Unit 9: The Cold War

15.1 The Beginnings of the Cold War A. The Problems of Peace What had the Allies agreed to at the Potsdam Conference? #1: Divide Germany into 4 zones of occupation. #2: Divide Berlin (the capital) into 4 zones of occupation. #3: Try Nazi leaders for war crimes (Nuremberg Trials). #4: Plan for Germany to pay reparations for war damages.

15.1 The Beginnings of the Cold War A. The Problems of Peace What was the conflict among the Allied leaders as the war came to an end? The Soviets wanted a “buffer zone” to protect them from another German invasion, so they wanted to keep control of Eastern Europe. U.S. & Great Britain wanted the countries of Eastern Europe to be free to choose democracy and to not see Communism spread.

15.1 The Beginnings of the Cold War B. The Conflict Worsens What was the Cold War? It was an era of tension and hostility between the Soviet Union and the U.S. It included a military rivalry and a struggle for control between communism and capitalist democracy. What was the “iron curtain”? This phrase was developed by Winston Churchill to describe the division of Europe he saw as a result of Soviet actions.

15.1 The Beginnings of the Cold War B. The Conflict Worsens How did Western nations try to resist the spread of Communism? #1: Truman Doctrine: U.S. pledge to provide economic & military support to those nations opposing Communist threats (Greece, Turkey). #2: Marshall Plan: U.S. provided $13 billion to help Europe rebuild & recover from the war. #3: Containment policy: resist Soviet aggression in order to contain the spread of communism.

15.1 The Beginnings of the Cold War C. Cold War Confrontations What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift? In June 1948, the Soviets blocked off West Berlin from all supplies, with the hopes the West would get out. Instead, Western nations organized an airlift, where cargo planes were dropping supplies for the residents. After nearly a year, the Soviets finally called off the blockade.

15.1 The Beginnings of the Cold War C. Cold War Confrontations What alliances formed as the Cold War began? In 1949, the U.S., Canada, and many Western European nations formed a defensive military alliance called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In response, the Soviets and it’s satellites formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955.

15.4 After the Cold War A. The Breakup of the Soviet Union What led to the collapse of the Soviet Union? The republics that made up the USSR began declaring independence in 1990, and leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev & Boris Yeltsin favored reforms.

15.4 After the Cold War A. The Breakup of the Soviet Union What problems did Russia experience once the Cold War came to an end? #1: Economic struggles as capitalism was introduced and less government support existed. #2: Ethnic unrest & fighting. #3: Challenges forming new governments.

15.4 After the Cold War B. Europe after Communism How did the end of the Cold War effect Europe politically and economically? P: Tension increased among different ethnic & religious groups. In Bosnia, Serbs used ethnic cleansing (killing or forced emigration of an ethnic group) against Bosnia Muslims. E: Some have prospered while some have suffered unemployment & low wages. Many E. Europeans have moved to the West to look for work, which has led to conflict as well.

The Impact of the European Union Click above to play the video.

15.4 After the Cold War C. The United States Today How did the end of the Cold War effect the United States economically, politically and militarily? E: Technology & the introduction of the Internet spurred economic growth, but national debt & high poverty rate are still issues. P: Economic & military issues have been a main focus. M: The Persian Gulf War, involvement with UN peacekeeping, and the War on Terror have kept us involved in conflicts around the world.