Introduction to the Cold War

Introduction to the Cold War U.S. History

Content Heads Up! • This class will cover from the end of WWII to present day (~1945-today) • A large chunk of the material will be in the two decades following WWII, the 1950’s & 60’s • As we jump into the Cold War and subsequent topics, remember that it is not as sequential as the previous semester • Many of the events we cover occur simultaneously and overlap with other big events (i.e.- Cold War is ongoing throughout the Civil Rights Movement, Kennedy administration, Korean War, Vietnam War, etc.)

The Cold War • What is it? • Conflict between the U.S. and the USSR • From 1945-1991 • Did not involve direct conflict on the battlefield, but was a major time of conflict and competition between the two nations

Causes • Differing Views in regards to: • Leadership • Ideals • Foreign Policy • Economics

“The American people desire, and are determined to work for, a world in which all peoples are free to govern themselves , as they see fit, and to achieve a decent and satisfying life.” Initial Leaders • President Truman • Took over the office after FDR’s death • Many contributions made during his terms: • Made the atomic bomb drop decision, helped with formation of the UN and the Marshall Plan, supported foundation of Israel • Truman Doctrine • A vow to help other nations who were fighting against communism

Initial Leaders “To choose one’s victims, to prepare one’s plans minutely , to slake an implacable vengeance, and then go to bed…there is nothing sweeter in this world.” • Joseph Stalin • In power for over 20 years (~1924-1952) • Credited for USSR becoming a world power • BUT- at a major human cost (the Great Purge) • Dictatorship- those who opposed his ideas faced prison or death

Differing Viewpoints • U.S. • Capitalism-private ownership of industry, freedom of competition, laissez faire, allows for huge economic growth but created social classes • Democracy-Government by the people • Freedom-press, speech etc. • Individualism • USSR • Socialism-government ownership of industry, economic equality for all, classless system • Communism-an economic or political system based on the sharing of all work and property by the whole community • Equality • Collectivism

Different Goals • US • Self Determination • Gain access for raw materials and markets for industries • Help rebuild European governments to ensure stability and create new markets for US goods • Reunite Germany making Europe more secure • USSR • Encourage communism to lessen the struggle between the workers and the wealthy • Rebuild its economy using Eastern European raw materials and industries • Control E. Europe to balance western influence • Keep Germany weak and divided to never pose a threat again.

Tensions Rise • Stalin resented the Allies in WWII delaying an attack on the Germans • He did not like the idea of the atomic bomb being a secret • The United Nations was created in June 1945 • Idea was to promote peace • However, both superpowers used it to try to spread their influence • At Yalta Conference, Stalin agreed to set up free elections in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria • But absorbed them and others as satellite states under Soviet Control • After Potsdam Conference, Truman felt that the USSR posed a real and great threat

The Iron Curtain • Coined by Winston Churchill in a 1946 speech • Also believed USSR and Stalin had plans for world domination • “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of…Central and Eastern Europe… The Communist parties, which were very small in all these Eastern States of Europe, have been raised to preeminence and power far beyond their numbers and are seeking everywhere to obtain totalitarian control.” • Fear that they were trying to spread communism to Western Europe and East Asia

Truman Doctrine • American response to the “iron curtain” and threat of communist spread • Gave $400 million dollars in aid to Greece and Turkey • 1947- “to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” • Set a new course for American foreign policy • Containment- goal to keep communism contained within its existing borders • First great success of this policy = The Marshall Plan

The Front Lines • Europe is split between East Germany and West Germany • Also divided control of East Berlin and West Berlin • Stalin was determined to capture West Berlin • In June 1948 he stopped all highway, railway, and waterway traffic • Berlin Airlift • Britain and U.S. provided aid round the clock, for nearly a year to blockaded West Berlin • Supplied food, fuel, medical supplies, clothing, toys, etc. • Without the supplies, West Berlin would have fallen to the Soviets

The Warsaw Pact • 1955- West Germany became a member of NATO • In response, USSR created the Warsaw Pact • All communist states of Eastern Europe were members • Except Yugoslavia • Pledged to defend one another if attacked • Agreed to not interfere with each country’s internal affairs • However, USSR continued to largely control its “allies” in Eastern Europe

Introduction to the Cold War