Unit 9: The Cold War

Origins of the Cold War The Cold War lasted from the end of WWII (1945) until the collapse of the Soviet Union (1989) The United States and the Soviet Union represented different fundamental values. – The U.S. represented democracy and a free market system. – The Soviet Union was a totalitarian government with a communist (socialist) economic system.

The Truman Doctrine of “containment of communism” was a principle of foreign policy throughout the Cold War. Its goal was to keep communism from spreading and into other countries.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed as a defensive alliance among the United States and western European countries. Soviet Allies in Eastern Europe formed the Warsaw Pact.

The threat of nuclear war was ever present throughout the Cold War America, under President Eisenhower, adopted a policy of “massive retaliation” to deter any nuclear strike by the Soviets.

From Actual War to Cold War knI knI

Butter Battle Book How did this story end? – Yooks (blue) v Zooks (red) – Illustration and explanation.

Do Now: 4/10 1. What was the major reason for the Cold War? 2. What was the purpose of the Truman Doctrine? 3. All of the following Presidents were in office during the Cold War EXCEPT: – A. Harry Truman – B. Dwight D. Eisenhower – C. Ronald Reagan – D. Franklin Roosevelt

Hot Spots in a Cold War

The Korean War Goal was containment of communism. After communist North Korea invaded South Korea, American military forces led a counterattack.

Communist Chinese forces came into the war on the side of North Korea and the war eventually ended in a stalemate.

Korean War fnnqTAsS48 fnnqTAsS48

The Vietnam War Again, another goal of containment of communism. The communist government of North Vietnam attempted to force a communist government in South Vietnam. The United States help South Vietnam resist.

The American military buildup in Vietnam began under President John Kennedy After Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, the buildup was intensified under President Lyndon Johnson.

America became bitterly divided over the issue. While there was support for the American military others opposed the war, especially on college campuses.

Then, President Nixon was elected on a pledge to bring the war to an honorable end. He instituted a policy of “Vietnamization”, withdrawing American troops and replacing them with South Vietnamese forces.

Ultimately “Vietnamization” failed. President Nixon was forced out of office by the Watergate Scandal. In 1975, North and South Vietnam were merged under communist control.

Unlike veterans of WWII, Vietnam veterans returned to face indifference or outright hostility from society. It was not until several years after that Vietnam veterans were recognized.

Vietnam Clip Forrest Gump!

Cuba Cuba was also a site of Cold War confrontation. Many Cubans fled to Florida and later attempted to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro. This “Bay of Pigs” invasion failed.

In 1962, the Soviet Union stationed missiles in Cuba, instigating the Cuban Missile Crisis. President Kennedy ordered the Soviets to remove their missiles, and for 13 days the world was on the brink of nuclear war. Eventually, the Soviet leadership removed their missiles.

Cuban Missile Crisis -FLo -FLo

Classwork Create a Three flap foldable detailing the Three Hot Spots in The Cold War Also, Complete the Matching Sheet. Glue to the back of your foldable.

Do Now: What are the three hot spots during the Cold War? 2. How did the Korean and Vietnam war end? Where in the world are they located? 3. Why didn’t Vietnamization work? 4. Put these in order: – A. Vietnamization beganB. Nixon elected – C. South Vietnam fellD. Students protest war

Impact of the Cold War at Home

During this time, American schools regularly held drills to train children what to do in case of a nuclear attack (duck and cover) American citizens were urged by the government to build bomb shelters in their own basements.

The convictions of Alger Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for spying for the Soviet Union increased domestic fears of communism.

Senator Joseph McCarthy played on fears of communism by accusing many Americans of being communists. This led to the coining of the term McCarthyism – the making of false accusations based on rumor or guilt by association.

The heavy military spending led to a huge military presence in VA; especially in Hampton Roads and N. VA.

Video: Duck and Cover!

Classwork: Create your own Fall Out shelter. See worksheet for details.