Origins of the Cold War

Setting the Stage A history of bad feelings between the U.S. and Soviet Union ever since the Russian Revolution in 1917 Soviets disagreed bitterly about strategy with their American and British partners during WWII

Differences at Yalta Yalta Conference – Feb – Meeting of the 3 leaders – Agreed to divide Germany 4 ways – Soviets refused to declare war on Japan – Helped to cause for more disputes

Differences in Postwar Goals Truman mentioned to Stalin that the U.S. had a new weapon of great power Stalin simply nodded his head as he already knew of the weapon from soviet spies U.S- democracy, unite Germany, and rebuild Europe Soviet Union- communism, keep Germany divided, use eastern Europe as a buffer zone

Soviets Tighten Their Hold Soviet troops rolled into Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania Spread communism to these countries, which created satellite nations Satellite nations- countries subject to Soviet domination, on the western borders of the Soviet Union that would serve as a buffer zone against attacks

Iron Curtain Iron Curtain- The nations that were under Communist domination and oppression Helped to stem the Cold War The Cold War- the competition that developed between the U.S. and the Soviet Union for power and influence in the world

Containment The U.S. had already lost Eastern Europe to communism The U.S. developed a new policy called containment- to prevent and stop the spread of communism

Quick-write What were some issues that led to the shaky relationship between the U.S. and Soviet Union? Name several and explain.