Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Diplomatic Action as a Superpower.


How does America manage its role as a Superpower abroad in the 1950s? Be specific. Use examples from the text. 


18 comments:

Sageda Elabed said...

How does America manage its role as a Superpower abroad in the 1950s? Be specific. Use examples from the text.
In 1939 the United States, while a great power in the sense that its military posture and diplomatic interest was essential to the great power system of international relations, that by 1945 the United States had recast the world system in the image of its antagonism with both the Soviet Union and the remaining European powers with significant colonial assets (Britain, France, the Netherlands). In 1939 the United States existed as one agent of similar military and political clout as most other peak agents. In 1945 the United States and the Soviet Union stood alone as peak imposers of political systems and peak possessors of military force.

The underlying changes within United States society that enabled this change in position were primarily economic. The United States found part of the escape from the cycle of periodic depression and class warfare in the factory through the deskilling of labor, the imposition of scientific control of labor, and through higher rates of remuneration for white, male, skilled workers. The United States then proceeded to export this Fordist model to other societies, or sought to impose it on other societies. By comparison, the only other society (prior to 1945) to be seriously dominated by Fordist-Taylorist conceptions of economic management of the firm and labor was the Soviet Union. Other capitalist economies were using outdated techniques, small production scales, and labor management practices that were comparatively less "efficient" in producing surplus value or gross output of use-values.

The underlying changes within the world system were: the defeat of Japanese reactionary capitalism by the KMT and CCP (and millions of Chinese people); the defeat of German fascist capitalism by the Soviet nomenklatura (and millions of Soviet people); and the neutering of European capitals (Italian, French, Dutch and British) through war expenses, capital wear, cash and carry, and outright destruction by primarily US capital. (Yes, this is a simplification, but it draws attention to the structure of economic outcomes). This left the only significant world powers, economically or militarily, as the United States and the Soviet Union. Other powers: China; the sub-continent's nationalist movements; defeated Japan, Italy and Germany; the minor European states; and France and the United Kingdom lacked such military or economic power.

Moreover, the implementation of the Marshall Plan, combined with the United States' NATO enforced requirements on Europeans, combined with the United States' support of nationalists in colonial areas, further undermined the military, economic and political power of Western Europe. In many cases the United States achieved significant market penetration, eventually causing "neo-colonial" status in terms of the dominance of US capital in these markets. Apart from more productive capitalism at home, the United States benefited from its political-economic imperialistic expansion, in the Marxist sense.

The United States became a superpower because:
•The great-power system collapsed (in favor of super-power system)
•The United States had a more productive economy
•The United States' foreign policy that supported, as a matter of course:
•the destruction of great powers' status,
•export US structure of labor management along with US capital ownership.


In both cases, decisive causes appear to arise between 1890 and 1920, when Fordism and Taylorism were developed within the United States. This (incidentally!) was the period of crisis of the previous labor-control method and attempts to enforce equilibrium development on capitalism.

*Information from website can be found at http://history.stackexchange.com/questions/2327/evolution-of-united-states-world-role*

Breanne Olsen said...

I feel as though since I will be speaking about this tomorrow, to type this all out would cause my presentation part in class to be sort of redundant. But you go sageda, answering all of that! (:

mariah medina said...

lol at breanne, otherwise, i think that America is able to control Europen nations and the threat of communism by using threatening military "muscles" and talk of nuclear weapons, and also by getting allies on their side through money to contain these newly developing communist nations. They also use these allies to help take out nationalists who are safeguarding the oil that is so important to the U.S.

Unknown said...

I agree with Sageda on the part that America played a large economic role as a superpower abroad in the 1950s. However, I also believe that America dominantly used its superpower role to contain the spread of communism overseas (Containment). One main policy that supported this statement is the Truman Doctrine and the Korean War.

"...Truman Doctrine. Specifically, he asked for $400 million to bolster Greece and Turkey, which Congress quickly granted. More generally, he (Truman) declared that 'it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation...' " (Bailey, 869).
This quote explains the Truman Doctrine, which further exemplifies The U.S.'s superpower economic role. However, this quote also explains that America technically committed itself to aid any foreign countries that may potentially be imperialized by a communistic nation. --> "...Truman...promising unlimited support to any tinhorn despot who claimed to be resisting Communist Aggression." (Bailey, 869)

"Truman...obtain a unanimous condemnation of North Korea as an aggressor." . Once again, here, The U.S. uses its superpower role to contain the spread of Communism. During the Korean War, North Korea wanted to spread its communistic government into South Korea. At this time, the U.S. intervened and stopped this action. Ultimately, the spread of communism into South Korea was successfully prevented.

All Sources were drawn from the Bailey Textbook.

Pauline Li said...

America manages its role as a Superpower abroad in the 1950s by money. In the Truman Doctrine, it stated that the U.S. would aid countries that needed it. By giving money to those that did need it, America gained more allies. This helped America from getting into more trouble in my opinion. America is also a great and powerful country, so if it couldn't manage to get to that state, America wouldn't be a superpower that it is.

Anonymous said...

Being a superpower nation means that thy nation has to have a strong economy, an overpowering military force, great international political power or foreign affairs , and the leaders have to be able I make rational decisions . The U.S. economy was furnishing more compared to Stalin. The U.S was always a step ahead of the U.S.S.R. , an example would be Stalins "five year plan" bu by this time the U.S. had already established a secure economic network. It's all about being bigger and better than the next and making better decisions for your country to being peace and prosperity. While some countries were fighting war like France in WW1, the U.S explored all possible options and outcomes. Thy built themselves up while the others were asleep, as I like to say.

Ketie Chen said...

How does America manage its role as a Superpower abroad in the 1950s? Be specific. Use examples from the text.

I mainly agree with what everyone said. I believe that America manages its role as a Superpower aboard in the 1950's because they making themselves by having a large army and power and by having a fair economy.
To become a superpower they must maintain:
-strong economy
-an overpowering military
-immense international political power
-a strong national ideology
And I agree with Yun that America maintained their role because the tried to contain communism from spreading with was the Truman Doctrine. The example would be the conflict in Korea. When North Korea tried to invade south Korea.

Annaya Frazier said...

The U.S. maintained its role as a superpower by managing its military and economy. The U.S decided that it would be in their best interest to cut military spending as a way to increase the nations' money and lower the war attitude abroad. This would lessen the tension, potentially, and inflict peace. (Making the U.S. seem less pro-war and aggressive.) Also, decided was to lower the navy and army numbers, and increase the number of airfleet bombers. This in turn would allow a better retaliation, should needed, on the Soviets.

Jenna Zhao said...

As a superpower country you must be an extremely powerful nation, especially one capable of influencing international events and the acts and policies of less powerful nations. In my opinion, America became a superpower because we have a fairly large army and an reasonable economy. I agree with what Pauline mentioned about how the Truman doctrine states that America can assist other countries who are in need of assistance, this would result in the increase of allies for America. In the future, if America need assistance from other countries, it wouldn't be a big problem.

Princess G said...

The United States played its role as a superpower by making their presence known through interactions amongst other countries. Like Pauline said, the Truman doctrine states theatre untied states would give aid to anyone who needed it. This showed that the United States was resourceful and this also helped them build relations. However I feel as though this was bad because it was most like the United States was trying to be a provider to everybody. The United States has problems of their own yet they decided to delve into everybody else's.

Christa Rivers said...

How does America manage its role as a Superpower abroad in the 1950s?

Breanne lol dude.

I think America over manages it's role as a superpower in the 1950s. They used their power to really minimize the spread of communism by interfering with things in other countries. America did this because it could and felt like it needed to be done. The Korean War is a good example for this. American gov't wanted to contain communism, fought a war that ended up doing nothing, all because they could and felt like they had to.

Tina Giang said...

I agree with what Ketie said and I believe that alliances are important too because it's better to have another friend than another enemy. Therefore, United States foreign aid with the Marshall Plan "pumped reviving blood into the economic veins of the anemic Western European nations". The Marshall Plan gave assistance for the rebuilding of factories to provide people with jobs to get people back to work. The factories were rebuilt in Western Europe and that area became prosperous. In addition, the U.S. created more friends by assisting nations with money.

Unknown said...

Europe was tearing itself apart in World War I & II. The U.S.A. ramped up it's industrial production to supply armaments for the conflict and because all the new manufacturing technologies were state of the art for the time. Another factor is the enormous natural resources that are available in the U.S.A., because these resources don't have to be imported, they can be easily obtained.
Great natural resources
strong military
economy
Immigration from all over the world
The energy of a people who believe they can do anything.
Freedom to become whatever you want to be regardless of birth
Freedom to choose your leaders and vote on issues of concern
Belief in a "manifest destiny'
leaders

Without all these factors in place the country wouldn't have developed so quickly. As others said as well that their strategy of containment as contributed.

Alex Shuster said...

How does America manage its role as a Superpower abroad in the 1950s? Be specific. Use examples from the text.

I think America manages its role as a Superpower abroad by having a strong economy, strong policies and a strong military.

"the implementation of the Marshall Plan, combined with the United States' NATO enforced requirements on Europeans, combined with the United States' support of nationalists in colonial areas, further undermined the military, economic and political power of Western Europe." is an example of strong policies with the use of the marshal plan and NATO.

The Truman Doctrine gives money to countries that would help fight communism. The "Point Four" program also shows the strength of u.s. economy even though it is for the U.S. people it is used to prevent people from becoming comunist.

"General MacArthur landed a brilliant invasion behind enemy forces at Inchon on September 15, 1950, and drove the North Koreans back across the 38th parallel, towards China and the Yalu River." This shows the strength of the U.S. military.

April Balobalo said...

I think America managed its role as a Superpower because of everything that they have done. America passed laws, tariffs, and acts to become a Superpower. America won wars like WWI, obtaining land, expanding its power. I agree that the Truman Doctrine helped America become a Superpower since U.S. helped people gaining more allies. America's army grew, which helped them conquer and win more land which meant more power.

Imani Bey said...

America manages its role as a Super Power abroad in the 1950s by providing aid to other foreign countries. The Truman Doctrine provided this aid during the cold war,& afterwards which provided them the power of influence and alliances. Also gained them foreign political and military support.

Amaya said...

America manages its role as a Super Power by gaining international support from other countries. After America wins wars and helps countries in need, they potentially gain an allie. Americas army and stable usually stable economy was also a big factor in them maintaining their Super Power status.

Ashani Scales said...

The U..S. managed its role, particularly in the 1950's, fairly well because they not only aided in foreign affairs to overall spread the influence of democracy, but to push developing and small countries by "helping." They tried to decrease their army, to not seem so harsh, and in a way it worked.