1. The Origins of the Cold War
The roots of the Cold War are planted firmly in the end of WWII.

2. End of WWII Feb. 1945: Yalta Conference
August 1945: Russia entered war against Japan, atomic bombs used, Japan surrendered
After WWII, the U.S. and the USSR entered into a competition for international power known as the Cold War.
The Soviets rebuilt and influenced E. Europe; the U.S. rebuilt and influenced the West and attempted to “contain” communism.

3. The Iron Curtain
Winston Churchill gave the Iron Curtain speech in 1946; Europe was divided into two “Spheres of Influence”
Map of the Iron Curtain

4. An example of containment.
The Truman Doctrine, 1947
President Truman outlined the Truman Doctrine to a joint session of Congress in March of 1947; focused on aid to Greece and Turkey.
An example of containment.

5. A map showing how the plan’s $20B was distributed by country
The Marshall Plan, 1947
Provided aid to W. Europe after WWII; rebuilt it and strengthened it against Soviet influence
A map showing how the plan’s $20B was distributed by country

6. NATO Treaty, 1949. Warsaw Pact, 1955.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
“Three Musketeers” mentality: an attack on one is an attack on all

7. Berlin Blockade
June 1948 through May 1949
Candy Bomber story

8. “Rise” of Communism
1949: Mao Zedong, a Communist, took control of China
1949: Soviets exploded their first atomic bomb

9. Central Historical Question
Who started the Cold War?