1. End of WWII, Start of the Cold War

2. Yalta Conference Feb 1945 Roosevelt is about to die
Soviets were marching into Germany
Red Army was occupying most of Eastern Europe
Further planned for Post War Europe
Russians establish communist governments wherever they had control
Churchill and Roosevelt wanted free elections

3. Stalin Agreed to…
To Declare war on Japan after Germany surrendered within 2-3 months
Partition of Germany into 4 Zones- Russian, US, British, and Frence, in Exchange for:
Influence in Manchuria
Return of land lost in Russo-Japanese War (1904)

5. Why does Roosevelt give in to Stalin’s Post War plans?
Germany had invaded Russia twice, killed millions of Russians- Roosevelt was sympathetic to Stalin’s idea of Sphere of Influence/Buffer States
Roosevelt wanted help from Russians with the Fight against Japan (Russia didn’t declare war on Japan until 2 days before war was over)
Buffer Zone will later turn into the Communist Block or Warsaw Pact- The instillation of communist controlled governments along the Western border of Russia:
East Germany, Poland, Baltic States, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria…
Later known as the Iron Curtain phrase was coined by Churchill at
Stalin broke promises
“We can’t do business with Stalin. He has broken everyone of the promises he made at Yalta.” FDR

6. Iron Curtain Speech
Churchill talked about how wrong it was that the Russians were occupying European countries.
He spoke of all the terrible things that were going on within these countries, and of the threats and dangers of Communism.
Churchill also described an "Iron Curtain" which prevented all communication and connection between the Soviets and Europe “An iron curtain has descended across the Continent."

7. How does the use of the atomic bomb on Japan fit into the Cold War?
The use of the Bomb makes Stalin want speed up research and espionage on a Russian Bomb.
Some believe that the decision to drop the bomb was in part a message to Stalin that the US was capable and prepared to use it against Russia if war broke out again.

8. Containment in Europe and the Middle East
George F. Kennan- American diplomat in Moscow, expert on Russian history
8,000 word telegram- advice on how US should deal with Soviet Union and Communism spread
Stated the Soviet Union was paranoid of Western attack
Suggested “containment strategy”- prevent the spread of communism
Communism in Europe would eventually die out!
Truman and subsequent presidents adopt this view.

9. Truman Doctrine 1947
Secretary of State- Dean Acheson (Strong Anti-Communist) suggests to Truman, if Greece falls to communism- Turkey and other countries will fall…
US policy will aid all countries in the world that are suffering from communist subversion
Primarily economic aid (Marshall Plan) but will also include military equipment and training
Congress will appropriate $400 million
Policy will be replicated by subsequent presidents

10. “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 by outside pressure.”

11. Marshall Plan 1947 George Marshall, Secretary of State for Truman
Former Chief of Staff for the Army- coordinated the American strategy WWII
Feared further communist popularity in post-war Europe (Socialist movements were gaining power France, Italy, due to- severe destruction, economic declines brought by the war- In bad economic circumstances Communism sounds like a good idea)
Proposes a plan to offer Massive Economic Aid to European countries to help rebuild economies and prevent attractiveness of communism ($11 Billion in 3yrs)
Complemented Truman Doctrine

12. Berlin Crisis 1948-49 Part of the settlement at Potsdam
Germany was to be partitioned 4 administrative areas
Berlin also divided
When the US, France, and Britain prepared unite the Western portion of Germany and the Western portion of Berlin…
Russians tried to force Western powers out of Berlin preventing access to the Western portion of the city (Blockade)
Truman responds with Berlin Airlift supplying Berlin by air, 13,000 tons of supplies per day, airlift lasts 300 days

13. West Germany- Federal Republic of Germany (pro USA)
East Germany- German Democratic Republic (GDR)

14. NATO 1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Cold War defensive alliance between countries in Europe and the United States
Europeans invited the United States to take an active role in European defense
“An armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America… an attack against all”