How did the Cold War begin and develop? Unit 11 Notes How did the Cold War begin and develop?

What was the Cold War?

The Cold War After World War II, U.S. and Soviet Union emerge as superpowers They become enemies Communism v. Capitalism and Democracy Soviets felt that U.S. did not fight Hitler in Europe fast enough (could have helped them by distracting him from Soviet Union) Americans did not trust Stalin

The “Iron Curtain” The line that divided Europe into East (Communist) and West (Democratic) was the “iron curtain”

Containment Policy Stopping the spread of communism to other countries

Truman Doctrine -1947 U.S will provide economic and military aid to countries threatened by internal or external opponents (U.S. gave $400 million to Greece and Turkey to try to prevent communist takeover)

Marshall Plan - 1947 The U.S. provided economic aid to European countries to help them rebuild after World War II

Discussion Question Why would the U.S. be concerned with helping Europe rebuild? Why does the U.S not have an isolationist policy after World War II?

Communism in China (Don’t write yet) Nationalists v. Communists Mao Zedong Chaing Kai-Shek

Communist China U.S. supports Chian Kai-Shek and Nationalists. Communists and Mao Zedong gain support in China because of corrupt Nationalist government 1949 the Communists take over China

U.S. Reaction Containment did not work Fear becomes hysteria Conservatives say U.S. didn’t do enough, and some think communist agents inside government are to blame

Causes of the Korean War After World War II, Korea was divided into North Korea (Communist) and South Korea (Democratic) Soviets supplied North Korea with war supplies in an attempt to take over all of Korea.

Korean War In 1950, North Korea crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea United Nations and U.S. send troops General Douglas MacArthur (World War II hero) is made commander of all forces

China joins the fight on the side of North Korea UN forces and South Korean troops push them back to the 38th parallel

July 1953 armistice is signed The war was a stalemate Truman fires MacArthur, who tried to defy him (MacArthur wanted to drop nuclear weapons on Chinese cities)

Impact of Korean War Republicans win presidential election (Dwight Eisenhower is elected) Increased fear of communism Prompted hunt for Americans to blame for communist gains

McCarthyism Senator Joseph McCarthy said he had a list of names of Communists in the State Department Trials were held and McCarthyism encouraged anti-communist hysteria

McCarthyism In 1954, televised trials revealed him as a bully and he lost public support (He was scolded by the Senate, and died 3 years later of alcoholism)

Space Race Sputnik I Space race began when Soviets launched Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite, in 1957 Many Americans panicked, but President Eisenhower remained publicly calm Eisenhower with special assistant Stasson who played an important role in Space Race

Space Race U.S. and Soviet Union continued to compete in the “New Frontier” (space). Soviets put the first man in space (and first living creature, a dog named Laika on Sputnik II) Americans were the first to land on the moon