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Published byElla Fowler Modified over 9 years ago
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Origins of the Cold War
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FDR & the United Nations April 12, 1945 – FDR dies and Harry Truman becomes president of the United States June 26, 1945 – Representatives from 50 nations sign a the charter establishing the United Nations – The U.N. is intended to promote peace and international cooperation.
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Former Allies Clash USA & USSR – Ideological opposites – Communism v. Capitalism/Democracy – Suspicions grow during the war; USSR former allies of Hitler/Germany USSR resents delay in opening 2 nd front in France Stalin upset U.S. kept atomic bomb a secret The Potsdam Conference, July 1945 – It becomes clear that Stalin is not going to allow free elections in Poland;
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The Iron Curtain After suffering heavy losses during the war, Soviets feel justified in claiming Eastern Europe: – Satellite Nations – Soviet controlled communist governments are installed in Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia & Poland; These nations act as a buffer between the U.S.S.R. and the West – Europe is divided into two political regions, separated by an “Iron Curtain” Communist Eastern Europe Democratic Western Europe
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The Cold War Begins In response to the Soviet threat, the U.S. decides to pursue a policy of containment – Taking measures to prevent the further spread of communism around the world. These conflicting goals led to a state of hostility between the U.S. and Soviet Union known as the cold war – No direct battlefield confrontation – Lasted until 1991
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The Truman Doctrine In 1947, President Truman announced what would become known as the Truman Doctrine: – The policy of providing economic and military aid to free nations threatened by internal/external opponents – Marshal Plan – The plan to provide economic aid to European nations in order to assist with rebuilding after WWII **Prevent the further spread of communism by helping countries become economically stable**
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The First, Second and Third World
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Cold War Conflicts 1948-1949 – Soviets blockade West Berlin – Berlin Airlift delivers food/supplies to West Berlin 1949 - Formation of the NATO defensive alliance – 1955 USSR & 8 Eastern European nations form the Warsaw Pact May, 1949 – China falls to the communists – People’s Republic of China established under the leadership of Mao Zedong June 1950 – North Korea invades the South, beginning the Korean War – N. Korea supported by China and Soviet Union – S. Korea supported by the U.N and United States
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