Topic 10 Cold War Era ( ) Lesson 1

Terms and People superpowers – nations stronger than other powerful nations Cold War – a state of tension and hostility between nations aligned with the U.S. on one side and the Soviet Union on the other détente – the relaxation of Cold War tensions Truman Doctrine- US policy, established in 1947, of trying to contain the spread of communism

Fidel Castro – leader of an armed rebellion in Cuba, who took power there in 1959 and allied with the Soviet Union John F. Kennedy – the president of the United States from 1961 to 1963 ideology – a system of values and beliefs Marshall Plan- massive aid package offered by the US to Europe to help countries rebuild after WWII

Nikita Khrushchev – the leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin’s death in 1953, who called for “peaceful coexistence” with the West Leonid Brezhnev – the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1960s until 1982; reinstated the policy of imprisoning critics containment – the policy of trying to keep communism within its existing boundaries and preventing further expansion

North Atlantic Treaty Organization(N.A.T.O.)- a military alliance between several North American states to safeguard them from the presumed threat of the Soviet Unions communist bloc, countries from other regions later joined the alliance Warsaw Pact- mutual defense alliance between the Soviet Union and seven satellites in Eastern Europe set up in 1955

Start of the Cold War After World War II ended, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers. by 1945 the wartime alliances were crumbling The United States and Soviet Union had conflicting ideologies and mutual distrust They engaged in a Cold War that involved most of the world for the next 40 years.

Eastern Europe’s Iron Curtain Soviets Build a Buffer Soviets control Eastern European countries after World War II Stalin installs Communist governments in several countries Truman urges free elections; Stalin refuses to allow free elections In 1946, Stalin says capitalism and communism cannot co-exist

The Cold War Begins Stalin had 2 main goals: 1. Spread communism 2. Create a buffer zone of friendly governments as a defense against Germany Roosevelt and Churchill rejected Stalin’s view and wanted free elections in Eastern Europe

The United States led the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in democratic Western Europe. The Soviet Union led the Warsaw Pact in communist Eastern Europe. After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union faced off along the Iron Curtain. Both sides relied on European alliances: the United States with the West and the Soviet Union with the East.

The Truman Doctrine President Truman saw communism as an evil force threatening countries around the world This doctrine outlined a policy of protecting free people who resisted attempt subjugation by armed minorities of by outside pressure It used containment of Soviet expansion in Europe as its main idea.

Marshall Plan A massive aid package of food and economic assistance to Europe Truman offered aid the Soviet Union and the other countries Stalin refused and did not allow any of the satellites to accept either Stalin's resentment of the Westerners help lead to the blockade in Berlin resulting in the Berlin Airlift

The Cold War Divides the World The Cold War – Cold-War—struggle of U.S. and Soviet Union using means short of war Superpowers Form Rival Alliances – In 1949, U.S., Canada, and West European countries form NATO – NATO—North Atlantic Treaty Organization—is a defensive military alliance – In 1955, Soviets and Eastern nations sign the Warsaw Pact alliance – In 1961, Soviets build the Berlin Wall to separate East and West Berlin

Warsaw Pact Nations Note: Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia is forced out of the Warsaw Pact in 1948

NATO Warsaw Pact and Non-aligned nations

The Cold War Divides the World The Threat of Nuclear War Soviet Union explodes its first atomic bomb in 1949 U.S. and Soviet Union both develop the more powerful hydrogen bomb Increasing tensions lead to military buildup by U.S. and the Soviets

Despite Cold War tension, the two sides did meet to discuss limiting nuclear weapons. (SALT)- Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (START)-Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

Détente ended in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. In 1968 dozens of countries signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which they agreed to not develop nuclear weapons An era of détente,- relaxation of tentions, occurred during the 1970s due to the arms control agreements.

Confrontations in Latin America Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro—leads revolt in Cuba against dictator supported by the U.S. By 1959, Castro in power, nationalizes economy, takes U.S. property In 1961, Castro defeats U.S. trained Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs

Fidel Castro

Confrontations in Latin America Nuclear Face-off: the Cuban Missile Crisis In 1962, U.S. demands removal of Soviet missiles in Cuba Soviets withdraw missiles; U.S. promises not to invade Cuba Cuban economy is left dependent on Soviet support

Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe and China Destalinization and Rumblings of Protest – Nikita Khrushchev—leader of Soviet Union after Stalin dies (1953) – Khrushchev condemns Stalin; Soviets and West can peacefully compete – Citizens of Soviet-controlled governments begin protesting communism – Khrushchev sends Soviet military to put down Hungarian protesters. – Leonid Brezhnev—Soviet leader after Khrushchev—represses dissent

Life in the United States during the Cold War was marked by a fear of both nuclear fallout and communism within. Many people built bomb shelters in their yards. Public schools conducted air-raid drills. Americans worried there were communists in the United States. This “red scare” led to many false accusations and ruined lives.

Review Questions 1.The Soviets control _________ _________ countries after World War II. 2._________ urged free elections, but __________ refuses to allow them. 3.One major goal Stalin had was to spread __________. 4.The _________ _________ was used to contain Soviet expansion in Europe. 5.The _______ ________ was a massive aid package to Europe.

6.In 1961, The Soviets built the _________ _________ to separate east and west Germany. 7.In what year did the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb? 8.In 1961, _______ defeats the U.S. trained exiles at the Bay of _______. 9.Life in the U.S. during the Cold War was marked by a _________ of nuclear fallout.