The Cold War 1948 - 1991

1. The Cold War1948 - 1991

2. 1946 – Post-war Europe • After World War II, western Europe and America are alarmed by Soviet advances in Eastern Europe • Many Europeans and Americans believed that the Communists were trying to take over the world! • March 1946 - Winston Churchill warns of the “Iron Curtain” of Soviet totalitarianism Winston Churchill at Fulton

3. The Cold War • It was the global competition between the democratic United States and the communist Soviet Union and their supporters. • The beginnings of the Cold War are found in Occupied Germany.

4. Berlin

6. The Cold War • Why was it so dangerous? • Because by 1950 both sides had nuclear weapons

8. The next 3 slides are graphic

12. What about Berlin? • During the Cold war, there were many “hot spots”. The earliest hot spot was Berlin. • Germany was divided into 4 occupation zones. • The capital Berlin, deep within Soviet-controlled territory, was also divided into fouroccupation zones. • 1948 – Britain, France, and America unite their occupation zones to promote peace and German recovery

14. Berlin Blockaded! • In June 1948, the Soviets blockaded all land and water traffic into western Berlin hoping to make Britain, France, and America leave the city. • (Remember Berlin was in East Germany which the USSR occupied.) • In response, the United States and Great Britain began an airlift.

15. Berlin Airlift • What’s an airlift? • A system of carrying supplies into West Berlin by plane • Day and night, British and American pilots flew in tons of food, fuel, and raw materials • So it lasted how long? • 11 months • The airlift is over. Now what? • Germany officially becomes two countries with two governments. • West Berlin remains a democratic stronghold, surrounded by communism

16. East Germany West Germany

17. The Berlin WallKennedy - I am a Berliner - Ich Bin Ein Berliner • Berliners didn’t like living under communism. Luckily, West Berlin and freedom were just across the street! • About 3 million people fled to West Berlin looking for political freedom and better lives. The East German government wanted it to stop. • In August 1961, East Germany built a 103 mile wall between East and West Berlin. • Guarded by Soviet troops, it became a symbol of the split between western and eastern Europe. • Many East Germans continued to risk death by escaping over the wall.

18. 1961 – Berlin Wall Built

20. Freedom in BerlinRonald Reagan- "Tear Down This Wall" • The Berlin Wall remained in place until November 9, 1989. • Demonstrations by people prompted the government to remove border-crossing restrictions. • At the end of 1989, the Berlin Wall, a symbol of communism, was destroyed. • Shortly after the Berlin Wall fell, Germany was reunited as one country (October 3, 1990).

21. ПерестройкаandГласность • Early 1980s – USSR economic situation is critical • They can’t compete with the rest of the world • Everything seems peaceful, BUT the people are ready for a change • 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev starts reforms • Perestroika – “restructuring” • Glasnost – “openness” • 1987 – Gorbachev calls for the introduction of democratic ideals. For the first time, Soviets can choose from multiple candidates.

22. Freedom in Eastern Europe • By 1991, Soviets were angry about the economic and social collapse of the USSR • They elected Boris Yeltsin president of the new Russia. • December 8, 1991 – Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus agreed to break up the Soviet Union and form the Commonwealth of Independent States.

23. Communism had collapsed pre-1922: Russian Empire 1922 – 1991: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR or Soviet Union) post-1991: Russia