1. Warm-Up
Based on the image of the map, what does it look like Russia is going to do? Could this have been prevented? How?

2. How did the USA attempt to stop the spread of Communism?
Warm Up
How did the USA attempt to stop the spread of Communism?

3. The Post-War Years:
Origins of the Cold War

4. Adjusting to Peace Big Idea Main Ideas
After World War II, Americans adjusted to new challenges both at home and around the world.
Main Ideas
As World War II ended, leaders began planning the future of the postwar world.
The United States and the Soviet Union went from being allies to enemies after World War II.
Americans adjusted to postwar life.
Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

5. Leaders met at Yalta Conference to discuss Europe’s future.
The Future of the Postwar World
Main Idea 1
As World War II ended, leaders began planning the future of the postwar world.
Yalta Conference
Leaders met at Yalta Conference to discuss Europe’s future.
Supported creation of international peacekeeping organization
Agreed on free elections for countries liberated from German control
Potsdam Conference
Allied leaders at Potsdam divided conquered Germany into four zones.
Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union would each control one zone.
Berlin also divided into four zones
War Crimes Trials
The Nuremberg trials put high-ranking Nazi officials on trial.
The International Military Tribunal of the Far East put Japanese officials on trial.
Importance: Established that individuals must be held responsible for committing war crimes, even when acting on behalf of a government
continued…

7. Berlin
Soviets promise to hold free elections in Berlin, do not hold up to their end of the bargain;
Instead are creating satellite countries of communism: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria
Berlin Blockade – June 24, supplies that needed to get to the ppl of Berlin were blockaded by USSR because they wanted total control of Berlin
Berlin Airlift – US and GB response to the blockade by dropping supplies, over 10 months there were over 200K flights to Berlin carrying million tons of supplies, ended May 12, 1949 when S.U. stopped blockade
Berlin Wall – created in 1961 to prevent Eastern Berlin from fleeing to Western Berlin (symbol of Iron Curtain), torn down in 1990 officially reunited Germany

8. The United Nations
United Nations – an organization dedicated to resolving international conflicts drafted by American, British, Soviet, and Chinese representatives
In 1945, representatives from 50 countries met to write the UN Charter.
One of its first major actions was to divide Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states.
May 14, 1948 – Jewish leaders announced the creation of nation of Israel.
Arab leaders protested and invaded.
Israeli forces drove Arabs back and a truce was made.

9. From Allies to Enemies
Main Idea 2
The United States and the Soviet Union went from being allies to enemies after World War II.
From Allies to Enemies
After the war, differences arose between United States and Soviet Union.
Americans committed to capitalism and democracy
Soviets hoped to spread communism around the world.
The Iron Curtain
Stalin established Communist governments in Poland and Eastern Europe, cutting them off from the rest of the world.
In 1946, Winston Churchill correctly warned that the Soviets were creating an “iron curtain” in Eastern Europe
The term iron curtain came to be used to describe this division.
The phrase Cold War came to be used to describe the struggle for global power between the Soviet Union and the United States.
continued…

10. Nuclear tensions
The USA had shown its atomic power when it exploded the A-bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.
The USSR was also developing atomic weapons/bombs.
Arms Race-The competition between the USA and the USSR, to have the best, most powerful weapons in the world.
The Space Race - was considered important because it showed the world which country had the best science, technology, and economic system.

11. U.S. Foreign Policy
Containment, or preventing the Soviet Union from expanding its influence around the world, was the major foreign policy goal in the Cold War.
Truman Doctrine – policy of providing aid to help foreign countries fight communism
Marshall Plan – Western Europe received more than $13 billion in U.S. loans and grants for European economic recovery between 1948 and 1952.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization – a coalition of the United States, nine Western European countries, Canada, and Iceland
Members promised to defend
each other if attacked.
Warsaw Pact, The Soviet Union response to NATO, by
creating the a military alliance with its Eastern European satellite countries.

12. President Truman faced many challenges for reelection.
Main Idea Post War America
Election of 1948 changes tides in America.
Election of 1948
President Truman faced many challenges for reelection.
Republicans nominate Dewey and are sure they can win.
Truman took his case for reelection to the American people.
Traveled thousands of miles and gave hundreds of speeches
In 1948 election, Truman won a surprise victory.
Even media outlets printed newspapers announcing Truman’s defeat by Thomas Dewey (Republican candidate)
Urged Congress to support his plan for a package of domestic programs called the Fair Deal
Congress approved some parts, including higher minimum wage and expanded Social Security benefits.
Congress rejected other parts, including civil rights legislation.

13. Truman Doctrine
“ I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures.” ~US President Harry S. Truman- Speaking to Congress in March 1947
This quote identifies the true purpose of the Truman Doctrine. Upon reading this quote, what do you believe the doctrine’s goal will be and who can you infer is its’ target ?

14. Digital Timeline Go to https://pincello.officetimeline.com/#/
Create a free account using your Google log-in
Create a timeline of Cold War events from
A minimum of 10 dates
When you are finished, share the link in Google Classroom