Communism vs. Democracy

Yalta Conference February 1945 Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt – Planned the immediate division of Germany Temporarily for the supervision of the peace process Different allies would supervise different regions U.S., U.S.S.R., _________, and France would control their own regions. – Planned to have a postwar peace conference to discuss long term goals

Temporary German Government In May 1945, peace was reached – Each major ally took control of their regions The Allies established the Allied ________Council for a temporary German government – All decisions had to be reached by consensus One veto meant no passed laws – The countries began running into problems France and Russia wanted to keep Germany weak. Why? England and U.S. wanted to rebuild the German economy – Countries ignored the council and made decisions for their own zones

Potsdam Conference: Friends to Enemies The Potsdam conference – No consensus on postwar Germany reached The disagreements began growing more intense. Why would problems arise between democratic and communist governments when trying to build an economy? ________ died in April 1945 – Stalin trusted F.D.R., and F.D.R. respected Stalin – Truman did not trust Stalin and caused problems

Stirring the Pot Poland had been a hot button issue at the Yalta Conference – U.S. wanted Poland to be democratic – Russia wanted Poland to be communist Once Truman began making demands for democracy in Poland, Stalin ousted all democratic components in Poland and instilled communism Why would Stalin want Poland to be communist and under the control of the Soviet Union?

Onset of the Cold War Truman was enraged Stalin: “Communist struggle for world domination would resume.” Stalin continued to interfere with democracy in eastern Europe and established communist control throughout. Churchill declared an “_______________” descended on Europe and divided the continent

Expanding Soviet Influence Greece and Turkey were in danger – Civil war in Greece between ________________ and communists – Soviet Union was pressuring Turkey Truman decided it was time to stop Soviet Expansion – He asked congress for $400 million to fund the war in Greece to help the conservatives Britain had pulled funding for their own economic reasons

The Truman Doctrine Truman felt this action was necessary to save democracy Truman Doctrine: 1947 – _________________no more isolationism The United States would contain communism wherever it tried to spread. This became our foreign policy throughout the world. This would lead us into many devastating economic and military conflicts. How has the Truman Doctrine influenced U.S. foreign policy today?

The Marshall Plan Truman Doctrine marked the start of the cold war. In order to save European Democracy, the Marshal Plan was created. – George C. Marshall Former General and Chief of Staff _________________

The Marshall Plan Goal: Rebuild Europe structurally and economically. – Why? $13 billion in aid sent to Europe from Successful – Western Europeans put the money to good use

Rebuilding Germany Western Europeans and the U.S. wanted to end the divisions remaining in Europe Germany needed unified England, France, and the U.S. merged their three sectors into the Federal Republic of Germany. – West Germany – Soviets responded by creating a communist government in East Germany controlled by Moscow German Democratic Republic

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