1. Modern Era Review

2. What Was the Cold War?
The Cold War was a state of tension between the United States and Soviet Union
Fear of the spread of communism (system of government in which the party controls all aspects of life)
US Foreign Policy Goal: Containment of communism
Reds (communists)

3. Causes of the Cold War End of World War II Atomic bomb
Two world super powers (USA vs USSR) struggle for power in Europe
Rival alliances formed in Europe
Warsaw Pact (1955)
NATO
Expansionism – countries wanted to increase their size and power

4. Examples of Containment
Truman Doctrine (1947)
Authorized congress to give millions to Greece and Turkey to contain the spread of communism
Marshall Plan
Authorized congress to give $12 billion in aid to Western European Nations to contain the spread of communism

5. Cold War Events Berlin Airlift Berlin Wall is Built (1961)
1949 Soviets blockade access to Berlin, Germany
Allies air lift food, fuel and supplies to the residents of West Berlin for a year
Berlin Wall is Built (1961)
Wall built by Soviets divides residents of East and West Berlin until 1989.
Physical divide between democracy and communism

6. Cold War Events – Hot Wars
Korean War
North – communist forces supported by the Soviet Union
South – democratic forces supported by USA and United Nations
Divided at the 38th parallel – still divided today

7. Cold War Events – Hot Wars
Vietnam War
North – communist forces supported by the Chinese, Vietcong utilized guerilla tactics
South – democratic forces supported by USA
Many anti-war protests
The war was costly, unclear motive, not our fight, the lottery draft system was protested
Domino Theory – the belief that if Vietnam fell to communism, other countries would
Korea and Vietnam were similar in that both were efforts to contain communism

8. Cold War Events Cuban Missile Crisis October 1963 – thirteen days
Closest the world came to Nuclear War
Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles on Cuba pointed at the United States
Backyard bomb shelters
Nuclear fall out (duck and cover) drills
JFK negotiated with a blockade to force Soviet ships to turn back and remove missiles
No U.S. President was able to push Fidel Castro from power in Cuba

9. Post World War II Economy
Capitalism
Economic system in which the means of producing and distributing goods are privately owned and operated for profit
Interstate Highway System
Supported the growth of American Industry (1950s)
Led to the rise of suburban areas
G.I. Bill of Rights
Helped WWII veterans set up farms and businesses

10. Post World War II Economy
Economic Shifts/Trends
Jobs have shifted from manufacturing to service industries since the 1960s
The end of the 20th century
More products manufactured in foreign countries (unfavorable balance of trade – more imports than exports)

11. End of the Cold War Détente Cold War Ends
The easing of tensions between super powers (peace)
Cold War Ends
Breakup of the Soviet Union
Self-determination – former Soviet nations become independent (governments determining their own free will)
United Nations emerges as strong world peace keeping organization (formed after WWII)
Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

12. Watergate Scandal President Richard Nixon Covered up a burglary
Denied involvement
Was eventually found to have covered up the crime
Led to Nixon’s resignation because he knowingly approved illegal acts
Was the first President to resign from office
Would have been impeached

13. Post World War II Presidents
Lyndon B. Johnson
Signed the 1965 Civil Rights Law
Great Society Programs – helped the poor, elderly and the needy in 1960s America
Persian Gulf War (1991)
George H. W. Bush (commander in chief)
Iraq invaded Kuwait
US defends Kuwait and supply of middle eastern oil

14. Post World War II Presidents
Election of 2000
“finally a winner”
George W. Bush defeats Al Gore
Controversial ballots from Florida
USA Patriot Act
Terrorist Attacks led to USA Patriot Act
Gave the government greater powers to hunt for terrorists