Cold War Events

Create an illustrated timeline for each event that includes: Dates, Event description (including key terms, names, places, etc..) How this led to increased tension b/t the two superpowers.

1945 – Alliance Disintegrates Ideological diffs. create rift b/t USSR and US. Commun. vs Democracy (Stalin rules Eastern Europe w/ an “iron fist”) Socialism vs capitalism (social “equality” is goal, but in U.S., competition drives economy)

Cont. At Potsdam, Europe is split in two East = Soviet controlled govs. (“puppet states”) West= U.S. / Allied control where Truman wants “self-determination” This led to “spheres of influence” around the globe.

1947 – Marshall Plan Provide $17 Billion to aid war-torn countries in western Europe so they won’t turn to socialism/communism and so they will be indebted to U.S.

1949 – NATO formed 1955 – Warsaw Pact formed Military alliance to protect against “Soviet aggression”. 1955 – Warsaw Pact formed Two major alliances introduce possibility of armed conflict in Europe.

1947 – As a result of commie rebellions in Greece and Turkey, Truman gives a speech: Truman Doctrine ‘We will support “free people” who are trying to resist communist pressures. This is known as containment.’

1947 – Truman warned that USSR has superior firepower. (NSC 68) – “we need to rapidly increase our nuclear capability.” So, we invest $billions$ into “national defense” 1949 – Soviets perfect their own A-Bomb 1952 – U.S. tests its first H-Bomb

Begins an era of nukes being a deterrent to enemy aggression. Cont. Competition ensues - to build enough nukes to defeat the other if war happens. Begins an era of nukes being a deterrent to enemy aggression. Instead, we fight “indirect wars” by providing economic and military aid to rivaling nations.

Formal blockade of West Berlin by Soviets 1948 – The Berlin Crisis Formal blockade of West Berlin by Soviets We flew supplies in to feed the people. Stalin lifted the blockade. A decade later, they put up a wall dividing the city b/t east and west (became a symbol of cold war reality)

1950 – Korean War Communist China and Soviets back a N. Korean invasion into S. Korea. Ended in stalemate but 50,000 U.S. died How it led to more tension? War of containment went global Led to intervention in all continents Almost every country “belonged” to either us or them

1956 – Hungarian Protest against communist leaders (U.S. stays away) Soviets sent in milit., executed the leaders of the protest, and restored gov. to its previous “puppet” status = More evidence of Soviets ruling Eastern Europe through force and repression. increases U.S. belief that communism should be halted at all costs.

The role of the United States in the Cold War was like: A police officer on campus A Referee at a basketball game A bully on the playground A gunfighter in the Wild West