From Allies to Arch Enemies Origins of the Cold War From Allies to Arch Enemies

After the War The Costs of the War The Nuremberg Trials Soviet Union – 22 million dead Europe (combined) – 38 million dead World (combined) – 75 million dead The Nuremberg Trials Faced with the horror of the Holocaust, Allied leaders agreed that Axis leaders had to be tried for crimes against humanity. The trials took place in Nuremberg, Germany. 177 tried, 142 convicted. Most receive jail. Some are executed. Similar trials were held in Japan and Italy.

The Emergence of Superpowers The War had devastated Europe. The US and the USSR(Soviet Union) emerged as the world’s two superpowers Superpower – worldwide domination of military, political and economic power. Vast differences in politics and policy led to a fierce rivalry for control of the world’s future

The United Nations Realizing the world required a guiding hand to ensure international peace and security, the Allies decided on replacing the useless League of Nations with the United Nations (UN). The United Nations (UN) would: Maintain peace Guarantee security of member nations Encourage economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation Base decisions on the principles of: Equal rights Self-determination The Security Council and the General Assembly held the greatest power within the UN. The 5 permanent member nations of the security council have the right to veto any decision made by that council Those nations are Britain, France, China, US and USSR

After the War Primary goal remains security Western democracies believed in the power of freedom and democratic systems to secure peace. Stalin, instead, drew on his experiences from WWI and WWII He wanted control of Eastern Europe to ensure security of his nation. In former Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, Soviet troops ensured that governments enacted policies favorable to Stalin

The Iron Curtain At Yalta, Stalin had promised to allow free elections in the Eastern European nations occupied by Soviet Forces. Stalin breaks this promise Non-Communists are replaced with Communists. These nations become satellite states of the USSR. This means that they are technically independent nations but are ruled by the Soviet Union.

Containment – the US Response The US persued a policy of containment Its purpose was to stop the spread of Communism Truman Doctrine President Harry Truman, fearing the spread of communism, appeals to congress for the authority to send arms and equipment to the government of Greece, who is threatened by Communist revolutions. He is granted this authority. The revolutions are suppressed. Marshall Plan American officials, fearing a Communist rise in Europe, funds the rebuilding of the devastated European nations.

Berlin – The Cold War Case Study Berlin becomes the center of Cold War tensions French Soviet British American

The Soviet Blockade That’s Berlin! The Entire Green Area is Soviet Owned The Western democracies use Airlifts to get supplies to West Berlin, forcing Stalin to abandon his ineffectual blockade. Literally surrounding West Berlin, the Soviet presence convinces the French, British and Americans to Join their sectors together. Stalin retaliates by shutting down the railroads leading to West Berlin