1. Causes and Consequences
The Cold War
Causes and Consequences

2. What is the Cold War? Lasts from 1946 – 1991
A period of tension and hostility between the USA and its Allies versus the USSR and its Allies.
During this period, the USA and USSR never fought directly against each other.
However, they were violent conflicts involving other Nations (Korean War, Vietnam War, Afghan War)
Both side engaged in espionage (spying) and a massive arms race developed

3. Long Term Causes
The North America and Western Europe have been opposed to Communist rule in Russia since the beginning
The USSR was treated like and outcast (denied entry in the League of Nations)
Communism calls for violent revolution (the USSR was accused of sending agents to other countries during the depression to destroy western governments)
Clearly before WWII, the USA (along with Canada and Europe) and USSR were enemies

4. Short Term Causes
During WWII, the USA and USSR were allies of convenience
However, when the war ended, both sides had very different ideas on how Europe should be re-built
The USSR wanted to destroy Germany completely, take territory, and protect itself from future attacks by creating a “buffer zone” (Basically, they wanted communist governments in countries along their border)
The USA wanted “Free Elections” in liberated countries, rebuild Europe and help Germany become a prosperous and responsible country
At first, both sides argued but soon communication stopped completely

5. Igor Gouzenko Clerk working in the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa
Called home after the war
However, wanted to stay in Canada
Went to RCMP with secret documents proving the Soviets were spying on their war-time Allies (in exchange for asylum in Canada)
Gouzenko exposed several “sleeper agents” across North America that were trying to steal Nuclear Secrets and other technology.
18 people (including a Member of Parliament) were convicted in Canada
Gouzenko proved that Canada was at war with the USSR whether we liked it or not

6. The Iron Curtain
After WWII, the Soviet Union took control of the countries in Eastern Europe (Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Romania etc)
Communist governments were installed in these countries and their people could not leave or communicate with the outside world
The line between the free nations of Western Europe and the communists of Eastern Europe was named the “Iron Curtain” because of the lack of communication between both sides and the massive opposing armies that faced each other

8. The Importance of the Cold War
The Cold War was the most important political situation of the last 60 years.
In some way, the cold war involved in most of the conflicts around the world
Thousands were killed and governments around the world rose and fell because of the interference of the two great powers
However, the greatest importance of the cold war was the fear it generated
The Nuclear Arms race between the USA and USSR produced enough weapons to kill everything on the planet 7 times

13. Sputnik 1 and M.A.D.
The worlds first man-made satellite (launched by the Soviets
Basically just a small radio transmitter
However, it was launched into space by a very powerful rocket
This rocket was powerful enough to reach anywhere around the globe at a speed so great, it would be impossible to stop
These rockets were used to create nuclear tipped Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)
There was no defense against this weapon
Therefore, the USA built their own and aimed them at the USSR
The world was kept peaceful because of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.)
Basically, if one country launched its ICBMs, everybody dies

21. Key Points
The Cold war was caused because of the distrust between the Western World and the Communists as well as the conditions after WWII
Igor Gouzenko exposed a Soviet spy ring
The Iron Curtain separated communist countries from Western Europe
The launch of Sputnik led to peace through Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.)
The Cold War dominated world politics from the 1940s to the 1990s