Expansionism and Containment

Key Terms Expansionism: the attempt to enlarge territorial and ideological influence beyond a country’s borders and allies Practiced by both the Soviet Union and USA Spheres of Influence Territories and countries over which a powerful country dominates The countries that the western Allies had liberated from Nazi Germany fell under American sphere of influence, whereas those liberated by the Soviets fell under their sphere

THE TRUMAN DOCTRINE

What was it….. It was very simple….. Whereas before WW2 the USA had been isolationist and not got involved in Europe….NOW…… Because of the fear of Communism the USA was prepared to intervene throughout the world to protect democracy against communism…. By lending equipment, advice etc ( and eventually military force) The main aim was to stop communism spreading further This policy was called CONTAINMENT

THE MARSHALL PLAN 1947 (Marshall Aid) What Was it? An American response to the poverty and hardship in post war Europe Who was Marshall? An American General and American Secretary of State, sent to assess the economic state of Europe

It was thought that these were the conditions in which communism thrived WHY? Economies in ruins Shortages of goods Bread still rationed Coal shortages – in GB electricity cuts each day Details

Marshall’s reaction Lend 17 million dollars to Europe Congress against it UNTIL Czechoslovakia became Communist and death of Jan Masaryk 1948 – Plan passes by Congress – to last four years CNN Cold War - Episode Script: Marshall Plan

What a nice gesture by the Americans. Yes BUT….. The aid came in the form of goods made by American firms So there was an element of American self-interest to prevent another depression in USA CNN - Cold War

And Stalin He hated Marshall Aid!! Forbade Eastern European countries from having anything to do with it Regarded as anti-Communist Feared that it might weaken his hold on Eastern Bloc And Eastern countries would swing to the US dollar. CNN Cold War - Episode Script: Marshall Plan

Berlin Blockade The Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 11 May 1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War The Soviet Union blocked the Western force's railway and road access to the western sectors of Berlin Their goal was to force the western powers to allow the Soviets to supply all of Berlin, thereby allowing Soviet control of WHOLE city.

The Response The Berlin AIRLIFT The United States and the British Royal Air Force flew over 200,000 flights that provided 13,000 tons of food daily, for the next year. In spite of this, by the spring of 1949 the effort was clearly succeeding, and by April the airlift was delivering more cargo than had previously flowed into the city via rail. The success of the Airlift was humiliating to the Soviets.

Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall was a physical barrier completely separating Eastern Berlin from Western Berlin Symbolized Iron Curtain in a literal sense Construction began in 1961 (prevent defectors from leaving the Soviet side) Why? Life in East Germany was harsh as they had to pay reparations to the USSR USA propaganda today

Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

Alignment vs. Non-Alignment Formally allied with a major power bloc (ie USA or USSR) Ex – G8, NATO etc Not allied with a major power bloc Ex - NAM

Bandung Conference Not all countries wanted to follow the ideologies of the Soviets or the USA Many countries, especially those with a long history of European imperialism, wanted to step away from superpower spheres of influence

Bandung Conference The result, in 1955, Bandung Conference (Indonesia) 29 African and Asian countries met Goal: promote economic and cultural cooperation Opposed colonial and imperialist intentions of the USA and USSR Beginning of NAM movement (officially started in 1961) From the conference emerged the concept of “third world” (note: we say “developing” instead) Despite aims for neutrality, developing countries were pursued by the Soviet Union and USA Countries involved with NAM unsuccessfully used UN membership to challenge the hegemony of the USA and USSR