List 5 words that come to mind when you think of the Cold War…

“Russia knows what she wants; World Domination.” - George Patton The Cold War “Russia knows what she wants; World Domination.” - George Patton

The Cold War Begins 1945-1991 (ish) What is it? 46 year (ish) conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union following WWII. It is called the “Cold War” because these two nations never actually faced one another in direct military conflict.

Roots of the Cold War US and Soviets only allies in WWII because of opposition to Nazi Germany and fascism. Ideologies and Political Systems of the two are very different. Communism vs. Capitalism Following WWII, conflict over what should be done with Germany and Eastern Europe. Build up of resentment during WWII led to hostilities US furious that Stalin signed a nonaggression pact with Hitler in 1939, remember that? Also, Stalin was furious that the U.S. kept the development of the Atomic Bomb a secret. No bueno!

Roots of the Cold War United States Soviet Union Capitalist democracy Free elections Religious freedom Private property Respect for individual differences Dictatorship Gov’t makes all economic, political, and military decisions. No religious freedom, no private property.

President Harry S. Truman Honest, self-confident and could make tough decisions. Did not have a college education. Supports government programs and civil rights. When Truman took over he didn’t even know they were developing the Atomic Bomb! Haha Truman’s first big meeting with people was at the Potsdam conference with the Big Three Previously, at Yalta, the US and Britain pushed for open elections in Poland and other E. European nations after the war and Stalin agreed but then he prevented free elections in Poland and banned democratic parties so Poland was in the hand sof Pro-Soviets At Potsdam, Truman pushed Stalin to allow free elections, but he refused!!

Soviets tighten their grip.. USSR wanted communist countries they could control! Stalin installed Communist governments in… Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Poland These are called satellite nations! Depended on and dominated by the USSR USSR had suffered 20 million deaths in WWII so they felt that they needed help and almost the right to invade other paces. Stalin also seized industrial asset like factory equipment to try and rebuild the USSR! Made a speech in 1946 “Communism and capitalism were incompatible and that another war was inevitable” Said the USSR would concentrate on producing weapons rather than consumer goods. US was like WTF dude, and took it as a declaration of war!

A policy of containment Truman says: “stop babying the Soviets” Containment: To keep Communism contained within its already existing borders.

Truman Doctrine What was it? Said that the United States would aid any country that was struggling against communist movements! Ex: Turkey and Greece! Do you think this Doctrine is a good idea? Why or why not? Tried to contain in Greece and Turkey. Truman asked Congress for 400 million in economic and military aid for Greece and Turkey!

The Marshall Plan Europe is in ruins after WWII….so Marshall Plan was to give aid to all European nations that needed it “not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos It was a success! Nutrition improved. Industry grew. At this time most of Europe is bombed and people are living in refugee camps while the governments try to figure out where to replace them. So in 1947 Secretary of State George Marshall proposed that the US provides aid to all European nations that needed it…saying this omve was directed “not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos”.

Conflict in Germany US and USSR clashed over German reunification US wanted it unified, USSR wanted to keep their fourth. Western zones were recombined in 1948 (France, US and Britain’s zones) At end of WWII Germany had been divided into 4 parts but now the US, Britain and France thought that should be unified because they would be stronger and more stable. HOWEVER, Russia wanted to keep a part of Germay. So now you have Western Germany united and the Eastern part still under Russian control.

The Iron Curtain The Iron Curtain: term coined by Churchill representing the boundary dividing Eastern and Western Europe.

The Cold War Begins 1945-1991 (ish) 1. So, not that that happened, USSR holds West Berlin hostage by cutting of all highway water, and rail traffic into the western zones of Berlin. No supplies could get in so the city faced starvation!! Stalin thought this threat would force the western nations either to give up the idea of a reunified Germany or to surrender control of Berlin.

The Berlin Airlift U.S. and Britain supplied West Berlin with supplies by air; dropping them off over Berlin. West Berlin survived because of this! May 1949, Stalin gives up his blockade on West Berlin. 1. Fort 327 days planes took off and landed every few minutes, around the clock. 2.3 million tons of supplies from food to fuel and medicine and christmas presents were dropped off!

The NATO Alliance North Atlantic Treaty Organization All member countries said: “An attack on one would be seen as an attack on all” Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Canada – first to join! 1. The Cold War, therefore, ended U.S. isolationism!!!!

Now, what are 5 new words you think of when you think of the Cold War