1. The Cold War

2. What was the “Cold” War?
Intense political rivalry and mistrust between the U.S. and the Soviet Union
No physical fighting between the 2 countries
Various “satellite” wars (Korea, Vietnam) as the U.S. instituted its containment policy

4. Yalta Conference
February 1945: FDR, Churchill and Stalin planned for division of Germany
Germany divided into four occupation zones
East: Soviet Union
West: France, Britain, and U.S.
Berlin, the capital countries

5. Marshall Plan
June 1948
Helped European nations reconstruct their cities
Provided economic aid and vital supplies
Central to policy of containment

6. Berlin Blockade
June 24, 1948
Attempt by Joseph Stalin to stop aid to Berlin
U.S. responded with the Berlin Airlift, dropping supplies into the city from planes
Germany officially became 2 countries in 1949

7. The Containment Policy
American diplomat George Kennan proposed a foreign policy of containment
The Truman Doctrine expanded the policy of containment by stating the U.S. would send aid to countries wanting democracy

8. McCarthyism
Senator Joseph McCarthy led a political hunt for communist infiltrators in America
Targeted people in every walk of life, including the military.
Ruined reputations of many people through “blacklisting.”
Senate censured McCarthy in 1954 for unbecoming behavior.

9. Race for Space
Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first satellite in space in 1957
America followed with Explorer I in 1958
Yuri Gagarin in the Soviet Union was the first to orbit space in 1961
John Glenn of the U.S. followed in 1963

10. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
April 1949
Mutual defense pact against Soviet aggression
Soviet Union and other Communist government in Eastern Europe created the Warsaw Pact (1955)
Defense alliance against Western countries
Divided Europe into military camps and Soviet satellites

11. Original Member Nations

12. Current Member Nations

13. The U.S. and the Cold War
Korean War; U.S. led effort by 20 nations to prevent the takeover of South Korea by Communist North Korea (September 1950)
Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962) forced the Soviets to remove nuclear missiles from Cuba
Vietnam War: U.S. became involved to stop communist North Vietnam from taking over South Vietnam