The Cold War, 1961-1972 - AQAJohn F Kennedy sworn in as US President
Just as the 1960s started, a new American President entered the White House. The Cold War was about to enter its most critical phase, and the world would be pushed to the brink of nuclear war.
Cold War tension between the superpowerCountries who have huge influence or strength, giving them significant global power. reached a peak during this period of history. There were some people in the American government who believed a policy of brinkmanshipA tactic to get what you want by pushing a situation to the most dangerous point to influence negotiations. was needed to call the Soviets鈥 bluff and challenge them to back down in any Cold War confrontation. These people were generally known as hawksA term used during the Vietnam War to show what people thought about the conflict. Hawks supported the war and wanted the USA to use its full military power to win. because of their aggressive stance. On the other hand there were people who believed that the right approach was to avoid military confrontation, and that the two sides should try to negotiate a solution to any disagreements. These people were known as dovesA term used during the Vietnam War to show what people thought about the conflict. Doves were people against the war who wanted the situation resolved peacefully. because of their peaceful stance.
After John F Kennedy was sworn in as President in January 1961, the Cold War landscape changed. Kennedy promised an uncompromising attitude towards the Soviet Union and international communismA classless society where all property is owned publicly., positioning himself as a hawk, while criticising Eisenhower as a dove.
One of the first challenges of his presidency was a new crisis in Berlin.