The Cold War I.Causes A. Inevitable ideological conflict 1. Capitalism v. Communism 2. Democracy v. Autocracy B. Avoidable misunderstanding II.Competition in Europe A. Wartime Maneuvering—Yalta, Potsdam B. Soviet Policy C. U.S. Policy 1. Containment 2. Truman Doctrine 3. Marshall Plan III.The Struggle in Asia A. The Fall of China B. Korean War IV.Atomic Stalemate
US v. USSR
Views of Cold War Avoidable –US misunderstands Soviet psychology –USSR seeks security buffer –Reaction to war 20 million die in WWII Inevitable –Continuation of freedom struggle begun in WWII –Capitalism v. Communism –Democracy v. Dictatorship
Yalta Conference (2/45) German zones of occupation $20B reparations Free elections in Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania Soviets promise to invade Manchuria United Nations
Potsdam Conference (7/45) Changed Climate –US Power A-bomb –Leaders Truman Atlee –Bad faith
Dividing Europe
Berlin
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan Containment $13B in aid GNPs rise >15%
Red China Mao defeats Chiang One quarter of the world’s population falls under Communist rule
The Korean War 7/25/1950, North Koreans cross the 38th parallel US and UN agree to defend South Koreans
The Inchon Invasion
The 38th Parallel Northerners retreat US crosses Nov Chinese cross the Yalu River
The Impact of the War 54K American soldiers die 1.3M South Koreans 1M Chinese 500K North Koreans Korea remains divided
Soviets get the A-Bomb 9/ Soviets test “Joe” – three years ahead of schedule
H-Bomb US tests first Hydrogen Bomb-- 11/ 1/ 1952