The Cold War AP World History

Superpowers Emerge From WWII United States – wanted to strengthen democracy & build prosperous economies Soviet Union – wanted to establish pro-Soviet governments in Eastern Europe to prevent future attacks & build an empire

Soviet Union Lost 20 million people in World War II U.S. and Allied view of Stalin changed at the end of World War II Stalin broke promise of free elections (Yalta) Eastern European nations become satellites of the Soviet Union Barrier splitting Europe called “iron curtain” by Churchill Explode 1 st atomic bomb in 1949

United States President Truman – wanted to resist Soviet moves Policy of “containment” adopted to prevent the spread of communism Truman Doctrine (1947) – foreign policy to aid countries resisting communism (Greece & Turkey)

Germany & Austria Divided 1945 – Four zones of occupation by U.S., France, Britain, & Soviet Union Berlin also divided East & West Germany are formed

Cold War Grows Became global Alliances develop – NATO (formed by the U.S.) & Warsaw Pact (formed by the Soviets) Test of military strength & ideologies Military buildups, space exploration, & local and regional conflicts were all part of the Cold War

Berlin Blockade/Airlift Soviets block all land access to West Berlin 2 million West Berliners need food/supplies U.S. & Britain respond by airlifting supplies Every 3 minutes a plane lands carrying approximately 4,000 tons of supplies Continues for 11 months

Korean War U.S./Soviet occupation of Korea following WWII North Korean communists invade South Korea U.N. authorizes use of force to help South Koreans (U.S. 90% of forces) MacArthur pushes North back to China’s border & China enters war Stalemate occurs – 38 th parallel divides N & S

Korean War

1956 – Invasion of Hungary Harsh communist rule (purges, confiscation, executions) Stalin dies in 1953 – control eased & workers revolt Hungary’s leader (Nagy) proclaims neutrality & withdrawal from Warsaw Pact Soviets invade & crush revolt while Western countries do nothing in response

1961 – Berlin Wall Large numbers of East Germans are fleeing to the West East Germans build a wall around West Berlin to stop flow Became a major symbol of the cold war

1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis Soviets secretly install missiles in Cuba Kennedy (U.S.) blockades Cuba Khrushchev removes missiles Kennedy agrees not to invade Cuba Helped lead to Khrushchev’s downfall

Prague Spring (Czechoslovakia) Public pressure for reform gains strength in the 1960s Alexander Dubček (liberal communist reformer) eases press censorship & allowed some political groups to meet (in the Spring of 1968) Brezhnev (Soviet leader) – responds by sending 500,000 Soviet & Warsaw Pact troops to occupy Czechoslovakia Soviet Union declares its right to intervene in Communist States

– Vietnam War French ruled Indo- China as a colony The Vietminh (Vietnamese communists led by Ho Chi Minh) win major battle at Dien Bien Phu French pull out of Indochina

– Vietnam War U.S. takes over role of the French by sending advisors (16,000) and financial aid to South Vietnam U.S. supported Diem in the South 1964 – Gulf of Tonkin attack(?) leads to G.O.T. Resolution and increased U.S. involvement

– Vietnam War By 1968, 500,000 U.S. troops are in Vietnam Soviet Union and China send aid to Communists 1968 – Tet offensive launched (was a win and loss for Communists) 1973 – cease fire; U.S. begins to pull out troops 1975 – war resumes; Communists take over South Vietnam