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Published byDarcy Wheeler Modified over 9 years ago
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At the conclusion of World War II, the celebratory shouts of Americans could be heard around the globe. However, the Great Depression was not too far removed, and questions of economic stability were in the forefront of American minds. The cheers began to fade entirely when the Soviet threat reared its ugly head and Americans gripped for another international conflict. The Cold War did not result in direct conflict with the Soviet Union; however, it did lead to anxiety at home and proxy wars abroad.
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The Big Three meet in Feb. 1945 ▪ Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin Discuss postwar fates Pre A-bomb testing Occupation zones ▪ Germany, Eastern Europe, and Far East ▪ Military sprawl Concessions ▪ Roosevelt to Stalin Reparations from Germany ▪ Stalin to Roosevelt Promises free elections Germany surrenders in May
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Problems ▪ Political and economic philosophies ▪ Capitalist systems vs. communism ▪ Delayed U.S. diplomatic recognition (1933) of Soviet Union ▪ Soviet-Germany Non-Aggression Pact ▪ Delay of sending troops to the Eastern front ▪ Soviets left out of the atomic secrets of other allies ▪ Terminated Lend-Lease—denied loans ▪ Called ships back Visions ▪ Stalin wanted buffer states “satellites” ▪ Roosevelt—”open world” ▪ Both isolationists prior to WWII ▪ Missionary diplomacy
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The Big Three meet in July 1945 ▪ Truman, Churchill/Attlee, Stalin Tensions rise: ▪ Stalin reneges on free elections in Poland ▪ Truman reneges on reparations for Russia outside of occupation zones ▪ Eastern Europe? ▪ Capitalism and U.S. markets? ▪ Soviet buffer? ▪ A-bomb announced
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International Organizations International Monetary Fund (IMF) ▪ Regulates currency exchange rate World Bank ▪ Promotes economic growth United Nations ▪ Security Council and Assembly ▪ Promoted “great power” cooperation
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Cold War timeline: 1945—1991 1. Europe Turkey, Greece, and Eastern Bloc 2. The Far East China, Korea, and Vietnam 3. Latin America/Caribbean Guatemala, Cuba, Nicaragua (many more) Note: phases overlap
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“Iron Curtain” Speech ▪ Winston Churchill The Middle East ▪ Stalin wants Iranian oil—uses troops The Truman Doctrine (1947) ▪ Containment ▪ Greece and Turkey ▪ $ 400 million in military aid Positions harden globally The Marshall Plan (1948-1952) ▪ Rebuild Europe with American aid ▪ $13 billion—4 years ▪ Russia rejects offer ▪ “economic imperialism” Creation of Israel
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National Security Act (1947) ▪ Creates Department of Defense ▪ Secretary of Defense ▪ Joint Chiefs of Staff National Security Council (NSC) ▪ Advise president on military policy Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ▪ Fact gathering + Selective Service reinstated
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Justice? Nuremburg Trials (1945-46) ▪ Nazi war crimes—22 to be tried— 12 hanged Visions of Germany—differ ▪ Economic health vital to all Germany divided ▪ Allies get slices of Germany ▪ Question of unification ▪ Soviets—NO! ▪ 1948—Berlin Blockade Berlin Airlift ▪ June 1948—May 1949
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Established 1949 ▪ U.S. foreign policy? ▪ Departure ▪ Military alliance ▪ Defensive!!!!!!!
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Japanese reconstruction General MacArthur ▪ Democratizes Japan and prosecutes war criminals Successful in aims China Falls to communism ▪ Civil war renewed ▪ Nationalists v. Communists Chiang Kai-shek—leader of Nationals—corrupt! Mao Zedong—leader of Communists—peasant support Containment fails—Chiang forced off mainland China Truman Doctrine=$3 billion to Nationals China goes commie in 1949
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Korea Divided at the 38 th parallel ▪ Commie North—Democratic South N. Korea invades S. Korea (25 June 1950) ▪ NSC-68 ▪ Orders massive American military build up United Nations declares a police action ▪ Soviets absent—no veto ▪ Protest over China ▪ Truman orders MacArthur to take command
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Military see-saw Chinese join war effort MacArthur suggests retaliation on China ▪ Openly criticizes Truman—MacArthur is fired Armistice ▪ Korea remains divided—demilitarized zone ▪ President Eisenhower Costs 54,000 men die ▪ 36,000 Americans $67 billion
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