1. Two nations on the edge
The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union intensifies

3. The Cold War Spreads Around the World
Covert Actions in the Middle East and Latin America
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) uses spies to gather information and to launch operations to weaken or overthrow governments unfriendly to the United States
Iran
Iranian prime minister Mossadegh cuts Great Britain out of oil access in the region by nationalizing oil in Iran. Great Britain stops buying oil, plunging Iranian economy into turmoil.
Fearing that economic troubles would cause Mossadegh to turn to the Soviets for help, CIA and British SIS sent in to fund, and help stage a coup overthrowing Mossadegh, installing the pro- U.S. Shah of Iran (basically overthrew Iran’s first democratically-elected Prime Minister and replaced him with a monarchist dictator)
Guatemala
Guatemalan Revolution (1944 – 1954) began as an attempt to create a liberal democracy. In , President Jacobo Arbenz granted 200,000 acres of land to peasants. CIA trains an army and begins a campaign of fake news and constantly-broadcast threats to help depose Guatemala’s president. Fearing reprisal from U.S. forces, Guatemalan army refuses to fight for President
Army leader becomes dictator; imprisons and tortures political opponents, rolls back revolutionary reforms
Four decades of civil war would follow
Causes massive anti-American sentiment to flourish in Latin America
The Warsaw Pact
U.S.-Soviet relations thaw after Stalin’s death in 1953 (Soviets recognize West Germany)
1955: West Germany’s entry into NATO scares Soviets
Form Warsaw Pact—military alliance with 7 Eastern European countries

4. The Cold War Spreads Around the World (CONt’d)
A Summit in Geneva (1955)
Eisenhower meets Soviets in Geneva, proposes “open skies” policy
U.S. and Soviets allow flights over each other’s territory to guard against surprise nuclear attacks
Soviets reject proposal, but “spirit of Geneva” seen as step to peace
The Suez War (1955)
Gamal Abdel-Nasser plays U.S. against Soviets over Aswan Dam (tries to get financial aid for construction project from both nations)
Dulles withdraws loan offer; Nasser nationalizes Suez Canal (blocking Israeli, British, French and American access to canal)
Israel, Britain, France send troops; Americans and Soviets each demand the invasion be called off; UN intervenes
Fighting stops; Egypt keeps canal; others withdraw

5. The Cold War Spreads Around the World (Cont’d)
The Eisenhower Doctrine
Soviet prestige in Middle East rises because of support for Egypt in construction of the Aswan Dam
Eisenhower Doctrine—U.S. responds by saying it will defend Middle East against communists
The Hungarian Uprising
1956, Hungarians revolt, calling for democratic government
Imre Nagy (Communist leader) forms government, promises free elections, denounces Warsaw Pact and demands withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Hungary
Soviet forces kill 30,000 Hungarians (armed only with sticks and bottles) in streets; overthrow Nagy
U.S. does not help Soviet satellite; Soviets veto action by UN
Why do you think the United States was less determined to help fight communism in Eastern Europe than it was in east Asia or Latin America?

6. The Cold War Takes to the Skies
A New Soviet Leader
Nikita Khrushchev emerges as new Soviet leader
- believed that communism could triumph without conflict with capitalist countries.
- favored a policy of peaceful coexistence and friendly economic and scientific competition
The Space Race Begins (for international prestige)
October 1957, Soviets launch Sputnik, first artificial satellite
Shocked Americans pour money into own space program, launch their in 1958

7. The Cold War Takes to the Skies (Cont’d)
A U-2 Is Shot Down – May 1, 1960
CIA makes secret high-altitude flights with U-2 to spy on Soviets (in defiance of Soviet rejection of “open skies” policy)
Eisenhower wants flights discontinued before summit with Khrushchev on May 15, 1960 (getting nervous; U2 flights an open secret among the American press; Soviets knew they were doing it)
Francis Gary Powers shot down on last flight over Soviet territory (Soviets imprison him for 10 years)
Renewed Confrontation
Eisenhower first denies, then concedes U-2 was spying
Agrees to stop flights, but refuses to apologize as Khrushchev angrily demanded
U-2 incident renews tension between superpowers; summit cancelled, Eisenhower’s invitation to visit Soviet Union withdrawn.

8. Discussion Question
Which of the two superpowers do you think contributed more to Cold War tensions during the 1950s?
Think about:
Hungarian Uprising
Rejection of Eisenhower’s “open skies” proposal
U-2 incident
Eisenhower Doctrine
United States involvement in Guatemala and Iran.