agreed that powers could remove property/reparations from own zones. But not in any
way that it would sabotage Germanys economic stability.
 Most of Germanys industrial equipment in west, so USSR received 25% of dismantled equipment,
would trade for food supplies. Caused more tension, USSR and West couldn’t agree on value of
industrial equipment and food.
 Western zones: food shortages, economic chaos, so allies joined zones, and reformed German
currency. Reforms and Marshall aid proved economic recovery.
 Stalin felt this was against Yalta agreements, so Stalin cut off all road, rails, canals between West
Berlin and West Germany, to stamp authority on Berlin, and force West to reconsider.
 Aim: prevent provision, food, fuel imports to force West Berlin to submit to soviet control. First Hot
point of war.
 Wests response: inhabitants of west berlin only enough food for 36 days, fuel for 45 days. 3 options:
1. Ignore airlift – drive through blockade
2. Pull out of Berlin
3. Airlift supplies to West Berlin.

berlin airlift
BERLIN AIRLIFT
 1948-1949, over 327 days, 277 000 flights, 2.5 mil tons airlifted to relieve West Berliners (soviets
wouldn’t shoot planes, this would start proper war)
 Supplies dropped by parachute daily (food, fuel, medicine, Christmas presents), despite hardships,
west Berliners supported allies, rejecting communism.
 May 1949, soviets lifted blockade (12 May 1949)


conseq
CONSEQUENCES
Division of berlin = permanent cold war feature. Showed determination of West to keep democracy
open against communism.
 East-West relationship strained further. Germany divided. (USA, Britain, France united zones into
Federal Republic of Germany, capital = Bonn; Oct 1949, Stalin set up German Democratic Republic,
capital = East Berlin.
 Blockade led to USA and USSR building up armies/weapons (arms race)
 1949: Western Allies set up NATO as defensive alliance against Russian aggression, 1955: Warsaw
pact created by USSR, alliance of communist states.
 HISTORY

NATO & WARSAW

nato and
 USA troops kept in Western Europe
 Britain, France, Belgium, holland, Luxembourg joined North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (March
1948). USA, Canada, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Denmark joined. (April 1949)
 Member states agreed to military cooperation, only if attacked. 1 member attacked, all attacked.
 Dwight Eisenhower: 1st commander in chief.

 Warsaw pact members: USSR, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Albania, East Germany.
 Expected to support each other if attacked.
 Soviets strengthened hold on satellite states by putting troops there.
 Effective in supressing revolts in Eastern European countries.

impact on
IMPACT ON COLD WAR
 Tension and hostility worsened, NATO = democracy, capitalism USA leadership. Warsaw
pact=communism, USSR leadership.
 Anti-Soviet demonstrations:
o West Germany: better living/working conditions. East Berlin: unhappiness, economic hardships.
o 1953, Stalin died, East berlin workers started demonstrations to demand political and economic
freedom, union with west berlin, end of communism, withdrawal of soviet troops.
Demonstrations spread to East Germany.
o Uprising harshly suppressed by soviets, killed 600 protestors. Many East Germans fled to West.
 1958 crisis:
o Berlin focus of cold war. New soviet leader, Nikita Khruschev demanded West hand over Berlin (in
soviet zone)
o West refused, Khruschev didn’t enforce.
o No fight, but incident highlights berlin as source of conflict bc positioning & difference in control.
 John F Kennedys inexperience gave soviets opportunity for foreign success policy. 1961: Khrushchev

berlin
BERLIN WALL
demanded settlement of berlin problem.
 1961: clear that West Berlin wealthier than East Berlin. East Berliners escaping at 500 a day to West.
 Embarrassment for Khrushchev, saw west berlin as capitalist infection in heart of east Germany.
 13 Aug 1961, West Berlin entrances sealed by soviets with barbed wire, road blocks, started
constructing concrete wall.
 Manned 24/7 with machine guns and searchlights. Berlin divided in 2 overnight, citizens cut off from
jobs, fam, friends.
 HISTORY

cuban
CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
 Background:
o 1959: Fidel Castro overthrew Fulgencia Batista, Cuba became communist.
o USA scared; communist government too close to USA soil - threat
o Eisenhower (new USA president) supported CIA plan to train and send cuban exiles to Cuba to
invade and start rebellion. Never executed until JF Kennedy went with plan.
 Bay of pigs:
o Invasion into Cuba through Bay of Pigs was embarrassing failure. 1500 exiles landing on 17 April
1961 easily defeated.
o American involvement exposed; international image tarnished.
o Aggressive plan intensified anti-American feelings in Cuba. Castro turned to soviets, soviet arms
came, by 1962, Cuba had best equipped army in Latin America.
o USA didn’t object, but warned soviets don’t put nuclear missiles on Cuba.
 Missile crisis and impact on east-west relations:
o Apr 1962: soviets behind in arms race, Khrushchev proposed place intermediate range missiles on
Cuba. (would be deterrent to USA attack on USSR) Castro thought USAs 2 nd attack coming-agreed.
o Summer, USSR worked quickly and secretly to build missile installations. 14 Oct: American spy
planes flew over and took photos of missile sites.
o Photos showed missile sites capable of setting off nuclear missiles in range of major USA cities.
o Soviet ships traveling to Cuba spotted, possible with missiles, created alarm for USA. nearly
became hot war.
o 15 Oct: Kennedy informed of missile installations, organised EX-COMM (Executive Committee of
National Security Council)- 12 of most important advisors to handle crisis. After 7 days, of secret
debate, Kennedy decided to impose naval quarantine around Cuba to prevent more missiles.
 HISTORY

space race
 Superpowers wanted to be 1st to take people/machines into space to sow technical superiority.
 Russians took early lead. 4 Oct 1957; launched first satellite “sputnik”. USA worried soviets were far
ahead, and could launch nuclear bombs from space.
 1957: USSR sent Laika, dog, into space. Died of stress and overheating.
 1958: USA launched satellite; 1959: USSR sent space craft around moon.
 12 April 1961, Russians took lead, sending Yuri Gagarin as 1st man in space, circled earth once.
 10 months later, American john Glenn became first American to orbit earth
 21july 1969: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Collins sent to moon on Saturn V. lunar module on
moon – Apollo 11. Americans won space race, important event for all humankind.
 USA and USSR worked closely in developing space technology.
HISTORY
 HISTORY

WHOS TO BLAME
who’s to
Several different opinions can be identified. Much of historiography combines aspects of all. 3 dominant
perspectives:

 Orthodox View:
o /Conventional view. USA/West morally correct, popular in 50s and 60s. USSR portrayed as villain.
o Argue soviet aggression (eastern Europe then other parts) caused cold war, USA had no choice,
but to meet challenges. USA hoped for peace after WW2, but Russian behaviours dashed this.
o Views were result of society influenced by: breakdown of wartime alliance, expansion of soviet
power, “loss” of China to communism, Korean civil war, rise of McCarthyism in USA. (president
McCarthy embarked on “witch hunt” of communists in USA out of fear.
 Revisionists/new left historians:
o Historians questioned USA governments motives when they got involved in Vietnam. Seen as
revisionists (ppl who reexamine long established beliefs). Placed blame on USA, argued that USSR
did what any power would’ve in Eastern Europe – protecting national interest.
o Soviets only reacting to aggressive American demands for access to region. USA dominated
Western Europe, expected same in East. Believed USAs foreign policy to be imperialistic.
o Aims of US foreign policy: have governments around the world protecting USA economy.
o Some say that personality of Roosevelt would have avoided cold war, and Truman is to blame.
 Post-revolutionists/post-modernists:
o Both sides had faults, both powers pushed own interests, and misunderstood other side.
o Accepted revisionist view that Stalin more concerned witih soviet security and sphere of influence
in eastern Europe than world domination/aggressive ambitions toward West. But also argue
western leaders unsure of what Stalin is up to, so had concerns.
o Many are highly critical of role of USSR. Others acknowledge JFK not a hero for cuban missile
crisis, and Khrushchev should be given credit (compromised removal and public announcement)
 Emerging soviet archival material since academics in Russia freed, means we can reexamine cold war,
however still limitations, as only small amounts released. Many documents remain classified. New
evidence helps fill in some gaps, but does not resolve everything.

1946-1955
1946-1955
vietnam:
VIETNAM: PHASE 1
 The domino theory:
Eisenhower (hawk – military) believed if 1 country fell to communism, neighbours at risk –
Background:
 o
HISTORY

VIETNAM: PHASE 2
The Vietnam
vietnam: war (1955-1973):

 2-fold war (proxy war – part of cold war between USSR & USA) (civil war – between North &
South)
 Aid & military advisors (Marshall plan & Truman Doctrine) increased between 1955-1963
 33 bombs a day. “American escalation and military involvement” phrase originated w/
Eisenhower/JFK.

Parris Island – training facilities for USA soldiers (background info):

 Most soldiers were young, black boys.

 Parris island located in South Carolina; recruits received initial training here.
 Training – 13-week process - recruits cut off from civilian world, must adapt to marine corps
lifestyle.

John F. Jennedy:

 Under JFK military advisors increased.

 Placed all South Vietnamese people in fortified villages, took care of them – Vietcong are inside,
they will take out from the inside.
 JFK developed own guerilla force – The Green Berets, and introduced strategic hamlet
programme:
- Peasants from 14000 villages moved to 11000 fortified villages
- Programme failed – VC were villagers operating from within.

Greater US involvement (1963-1965):

 Truman doctrine to prevent Domino Theory. 1963 – 100 000 Vietcong had over 40% of South
rural areas in control (Truman doctrine failed here)
 No US combat troops, but VC lost ground. Ho-Chi Minh sent North Vietnamese to help
 Survival of Vietnam at stake. SEATO pact – US involvement escalated.

Lyndon B. Johnson:
HISTORY
 LBJ took money for ‘Great Society’ (major spending domestic programmes to eliminate US
poverty/racial injustices – addressed education, medical care, urban problems, transportation),
and used it on Vietnam war.

The Gulf of Tonkin:

 NVA torpedo boats attacked US destroyers (Vietnam was aggressor)

 Lyndon B Johnson used this as excuse to attack North Vietnamese naval bases, claiming attack
was unprovoked, and he wanted to prevent further aggression.
 Gulf of Tonkin resolution passed by congress, enabled LBJ to have free hand in Vietnam – blank
cheque (no limits & complete access to financial reserves)

Operation rolling Thunder (1966-1968):

 Bombing offensive against North & Ho Chi Minh trail, lasted < 3 years. (war against farmers
w/out weapons, so go over Vietnam & bomb). Aims of offensive:
- end north Vietnamese support for VC by destroying ports/bases/supply lines.
- Bombing also used for VC in South (but bombed peasants, so peasants looked to North,
communism spreading. Started turning into Vietcong, America had opposite effect to that
desired).
- LBJ ordered combat troops because VC was poorly led & weak, and bc he believed full
commitment of US troops would be quick/certain way of defeating VC.
- Actions were popular, 85% of Americans supported (this changed later on)
- By 1967 – over 500 000 troops in Vietnam.

The Tet offensive – 30 January 1968

 NVA changed tactics bc US was winning – launched strong offensive on South Vietnam led by Vo
Nguyen Giap.
 During Tet religious festival, VC & NVA, made surprise attack on South Vietnamese towns.
Communists defeated, but offensive showed VC could strike at American-held territory.
Casualties high on both sides
 Badly affected US moral, public was horrified – US involvement criticised. Credibility gap
increased.
 LBJ decided to stop bombing, and enter peace negotiations.
HISTORY
Hue

 Hue was imperial city of Vietnam, & cultural/religious centre. (where Tet religious festival
happened), during Tet offensive, VC/NVA conducted summary executions (no trial, just suspect
& kill victims), and mass killings.
 Most of hue destroyed, victims found bound, tortured, sometimes buried alive.

My Lai (march 1968):

 My Lai was suspected of housing VC battalion, Charlie company (under platoon leader
lieutenant Calley) entered, no VC found, only 3 weapons.
 Calley ordered troops to rape women & children, & shoot/bayonet/beat civilian men to death,
killing at least 60 himself.

US ARMY VIETCONG
Soldiers average age – 19. 13-week training Experienced/battle-hard soldiers
Conscripted by drafting (not keen to die for Volunteered to fight
cause)
Fighting for ideology, not homes/family Fighting to protect homes/family
Climate hot/humid Knew terrain & weather
Unknown terrain Booby traps
Dense jungles – can’t see enemy Guerilla tactics – citizens by day, can’t
recognise
Not trained for VC methods, tactics were Well organised, underground bunkers, lived
terrifying for yrs
Used bombing/napalm/agent orange Could march all day on a handful of rice
Ppl of South resented US presence Assisted by locals
 US covered for at least 18 months, & Calley said he was following orders, which was denied. He
was charged w/ mass murder, spending only a few years under house arrest (but was charged
w/ life at trial)
US weaponry:
 Napalm: jellied petrol that sticks to victims, and melts them into gelatine.
 Defoliants/Agent Orange: chemicals/herbicide sprayed onto Vietnamese forests to make leaves
fall off trees so VC couldn’t hide – aeroplanes sprayed it. Chemicals caused cancer & birth
defects.
HISTORY
 Cluster bombs: scatter shrapnel over a wide area.
 RPGs: rocket propelled grenades

VC weaponry:

 Booby traps:
- Punji stakes smeared with faeces. When GI (member of USA troops) fell in, he’d be injured
by bamboo stakes, often connected to hand grenades that exploded when man pulled out.
- Trip wires set with explosives & stakes. Most traps made from US bombshells.

Cu Chi Tunnels:

 Tunnel network dug by hand in 1948 in French war, descending up to 40m, and internally 1m
high.
 Stretched 250km from Cambodian border to Saigon outskirts & into US bases, enabling VC to
attack & retreat without a trace. Lived in tunnels for years on end.
 Vietcong would come out, attack, go back into tunnels – messed with Americans heads bc they
thought they were being attacked by ghosts.
 Some tunnels were false entrances, filled w/ snakes/bombs. So, if Americans found it, would
either be bitten/blown up.

Tunnel rats:

 USA realised importance of Cu Chi Tunnels, and that they contained documents/plans. So
attempted to destroy tunnels w/ explosives/bombs/burnt w/ acetylene, with little success.
 Dogs sent down to find VC, but either killed/maimed by booby traps/wires/scorpions/vipers
 Small men (specialist volunteer unit to search and destroy) sent down, quickly returning
claiming dead ends.

Drug Culture

 Estimated 30% of troops experimented w/ heroin or opium.

 Brutal/traumatic conditions, + low morale of soldiers, drove many to seek escape through drug.
Drugs cheap & easily accessible in Vietnam.
 Many soldiers addicted after they returned home, illegal drug trade increased.

Vietnamisation:
HISTORY
 Richard M. Nixon elected, withdrew USA from Vietnam slowly, training South Vietnamese army
to replace, with continued US support. Wanted to bring troops home.
 Political façade – peace talks. USA secretly ordered bomb raid on Hanoi & Cambodia to cut Ho
Chi Minh.
 USA was not prepared to admit defeat to 3rd world country, didn’t want to be humiliated. And
extricated itself by Jan 1973, provided neither financial aid/military support.

Television:

 1st televised war, so Americans saw brutality first hand, continually told US was winning, but TV
showed truth. (another factor to audience disapproval – black population runs out for drafting,
so draft white boys, public turns)
 Americans believed credibility gap – didn’t believe leaders telling truth about events of war.
Military/political leaders blamed media for increased opposition back home. Undermined
international standing of US
 Reasons for war becoming unpopular:
- High casualties
- Economic costs = cutbacks on social reforms
- Use of horrific weapons (napalm)
- Drug addiction among troops
- Atrocities against Vietnam

Anti-war demonstrations:

 Occurred regularly in US cities led by students/youth bc people lost respect for government,
contemplating original cause for war/involvement.
 Thousands of young men burnt draft cards & protests/criticism increased after Kent State
Massacre:
- Nixon told National Guard to suppress protests, opened fire on students, killing 4
 1973 – anti-war demonstrations hinted at revolution.

VIETNAM: PHASE 3
Vietnamese
vietnam: civil war (1973-1975):
HISTORY
 After USAs withdrawal (1973): NVA made all-out offensive, and easy defeat, on South Vietnam.
 South appealed to Nixon, help promised, but Nixon dot distracted (domestic Watergate crisis)
 NVA captured Saigon, renamed Ho Chi Minh City (May 1975), and Vietnam reunified as
communist country. US-Vietnam relations = hostile (Laos & Cambodia become communist,
Nixon ends Truman Doctrine)

Why was USA defeated

 Failed to effectively combat VCs guerilla tactics

 US troops inexperienced, with low morale (often no enemy to strike back at)
 Hostile Terrain, had never fought in the jungle.
 SVA was weak (Americas side)
 USA lost battle for hearts and minds of South Vietnamese (SV chose VC, bc they improved lives)
 US troops lost support in USA.

Why was VC successful:

 High morale (troops believed passionately in cause)

 Effective guerilla tactics
 Backed by China & USSR
 Ho Chi Minh trail
 Hidden VC bunkers

Impact on Vietnam

 Devastating – took years to recover, millions of hectares of jungle/farmland/animals destroyed.

 5 mil villagers displaced. Traditional social/family structures broken.
 Youth lured into brothels/drugs/etc around underworld developed around US bases.
 Thousands attempted to escape from fall of Saigon, go to Hong Kong/Malaysia, >50 000
drowned/killed by pirates.
 Still recovering from effects of toxic Agent Orange

Khmer Rouge

 Communist coup staged by Khmer Rouge (originally military wing of communist party - ruled
Cambodia from 1975 - 1979 after winning power through guerrilla war) in Cambodia
 Led by Pol Pot, genocide between 1975-1979, <2mil killed.
HISTORY
Impact on cold war:

 Humiliating defeat for USA, strongest military nation in world defeated by guerilla army.
 Failed to stop spread of communism (domino effect was true. Vietnam  Cambodia/Laos)
 Propaganda disaster – nation horrified by brutal US tactics
 Failure affected policy toward communist states.
 Attempted to improve China relations, stopped blocking membership to UN
 1970s – USA/USSR relations improved