Objectives Explain how the Cold War turned into an arms race. Describe how the Cold War divided the emerging countries in Asia and Africa. Explain how communism gained influence in Latin America. Explain why Cuba became a crisis spot during the Cold War.

Terms and People superpower – a country whose military, economic, and political strength is so great that it can influence events worldwide arms race – a contest in which nations compete to build more and more powerful weapons stockpile – to collect—usually weapons and other military supplies John F. Kennedy – U.S. President who established the Peace Corps and handled the Cuban Missile Crisis

How did the Cold War increase tensions around the world? As the Cold War intensified, the United States and the Soviet Union competed for power around the world. Both nations built up supplies of nuclear weapons and worked to gain allies in emerging nations.

Cold War tensions between the U. S Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union increased throughout the 1950s. Russia’s leader, Josef Stalin, died in 1953. Nikita Khrushchev became the new Soviet leader. Khrushchev declared that communism would destroy the Western democracies.

The U.S. and the Soviets began an expensive and dangerous arms race. The U.S. exploded its first hydrogen bomb in 1952. Other nations soon followed. None of these countries wanted to start a nuclear war. Instead, they stockpiled their weapons.

The superpowers also competed in space. In 1957, the Soviets launched Sputnik, the first human-made satellite. Americans feared that the Soviets could now launch a nuclear attack on the U.S. Congress acted quickly to compete technologically with the Soviet Union.

Congress created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. Congress also passed the National Defense Education Act to fund more scientists and teachers.

After World War II, the Soviet Union worked to win allies among newly-independent nations. U.S. President John F. Kennedy responded by forming the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps sought to build friendships between the U.S. and other nations.

After World War II, emerging nations affected Cold War tensions After World War II, emerging nations affected Cold War tensions. These nations included: The Congo The Philippines Vietnam

In 1960, the former Belgian Congo became the independent nation of Congo. Opposing groups fought a violent war for control. The U.S. gave one side supplies and technical advice. The Soviet Union supported the opposing side.

Fighting broke out, led in part by Communist rebels. After gaining independence in 1946, the people of the Philippines continued to struggle for reform. 1946 1954 1956 Fighting broke out, led in part by Communist rebels. The government defeated the rebels and made some reforms. Many groups continued to push for greater reforms.

Ho was a Communist, backed by the Soviet Union. In Vietnam, rebel Ho Chi Minh led the fight for independence from France. Ho was a Communist, backed by the Soviet Union. The United States gave support to the French. In 1954, Ho’s forces defeated the French. The fighting would last for almost 30 years. Soon, the U.S. would be drawn into the Vietnam War.

In the 1950s, the Cold War moved to Latin America. Rebellions in some nations put anti-American groups in power. The U.S. supported military dictators in these nations to protect American security. Latin American hostility toward the U.S. increased.

In 1959, Communist Fidel Castro led a successful revolution in Cuba. Many Cubans became exiles after Castro’s revolution. In 1961, Cuban exiles trained by the U.S. invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. The invasion failed, making Castro more popular and embarrassing the U.S.

In 1962, American leaders discovered that the Soviets were building nuclear missile bases in Cuba. The location of missile bases in Cuba posed an immediate threat to several major American cities. Kennedy insisted that Khrushchev remove the missiles. When Khrushchev refused, the U.S. placed a naval blockade on Cuba.

Soviet ships carrying more missiles headed to Cuba. The standoff lasted for 13 days and became known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Soviet ships carrying more missiles headed to Cuba. The U.S. Navy prepared to stop them. At the last moment, the Soviet ships turned back. Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles. The U.S. agreed not to invade Cuba.

Section Review QuickTake Quiz Know It, Show It Quiz 17