The Cold War Begins

Truman as President Very little political experience “Average man”—didn’t have a college education At first seemed unable to fill FDR’s shoes Grew into his role Stubborn Stood up to Stalin “Buck stops here”

Wartime Tensions between US and USSR Evident during Yalta conference Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin agreed to plans to defeat Germany Stalin promised free elections in Poland and other Eastern European countries Allies agreed to divide Germany Stalin promised to enter war against Japan, Roosevelt promised him territory in Pacific Many of Yalta promises were later broken

The Inevitable Cold War Long standing mutual suspicions Communism and capitalism were historically hostile philosophies USSR resented US for delaying 2 nd front, and developing a-bomb DIFFERENT VISIONS OF POSTWAR WORLD!! Soviets wanted to expand to create “buffer zone” US wanted to CONTAIN Communism, spread democracy

Shaping the Postwar World 1944 Bretton Woods Meeting: Allies established International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank IMF: Encourages trade by regulating currency rates World Bank: Promotes economic development in underveloped areas Creation of United Nations Created before end of war Countries in Security Council (US, Britain, USSR, France, China) had veto powers US plays big role Failed chance to outlaw atomic weapons

How to Deal With Germany? Punishing the Nazis: Nuremberg Trials 22 Nazis tried, 12 put to death, 7 sentenced to life in jail Conflict over what to do with Germany: Soviets and some in US wanted to punish Germany, force it to pay reparations Most in US wanted Germany to be strong to avoid another war and spread of Communism.

The Berlin Blockade Germany and Berlin divided by Allies and Soviet Union Soviets afraid Americans were trying to unite their parts to create a capitalist West Germany. Stalin responds to plan for new currency with blockade of West Berlin in Cut off all inhabitants from West Berlin of fuel, power and food.

US Response: Berlin Airlift US airlifted supplies into Berlin Attempt to aid Germans and avoid all-out war with Soviets After a year, Stalin ended blockade Germany remained divided—built Berlin Wall in 1961.

The Berlin Wall: The Real “Iron Curtain”

Containment and The Truman Doctrine George Kennan, US diplomat, proposed US policy of CONTAINMENT Primary goal is to keep communism within its present territory, and not allow it to spread anywhere else Truman Doctrine (1947)—key example $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to fight against communism US believes it is its responsibility to combat communism all over the world. Reinhold Niebuhr: Good v. Evil Shows US and USSR competing for territory globally.

The Marshall Plan US wanted to strengthen Western Europe to make sure countries wouldn’t fall to Communism 1947: Plan called for $17 billion in aid to Europe Soviets offered aid, but refused Saw it as a plot to strengthen capitalism Economic alliances increased division between two.

Truman Recognizes Israel Israel created in 1948 as refuge for Jews after Holocaust Arab world resented Israel, and the US needed Arabs for oil Truman risked all of this by officially recognizing Israel Wanted to pre-empt Soviet influence in Jewish state, and get support of Jewish voters