The Cold War A brief History

Why is this American Air Force Plane Dropping Candy on Germany, a Country in Europe?

And Why Are These Children Separated by a Fence? It's All Part of the Cold War

Two Major Superpowers At the end of World War II, America and the Soviet Union were the strongest countries left standing. They were very different in their beliefs about government’s role in society

Communist Dictatorship Vs. CapitalistDemocracy The Soviet Union was a Communist country, where the government controlled the economy, and was ruled by a brutal dictatorship. The United States was a Capitalist country with a free economy, and was a democracy. At first, the two countries remained friends. Americans were so happy the war was over. Most just wanted to get back to normal life.

Soviet Union begins to Spread Communism After the end of World War II, the Soviets began imposing communism on other countries. They felt they deserved to have control over enemy countries, as well as territories they had dominated before the conflict.

America Tries to Stop the Spread of Communism In 1947, U.S. President Harry Truman announced that America would help the countries of Greece and Turkey fight the Soviet Union’s attempt to make them communist. This was the beginning of Containment- The American policy of trying to stop the spread of communism This marked the beginning of the Cold War It was called the cold war because even though the main struggle was between the Soviet Union and America, they never engaged in a direct, all-out "hot war" from the beginning until the end in 1991.

The Fight for Germany After World War II, Germany and its capital Berlin were divided. The Soviets controlled part of it and America, along with its allies Britain and France, controlled the rest. In 1948, Russia tried to gain total control of Germany by closing off all roads and railroads into and out of Berlin, making it impossible for the American parts of the city to get supplies. America Responded with the “Berlin Airlift” by flying in everything the city needed to keep going.

Berlin Airlift Almost 2 and a half MILLION TONS of cargo was sent. This included: Coal for heating Food and milk Machinery Soap Medical supplies Newspapers They even sent a baby camel for the children to play with.

Success of Berlin Airlift Twelve American planes crashed, killing 30 U.S. servicemen and one civilian. After about a year, the Soviets gave up and started allowing ground transportation back into Berlin.

Conflicts Caused by U.S. Soviet Tensions Many “hot conflicts” were caused by the Cold War. Soon after the Berlin Blockade ended, North Korea invaded South Korea Beginning the Korean War In many ways, it was a war between the U.S. (who Supported South Korea) and The Soviet Union (Who helped North Korea

Vietnam War Korea was followed years later by the Vietnam War almost 100,000 Americans died in these conflicts Americans also perished or were captured while conducting Cold War spy flights near or over communist countries, or performing intelligence missions

The Arms Race Unlike earlier conflicts, the incredibly powerful nuclear weapons held by the Soviets and U.S. threatened a war that could end life on earth as it was known. The "arms race" involved each side increasing the number and power of its nuclear and regular weapons. the knowledge that the other was equally as powerful and would destroy them in response Both sides were showing they had the power to destroy the other and all their allies, but what stopped them was Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) the knowledge that the other was equally as powerful and would destroy them in response.

Prepared to Attack The U.S. and the Soviet Union both lived in constant fear of being attacked by the other at any moment. All children in all schools were trained on what to do in case of an attack.

Back in Berlin in 1961, the communist East Germans suddenly put up a barrier called the "Berlin Wall." They wanted to stop people who were running away to the free part of Germany. The wall separated Berlin and the rest of Germany into pro-Soviet and pro-American sides; the communists used dogs, guns and landmines to keep their people from escaping.

The Berlin Wall The wall got so high that people had to climb ladders to wave to their family and friends on the other side. If people tried to cross the wall, East German guards shot them.

More Communist Clashes In 1962, a super-fast American U2 spy plane spotted Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, a country close to the State of Florida. The U.S. and Soviet Union came frighteningly close to a nuclear war before the crisis was resolved Yom Kippur by Soviet allies against Israel; Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 Chinese occupation of Tibet

In just about every part of the world, there was some sort of fighting, demonstrating, or spying related to the contest between America and its allies and the Soviets. While the communists committed many war crimes, and sought to install dictatorships, some of America's allies also violated human rights. People began to wonder whether resistance to communism justified brutal tactics.

America's Economy Grew Much Stronger than the Soviet's That meant the US could develop and afford the best tanks, airplanes and other military technology in the world In the meantime, the Soviets -- whose communist economic system didn't work -- were falling farther and farther behind.

“Mr. Gorbechev, Tear down this wall!” In June 1987, President Ronald Reagan visited Berlin and issued a challenge to the Soviet Union. “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace, General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

By 1989 It The Soviet Union Was Near the End East Germans began demonstrating and escaping. When the communists tried to keep some control by relaxing restrictions, the demonstrations grew even larger crowds starting pulling down the wall. In the past, East German authorities would have responded by shooting. But now, they gave up. East and West Germany were soon unified, becoming one country again under a democratic, pro-U.S. government. In 1991 the Soviet Union fell too.