U.S. Goal: Containment

Policy of Containment Adopted by President Truman Block Soviet influence Stop spread of communism Help weak countries- $$ Form alliances

Communism and Poverty After WWII- poverty was spreading throughout the world. This allowed for communist countries and leaders to spread their ideas. In Western Europe many of the cities were in shambles. There was a shortage of jobs and food.

The Truman Doctrine- 1947 Speech to Congress regarding Greece & Turkey Communism was a threat to democracy Wanted to support countries that rejected communism Many Americans didn’t want to get involved in foreign problems Congress authorized $400 Million to aid Turkey and Greece

The Marshall Plan-1948 George Marshall: U.S. Secretary of State Wanted to help Western European countries in economic need 12.5 billion dollar plan to provide food, machinery and supplies

1948-1951: Countries who received aid from the Marshall Plan Denmark Norway Turkey Ireland Sweden Portugal Yugoslavia Iceland Great Britain France Italy West Germany Holland Austria Belgium Greece

A divided Germany

What they wanted The West Prevent USSR from gaining control of East Germany To see a united, democratic Germany The East Maintain control over E Germany Make the West recognize it’s an independent state Stop the flood of refugees especially the skilled and professional ones – much needed in East Germany

Another Cold War crisis East – West rivalry Berlin divided – contrast the two halves. WEST: Prosperous, helped by US, attracted people from the East. Seen by USSR as an ‘infection’ in the heart of Communist East Germany. EAST: Much less prosperous and under Communist control

Berlin Blockade & Airlift June 1948-May 1949 Wanted the U.S. to surrender West Berlin U.S. and British flew food/supplies into West Berlin S.U. later admitted defeat and lifted the blockade

THE BERLIN WALL

Focus on refugees from East Germany or East Berlin to West 1949-129,245 1951- 165,648 1953- 331,390 1955- 252,870 1957- 261,622 1959- 143,917 1961- 207,026 1962- 21,356 1963- 42,632 1964- 41,876

Berlin Wall Stop East Germans fleeing to W. Germany The solution was to build the Berlin Wall (Aug. 1961) Lasted until November 1989 1990- German unification

Affects of the Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall divided many families Many East Berliners were unable to commute to their jobs in the West West Berliners demonstrated against the Wall The East German government claimed the wall was an ‘anti-fascist protection barrier’ During the wall’s existence there were around 5000 successful escapes into West Berlin Varying reports claim that approximately 200 people were killed trying to cross the wall and many more were injured

Berlin Wall facts Total length around West Berlin 91 miles Border between East and West Berlin 27 miles Number of watch towers 302 Concrete wall height 11.81ft Anti –tank trenches 65 miles