Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Seminar

Why the United States Accepted a Continental Commitment

Open to the Public

A review of the historical record suggests that the American decision to remain in Europe after World War II was taken in the late 1960s and not in the late 1940s, as is commonly assumed. In fact, from 1945 until 1965, the U.S. worked hard to pass the buck for dealing with the Soviet Union to the West Europeans. Why, then, did the U.S. abandon its buck-passing strategy and accept a continental commitment in the late 1960s? The speaker argues that the emerging reality of mutual assured destruction (MAD) persuaded the Americans that the costs of containing the Soviet Union were negligible. Specifically, U.S. policymakers became convinced that, given MAD, it was highly unlikely that they would have to fight another European war. Thus, the United States committed to the continent when doing so was thought to be cheapest and not in the early Cold War when containment was thought to be most costly.

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Please note new location!

Date: Time: - Location: Room G20
A battery of 3 Pershing II missiles are seen at the Mutlangen, West Germany, U.S. missile base, Apr. 3, 1987.

About

A review of the historical record suggests that the American decision to remain in Europe after World War II was taken in the late 1960s and not in the late 1940s, as is commonly assumed. In fact, from 1945 until 1965, the U.S. worked hard to pass the buck for dealing with the Soviet Union to the West Europeans. Why, then, did the U.S. abandon its buck-passing strategy and accept a continental commitment in the late 1960s? The speaker argues that the emerging reality of mutual assured destruction (MAD) persuaded the Americans that the costs of containing the Soviet Union were negligible. Specifically, U.S. policymakers became convinced that, given MAD, it was highly unlikely that they would have to fight another European war. Thus, the United States committed to the continent when doing so was thought to be cheapest and not in the early Cold War when containment was thought to be most costly.

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Please note new location!

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