The Origins of the Cold War

Differences between communism and capitalism. US and Soviet Union were allies in WWII. After WWII, Europe was in ruins, and former colonial empires were crumbling. This set the scene for increased competition between the two superpowers, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. The Soviet Red Army remained in Eastern Europe after the war, which led to the Soviet Bloc. At the same time, the United States developed policies of containment – in particular, the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.

Take a look at the Timeline Lets look a few of the key events

Winston Churchill gave the Iron Curtain speech in 1946 Map of the Iron Curtain

The Truman Doctrine, 1947 President Truman outlined the Truman Doctrine to a joint session of Congress in March of 1947

A map showing how the plan’s $20B was distributed by country The Marshall Plan, 1947 Photo shows a delivery of wheat from the U.S. being unloaded in Rotterdam, Netherlands A map showing how the plan’s $20B was distributed by country

NATO Treaty, 1949. Warsaw Pact, 1955.

Central Historical Question Who started the Cold War?

Jigsaw Documents A,B,C,D (Use APPARTS) Share your document with your group

Discussion Who was primarily responsible for the start of the Cold War? What evidence do you have to support your claim? Which of these documents do you believe is most trustworthy? Why? Did anyone’s hypothesis change? How and why? What other evidence would you need to strengthen your claim?