The term “Cold War” commonly refers to the 44-year period between 1947 and 1991, when geopolitical tensions were high between the United States and the Soviet Union and the two countries’ respective allies. This course will take a close look at the years between 1959 and 1973, when the United States concluded its agreement with the People’s Republic of Vietnam to end what is known as the Vietnam War.
The course will begin with a discussion of the fraught relationship between Cuba and the United States, which culminated in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. There were concurrent issues at the time with South America, and we will study Che Guevara and his legacy. The course will include a full assessment of the American involvement in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975 and a discussion of its effect on U.S. public opinion. The continuing development of the Alert and Airborne Alert Forces of the Strategic Air Command and the improved reconnaissance capability of the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China will also be covered.
Dr. Clifford will provide a 30+ page paper on the history of the Cold War between 1959 and 1973 along with detailed outlines for each of the six classes to class participants a few weeks before the start of class.
Class Recordings: