453 | Benn Steil: The Rise & Fall of Henry Wallace and the Inevitability of the Cold War
Feb 8, 2024
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Benn Steil, author of The World That Wasn't: Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century, discusses the origins of the Cold War and postwar U.S. foreign policy through the career of Henry Wallace. They explore the what-if scenario of Wallace becoming president and how it could have avoided the Cold War. They also touch on the mistakes of the United States in the early Cold War and the importance of questioning conventional wisdom in determining America's role in the world.
Henry Wallace's retirement acknowledgement that the Cold War was inevitable due to Russia's ambitions but believed it could have been avoided if FDR had lived.
Wallace's alignment with FDR's anti-colonial views and vocal support for dismantling the British Empire after World War II.
The unique perspective gained from Henry Wallace's background as a farmer and his involvement in spiritualism, shaping his political career and advocacy for peace with the Soviet Union.
Deep dives
Overview of the Podcast Episode
In this podcast episode, the author Ben Seal discusses his new book, 'The Word That Wasn't: Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century,' exploring the historical period during Harry S. Truman's first term as president and the beginnings of the Cold War. The conversation delves into the what-if scenario of Henry Wallace becoming president instead of Truman, and how this could have drastically altered American foreign policy during the early Cold War era. The episode highlights the importance of individuals and their leadership in shaping history, and examines the concept of counterfactual history. It also touches on the mistakes made during the early Cold War period, particularly the flawed notion of Domino theory, and how these historical lessons can inform our understanding of the current transitional period in world politics.
Henry Wallace and his Political Context
Henry Wallace, a key figure in FDR's cabinet, was the Secretary of Agriculture and later became FDR's third-term vice president. He gained relevance when Oliver Stone suggested that if Wallace had remained on the Democratic ticket in 1944 instead of being replaced by Truman, the Cold War could have been avoided. Wallace's idealistic vision of cooperation between the US and the Soviet Union clashed with the burgeoning geostrategic and ideological conflicts between the two powers. However, his retirement later led him to acknowledge that the Cold War was inevitable due to Russia's ambitions, though he maintained that if FDR had lived, the conflict could have been avoided. Despite his shortcomings, Wallace showed a clear understanding of early Cold War dynamics, especially regarding the Korean War, and criticized Truman's policies.
Decolonization and the British Empire
The book also delves into Wallace's views on decolonization and the dismantling of the British Empire. FDR himself had anti-colonial inclinations, which strained his relationship with Churchill. Wallace shared these views and was a vocal supporter of dismantling the British Empire after World War II. The collapse of the British Empire was partly a consequence of US influence, as the US imposed obligations on Britain through the Marshall Plan and the Battle of Bretton Woods. While Wallace would have pursued decolonization more vigorously, US policy was already moving in that direction.
Henry Wallace's Background and Quirks
Henry Wallace's background as a farmer and his role as Secretary of Agriculture provided a unique perspective within US politics. He was also deeply involved in spiritualism and belonged to a theosophical movement led by the Russian figure Nicholas Roerich. This affiliation led to a scandal when Wallace appointed Roerich to lead a seed foraging mission in Central Asia, which served as a cover to aid Roerich's vision of creating a theocratic state. The episode explores how these experiences shaped Wallace's political career and his messianic complex, as well as his eventual turn toward advocating peace with the Soviet Union.
Reflections on the Past and the Present
The discussion concludes by drawing parallels between the historical period of the early Cold War and the current transitional moment in world politics. It emphasizes the importance of learning from the mistakes of the past, such as the flawed thinking of Domino theory. The episode also highlights how American foreign policy should maintain an idealistic and moral dimension, staying true to core values while balancing geopolitical considerations. It offers insights into the challenges of managing alliances and finding the right path in a polarized and evolving global landscape.
Benn Steil, author of The World That Wasn't: Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century and Senior Fellow and Director of International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins The Realignment. Benn and Marshall discuss the origins of the Cold War and postwar U.S. foreign policy through the career of Henry Wallace, FDR's VP before Harry Truman. They discuss despite claims from critics of U.S. foreign policy like the director Oliver Stone, a Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was inevitable.
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