1. Expansion and Containment
TOP TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

2. 1
What is it?
Trying to expand your sphere of influence and attempt to stop the spread of influence of your opponent
E.g.
Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, Iran, Afghanistan

3. Classic example: Germany2
Classic example: Germany
End of WW II – Yalta and Postdam
Decision made to break Germany into 4 zones controlled by USA, USSR, France and Britain
Berlin in Soviet sector also broken into 4 zones

5. 3
1948 Berlin Airlift
Stalin annoyed with transportation going through his zone to bring supplies to Berlin
Blocks all access routes
Allies fly in all supplies for a year
Stalin gives up

6. Result of Berlin Airlift4
Result of Berlin Airlift
Increase tensions
Weakened Stalin
Solidify support for Truman Doctrine
NATO – main goal: contain Soviet influence
“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 pressures… I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes.”
(President Truman 1947)

7. Marshall Plan label

8. 5 By 1961 Division become permanent
West Germany (US, Britain and France sectors) – Federal Republic of Germany
60 million, prosperous
East Germany (USSR) – Germany Democratic Republic
16 million, stagnating
= 10,000/week migrating to West Germany, often through Berlin

9. Berlin Wall (literal containment)6
Berlin Wall (literal containment)
Boundary of French, British and US sectors blocked off overnight
Eventually wall is built
Escape attempts – increased security around wall

13. 7 German impressions Frustrated they are pawns in superpower conflict
Increased tensions = stress
Indoctrination = difficulty adjusting when unified

14. 8 1987 Reagan “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall” Gorbachev
Glasnost, perestroika
Embroiled in local issues, war in Afghanistan

15. 9
1989
East German government begins lifting restrictions on travel across borders
Gov. official mis-speaks at press conference and people flood to gates to cross border
That night start tearing down the wall
Soldiers don’t know what to do

18. 10 1990 Germany reunified under its own government
Today a major world power