NSC-68
NSC-68
NSC-68 was a top-secret U.S. National Security Council policy paper completed on April 7, 1950, by the State Department Policy Planning Staff. It portrayed the Soviet Union as a global threat and called for a major expansion of the political, economic, and military strength of the Western bloc. Truman initially hesitated over its costs, but the outbreak of the Korean War helped turn its recommendations into policy and drove a sharp increase in U.S. defense spending.
In depth
Character and content
Its formal title was United States Objectives and Programs for National Security. The review group led by Paul Nitze considered isolationism, preventive war, negotiation, and a rapid strengthening of the free world, choosing the last course. The paper advocated expanded conventional and nuclear forces, aid to allies, protection of communications and bases, and accelerated scientific development; it also suggested higher taxes and cuts to non-defense spending to finance the program.
The Korean War and implementation
Figures including George Kennan and Charles Bohlen criticized the scale of the proposed military response. North Korea's invasion of South Korea in June 1950 changed the political conditions of the debate, and the U.S. government increased defense spending from about 5 percent to 14.2 percent of gross domestic product between 1950 and 1953. The report was declassified in 1975.
Sources
- Wikipedia (EN) (supports the document's authorship, date, Cold War role, militarization program, and relation to the Korean War)
- history.state.gov (U.S. Department of State, supports the report's title, completion date, recommendations, initial opposition, and adoption after the Korean War)