Cold War More topics

Policy of Containment Containment – American policy of keeping communism where it was (and to not continue to spread) Overall policy which led to paranoia like the Domino Theory

Post-Stalin Soviet Union Stalin died of complications from a stroke in 1953 Directly responsible for the deaths of 3 million Soviets; indirectly responsible for millions more Succeeded by Nikita Khrushchev, who was in power until 1964 Separated himself from Stalin by denouncing him as a drunk and an abuser of power – tried to win over support of the vast Soviet Union and usher in a new era of modernity

US-Soviet Relations in the 1960s Even without the Vietnam War, the 1960s marked the most tense time in the Cold War Began with the presence of Soviet ideology in Western hemisphere – Cuba. Cuba had been a Spanish colony- finally earned freedom in 1902 after Spanish-American War Cuba had trouble with keeping a stable government – many power struggles ensued Economically prosperous but with a big gap between rich and poor “President” (dictator) Fulgencio Batista ultimately overthrown by communist revolution

Cuban Revolution Led by Fidel Castro – began in 1956, succeeded 3 years later Goal was to end the reign of Batista who was seen as oppressive and corrupt Claimed to not be communist, but… purged all former authority figures – execution or prison Nationalized land and businesses

Trouble with US President Kennedy’s (JFK) administration tried to end Castro’s control through an invasion of Cuba Bay of Pigs (April 1961) - FAILED attempt Trained Cuban exiles to recapture control of the island Led to over 4000 deaths and a number of arrests Made Castro suspicious of US government Cuban Missile Crisis – Fall 1962 Heightened tensions due to Khrushchev and Castro planning a Soviet missile base on Cuba (just in case…) US already had missiles in Turkey (also, just in case…) Eventually Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed to a hotline between Moscow and DC to alleviate tensions

Later Years of the Cold War In the 1970s, Nixon opened up talks with communist China after many years of not recognizing their existence. Discussed and later signed a nuclear disarmament treaty – SALT (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks) - 1970 Lessening of tensions until Reagan’s administration in early 1980s - upped nuclear arsenal again

Berlin Wall – ups and….. Berlin Wall had originally been built in 1961 to separate Eastern and Western Germany’s portions of the city Symbolically became the ideological division in the world Wall was a physical representation of the tension and distrust between communists and non-communists Eastern Germans were not allowed to emigrate

…DOWNS ;) Berlin Wall was dismantled in November 1989 Marked the end to Soviet bloc in eastern Europe Fall of USSR followed in 1991 - 1992

End of Soviet Union (USSR) Mikhail Gorbachev became last head of the Soviet Union in 1985 More forward thinking Not wholly tied to party politics Introduced 2 new policies to help Soviet Union be successful – actually had negative effect on the communist system Perestroika – restructuring of economic system that allowed more individuals and outsiders to have a stake in economy Glasnost – openness, in regards to the way the country was run – more transparency, less control

Former Soviet-Controlled Countries