Origins of the Cold War U.S. History- Minority Perspectives

What will this presentation cover? Why tensions between communist and capitalist nations grew after WWII How events transpired to generate conflict What factors defined the conflict we know of as the Cold War

I heart timelines.

Timeline February 4-11, Yalta Conference Beginning of the Cold War

At the Yalta Conference the U.S.S.R. agreed to Free elections in Eastern Europe after the war Share the occupation of German territory, specifically Berlin, with France, U.K., and U.S.A. Join in the United Nations as a permanent member of the Security Council

Timeline August 6, U.S. first uses an atomic bomb for military purposes Defines one of the central conflicts of the Cold War

Timeline March, Winston Churchill introduces the term “Iron Curtain” in a speech What was the Iron Curtain?

Iron Curtain? They were metal band, right? They were a pretty big deal in the 1970’s.

From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an "iron curtain" has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia; all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject, in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and in some cases increasing measure of control from Moscow. -Winston Churchill

Timeline March, President Truman declares U.S. will have an active role in the Greek Civil War This becomes the first official U.S. policy on the Cold War

My Big Fat Greek Cold War Doctrine? Cold War Doctrine?

Truman Doctrine Containment Support “free peoples” against “armed minorities” and “outside pressure” Initially cost $400 million in aid

Timeline June, Secretary of State George Marshall proposes U.S. commit money and resources to helping Europe recover from WWII. This policy becomes known as the Marshall Plan.

$12,500,000,000!

Timeline February, Communists seize power in Czechoslovakia Serves as a powerful illustration of how quickly and completely communism can spread to a country.

That’s a lot of commies

Timeline June 24, May 12, Soviet Union uses military forces to blockade West Berlin, in an effort to force out capitalist nations. Capitalist nations respond by organizing a massive airlift aimed at bringing in necessities, like food and medical supplies, and even Christmas presents. Eventually Soviet Union concedes defeat and ceases their blockade.

Timeline June The U.S. and ten Western European nations form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Essentially creating a modern military alliance, to jointly defend against possible attacks from Communist nations.

Oh no... Don’t tempt fate

Timeline September, Mao Tsetung leads a Communist takeover of the Chinese government.

Now THAT’S a lot of commies !

Timeline September The Soviet Union demonstrates its own atomic bomb. There is now a multinational race for nuclear arms, both in the number of weapons a country has and the technological advancement of individual weapons.