1. The Origins and Early Years
of the Cold War
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2. The Cold War Definition
The Cold War is a term used to describe the time period following WWII, in which a political hostility existed between the Soviet Union and the United States led Western powers. ( )

3. The Yalta Conference February 1945
Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met at Soviet resort
Met to plan post-war world
Agreements made play an important role in the Cold War

4. The Yalta Conference Poland Poland was first item discussed
Soviet liberators in WWII had set up communist government
FDR and Churchill said people should get choice of governments.
Stalin argued that neighbor governments needed to be friendly to Soviet Union
FDR and Churchill finally allowed Communist government to remain in power
Stalin agreed that the government would include members of the pre-war Polish government, and free elections would be held as soon as possible

5. The Yalta Conference The Declaration of Liberated Europe
Asserted the right of all people to choose the form of government under which they would live
Allies agreed that the people would be allowed to “create democratic institutions of their own choice”

6. The Yalta Conference Dividing Germany
Big Three agreed to divide Germany into four zones
Great Britain, USA, Soviet Union, and France would each control one zone
The German capital of Berlin would also be broken into four zones, also controlled by these four countries
Berlin was located in the middle of the Soviet zone of Germany

7. Tensions Begin to Rise Soviet violation of Yalta promises
Two weeks after Yalta, Soviets pressured king of Romania to appoint a communist government
Refused to allow more than three non-Communist Poles to serve on 18 member Polish government
United States accused Soviet Union and Stalin of violating Declaration of Liberated Europe, and promises made

8. Truman Takes Control
Truman becomes president when FDR dies in April 1945
Strongly anti-Communist
Felt that WWII had been caused by appeasement of Hitler
Refused to make the same mistake with Stalin
Ten days after taking office demanded that Stalin hold free elections in Poland, as he had promised at Yalta
Marked an important shift in Soviet-American relations

9. The Potsdam Conference
Goal of meeting was to work out deal on Germany
Stalin wanted Germany to pay heavy reparations- had already started stripping their zone of machinery and equipment and sending to USSR
Truman insisted that heavy reparations had caused WWII- felt that German industry MUST be allowed to recover
Suggested that Soviets use material from their zone (which was mainly agricultural)
When Soviets refuse, Truman offers a little bit of machinery from other zones
Truman also confronts Soviets about A-Bomb testing- hints US has bigger weapon
Stalin reluctantly agrees to terms- unable to get reparations they wanted

10. Failures of Potsdam
Soviets refuse to uphold the Declaration of Liberated Europe
Pro-Soviet Communist governments will be set up in much of eastern Europe
Become known as satellite nations because they were controlled by the Soviets live orbiting satellites
Winston Churchill coins the term Iron Curtain in 1946 speech

11. Containment of Communism
American diplomat in Russia sends explanation of what he sees as the reasons for Soviet behavior (Long Telegram)
Claims soviets are afraid of west
Argues that it is impossible to reach a permanent settlement
Suggests that Americans focus on containment: stopping expansion of Russian communism to other countries

12. The Truman Doctrine
Continued aggression by Soviets in Iran, the Dardanelles, and Greece in 1946 prompts president Truman to go before Congress
Requests $400 Million to fight Communist aggression around the world
Becomes known as the Truman Doctrine
Goal was to “free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside forces”
Pledged the United States to fight the spread of Communism

13. The Marshall Plan European Recovery Program- aka “The Marshall Plan”
Pumped US money into European countries to help rebuild their economies
Pushed capitalism, and weakened the appeal of Communism
Further divided Communist and non-Communist nations

14. The Berlin Air Lift
To combat Soviet influence in Germany, the US, France, and Great Britain decide to merge their zones, creating West Germany
Also combined their zones within Berlin
Soviets were still arguing for reparations from Germany, and the combinations of the zones made them realize they would never get them
In late June 1948, Soviet troops cut off all road and railroad traffic to West Berlin
Wanted the US to either change policies or abandon West Berlin
Instead of provoking war by sending troops in, Truman ordered the air force to fly supplies into Berlin
The Berlin Air Lift began in June 1948 and lasted through spring of Stalin lifts blockade on May 12, 1949