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Today’s Agenda CNN Student News
American Motives at the Start of the Cold War Berlin Blockade & Formation of NATO Video Review Activity - Build Knowledge
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Relevant Unit 2.1 Guiding Questions
Why did the USA-USSR alliance begin to break down in 1945? How did the USSR gain control of Eastern Europe by 1948? How did the USA react to Soviet expansion? What were the consequences of the Berlin blockade? Who was more to blame for starting the Cold War: the USA or the USSR?
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Berlin Blockade & NATO You should be able to
Describe situation in Europe post-Yalta & Potsdam Agreements Identify George Kennan & explain Containment theory Explain why USA decided to confront the USSR and how it responded Explain Berlin Blockade – Causes & Effects Provide additional reasons why USSR and USA may be to blame for the Cold War
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Yalta & Potsdam Aftermath
Soviets disregard Western powers desire for free elections / governments in Eastern Europe and gradually install hard-line communist governments in their puppet states Soviets have largest military force in the world and seems willing to use it against the West Western European countries may elect communist governments because economic conditions are so bad Why are Soviets acting this way and what is USA to do?
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George Kennan & Containment
“Long Telegram” Soviet policy is a continuation of traditional Russian policy of hostility of the outside world Soviet leaders, as (Russians) in past, feel threatened and insecure because the West is more advanced. To remove threat, Soviets want to destroy Western world Marxism teaches that conflicts in society can’t be solved peacefully USSR will use every method possible to smash Western democracy Soviet leaders are fanatics and cannot be trusted Soviet communism would eventually collapse internally
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Why was USA willing to confront USSR?
Lesson of 1930s: Appeasement doesn’t work Wealth and self-confidence of Americans after the war American had atomic bomb monopoly (until 1949) George Kennan’s influence
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USA Response Truman Doctrine
Advice Economic Support (Marshall Plan) Military Aid as necessary USA and GB merge their German zones of occupation into one zone (Bizonia) and start making plans to incorporate a separate western Germany into Western European family Worthless West German currency replaced by deutschmark Secret meeting between Western Allies – Soviets not invited Stalin responds… establish a blockade
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Berlin Blockade Berlin split into 4 zones of occupation
2M people in West Berlin Soviets block water, highway and rail routes - thought aerial resupply was impossible USA/GB did not want to go to war but were committed to retaining control of West Berlin Truman saw it as the first test of the containment policy (countering Soviet aggression / attempts to expand its influence) Airlift lasted about 1 year
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Blockade Effects Western Allies accepted Germany would not be reunited
West Germany is formally founded in 1949 as democratic & capitalist Soviets direct founding of East Germany in same year as communist Western Allies founded NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to counter-act Soviet aggression First time ever the USA was part of a peace time military alliance When West Germany joins NATO in 1950s, the Soviets create a similar military alliance called the Warsaw Pact
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Video Review
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Activity – Build Knowledge
Finish answering guiding questions in red and the applicable vocabulary words. Full answers and definitions include the following: who, what, when, where, why and how. Ensure you have this information in your notes Create a picture that outlines the key content in Unit 2.1 in a systematic manner (e.g., chronological) that makes sense to you such as infographic, timeline, mind-map, etc. Check your understanding with your peers and during the mini- assessment review at our next class meeting.
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Berlin Blockade & NATO You should be able to
Describe situation in Europe post-Yalta & Potsdam Agreements Identify George Kennan & explain Containment theory Explain why USA decided to confront the USSR and how it responded Explain Berlin Blockade – Causes & Effects Capture Berlin Blockade + NATO - related reasons why USSR and USA may be to blame for the Cold War
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Relevant Unit 2.1 Guiding Questions
Why did the USA-USSR alliance begin to break down in 1945? How did the USSR gain control of Eastern Europe by 1948? How did the USA react to Soviet expansion? What were the consequences of the Berlin blockade? Who was more to blame for starting the Cold War: the USA or the USSR?
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