1. The Cold War
Overview Notes

2. The Basics Lasted from 1945-1991
Elevated tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union
Plus the allies of each country
Commonly referred to as East vs. West
Never escalated into a full scale war between the two
There were “hot spots” where tensions flared up

3. The Basics
The Cold War was really about Communism vs. Democracy (and Capitalism)

4. New Alliances Emerge
As a result of these tensions, two new military alliances emerged:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
U.S. and allies
Warsaw Pact
Soviet Union and allies

5. NATO VS. Warsaw In Europe

6. Events that Shaped the “Conflict”
Cold War
Events that Shaped the “Conflict”

7. The Berlin Wall Built to keep East and West Berlin separated
Became the symbol of the Cold War

9. The Cuban Missile Crisis
In 1959, Fidel Castro set up a communist state in Cuba
In 1962, the U.S. found out that he was allowing the Soviet Union to put nukes on the island
Only 90 miles from U.S.
World almost goes to nuclear war because of it

11. Proxy Wars
Throughout the Cold War era, the Soviet Union and United States engaged in “proxy wars”
Wars in which they would support different sides, but not directly fight each other
Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan are the main examples
A direct fight between US and USSR could mean World War Three!

12. Proxy Wars Korean War Vietnam War
Korea was divided between North (communist) and South (democratic) after WWII
US sends troops to support South Korea when invaded
War is technically not over, just in a period of armistice
Vietnam was also divided between Communist North and Democratic South after WWII
US fought to stop spread of communism there from
US feared “domino theory” if Vietnam became communist

13. Korean War
Vietnam War

14. The Space Race
The U.S. and Soviets competed to see who was superior scientifically
Technology to fire rockets into space could also be used to launch missiles
Soviets have early victories, but U.S. beats them to the moon

15. Nuclear Arms Race
Both sides tried to develop more nuclear weapons than the other
Tested weapons all through the 1950’s and 1960’s
Threat of nuclear war was very real and always a concern for people
US and Soviets agreed to what was known as MAD – Mutually Assured Destruction

16. Nuclear Arms Buildup

17. “Duck and Cover” video

18. The End of the Cold War Overview Notes Vs. Ronald Reagan
Mikhail Gorbachev

19. The 1970’s Cold War “cooled off” during this period Known as “détente”
French for “relaxing”
Fear of nuclear war was reduced as weapon buildups halted

20. Nuclear Arms Reductions

21. The 1980’s Tensions build again in the 1980’s
Ronald Reagan becomes U.S. president
Has a new idea for ending the Cold War – bankrupt the Soviet Union!

22. The 1980’s
Reagan’s plan called for restarting the arms race and forcing the Soviet Union to keep up
He knew the S.U. economy would fail and people would call for reforms

24. The 1980’s
Reagan’s rival in the S.U. – Mikhail Gorbachev – tried to reform the country by easing government roles
Perestroika and Glasnost
This plan backfired and people wanted more of the freedom that he had given them

25. The End By 1989 the Berlin Wall was torn down by unhappy Germans
One-by-one, the states of the S.U. demanded freedom
The Soviet Union officially dissolved on December 31, 1991