Origins of the Cold War

FDR & the United Nations April 12, 1945 – FDR dies and Harry Truman becomes president of the United States June 26, 1945 – Representatives from 50 nations sign a the charter establishing the United Nations – The U.N. is intended to promote peace and international cooperation.

Former Allies Clash USA & USSR – Ideological opposites – Communism v. Capitalism/Democracy – Suspicions grow during the war; USSR former allies of Hitler/Germany USSR resents delay in opening 2 nd front in France Stalin upset U.S. kept atomic bomb a secret The Potsdam Conference, July 1945 – It becomes clear that Stalin is not going to allow free elections in Poland;

The Iron Curtain After suffering heavy losses during the war, Soviets feel justified in claiming Eastern Europe: – Satellite Nations – Soviet controlled communist governments are installed in Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia & Poland; These nations act as a buffer between the U.S.S.R. and the West – Europe is divided into two political regions, separated by an “Iron Curtain” Communist Eastern Europe Democratic Western Europe

The Cold War Begins In response to the Soviet threat, the U.S. decides to pursue a policy of containment – Taking measures to prevent the further spread of communism around the world. These conflicting goals led to a state of hostility between the U.S. and Soviet Union known as the cold war – No direct battlefield confrontation – Lasted until 1991

The Truman Doctrine In 1947, President Truman announced what would become known as the Truman Doctrine: – The policy of providing economic and military aid to free nations threatened by internal/external opponents – Marshal Plan – The plan to provide economic aid to European nations in order to assist with rebuilding after WWII **Prevent the further spread of communism by helping countries become economically stable**

The First, Second and Third World

Cold War Conflicts – Soviets blockade West Berlin – Berlin Airlift delivers food/supplies to West Berlin Formation of the NATO defensive alliance – 1955 USSR & 8 Eastern European nations form the Warsaw Pact May, 1949 – China falls to the communists – People’s Republic of China established under the leadership of Mao Zedong June 1950 – North Korea invades the South, beginning the Korean War – N. Korea supported by China and Soviet Union – S. Korea supported by the U.N and United States