The Cold War. It's all about secret agents, espionage, and...well, a document called NSC-68. 🕵️‍♂️

• What is NSC-68?

  • A report by the US National Security Council in 1950.
  • LaFeber (and other historians) think of it as a VIP pass to understanding the Cold War.

• Big Ideas Inside NSC-68

  • 🇷🇺 All Communist activities? Dial M for Moscow. It's the "nerve centre."
  • 🌎 The report saw recent global events as signs of the USSR's growing power.
  • ⏳ It warned of a tense and risky future.
  • 💰 It said, "Yo, USA! Boost military strength and spend big – like $35–$50 billion."

• NSC-68's Impact?

  • Encouraged the USA to give military and economic aid to any country fighting off communism.

• Sneak Peek from the Actual Report (simplified)

  • We need a massive military build-up.
  • The USA should prioritize security in the national budget.
  • Aim for $50 billion – kinda like wartime spending!

• Revisionist historians: "Hold up! NSC-68 is built on shaky ground!"
  • They believe the USA exaggerated the Soviet threat as an excuse for expansion.
• 💵 The Million-Dollar Question: Would Americans be ready to spend so much?
  • Historian William S Taubman's take: Acheson might've added some extra spice to make Americans more willing to spend against communism.