The Story of the Cold War

The Occupation of Germany World War II has ended. The Alliance between the United States, Britain, France, and Russia has defeated Germany

A Russian soldier flies a Soviet flag over the ruins of Berlin A Russian soldier flies a Soviet flag over the ruins of Berlin. Hitler is dead and the Nazis have been defeated. American and Russian soldiers shake hands and celebrate. They are friends….for now.

Some goals of the four nations: Secure Germany, and make sure no one like Hitler gains power again. Rebuild Germany (it’s even more ruined than it was after WWI). Help the German people start a new government that will guide them to a better future (instead of more war).

There was just one problem… While THREE of the nations AGREE on HOW to achieve these goals, Russia DOES NOT. The Soviet Union’s PHILOSOPHY was VERY DIFFERENT than the philosophy of the United States, Britain, and France. What is PHILOSOPHY?

The main difference is the form of government the nations want to introduce to Germany. In the western part of Germany, the US, UK, and France want to introduce DEMOCRACY. In the eastern part, the Soviet Union wants to introduce COMMUNISM. The economies were also different, with the US supporting CAPITALISM and the Soviet’s favoring SOCIALISM.

Because of these differing philosophies, tension grows between the Western nations and the Soviet Union. The Soviets want Communism in East Germany, and the U.S. is leading the way for Capitalism in West Germany.

In other parts of the world, the United States and the Soviet Union compete to influence other countries for Capitalism or Communism. imperialism From the Exploration Unit, this could be called ________________.

The United States and the Soviet Union started building up their armies because they feel threatened by one another. They begin a “race” to see who can have the most powerful military. militarism From the World War I unit, this is called ________________.

The Berlin Wall Towards the end of 1961 the Berlin Wall was built and Germany was divided into East and West Germany

The Division of Germany and Berlin The four Allied Powers occupied, (controlled) Germany. They divided it into four zones of occupation. Each allied nation was in charge of a zone.

The Division of Germany and Berlin

Reagan Speaks in Berlin, Makes Demand June 12, 1987 BERLIN – United States President Ronald Reagan gave a speech in front of the Berlin Wall, demanding that Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev bring down the barrier that has separated East and West for over 30 years.   Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!!!

German Reunification Almost two years after Reagan’s famous plea the Berlin Wall falls and East and West Germany are reunited on November 9, 1989. The wall had been up for 28 years.

The Nuclear Arms Race and the Space Race These are just a couple of results from the cold war. US and Soviet Union both built up their militaries to contain nuclear weapons. Russia sends up world’s first artificial satellite called Sputnik (Russian work for traveler) and the US launched is own satellite called Explorer 1.