1. The Cold War

2. Definitions Marshall Plan Containment Policy Domino Theory
US gave aid to Europe to rebuild after WWII and prevent Communism spread
Containment Policy
Idea to prevent communism from spreading to any new country
Domino Theory
That if one country became communist, then another will, and then another and then …
Iron Curtain
Name given to the divide in Europe by Churchill

4. The Problem in Germany
Germany was divided into four parts after the war including Berlin
US, France, and Britain combined their parts of Germany (West Germany).
The Soviets viewed this as a threat, so they set up a blockade around West Berlin to prevent food and other supplies from reaching the city.
Berlin Airlift

5. The Space Race
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched its first satellite, Sputnik, into orbit around Earth, inaugurating what became known as the Space Race
The US eventually lands a man on the moon

6. The Arms Race
America and Russia both begin making more and even larger nuclear bombs trying to outdo each other

7. Cuban Missile Crises Cuba becomes communist under Fidel Castro
Failed Bay of Pigs invasion by America to overthrow Castro
Cuban Missile Crises
Russia places Nukes at Cuba

8. Korean War
After WWII USSR took over the North Part of Korea, Japan surrendered the Southern part to the United States
North Korea attacks South Korea in 1950
United States and 16 other countries sent troops to help under the lead of General Macarthur

9. Korean War North Korea takes over South Korea
America pushes North Korea back to China
China enters the war and pushes America back to the original dividing line
America still keeps troops on the border, no mans land

10. World War III?
Macarthur advised the USA that since China backed up North Korea the USA should attack China
Macarthur’s plan would be to drop nuclear bombs on China and go to war against China and the USSR
President Truman fired Macarthur after refusing to give up on his plan

11. Random happenstance of the war
Several Soviet Spies were caught in the US
Senator McCarthy
Started making wild accusations that the USA had tons of Soviet Spies, and started persecuting innocent people
U2 Incident
USSR shot down an American Spy plane during peace talks

12. Other aspects of the Cold War
America overthrew government and helped dictators in Central and South America to prevent communism from spreading
This included the countries of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Chile etc…

13. Afghanistan War 1979 USSR invades Afghanistan
America secretly helps the Afghanistans defeat the USSR in a long drawn out war
Afterwards the US decided not to support the rebuilding effort in Afghanistan

14. Osama Bin Laden
Bin Laden a millionaire from Saudi Arabia decides to help rebuild Afghanistan
He becomes a hero of the country and the Taliban takes over
Later becomes the leader of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda

15. The Final Decades of the Cold War Era
In 1980,the U.S. and the Soviets had about 12,000 missiles pointing at each other ready to be used.
“Star Wars” laser defense shield lie
The Soviets could not financially compete in the arms race.

16. The Thaw - Gorbachev Started new policies Glasnost
Openness, to end censorship, talk about problems with the government
Perestroika
Restructuring of the government
Allowing some free trade

17. End of the Cold War Gorbachev tore down the Berlin Wall (1989)
Many of the Satellite countries left the USSR
When Gorbachev resigned from presidency there was no longer a USSR