The Cold War – Day 2 Explain what caused the Cold War. Describe U.S. strategy during the Cold War.

Bell Work 2 What’s the most intelligent mammal after man? The chimpanzee Define Conservative according to Zinn. Someone who wants to preserve the existing order of society, government, and the economy. They place high value on security, stability and establishing institutions. Define Liberal according to Zinn. Someone who supports progress, often through change. They tend to place high value on individual rights, civil liberties and direct participation in government. Time Table Bell Work – 10 min. Lecture Notes – 25 min. The Butter Battle Book – 10 min. Maps – 5 min. Basil: Austin, the Cold War is over! Austin Powers: Finally those capitalist pigs will pay for their crimes, eh? Eh comrades? Eh? Basil: Austin... we won. Austin Powers: Oh, smashing, groovy, yay capitalism!

The Cold War Begins With once powerful Germany, Japan and Great Britain weakened, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were left in an intense rivalry for international dominance. This competition for global power and influence between these two superpowers became known as the Cold War. Although waged mostly on political and economic fronts, the threat of all-out war was always present.

Origins of the Cold War The U.S. was committed to the principals of democratic government, individual freedom, and a capitalistic economy. The Soviet system was founded on Communism and evolved into a state-run economy, one-party rule, suppression of religion, and the use of force to crush opposition. Soviet acquisition of territory and expansionism fueled American mistrust. These satellite nations included Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. As well as parts of Poland and Romania.

Atomic Weapon Deadlock After World War II the Soviet Union began developing atomic technology. Despite a push for international control of atomic energy, neither country was willing to compromise. In 1949 the Soviets tested their first atomic bomb and the feared arms race became a reality.

Containment The Truman Doctrine became a policy to support free people resisting conquest. In support of Truman’s plan, Congress approved $400 million in support of Greece and Turkey. Secretary of State George C. Marshall pushed through his Marshall Plans for $17 billion in economic aid to Europe to help avoid a complete collapse.

Crisis in Berlin As a result of the Marshall Plan the non-Soviet zones of Germany grew stronger. In 1948, Britain, France and the U.S. announced to combine their zones to form a West German government. In opposition to this, the Soviet Union blocked all transportation of goods to Berlin from West Germany. The hope was to drive all Western powers out of Berlin. Western leaders responded with the Berlin Airlift, as 2 million tons of food and supplies were airlifted into the city. The success embarrassed the Soviets. Soon after the airlift, West and East Germany were formed and the division lasted for 40 years.

NATO In 1949, nine Western European nations joined the U.S., Canada, and Iceland in a military alliance called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Under the terms of NATO, each member nation pledged to defend the others in the event of an outside attack. Dwight D. Eisenhower became the supreme commander of NATO forces. The U.S. gave massive military aid to its European allies. In response, the Soviet Union formed its own military alliance with communist countries in eastern Europe known as the Warsaw Pact.