Transcript Post War to Present

1945 TO PRESENT
Formation of the United Nations
1945
“Revised League of Nations”
U. S., Russia and 48 Other Nations
GOAL: To Protect Members Against
Aggression
MAKE UP: General Council and A Security Council
Were Created To Keep A Balance of
Power in the United Nations
U. S. and Soviet Differences
GOALS OF THE SUPERPOWERS
• U.S.
Encouraged Democracy
Rebuilt European nations after WW II
Unify Germany for European security
• Soviets
Encouraged Communism
Control Eastern Europe (protect borders)
Keep Germany Divided
THE IRON CURTAIN
The division between mostly democratic Western
Europe and Communist Eastern Europe was known as
the “iron curtain”
The Iron Curtain was constructed of concrete and
steel and stretched across Europe, dividing the
Communist from the free world.
The Cold War
A Divided World
• Beginning in 1949 the superpowers used
spying, propaganda, and secret operation
in their dealings with each other.
• Much of the world allied with one side or
the other.
• Both superpowers had nuclear weapons.
• Political tension threatened world peace.
COMMUNISM IN CHINA
• 1949 – Communist leader Mao Zedong
gained control of China.
• American’s viewed the take over as “just
another step in Russia’s attempt to take
over the world”
• Mao became an important part of the Cold
War by directing an anti-American
campaign.
The Race In Space
Soviets launched Sputnik – the
first successful satellite
The U.S. answered the
challenge – within a year the
U.S. had launched its own
satellite.
In 1961, both the Soviets and
the United States sent a man
into space.
Korean War
1950-1953
th
38
Parallel
Divided Korea into North and South
• North = Communist
• South = Non – Communist
Korean War
• Russia supplied North Korea with money,
tanks, and airplanes…What do you think
their motive was?
• June 25, 1950
– North attacks South…surprise!!!!!!!!!!
– Truman senses a de ja vu of WWII (Hitler &
Mussolini) and pledges assistance to South
Korea
– United Nations also supports South Korea
General Douglas MacArthur
Proven leader of the Pacific
War in World War II
• General MacArthur is selected to lead 15
nations against North Korea
North Korea….
 Controlled all of the Peninsula,
except a small area in the
SE (Pusan)
 MacArthur launches a surprise attack
and ½ N. Korea surrenders around Inchon
(near Seoul) the other half retreats…the
UN Army pursues them across the 38th
parallel
October-January
1950
• China sends 300,000 to aid North Korea
– This turns into a war between China vs. US
the Chinese have many more troops and drive
UN and South Korea troops out of N. Korea
- China/N. Korea get control of Seoul…Is this a
big deal?
MacArthur pushes to nuke China…President
Truman says no way…we’re trying to prevent
WWIII…they argue…MacArthur is fired
1952
 UN forces drive North Korea out of Seoul
1953
UN and North Korea sign a ceasefire agreement
Accomplishment (?)
• The two Koreas are divided at the
38th parallel….almost EXACTLY
where the line was before they
began fighting…..
• Result? 5 million soldiers and
civilians died
Communism in Cuba
• Fidel Castro Led A Revolution
–
–
–
–
Harsh Dictator
Suspended Elections
Jailed or Executed Opponents
Nationalized the Economy taking U.S.
Owned Sugar Mills and Refineries
- The U.S. Responded With an Embargo
- Castro Turned to the Soviets for Help
Cuban Missile Crisis
• Soviet Leader Secretly Built 42
•
•
•
•
Missile Sites in Cuba!
Discovered by an American Spy
Plane
Kennedy Demanded the Missiles Be
Taken Down
Kennedy Established a Blockade
Around Cuba
Finally, Russia Backed Down!
• (close call – World War III)
Colonies Become New
Nations
• India Was Partitioned and Became
Independent From Britain
• Pacific Islands Gained
Independence
• Colonized Areas of Africa Gained
Independence
{Some through war, others granted
independence}