10-1: The Early Cold War 1945-1953

Thematic Learning Objectives WOR 2.0 Analyze the reasons for and results of U.S. diplomatic, economic, and military initiatives in North America and overseas. WXT 2.0 Explain how patterns of exchange, markets, and private enterprise have developed, and analyze ways that governments have responded to economic issues.

Key Concept The United States responded to an uncertain and unstable postwar world by asserting and working to maintain a position of global leadership, with far- reaching domestic and international consequences.

Overview U.S. in position of global leadership Cold War marked by: Direct confrontation Indirect confrontation Détente Debates over acceptable means for pursuing international goals

Post-WWII Diplomacy End of the war exposed ideological differences How do we view the world? West—capitalist democracies East—communism Beginnings of Cold War Decades-long power struggle between the U.S. and USSR USSR first nuclear test in 1949

Containment in Europe Soviet Satellite States, 1947 “Iron Curtain” Foreign policy designed to block Soviet expansion Assumed USSR would back down in face of opposition Truman Doctrine U.S. would support “free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugations by armed minorities or by outside pressures”

Containment in Europe Marshall Plan Economic aid ($12 billion) to war-torn Europe Promote socio-economic recovery Limit communist influence (containment) In return, countries expected to be U.S. allies Aid to Greece (civil war) and Turkey (Soviet trade interference)

Beginnings of the Cold War NATO vs. the Warsaw Pact Defensive military alliances U.S. breaking from isolationist tradition in favor of collective security Partition of Germany West Germany unified USSR cut access to West Berlin Berlin Airlift, 1947

The Cold War in Asia China $2 billion in U.S. aid (like Marshall Plan) Communist Revolution and the rise of Mao Loss of nationalist China—defeat of containment U.S. non-recognition Continued anti- communist hysteria

The Cold War in Asia Korean War, 1950-1953 North Korean invasion of the South Unanimous UN condemnation of North Korea USSR absence—no veto power War fought with UN approval, unlike in Vietnam Containment extended to Asia After “loss” of China, Truman determined to defend South Korea

The Cold War in Asia Korean War, 1950-1953 Peace Agreement UN support for South Koreans Limited war Chinese entry (Yalu River) General Douglas MacArthur Planned attack on China Relieved of command Peace Agreement Armistice (cease-fire) Pre-war boundaries