1. Cold War
Lecture Notes

2. Rocky Relationship
The U.S. and Soviet Union had an uneasy relationship as allies during WWII
Soviet Union was a communist nation, the U.S. strongly opposed communism
Both nations were developing nuclear weapons programs
Americans and Soviets disagreed on battle tactics and post war planning. They had shared a tense relationship since the time of WWI when the US had actively resisted the development of communism in Russia.
Stalin already had known about the Manhattan Project before its completion through information obtained by Soviet spies.

3. Germany
Divided into four occupation zones following WWII at the Yalta Conference
American, British, French, Soviet
Berlin (within East Germany) divided as well

4. Poland
Soviet (“Red”) Army occupied Poland and supported Communist government
U.S. wanted to let Poles chose their own type of government
Soviets would prevent elections in Poland
The USSR saw Poland as vital to their security. It had historically been an invasion route to Russia, and they wanted to make sure that Poland would be sympathetic to Russia’s security.
The future of Poland would prove to be the most divisive issue between the US and Soviets during the post-war period.

5. The Iron Curtain
Winston Churchill warned the U.S. that the West must respond to the Soviet threat
Communism was gaining hold in Eastern Europe
Satellite nations: country under the control of a foreign power

6. The Truman Doctrine
Stated that the U.S. would support nations that were threatened by communism
first act was to offer aid of $400 million to Greece and Turkey to protect from Soviets
America assumed a leadership role in the world
Britain had long been the protector of Greece and Turkey, but the economic devastation brought about by WWII would make them unable to continue to provide aid. By offering assistance, the US took a bold step in asserting its new leadership role in the world.

7. A Cold War Has Begun
Soviet Union successfully tests atomic bomb –September 1949
US develops hydrogen bomb -1952
“Duck and Cover”
What does this safety video tell us about American life during the Cold War?
Video: 9 minutes

8. The Politics of the Korean War
Both sides gained, then lost, ground in the conflict
UN forces were under the control of Gen. Douglas MacArthur
fired after publicly criticizing Truman for limiting the war
Armistice ended the war in 1953, resulting in roughly the same boundary as before the war

9. The Loyalty Program
1947: New employees hired by the federal government were to be investigated.
FBI checking files for “suspicious activity”
Loyalty Review Board
Innocent until proven guilty?
Heighted paranoia and suspicion

10. Social Hysteria Formula
Fear
(often irrational &/or ignorant) ↓
Hatred
(prejudice, paranoia)
Action
(violent, legal, political)

11. Are you on the blacklist?
Joseph McCarthy –Senator from Wisconsin
List of 205 people known to be “Communist” by the secretary of state, but are still working at the State Department.
Sense of fear so heightened that very few were courageous enough to stand against him.
What other event in US history does this connect to?
Only needed to be accused, not convicted. Smear Campaign