Primary Source Analysis - Adriana Castillo
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University of North Texas *
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Course
2610
Subject
History
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
5
Uploaded by BrigadierFrogMaster77
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Adriana Castillo
Manuel Grajales
HIST 2620 Section 033
November 03 , 2023
Primary Source Analysis
"The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950" and "Percy L. Julian Decries Racial
Segregation in Dallas, 1956" are two documents from the mid-20th century that reflect
contrasting perspectives on the role of the United States in the world. These documents provide
insight into the beliefs, justifications, and underlying agendas or biases of their respective
authors.
The National Security Council Issues NSC-68 and Percy L. Julian Decries Racial Segregation in
Dallas highlights the United States' role in the world during the mid-20th century. The authors of
NSC-68 argued for a strong national security state and increased defense spending to combat
communism, while Julian decried racial segregation in Dallas, arguing for racial equality and
justice. These documents highlight the complex issues shaping American society and foreign
policy during this period, highlighting the United States' dual role in the global struggle against
communism and its domestic struggle for civil rights.
"The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950", known as NSC-68, was a top-secret
report produced during the early years of the Cold War. It was authored by a group of
policymakers, with Paul H. Nitze playing a prominent role. NSC-68 called for a significant
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expansion of the United States' military and economic resources to counter the perceived threat
of communism, particularly from the Soviet Union. The authors of this document believed that
the primary role of the United States in the world was to lead the free world in the fight against
communism.
The justification for their beliefs was rooted in the prevailing Cold War mindset. The authors
argued that the United States had a moral and strategic obligation to prevent the spread of
communism, which they viewed as an existential threat. They believed that the United States
should maintain a strong military, promote economic and military aid to friendly nations, and
engage in propaganda efforts to counter communist influence.
The underlying agenda of NSC-68 was the promotion of a robust national security state. This
document served as a blueprint for increased defense spending, the establishment of NATO, and
other Cold War policies. It was heavily influenced by the bias of viewing the world through the
lens of the bipolar struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, which sometimes
led to an exaggerated perception of the communist threat.
Overall, "The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950" is a top-secret report produced by
the National Security Council (NSC) of the United States government in 1950. It was produced
during the early Cold War period, when the US and the Soviet Union were in a tense rivalry for
global influence. The document was heavily biased against communism and the Soviet Union,
advocating for a significant increase in military spending and the development of a more
powerful military. It also called for economic and military assistance to friendly nations,
particularly in Europe, to resist communist influence. The document also emphasized
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propaganda and information warfare to counter communist propaganda, positioning the US as
the leader of the free world in the struggle against communism.
"Percy L. Julian Decries Racial Segregation in Dallas, 1956", Percy L. Julian was an African
American chemist and civil rights advocate who delivered a speech in 1956 decrying racial
segregation in Dallas, Texas. Julian, like many civil rights activists of the time, believed that the
role of the United States in the world should be as a beacon of democracy and equality. He
argued that the U.S. could not effectively promote these principles abroad while it still practiced
racial segregation at home.
The justification for Julian's belief was a moral one. He argued that racial segregation and
discrimination were fundamentally un-American and that the United States' credibility on the
global stage was undermined by its failure to live up to its own ideals. Julian believed that the
United States needed to address its domestic racial issues as a crucial step in demonstrating its
commitment to equality and justice.
The underlying agenda in Julian's speech was to advocate for civil rights and equality for African
Americans. His bias was rooted in the experience of being a victim of racial discrimination,
which fueled his passion for the civil rights movement. He sought to use his platform to raise
awareness about the injustices of segregation and to encourage change within the United States.
In general, Percy L. Julian, an African American chemist and civil rights advocate, delivered a
speech in Dallas in 1956, highlighting the injustices faced by African Americans. The speech
was part of the broader civil rights movement, aiming to end racial segregation and secure equal
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rights for African Americans. Julian's agenda was to raise awareness about and actively oppose
racial segregation and discrimination, as part of the struggle for racial justice and equality. His
speech served as a part of the broader movement for social and political change.
In conclusion, "The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950" and "Percy L. Julian
Decries Racial Segregation in Dallas, 1956" represent two contrasting views on the role of the
United States in the world during a critical period of the nation's history. The authors of NSC-68
believed in a strong U.S. leadership role in countering communism, while Julian argued for the
U.S. to be a model of democracy and equality. The justifications for their beliefs were shaped by
the geopolitical context and moral principles, and their underlying agendas and biases were
influenced by the Cold War and the struggle for civil rights, respectively. These documents
reflect the complex and evolving nature of American identity and global engagement during the
mid-20th century.
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Works Cited
Document 25.3 The National Security Council Issues NSC-68, 1950
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-multitudes-wesley-phelps/1141740127
Document 26.3 Percy L. Julian Decries Racial Segregation in Dallas, 1956
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/containing-multitudes-wesley-phelps/1141740127
American Yawp, The American Yawp Reader, NSC-68 (1950)
https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/25-the-cold-war/nsc-68-1950/
American Yawp, Chapter 25: The Cold War
https://www.americanyawp.com/text/25-the-cold-war/
American Yawp, Chapter 26: The Affluent Society
https://www.americanyawp.com/text/26-the-affluent-society/
American Yawp, Chapter 27: The Sixties
https://www.americanyawp.com/text/27-the-sixties/