1950

January – events in China?

On the 7th of February 1950 the era of McCarthyism erupts as Senator Joseph R McCarthy Senator of Wisconsin gives a speech claiming the US State Department harbours communists. As a consequence of McCarthyism, no US politician is willing to appear to be ‘soft’ on communism. Truman went on to purge the civil service of "communists"

Employers sacked and black-listed left wing employees.

Guilt established by smear and innuendo.

American Communist Party was policed out of existence.

On the 9th February, Joseph McCarthy made a speech at Wheeling - claimed 57 commies in State Dept. (later 205, then 81).

Ont the 20th February he made a six hour speech in the Senate about Commies in the Democratic administration. Many who then criticised McCarthy, themselves becomes victim to his smear campaign. And so criticism was silenced.

 “I have in my hand a list of 205 – a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.” Then the number became 52, then 81.

HOW MANY SPEECHES & WHEN?

McCarthy attacked Acheson as “a pompous diplomat in striped pants.” The list had been published by the Secretary of State in 1946 – some on the list  were communists, but there were also  some fascists, alcoholics, sexual deviants, etc.

McCarthy and Acheson were accused of being soft on communism – Truman a dangerous liberal. The Democrats were targeted – especially ex New Deal Democrats.

This triggered a 4½ year crusade to hunt down alleged communists in government. Technique of multiple untruths. Failure to unearth a single confirmed communist in government. Accused the State Dept of deliberately losing the Cold War. Ridiculed Dean Acheson as “Red Dean”. Claimed Marshall was an agent of the communist conspiracy.

1st March, Klaus Fuchs arrested in UK for Atomic spying.

So what’s the deal with McCarthy?

McCarthy had been a FDR supporter –  a failed Democratic candidate for district attorney – switched parties and became Republican candidate for circuit court judge. He fought a shockingly dirty campaign against Edgar Werner.

In 1945 US entered WW2 and McCarthy resigned and joined marines. After war McCarthy ran against Robert LaFollette to become Republican Senate candidate – he fully exploited his war record. And lied? McCarthy won and LaFollette later committed suicide.

His views were extreme even then. He was accused of lying about his war record. Investigated for tax offences and taking bribes from Pepsi Cola Co.

In 1947 Truman authorised investigations into the loyalty of federal workers.

May 1950 – McCarthy was worried about losing election – Edmund Walsh, a catholic priest, suggested campaign against communist subversives working in Dem administration.

Joe McCarthy was a friend of the Kennedy family and had dated Eunice Kennedy. Robert Kennedy got involved as Joe swung him a job as assistant counsel on McCarthy’s committee. Bobby became disgusted after a few months and walked out in protest, joined the Democrats in opposition to McCarthy. JFK was angered and embarrassed by his former friend. However JFK  was the only Democrat in the Senate who failed to vote against the witch hunt.

The Tydings committee dismissed McCarthy’s  charges of communists in government.

The Senate investigated McCarthy’s allegations just as the Korean War started. “Communist North Korea attacked” US supported South Korea June 25th 1950.

Victims who left the USA were Joseph Losey, Richard Wright, Ollie Harrington, James Baldwin, Herbert Biberman, Lester Cole, and Chester Himes. 1950

Cold War continued to build to dangerous levels. Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) to detect missiles launched from the USSR – had three radar stations. They were: Flyingdales in Yorkshire, England; Thule in Greenland, the largest and most powerful in the world when it started; Clear (?) in Alaska. The system can detect an approaching missile at a range of 4,800 km. Even BMEWS could give only 30 minutes warning of an approaching ICBM from Russia.

The US built Thule Air Base , which belongs to Air Defense Wing, in 1951. Northeast Air Command of the USAF built it – according to an agreement between USA and Denmark. In this agreement B52 bombers carrying nuclear weapons, belonging to Strategic Air Command (SAC) were not supposed to overfly, let alone land, on Thule Air Base. From then on, Inuits and Danish workers at the Thule Air Base have seen this happen many times. -->

In 1950  Marshall took over at Defense

In January the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and USSR recognised Ho Chi Minh’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV). China then begins sending military advisors and modern weapons to the Viet Minh including automatic weapons, mortars, howitzers, and trucks. Much of the equipment is America-made and had belonged to the Chinese Nationalist before their defeat by Mao. With the influx of new equipment and Chinese advisors, General Giap transforms his guerrilla fighters into conventional army units including five light infantry divisions and one heavy.

February 1950 the USA and GB recognise Bao Dai’s French-controlled South Vietnam government. The Viet Minh begin an offensive against French outposts in North Vietnam near the Chinese border.

July 26th US military involvement in Vietnam begins as president Harry Truman authorises $15m in military aid to the French. US military “advisers” will accompany the flow of US tanks, planes, artillery and other supplies to Vietnam. Over the next four years the US go on to spend $3bn on the French war and by 1954 will provide 80% of all war supplies used by the French.

September 27th 1950 the US establishes a Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in Saigon to aid the French army.

Wikipedia

In 1950, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and China recognized each other diplomatically. The Soviet Union quickly followed suit. U.S. President Harry S. Truman countered by recognizing the French puppet government of Vietnam. Washington feared that Hanoi was a pawn of Communist China and, by extension, Moscow. This flew in the face of the long historical antipathy between the two nations, of which the U.S. seems to have been completely ignorant.[8] As Doan Huynh commented, “Vietnam a part of the Chinese expansionist game in Asia? For anyone who knows the history of Indochina, this is incomprehensible.”[8] Nevertheless, Chinese support was very important to the Viet Minh's success, and China largely supported the Vietnamese Communists through the end of the war.

The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 marked a decisive turning point. From the perspective of many in Washington, D.C., what had been a colonial war in Indochina was transformed into another example of communist expansionism directed by the Kremlin.[9]

In 1950, the U.S. Military Assistance and Advisory Group (MAAG) arrived to screen French requests for aid, advise on strategy and train Vietnamese soldiers.[10] By 1954, the U.S. had supplied 300,000 small arms and spent one billion dollars in support of the French military effort. The Eisenhower administration was shouldering 80% of the cost of the war.[11] The Viet Minh received crucial support from the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. Chinese support in the Border Campaign of 1950 allowed supplies to come from China into Vietnam. Throughout the conflict, U.S. intelligence estimates remained skeptical of French chances of success.[12] Wikipedia - references from original text

Korean War begins

The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 soldiers from Communist North Korea invaded South Korea, which had links with the US, and the United Nations (UN) responded by sending soldiers to defend it.

The Soviet Union gave North Korea weapons, and almost certainly encouraged the invasion. The US persuaded the UN to act on behalf of South Korea and supplied many of the soldiers. General MacArthur led the UN forces. The US and the Soviet Union tried to avoid war, the Soviet Union by denying it was involved, and the US by saying it was only taking part in a UN operation.

The North Koreans were pushed back above the 38th parallel (= the imaginary line that divided the two Koreas) by the end of October 1950, and then the UN forces tried to take control of the North. At first they were successful, but as the soldiers got close to China’s border China attacked and they were pushed back towards the 38th. After this, it seemed that either side could win only by taking control of all Korea, but to do so would have required more effort and resources. Both sides were afraid of escalating the situation in case that led to nuclear war. Peace talks made slow progress. Finally, on 27 July 1953, an agreement was reached at Panmunjom, ending the war and leaving Korea still divided. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

June 25th around 4am the DemocraticPeople’s Republic of Korea’s army (North) artillery and mortars open fire on Republic of Korea (South) Army positions south of 38th parallel. 11am – formal declaration of war – by North. UNSC resolution calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of North Korean forces to north of 38th parallel.

June 30th Truman ordered ground troops into Korea. In his message to the American people, Truman describes the invasion as a Moscow-backed attack by “monolithic world communism”.

Amphibious assault at Inchon. US goal shifted from restoration of 38th parallel to unification of Korea. Peking warned the US over invading North Korea.

"North Korean troops invaded South Korea in June 1950, after US Sec of State Dean Acheson ( a close friend of Harriman) publicly specified that Korea would not be defended. With a new war on, Harriman came back to serve as Truman's adviser to "oversee national security affairs."

"With James Forrestal out of the way, Harriman and Acheson drove to Leesburg, Virginia on July 1st 1950, to hire (British-backed?) US General George C Marshall as Sec of Defense. At the same time Prescott's partner, Robert Lovett, himself became Assistant Sec of Defense."

Acheson and MacArthur advised that the Chinese would not get involved. But they did. UN forces crossed 38th parallel in October, advanced confidently to Talu in November. Then they were completely routed by the massive Chinese counter attack. The UN were driven out on North Korea by December. Truman decided to give up his unification plans.

Sino-Soviet Treaty

Mao and Stalin signed a Sino-Soviet treaty of mutual assistance.

14th February, Sino Soviet 30 year alliance treaty signed after Mao's visit to Moscow. (Dec 49 - Jan 50).

US State Dept refused to recognise legitimacy of new Peking government, but maintained formal diplomatic relations with Formosa.

Dean Rusk (future Sec of State under JFK, LBJ) called Peking gov't a "colonial Russia Government" which clearly wasn't true.

"The US had shown concern to secure important cities, after the war ended in China, from the Chinese communists, rather than to occupy European capitals before the Red Army could arrive."_

So Japan became America's main far east ally. Supported build up of Japanese industry. Expanded US bases on Japanese home islands and Okinawa.

NATO created after 1951?

MacArthur tried to persuade Truman to blockade China and use atomic bombs against its cities. Truman refused so MacArthur wrote to Reps in Congress with same request. Truman sacked MacArthur for this. George C Marshall becomes secretary of Defence till September 1951.

Japan – After Pullout

12th January 1950 the "perimeter" speech to National Press Club. Japan, Okinawa, Philipines, Aleutians were inside the perimeter to be defended. Formosa, and South Korea were outside perimeter. "US assistance can be effective when it is the missing component in a situation which might otherwise be solved. The US cannot furnish determination, the will, the loyalty of a people to its government."

US survey mission 1950 concluded Japan might produce "knick-knacks"  and other products for the underdeveloped world, but nothing more. It was the Korean War that revived Japan's stagnating economy. CHOMSKY. Korean war also stimulated flagging economy of America.

The San Francisco Peace Treaty with Japan in 1951 and bi-lateral peace accords with its Asian neighbours. According to some estimates, Japan forced as many as 800,000 Asians to work as wartime labourers.

In the early 1950s Boston’s “combat zone” – a red light district where porno films were shown – a Japanese documentary called “Hiroshima” did the rounds – including live footage of scenes “too horrendous to describe, elicitng gales of laughter and enthusiastic applause.” Chomsky in “501”

Look up Brtish Malaya

The European Defense Community (EDC) was a plan proposed in 1950 by René Pleven, the French President of the Council (name of Prime Ministers till 1958), in response to the American call for the rearmament of West Germany. The European Defence Community – JF Dulles said that the US would be forced to make an “agonising reappraisal” of its relations with France, of its policy towards Europe if the EDC failed.”

“French assassination of the EDC”

Eden - Britain’s idea favoured rearming and granting sovereignty to West Germany.

Eden’s Western European Union.

Anti-communist riots in Berlin.

The World has become an exceedingly dangerous place

JD Rockefeller Jr. sells Rockefeller Centre to his sons.

The US beat Mach 1 with X-1 based on a British innovation. Supersonic age has begun. The Right Stuff – test pilots.

Society wedding – JD Rockefeller married Martha Baird Allen in 1951, the widow of his old friend.

Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland”, 6 years in the making; Aldous Huxley was involved in the early script. Although Huxley had fallen out with Disney in the mean time, some of Huxley’s original script was used, but never credited.

Television live broadcasts were possible with the development of coaxial cable and microwave relays – coast to coast.

Edward R Murrow’s weekly radio programme “Hear It Now” went to TV – renamed “See It Now”.

Some say that the first Rock N Roll record ever came out this year, Rocket 88 by Ike Turner

 - accidental damage to the amp provided unheard of distortion to the guitar sound. People like it.

UFO alert on Decemebr 6th. Clement Attlee, British pm was on a state visit to Washington DC. Truman wrote about it in his memoir – planes were launched – Truman was informed that it had been unusual disturbance in arctic country radar problems. See www.presidential.com/ufo_alert.htm

“Cinderella” was Disney’s first fully animated movie for 7 years. It came out in February 1950, received mediocre reviews, and cost $3m.

A divided Korea

The UN had tried to grapple with the reunification of the two halves of Korea but failed to get agreement to elections covering the entire country – in 1948 the UN recognised the elected government in the south as lawful government of all Korea. The Korean People’s Democratic front had been set up in the north in june 1950 – its armies invaded the southern republic.

The UNSC voted to resist the aggression and Truman sent forces to South Korea under UN flag. USSR was boycotting council at the time and didn’t vote or veto.

As fighting drew near the Manchurian border, Chinese forces intervened. UN retreated – threat of nuclear weapons was used.

Truman yielded to Attlee over Korea. In December 1950 Attlee went to USA and got Truman’s commitment to stop at Yalu River – not to go into Manchuria?

If the US bombed Manchuria what would the US do? Nixon was part of group who demanded that Truman allow the Chinese on Formoa to make trouble in Red China’s rear or flank.

By 1946,the USMG campaign had succeeded in disbanding most of the “people’s committees” in the south. One committee located in Cheju-do would survive until as late as 1949. In other areas, the USMGIK cooperated with the national police and rightist paramilitary groups to squash labour strikes and political demonstrations as communist inspired.

Later, the USMG  made an attempt to bridge the gap between the right and left in southern Korea. Hodge tried to create a coalition between right and left that would form the basis of a future government but failed.

The Soviets completely wiped out remnants of the old colonial order. All collaborators were expelled from positions of power. The north lacked a formal military occupational structure, the soviets co-operated and worked with the already established “peoples committees” instead of imposing a military occupation on the north.

A policy of land reform was implemented in North Korea ending centuries old landlord dominance. Collaborators lost all their land while non collaborators were left with enough to live off. This process was virtually without violence.

Large industries were nationalised; working day reduced to 8 hours; social security and various labour reforms enacted. These reforms were within the 27 point platform created under the KPR.  Where People’s committees did not exist, the soviets sought to create them. Gradually the USSR helped create a Soviet-friendly Korean government.

Mid March to 8th May 1946, the US joint commission is convened in Seoul. An impasse is reached.

October to November Frequent uprisings and mass demonstrations occur in southern Korea.

April in Korea, the Cheju-do uprising occurred. The US military moved to crack down on and eliminate the last People's Committee in Southern Korea.

Well before the “fall of China” and three years before Korean War, US imposed a government of fascist collaborators in Korea – slaughtered some 100,000 anti-fascist and other adherents of popular movements that US could never hope to face in political competition; called a halt to democratic experiments that threatened established power.

Following the breakdown of the Joint Commission talks, the US attempted one last effort to resolve the Korean question. The US suggested that a multi-lateral conference involving China and Britain in addition to the US and the Soviet Union be constructed. Britain and China, of course, could both be swayed to the US line. USSR rejected the US proposal as it was not agreed upon at the Moscow conference.

So the US put issue to the UN and was met favourably. November 14th 1947 the UN passed a resolution to create UN presence in Korea. – UN Temporary Committee on Korea (UNTOCK) to watchdog national elections by March 31st 1948.

USSR argued against UNTCOK. In American occupational zone UNTCOK were welcomed, but not recognised by Soviet Zone – and refused entry – considering UNTCOK was made up of mostly US & its allies, this is not too surprising.

So the UN committee opted for separate elections in south – endorsed by the US – opposed by the left and most of the right. Koreans rejected the UN plan as it would lead to a partitioned country.

Syngman Rhee – influential politician in south – a seperationist – was in full support of the UN plan. Kin Il Sung, in north, did not support plan and condemened Rhee’s move. Neither did right wing Kim Ku and moderate leftist Kim Kyu Sik. “Unity conference” in P’yongyang to oppose plans. The US went ahead anyway.

19th April 1948, "National Unity Conference" convenes in P'yonyang, attended by political leaders from all sides of the political spectrum to oppose the UN plan for separate elections.

May 1948 elections in South Korea. UNTCOK declared them a "valid expression of the free will of the electorate in those parts of Korea which were accessible to the commission." But many Koreans who refused to recognise the separate election, didn't vote. Boycotted the election. And so the Republic of Korea was established on the 15th August, in the south of the peninsula. Syngman Rhee became the first president.

Autumn 48 North Korea elections and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was born on September 9th, with Kin Il Song in charge. The division had now been cemented permanently.

Korean War ended 27th July 1953.

82nd Congress elections

NOTES

television

Early television. Commercial broadcasting was introduced.

By 1949 television is beginning to take off. It’s a major threat to the movie industry. So the studios were moving into television production. Stanley Myers was shooting “Dragnet” at Republic. Only Disney, because of its particular dependence on colour and sound technology, resisted all offers from tv networks to show his films. There were four networks including NBC, ABC, Dumont.

In the 1950s funds for R&D of computers came from the taxpayer. 85% for electronics generally . Huge social engineering project that led to “suburbanisation of Amerca” relied on state intervention and major corporate crime.

Rockefellers

The Rockefellers were “giving away” huge sums to drug-propagandizing colleges, the Rockefeller interests were growing to a world-wide web that noone could entirely explore. Already, by 1950, Bealle wrote: “It has long been demonstrated that the Rockefeller interests have created, built up and developed the most far-reaching industrial empire ever conceived in the mind of man. Standard Oil is of course the foundation industry upon which all of the industries have been built.”

JDR is described as a “ruthless industrial pirate”.

They have:

•             The Chase National Bank – later the Chase Manhattan Bank

•             Holdings in the drug business

•             Largest drug manufacturing combine in the world and use all of their other interests to bring pressure to increase the sale of drugs.

The house had its own “nominees” planted in all Federal agencies that have to do with health. Therefore government only support doctors who use drugs.

General election Fund 1904.

Rockefeller foundation 1910.

Harriman and co.

“The Harriman security regime created the Psychological Strategy Board (PSB). Gordon Gray, sponsor of the child sterilisation experiments, carried out by the Harrimanite eugenics movement in North Carolina following WW2.”

“Gordon Gray’s father had gotten control of the RJ Reynolds tobacco company through alliance with the British Imperial Tobacco cartel’s US representatives, the Duke family of North Carolina. Gordon’s brother, RJ Reynolds chairman Bowman Gray Jr. was also a Naval Intelligence officer, known around Washington as the founder of operational intelligence. “Gordon Gray became a close friend and political ally of Prescott Bush; and Gray’s son became for Prescott’s son George, his lawyer and the shield of his covert policy. ”

Joe McCarthy campaigned for Prescott Bush, who stood for a seat in the Senate. The Harriman eugenics movement – centred at Yale – P.Bush was a trustee – former BBH partner Laurence Tighe, Yale’s treasurer. A glimer of truth made its way into election – about Bush-Harriman firm’s Nazi activities. 1950 – Bush was exposed as fascist eugenics activits and lost election.

Brazil - Vargas elected president, but faces stiff opposition.

Kennan served in Moscow in 1933 after US recognistion and during WW2. Held a “profound distrust of the Soviet regime”

George C Marshall – Sec of State

George Kennan – policy planning

James V forestall – Sec of Defence

In December the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - December 10th - Resolution 194.