Beginning of the Cold War UNIT 9 TEST – FEBRUARY 14TH

The Cold War 1945-1991

Soviet Control of Eastern Europe Remember the Yalta Conference – Stalin promised to allow self-determination and free elections in Eastern Europe after the war He went back on this The Soviets had an interest in setting up pro-Communist governments as buffer states between themselves and the Western world. Established satellite states – independent states that are controlled by a more powerful state – in countries like: Poland Czechoslovakia Hungary Romania Bulgaria East Germany

The Cold War Begins A non-military battle of diplomacy and propaganda between the United States and Soviet Union. Lasted from 1945-1991 Really began at the Potsdam Conference (July 1945) Led to “hot” wars around globe -- Examples: Korea, Vietnam -- Many of the smaller wars were called proxy wars because the U.S. and U.S.S.R. never fought face to face.

U.S. vs. USSR (Soviet Union) Soviet Communism American Democracy One political party – Communist Party All labor groups/associations run by Communist Party Industry and Farms owned by the state, limited private property ownership, central planners determine prices, education/healthcare provided by the state Religion discouraged Secret police arrest political/ideological opponents, no free exercise of beliefs Multi-party system Unions/organizations can openly negotiate with employers Free enterprise system, private property ownership, supply & demand determine prices, people meet their own needs with limited government involvement Free exercise of religion Freedom of press and expression

The Ideological Struggle Soviet & Eastern Bloc Nations [behind the“Iron Curtain”] US & the Western Democracies GOAL  “Containment” of Communism & the eventual collapse of the Communist world. [George Kennan] GOAL  spread world-wide Communism

The “Iron Curtain” Democratic leaders believed that an imaginary curtain had split Europe between pro-democratic states and pro-communist states Leaders like Churchill and Truman were fearful of Soviet aggression and worried about the further spread of communism. “From Stettin in the Balkans, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lies the ancient capitals of Central and Eastern Europe.” -- Sir Winston Churchill, 1946

Containment & the Domino Theory Containment: The U.S. should work to stop the spread of communism. Domino Theory: If the U.S. doesn’t fight communism, then countries will fall to communism like dominos – especially in Southeast Asia.

The Truman Doctrine Truman had been horrified at the pre-war Allied policy of appeasement and was determined to stand up to any Soviet intimidation. The Truman Doctrine  March 1947 Promised that the USA “would support free peoples who are resisting subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures”. Triggered by British inability to hold the line in Greece, it was followed by aid to Greece and Turkey, and also money to help capitalists to stop communists in Italy and France. It signalled the end of “isolationist” policies.

The Marshall Plan, 1948 Plan to aid Europe—in ruins Prevent countries from falling to communists Aid American business $13 billion to European counties over the next four years (not Soviet Union) The Marshall Plan offered huge sums to enable the economies of Europe to rebuild after World War II. By generating prosperity, hoped to reject the appeal of Communism. The Soviet Union (USSR) prevented Eastern European countries from receiving American money.

Berlin Blockade, 1948-1949 Remember, Germany was divided into 4 zones: West Germany – U.S., Britain, and France East Germany- Soviets Capitol city of Berlin divided into 4 zones (located in East Germany). Stalin was determined to take all of Berlin so the Soviets set up a blockade of West Berlin in hopes that it would submit to communism.

Berlin Airlift The U.S. and Great Britain responded to the blockade by supplying the West Berliners with a massive airlift for almost a year. Flew over West Berlin and dropped necessary supplies : Food, fuel, clothing, medical supplies, toys Demonstrated that the U.S. would not give up on democracy in West Berlin and showed just how far the U.S. would go to stop the spread of communism.

Berlin Airlift

Berlin Blockade & Airlift (1948-49) Berlin Airlift – Candy Bomber -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d7eOF8-4gw

NATO vs. WARSAW PACT North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Formed in 1949, defense alliance among U.S. and Europe against the Soviet Union. Still exists. Promoted Collective Security – an attack on one is an attack on all. Warsaw Pact: Formed in 1955, defense alliance among Soviet Union and its satellite governments in Eastern Europe.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949) United States Belgium Britain Canada Denmark France Iceland Italy Luxemburg Netherlands Norway Portugal 1952: Greece & Turkey 1955: West Germany 1983: Spain

Warsaw Pact (1955) U. S. S. R. Albania Bulgaria Czechoslovakia East Germany Hungary Poland Rumania