Architects and Chapter 1 Summary and Analysis

Averell Harriman was ambassador to Russia and had doubts about the Franklin Roosevelt views that the United States and Russia could be allies after World War II. He went to Washington for consultation leaving George Kennan in charge. John McCloy was the Assistant Secretary of War and believed the United States should not become isolationist after the war. Robert Lovett was the Assistant Secretary of War and preparing to leave for Europe and Asia. Dean Acheson was Assistant Secretary of State and had faith in Truman as president.

These six men had been friends from their school days and careers on Wall Street and government and were now at the forefront of American policy. They were the American establishment and known as The Wise Men; their goal was to limit the spread of Soviet Communism.

Chapter One...