Major Controversies Surrounding John Foster Dulles: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to John Foster Dulles.

John Foster Dulles was a prominent American diplomat and politician, serving as Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Cold War. Known for his staunch anti-communism, Dulles advocated a policy of 'brinkmanship,' pushing the Soviet Union to the edge of war to deter aggression. He championed the 'domino theory,' fearing the spread of communism across Southeast Asia, and played a key role in forming alliances like SEATO to contain Soviet influence. His strategies significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy during a critical period of global tension.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

March 1953: Support for Overthrow of Prime Minister of Iran

In March 1953, Dulles supported Eisenhower's decision to direct the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), then headed by his brother Allen Dulles, to draft plans to overthrow Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh of Iran. That led directly to the coup d'état via Operation Ajax.

1953: Planning of Guatemalan Coup

In 1953, John Foster Dulles participated in planning a military coup in Guatemala, claiming President Jacobo Árbenz's government was veering towards communism.

1954: Involvement in Guatemalan Coup d'état

In 1954, John Foster Dulles helped instigate the Guatemalan coup d'état.

1954: Instigation of Guatemalan Coup

In 1954, John Foster Dulles instigated a military coup by the Guatemalan army through the CIA, alleging the democratically elected President Jacobo Árbenz's government was turning communist; Dulles had previously been a lawyer for United Fruit Company.

1954: Geneva Conference and Vietnam Partition

In 1954, at the Geneva Conference, John Foster Dulles forbade contact with the Chinese delegation, refused to shake hands with Zhou Enlai, and opposed the plan to partition Vietnam, leading to the conference's failure to resolve the conflict.

June 9, 1955: Speech on Neutrality

On June 9, 1955, Dulles argued in a speech that "neutrality has increasingly become obsolete and, except under very exceptional circumstances, it is an immoral and shortsighted conception."

June 1956: Condemnation of Non-Alignment

In a June 1956 speech in Iowa, Dulles declared non-alignment to be "immoral", further castigating the Non-Aligned Movement.

November 1956: Opposition to Suez Canal Invasion

In November 1956, John Foster Dulles strongly opposed the Anglo-French invasion of the Suez Canal zone, after Egypt's nationalization of the canal; he was hospitalized and unable to participate in decision-making during the crucial days.

1958: Opposition to Gamal Abdel Nasser

By 1958, John Foster Dulles became an outspoken opponent of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, preventing Nasser's government from receiving arms from the United States, which subsequently allowed the Soviet Union to gain influence in Egypt.

1958: Misattributed Quote and Mexico Visit

During John Foster Dulles's visit to Mexico in 1958, anti-American protesters carried signs bearing Charles de Gaulle's quote, 'The United States of America does not have friends; it has interests,' which is sometimes misattributed to Dulles.

1958: Threat of Nuclear Weapons Against China

In 1958, John Foster Dulles authorized the Secretary of the Air Force to publicly state that the United States was prepared to use nuclear weapons in a conflict with China over Quemoy and Matsu islands.