Cold War “What Would Jesus Do”

Questions to Chew on…

  1. President Truman was informed that a land invasion of Japan’s major island would be the only way to end World War II. But Truman also had another option- the Atomic Bomb. Truman knew that if the bomb was dropped successfully that the Japanese might surrender instead of continuing to fight to the last man. Question: As Truman, what would you have decided? Would you have dropped the bomb (which potentially wouldn’t have gone off and embarrassed your country) and killed many Japanese soldiers and civilians, or do you prepare a land invasion of US troops because the potential of killing so many innocent civilians would way on your mind?
  2. After the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, American scientists developed a hydrogen bomb that was many times bigger than the atomic bomb. Talks between the allies are commencing. Question: As Truman, do you tell your allies, even the Russians who do not get along with your country completely for many reasons, about the bomb, or do you keep it a secret?
  3. A new government has formed in Guatemala under democratic means. Unfortunately, it is a Communist government. Eisenhower believed that as governments (such as China and Korea, and as Russia had expanded after World War II) fell into Communism, the effect was like dominos toppling over (if the US allowed one government to go to Communism…eventually more governments would fall as well). Question: As Eisenhower what would you do? Would you send troops to Guatemala (but remember that government has not done anything serious to the US)? Would you send money and support to Guatemalan democracy supporters? Or would you leave Guatemala alone?
  4. Nikita Khrushchev was the Primer of the Soviet Union. He made many statements in the past about blowing up the US with an atomic bomb if the US did something he really did not like. Eisenhower was the President of the United States. According to his reports, Khrushchev could not blow up the US with atomic weapons because he had no aircraft to carry them long enough before American fighter pilots would knock the Soviet aircraft out of the sky. Despite this, Khrushchev wanted to visit America. Question: As Eisenhower, would you let Khrushchev into the US?
  5. Fidel Castro took control of Cuba and then created a Communist government. If it was not bad enough to have a Communist government just 90 miles off the coastlines of America, surveillance missions came back with pictures and details of Soviet Missiles on the Cuban island pointed directly at the US. President Kennedy had to make some quick decisions. Question: As Kennedy, what would you have done? Would you have tried to negotiate with the Cubans and the Soviets? Would you send special mission teams to “take out” the missiles? Would you prepare a large group of soldiers to invade Cuba?
  1. Vietnam was divided North (Communist) and South (Democratic). The French originally had control of the territory, and the Vietnamese fought for their independence. Since the French were American allies, the US sent advisors to the area to help the French. The French finally gave in and left the territory. Why did the Americans stay? The US did not want South Vietnam to fall to the Communist North. President Johnson had a decision to make. Question: After seeing the French leave Vietnam, but fearing a complete Communist takeover- would you have committed troops to fight the North Vietnamese Communists, or would you have let the South fight its own battle?
  2. President Nixon did something no other president had ever done before in a long time (and no, its not resign from office, that came later). He traveled to China and Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union. What was so spectacular about that? Remember, The Soviet Union and China were the greatest Communist countries at that time. It would be like our president shaking hands with the President of Iran today…. Question: As an American citizen, how would you fell about the president traveling to Communist capitals and talking with Communist leaders?
  3. The Soviets say that they will reduce the amount of nuclear weapons in their arsenal if the US will reduce their weapons to the same amount. Question:As a diplomat of the US, would you believe the Soviet diplomat? Would you advise to reduce arms publicly but keep a hidden stash? Or would you advise doing exactly what the agreement stated?
  4. As a citizen of a fairly large town, how can you be sure that your neighbors are not Communists? Can you tell who Communists are by just looking at them? You hear on the news that secrets have leaked to the Soviet Union in order for them to make a bomb like the US government has. McCarthy is putting people from all walks of life on trial for being Communists. Question: Would you feel safe in your community? Would you do anything to make sure that you’re safe from Communists who may be lurking even in your own backyard?
  5. You are a large factory owner in an area where many Eastern Europeans live (so naturally your workforce includes many of those heritages). Some of them are your toughest and best workers. Question: Do you fire them because you don’t want to take the risk of people boycotting your factory for hiring Communists, or the government coming into your factory looking for suspected Communists? Do you keep them working in the factory because they have never let you down in the past, and understanding the risks?