The cold war Was a struggle of ideologies between USA and Soviet Union A fight for global power and influence… using propaganda, espionage economic/political pressures arms race

Potsdam Conference, July 1945 Stalin, Truman, Churchill

The Plan to divide Europe Stalin left his armies in the Eastern European countries he helped during the war He created a buffer zone These became *satellites of the Soviet Union He promised to have free elections in the countries he occupied (never happened).

Final Meeting of the Big Three Truman was the new U.S. president (the Atomic bomb was not dropped yet) Issues discussed: -the division of Germany -dismantling German military capability -prosecution of Nazi war criminals Stalin did not follow through on his promise of free elections in soviet buffer states

a country that is formally independent in the world, but under heavy political, economic and military influence or control from another country. Soviet satellites Czechoslovakia East Germany Hungary Poland Romania

Satellite states Churchill said an “Iron Curtain” had fallen over Europe

Iron Wall political, military, and ideological barrier erected by the Soviet Union after World War II to seal off itself and its dependent eastern and central European allies from open contact with the West Separated communist Eastern countries and Western democratic countries

The Iron Curtain took the form of border defenses between the countries of Europe in the middle of the continent.

Arms Race & fear of nuclear war Both sides were racing to build nuclear weapons and technology (August 29, 1949, the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb) The fear of nuclear war was real https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK qXu-5jw60

The domino theory The USA believed that European countries would fall one by one to Soviet Communism.

The policy of containment The USA wanted to “contain” communism Prevent its spread to other countries Provided other countries with economic and military aid so they could fight off communism The Marshall Plan USA would send $$$ to war-torn European countries to help them resist communism

The gouzenko affair A clerk with the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa gave the government documents proving that the Soviet Union was operating two spy rings in Canada (trying to obtain atomic secrets) Significance: Marked the beginning of the Cold War in Canada: potential communist threat here at home

The “red scare” In response to fear of communism (esp. after Gouzenko Affair) RCMP carried out illegal and secret inquiries about potential communists in Canada Some were denied entry in to Canada, known communists were deported Become known as the “red scare”- was even worse in the USA

A new global alliance: The United Nations

From old to new better arbitrating international conflict and negotiating peace than was provided for by the old League of Nations.  WWII showed need for united front against Axis powers April-June 1945, 50 countries (including Canada) met in San Fransisco and a signed the UN charter

Other items The new UN would have: -its own military (from member countries) -Five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Britain, Soviet Union (now Russia), and the U.S.

The UN Charter Aims: Collective security- prevent war Encourage co-operation among nations Defend human rights To improve living conditions for everyone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF6g23ydyu U

The United Nations The United Nations was formed in 1945 as a direct replacement to the failed League of Nations It is an international organization designed to promote - International Law - International security - Economic Development - Social Progress - Human Rights - World peace Currently, it has 192 members – almost every nation in the world

Canadian contribution Canada was considered a ‘middle power’ It played a key role in the drafting of the UN charter It authored the UN Declaration on Human Rights (J. Humphrey) It also provided troops, now Peacekeepers John Humphrey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwjFSQCrShM

The Berlin Partition and Airlift 1948

The Berlin Blockade, 1948 The Soviet Union broke an agreement with its former allies The U.S., France, Britain controlled West Berlin, the Soviets controlled East Berlin Stalin wanted all of Berlin and blockaded the entire city to force the allies to exit Berlin

US Response… The U.S. and its allies refused to capitulate They decided to avoid direct confrontation and provide aid to the surrounded Berliners An airlift was organized

The planes are raring to go!

Result: The airlift is successful and Stalin ends the blockade

Canada and NATO Due to Soviet aggression, a military alliance (NATO, 1949) is formed to protect national security Along with the U.S., Canada is a founding member By providing a united front, the chance of enemy attack is deterred

How Did Canada Participate? N.A.T.O. In 1949, Canada joined 11 other nations to form an alliance against the Soviet Union (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO) NATO has benefited Canada (Canada has access to the most advanced NATO standard military equipment and has developed trading relationships and business opportunities with other NATO countries)

However, being part of NATO has involved Canada in several conflicts In 1955, the Soviet Union formed its own alliance against NATO called the Warsaw Pact

The Warsaw Pact, 1955 Fearful of a NATO attack, the Soviet Union organizes its own military alliance An Arms Race begins whereby each alliance tries to outdo each other militarily https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXr0Bd0NuxY

Cold War Alliances NATO (1948-present) Military alliance (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Military alliance Led by the U.S. Members were democratic and capitalist economies WARSAW PACT (1955-1991) Military alliance Led by the Soviet Union Members were communist and had a gov’t controlled economy

N.O.R.A.D. (North American Air Defence)

NORAD: defensive strategies N.O.R.A.D. agreement 1958 U.S. and Canada agreed to defend each other both Canada and the US feared long-range Soviet attack (The DEW (Distant Early Warning system) line is established in the NWT’s. “includes the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles.” Retaliation was possible

Cold War Partitioning