Origins of the Cold War

Cold War? Dominant global issue 1945-1991 Rivalry between superpowers United States (Capitalist) Soviet Union (Communist) Conflict between allies Threat of nuclear holocaust

Capitalism vs. Communism

U.S. – Soviet Relations (pre-1945) Generally poor save for alliance in WWII Convenience, not trust Stalin felt Allies allowed USSR to take brunt of punishment Yalta and Potsdam Bolsheviks and Communism seen as threat Red Scare in 1920s Recognition by Roosevelt

U.S. – Soviet Relations (pre-1945) United Nations General assembly and Security Council Atomic Energy Commission International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) Rebuild Soviets decline (capitalism Nuremburg trials

U.S. – Soviet Relations (pre-1945) Satellites in East Europe USSR occupies many central and eastern European countries Hold/Manipulate Elections Communism in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia

U.S. – Soviet Relations (pre-1945) Germany Occupation zones turn into two countries Soviets want weak Germany US and GB want economic recovery Berlin Iron Curtain Spy ring stealing atomic secrets and occupation of northern Iran Churchill declares “An iron curtain has descended across the continent” Containment policy