The Origins of the Cold War 1945-1948

Conference Activity Each group will get 5-10 minutes to prepare to argue as either the Soviet or the American delegation at one of the wartime conferences Be sure to know what your side really wanted and what you were willing to compromise on

The War Conferences Key Issues State of the War A Second Front A Separate Peace The Atomic Bomb Status of Germany, Poland, E. Europe, Japan Creation of Spheres of Influence Treatment of Defeated Enemies The UN

Tehran Conference State of War: Stalin wants a 2nd front Germany: All want Germany to surrender unconditionally and be weak Poland: Stalin wants territory here for security E. Europe: Stalin wants to keep seized territories; US and GB agree despite Atlantic Charter Japan: US and GB want Stalin to help UN: All express desire for new international org

Yalta Conference State of War: Germany about to lose Germany: Germany will be divided into zones; heavy reparations Poland: new boundaries decided upon; Stalin agrees to free elections E. Europe: Free elections are promised Japan: Stalin promises to enter once the war in Europe is over UN: UN will have 5 security council members with veto power

What did the letter on pg 15 suggest about FDR and Stalin?

Potsdam Conference State of War: Germany has surrendered; US planning to use A bomb in Japan Germany: disagreements about the method; process will be different in each zone Poland: Truman takes a hard line, challenges earlier agreements E. Europe: Truman challenges the % agreement Japan: US hides the A bomb, though Stalin already knows; US doesn’t encourage the Soviets to help UN: UN has been created

Which issues caused the most tension?

According to John Lewis Gaddis… These were the major issues because: The 2nd front and a Separate Peace The West feared Stalin will make own peace (like 1939) West was slow to establish a 2nd front, which would mean USSR must be involved in post-war occupation Creation of Spheres of Influence Self determination was a big US goal, while Stalin said this to Molotov, “Don’t worry, we can implement it in our own way later.” Defeated Enemies Soviets felt cheated about their share of Germany, which was low on industry and comprised only 1/3 of the country The Atomic Bomb Intensified mistrust and shatters Stalin’s concept of blood=spoils; the Soviets will have no presence in post-war Japan

Account for the divergent views of the main participants.

How realistic were the goals set at the conferences?

Problems Arise Communication Breakdown…. At a series of meetings among the foreign ministers of each of the Big Three countries, conflicts arose over the interpretation of the conference agreements Specifically the ideas of free elections and the recognition of satellite states

Problems Arise From the Western perspective, Soviet actions following the end of the war were puzzling: “Salami Tactics” Soviet method of taking control of E. Europe piece by piece Soviet Pressure on Iran Soviet troops remain a presence there Greece and Turkey West feels the Soviets not respecting the % Agreement there Rise of Communism in Italy and France West suspicious of Soviet encouragement Western policymakers now had to figure out how best to respond to the Soviets

Kennan’s Long Telegram Kennan was a US official in Moscow; he sent an 8000 word telegram giving his insights into the Soviet mentality February 22, 1946 Questions: Why have relations between East and West deteriorated? What is Kennan’s fear regarding US-Soviet relations? What are his recommendations for future US policy?

Kennan’s Long Telegram Key ideas The Soviet system is hostile to the West and feels threatened by a hostile world The West cannot change the Soviet worldview The Soviets will only respond to “the logic of force” How do you think Stalin responded when he read it?

Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech March 5,1946 Questions: Why does Churchill use the term iron curtain? What is Churchill’s view of Stalin’s salami tactics? What is Churchill’s suggestion for handling the Soviets? Is it similar or different to Kennan’s idea? How does the USSR respond to Churchill’s speech? What is the message of the cartoon on page 22?

Henry Wallace’s Letter, July 1946 What is the alternate view offered by Wallace in his letter to Truman?

The Truman Doctrine (March, 1947) and the Marshall Plan (June, 1947) What is Truman’s justification for his doctrine? How does the Truman Doctrine support Stalin’s world view? Could we consider the Marshall Plan to be a trap? Why are these two policies known as two halves of the same walnut? How does the USSR respond to the Marshall Plan? Analyze the cartoon on page 28.

Assess the impact of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan on the development of the Cold War. How did the Soviet Union build up its satellite empire? What was significance of the Mr. X article? What was the significance of the 1948 Czech coup? Up to this point, who would you say is most responsible for the Cold War?