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The course examines the objectives and influences upon US foreign policy from 1945 to the of the century. It looks at the development of the anticommunist hysteria of the early Cold War, the impact of the domino theory on decision making, the development of détente during the late 1960s, questions whether America won the Cold War, and looks at how US tried to find its role in the world in the post-Cold War era.
What will we cover?
• How the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were designed to counter the threat of communism. • Eisenhower’s Massive Retaliation strategy, the Domino Theory, and US involvement in South East Asia. • How the US intelligence supported and challenged regime change during the Cold War. • How table tennis helped détente change US Cold War diplomacy. • The arms race and its role in Ronald Reagan’s victory in the Cold War. • America’s struggle to find a clear international role during the 1990s with its involvement in the Gulf War, the Balkans, Kosovo, and the Middle East.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Evaluate the motivations behind American foreign policy decision making during the Cold War • Assess the role that the USA played after the Cold War and its impact on current international relations. • Explain the different theories concerning US Cold War foreign policy.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course, so no previous knowledge is necessary.A good standard of English and a willingness to engage constructively and respectfully in any class discussions are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participation encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Noi other costs. Bring a pen and paper for any voluntary note taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This is one in a cycle of courses on the history of the USA. Dafydd's next course will be:
Dafydd Townley is a lecturer in American History at the University of Reading where he teaches courses to undergraduates and graduates on the FBI, protest groups in 1960s America, and race and ethnicity in the United States, as well as broad survey modules on US history. His research interests include American national security policy, the US intelligence community, cybersecurity policy, US grand strategy and US domestic counterintelligence operations. His research has been supported by University of Oxford’s Rothermere American Institute, Columbia University, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, the Institute for Historical Research and the Royal Historical Society. His work has been published in History, the Journal of Intelligence History and his monograph, The Year of Intelligence in the United States: Public Opinion, National Security and the 1975 Church Committee will be published by Palgrave Macmillan in June, 2021. His current research focuses on the long-term development of US cybersecurity policy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/america-and-the-world-1945-20012492083America and the World 1945-2001https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Caribbean & Americas/Courses/vm/Latin American season/Courses/Online courses228511771178118013488173112285117711781653This interactive lecture outline course explores American foreign policy during the post-Second World War period of the Twentieth Century.002988956America and the World 1945-2001179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpgInStockEveningWedOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHAH108179179America and the World 1945-2001179116179Dafydd Townleyamerica-and-the-world-1945-2001/hah108-2526This interactive lecture outline course explores American foreign policy during the post-Second World War period of the Twentieth Century.0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00The course examines the objectives and influences upon US foreign policy from 1945 to the of the century. It looks at the development of the anticommunist hysteria of the early Cold War, the impact of the domino theory on decision making, the development of détente during the late 1960s, questions whether America won the Cold War, and looks at how US tried to find its role in the world in the post-Cold War era.This interactive lecture outline course explores American foreign policy during the post-Second World War period of the Twentieth Century.• How the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were designed to counter the threat of communism.<br/>• Eisenhower’s Massive Retaliation strategy, the Domino Theory, and US involvement in South East Asia.<br/>• How the US intelligence supported and challenged regime change during the Cold War.<br/>• How table tennis helped détente change US Cold War diplomacy.<br/>• The arms race and its role in Ronald Reagan’s victory in the Cold War. <br/>• America’s struggle to find a clear international role during the 1990s with its involvement in the Gulf War, the Balkans, Kosovo, and the Middle East.• Evaluate the motivations behind American foreign policy decision making during the Cold War<br/>• Assess the role that the USA played after the Cold War and its impact on current international relations.<br/>• Explain the different theories concerning US Cold War foreign policy.This is an introductory course, so no previous knowledge is necessary.A good standard of English and a willingness to engage constructively and respectfully in any class discussions are the only requirements.The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participation encouraged.Noi other costs. Bring a pen and paper for any voluntary note taking.This is one in a cycle of courses on the history of the USA. Dafydd's next course will be:<br/><br/>HAH50 Fractured America 1945-2021.HistoryThe Caribbean & Americasvirtual179179116HAH108NONEWed22/04/26 - 27/05/2619:00 - 21:0019:0021:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineDafydd TownleyAvailable courses2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00EveningApr 2026Culture, history & humanities179179America and the World 1945-2001america-and-the-world-1945-2001/hah108-2526This interactive lecture outline course explores American foreign policy during the post-Second World War period of the Twentieth Century.0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00The course examines the objectives and influences upon US foreign policy from 1945 to the of the century. It looks at the development of the anticommunist hysteria of the early Cold War, the impact of the domino theory on decision making, the development of détente during the late 1960s, questions whether America won the Cold War, and looks at how US tried to find its role in the world in the post-Cold War era.This interactive lecture outline course explores American foreign policy during the post-Second World War period of the Twentieth Century.• How the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were designed to counter the threat of communism.<br/>• Eisenhower’s Massive Retaliation strategy, the Domino Theory, and US involvement in South East Asia.<br/>• How the US intelligence supported and challenged regime change during the Cold War.<br/>• How table tennis helped détente change US Cold War diplomacy.<br/>• The arms race and its role in Ronald Reagan’s victory in the Cold War. <br/>• America’s struggle to find a clear international role during the 1990s with its involvement in the Gulf War, the Balkans, Kosovo, and the Middle East.• Evaluate the motivations behind American foreign policy decision making during the Cold War<br/>• Assess the role that the USA played after the Cold War and its impact on current international relations.<br/>• Explain the different theories concerning US Cold War foreign policy.This is an introductory course, so no previous knowledge is necessary.A good standard of English and a willingness to engage constructively and respectfully in any class discussions are the only requirements.The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participation encouraged.Noi other costs. Bring a pen and paper for any voluntary note taking.This is one in a cycle of courses on the history of the USA. Dafydd's next course will be:<br/><br/>HAH50 Fractured America 1945-2021.HistoryThe Caribbean & Americasconfigurable
11801178The Caribbean & Americashttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/american-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11801/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Caribbean & Americas
