Transcript The Cold War - The Official Site - Varsity.com

The Cold War
“From the outset of post-war peace, a
strong rivalry began to grow between
Communists and Capitalists of the
world– it would last for 45 years!”
1
Cold War:
A Time of Tension or “Almost War”
As soon as World War II was over, the Allies split into two camps :
capitalists (democracies) and communists (totalitarian government).
For 45 years (1945-1990), these two super powers (U.S. &
U.S.S.R.) were in conflict all over the world: who would be the
world’s primary influence. Several times, war almost broke out.
Question: Why DIDN’T war break out between the superpowers?
(Hint: think about the cost of such a war)
On each “showdown”, list which side seemed to be the winner in
that particular conflict. Make the categories: US win; USSR win; both
win; both lose; no lasting effect
2
The United Nations
Following WWII, the world returned to an idea that
President Woodrow Wilson had wanted: an international
peace organization that could help prevent future wars.
So, the League of Nations became the United Nations;
the headquarters was moved from Paris to New York.
3
Animal Farm:
“A Predictor of Conflict to Come”
In 1942, George Orwell
wrote a book about the
potential conflict that
would arise between
Communists and
Capitalists in the world.
Orwell (whose real name
was Eric Blair) had seen
communism’s faults in
person while living in
Spain. Orwell saw that
the world would fall into
two camps of
government.
4
Animal Farm:
“A Predictor of Conflict to Come”
Orwell knew that democracy promised individual rights and private
enterprise. Communists argued that this only promoted “the rich to
get richer” while the “poor got poorer.” Communists would have the
government control everything, limit individual rights, BUT redistribute the wealth so all would be treated equally.
Orwell warned that communism would seek to overthrow
democracies throughout the world. (“Workers of the world”- UNITE!)
Ironically, he could not find a publisher for his book until AFTER the
war in 1945.
Question: Why would English publishers be unwilling to criticize the
U.S.S.R. during World War II?
5
Harry Truman’s Containment
Theory
Harry Truman understood the
predictions of Karl Marx that
the whole world would turn to
communism eventually. He
proposed that the “free world”
should not seek to wipe out
communism, but keep it from
spreading.
“The free people of the world
look to us for support in
maintaining their freedoms.”
Harry Truman
Question: How is Truman’s
view on communism similar to
Lincoln’s view on slavery?
6
George Marshall’s Plan
Secretary of State (and exgeneral) George Marshall
proposed a plan for America to
help re-build Europe. From
1948-1952, the U.S. gave $12
billion to Western Europe.
Eastern European countries,
under Soviet influence, refused
to accept the aid.
Communism v. Capitalism had
begun to become a conflict
that Orwell had predicted.
7
N.A.T.O. versus Warsaw Pact
Part of the punishment for Germany causing a 2nd world
war was they were not allowed to remain a sovereign
country. In essence, they were put into “time-out” with
England, France, and the U.S. controlling West Germany
while the U.S.S.R. controlled East Germany. In 1948, it
was proposed to let Germany re-join, but the U.S.S.R.
said it should not happen. Berlin was also split into parts.
8
N.A.T.O. versus Warsaw Pact
The United States realized that world wars
were a constant threat, as this was the 2nd
war in which America went to the “rescue”
of the democracies of Europe.
Isolationalism was no longer an option;
The U.S. proposed to form an alliance with
Europe: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO). In retaliation, the U.S.S.R. formed
the Warsaw Pact to oppose NATO in
1959.
9
Berlin Airlift
The Soviets did not like having to share Berlin with the NATO powers. So, to force
the NATO forces to leave, the Soviets cut off all roads and air fields to the Allies.
Stalin would try to force the evacuation of West Berlin by starvation. Truman told
Stalin that he would airlift supplies to West Berlin and if Stalin shot down any planes,
this would be considered an act of war. Stalin backed down.
FYI: Mr. Griffin’s mother was a child whose family was stationed in West Berlin at the
time. Her father was a chaplain in the army. Her family was saved by the Berlin Airlift
and her father talked of how close the world came to another conflict.
10
The M.A.D. Scheme
of Nuclear War
The Soviets realized that their struggle with the Western
democracies would be in vain if they did not develop
atomic/ nuclear weapons. So, they began to build their
own bomb, and on September 3, 1949, they successfully
exploded their own atomic bomb.
With both sides having these weapons that could destroy
a whole city, neither side could hope to win a nuclear
war. They both could bomb the other, but they could not
stop the other side from doing the same. Thus, a nuclear
war would have “mutally assured destruction” (M.A.D.)
as neither side would survive!
11
Bomb Shelters & Survival
12
Nuclear War = Win-able?
13
China turns to Communism
In October 1949, the world received a shock that
communism was spreading throughout the
world. Chiang Kai-shek’s government was
overthrown by Chinese Communists led Mao
Zedong. Kai-shek fled to the island of Taiwan.
Though China and the U.S.S.R. would be rivals,
the land mass of the two countries was almost ¼
of the earth’s surface.
Communism was spreading just like Karl Marx
had predicted in his book, “The Communist
Manifesto”!
14
The Korean War
1950-1953
Korea had been a
Japanese colony from
1910-1945. Once WWII
was over, Korea was split
into two countries along
the 38th parallel. North
Korea would be under
Communist control; South
Korea would be under
Democratic control.
In June (1950), North
Koreans invaded South
Korea to take it over.
15
The Korean War
1950-1953
This was a major test
for the United
Nations. President
Truman got the U.N.
to sanction troops to
be sent to liberate
South Korea. General
Douglass MacArthur
was put in charge of
the liberation.
16
The Korean War
1950-1953
MacArthur succeeded and pushed into North Korea.
China, which had become Communist in 1948, vowed to
enter the war with North Korea. A potential 3rd world war
was imminent: MacArthur was ordered to cease his
attack. When he complained publicly about President
Truman’s orders, he was relieved of his command. (The
President has the power of “Commander-in-Chief”)
17
The Korean War
1950-1953
In 1952, Dwight
Eisenhower is elected
President of the U.S. He
promises to go to Korea
and end the war. He gets
the 38th parallel reestablished and North
Korea & South Korea
exist to this day. This is
seen as a victory for the
U.S. because South
Korea was preserved.
18
The Korean War
1950-1953
54,000 Americans and 2 million Korean and Chinese lives were lost.
But the war showed that the world could unite to stop a threat in the
world.
The T.V. show “M.A.S.H.” was about the Korean War. It brought up
many questions about warfare to the viewing audience. It was on
during the 1970’s.
19
The Red Scare
“American Reds
(communists) are
everywhere– in factories,
offices, butcher stores, on
street corners, in private
businesses– and each
carries in himself the
germ of death for
society.”
--Truman’s attorney
general
20
The Red Scare
In 1950, Senator Joseph
McCarthy (Wisconsin)
announced that he had a
list of 57 State
Department employees
who were secretly
members of the
Communist Party. This
led to four years of
investigations into many
people.
21
The Red Scare
McCarthy seemed to infer
that Communists were
everywhere and were
planning to overthrow the
U.S. Men like Ed Morrow
(a news broadcaster)
challenged some of his
beliefs. Many people who
were accused of
attending a single speech
on Communism in college
lost their job, movie role,
etc. Paranoia began to
spread throughout the
land.
22
Hero or “Glory Hound”?
23
The Space Race
In 1957, the Soviets
launched the 1st
artificial satellite into
outer space (Sputnik).
Nikita Krushchev,
who had replaced
Joseph Stalin,
claimed that new
satellites would be
able to soar over the
United States!
24
The Space Race
This led to an increase in education in the United States, as students were
encouraged into taking more science and math classes.
Also, the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) was started
in 1958.
The “Space Race” was on!
25
The Space Race
The United States quickly got men into orbit like John
Glenn, and the “Space Race” became the focal point of
the 1960’s. John F. Kennedy, who was elected in 1960,
predicted that we would put a man on the moon by the
end of the decade! Neil Armstrong made that prediction
come true!
26
U-2 Incident
(1959)
Because of the fear of the
technological advances
by the Soviets, President
Eisenhower ordered highflying U-2 planes to fly
over the USSR. When
one got shot down, we
denied it had been there.
The Soviets then
provided the pilot, Gary
Powers, who had
survived the plane crash.
27
Fidel Castro:
Communist King of Chaos
In 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew Fulgenci Batista as dictator of Cuba. Castro
then told the U.S. that he would no longer want the U.S. as an ally, but
would accept aid from the Soviet Union. Cuba, which is 90 miles south of
Miami, would become a major “hotbed” of controversy for the U.S.
Presidents for many years.
FYI: Calvin Griffith, owner of the Minnesota Twins said that his biggest
regret in baseball was letting a young lefty go when his arm got hurt. That
young man went back to his native Cuba and led a revolution- Fidel Castro!
28
Bay of Pigs
On April 17, 1961, exiles from Cuba returned to the Bay
of Pigs to overthrow Castro. President John F. Kennedy
had promised air support, but changed his mind; he did
not want to risk war with the Soviet Union. Castro
defeats the Cuban exiles easily and boasts of victory.
29
Berlin is Split: West & East
When the Berlin Wall
was built, JFK went to
visit to inspire the
German people and
to denounce the wall.
The crowd went wild
when he said, “I am a
Berliner” …in
German!
30
Berlin Wall is Built
By the 1960’s, many East
Germans were leaving for
West Germany; in
essence, they were
choosing a democratic
life over a communistic
one. So, barriers were
built between the two
nations and even through
the city of Berlin!
31
Berlin Wall
32
Cuban Missile Crisis
In October of 1962, JFK learned that the USSR was sending nuclear
missiles to Cuba AND Castro was allowing missile sites to be built.
From there, most cities of the eastern US could be attacked by
nuclear weapons. JFK ordered a blockade of Cuba and told
Kruschev that the missiles would NOT be allowed into Cuba. The
US made its case with the United Nations. During those 13 days, the
world was close to World War III. However, Kruschev backed down
when the US agreed to leave a base in Turkey if the USSR left Cuba
33
Cuban Missile Crisis
34
Showdown at the Castro Corral
35
Reality v. Virtual Reality
36
Vietnam War
(1959-1974)
The Communists revolution then spread to Vietnam. The
North Vietnamese (Vietcong) were supported by the
USSR & China in their communist revolution. South
Vietnam was supported by the United States when the
Vietcong invaded and wanted to re-unite the country
under the banner of Communism.
37
Vietnam War
(1959-1974)
From Presidents
Eisenhower, JFK, and
LBJ, it was decided
that military advisors
and troops would be
sent in to stop the
attacks of the
Vietcong. The Tet
Offensive and the fall
of Saigon were two
downfalls for the U.S.
38
Vietnam War
(1959-1974)
39
Vietnam War
(1959-1974)
To combat the guerilla tactics of the Vietcong, new
weapons were invented such as Agent Orange and
napalm. Agent Orange is sprayed on the foliage to kill it
(and remove hiding places); napalm is a jellied explosive
that is hard to remove off a person. Weapons had to
adjust to the jungle terrain and the “hit & run” tactics of
the Vietcong.
40
Iraqi War = New Vietnam ???
(Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is driving)
41
Détente: A “lessening” of tension
Nixon Ends Vietnam War, Makes Visit to Communist China
Besides ending the Vietnam War, President Nixon also
wanted to reduce the tensions with Communist China.
Up to this point, the U.S. had recognized the island of
Taiwan as the official “China”. Communist China
recognized Taiwan as a “renegade island” that was part
of Communist China. Nixon’s visit to China lowered
tensions that had built up during the Vietnam War.
42
Détente: Communication Among
the “Super Powers” of the World!
43
Nixon & Watergate
On June 17, 1972, @
2:30 a.m., 5 men were
caught breaking into the
Watergate Hotel to steal
Democratic strategy for
the upcoming election &
to place wiretaps.
Nixon’s own White House
tapes supplied evidence
that he knew of the
break-in and the cover-up
in the Congressional
investigation.
44
Nixon & Watergate
Nixon was forced by the
U.S. Supreme Court to
surrender the tapes; there
were several “erased”
sections.
Nixon resigned when it
became apparent that
Congress was preparing
to impeach him and
remove him from office.
45
President Carter’s Plan to Reduce
Nuclear Weapons: SALT II Treaty
In 1976, Jimmy Carter was elected as President of the
United States. Besides being the 1st Georgian to be
elected to that office, Carter met with Leonid Brezhnev to
have a “strategic arms limitation treaty (SALT). Because
each side had enough weapons to destroy each other
many times over, both countries agreed to limit new
weapons and dismantle many old ones.
46
Carter & Camp David Accords
President Carter
invited Anwar Sadat
of Egypt & Menachem
Begin of Israel to a 12
day meeting to
establish the 1st
signed peace treaty
between Israel & an
Arab country.
47
The Iran Hostage Crisis
The Ayatollah Khomeni
led a revolt against the
Shah in Iran. The Shah
fled in exile to the U.S. for
cancer treatments.
On 11/04/79, the U.S.
Embassy is attacked & 52
hostages are held- to
demand the Shah to be
returned to Iran. They
were held for 444 daysuntil a new president
(Reagan was elected).
48
Soviets Invade Afghanistan
In 1979, The Soviets
invaded Afghanistan. The
U.S. began to help with
weapons, machinery, and
expertise. This war
lingers for many years;
some called it the
USSR’s “Vietnam”
(“Charlie Wilson’s War” ,
starring Tom Hanks, is
about a U.S.
Congressman who sends
supplies to Afghanistan).
49
Diplomacy, Boycotts, “Cold Front”
Returns for U.S. & USSR
President Carter also refused to allow our athletes to attend the 1980
Moscow Olympics as a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In
retailation, the USSR refused to attend the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
FYI: During the Cold War, there were two German teams and Korean
teams: North (communist) and South (capitalist).
Question: Who was hurt the most by these boycotts?
50
President Reagan:
“The Soviet Union is The Evil Empire”
In the 1980’s, President
Reagan took a tough
approach to the Soviet
Union- he even called
them “the evil empire”. He
also called on the new
Russian leader, Mikail
Gorbachev to bring down
the Berlin Wall.
Question: Do you
remember what president
spoke out when it was
built in the early 1960’s?
51
Reaganomics and Iran-Contra
Reagonomics, or “supply side”
economics believed in tax cuts
for the rich, and the effects
would trickle down to the poor.
Oliver North, testifying about
the weapons given to free the
Iranian hostages minutes after
President Reagan was sworn
into office.
Money was also sent to the
Contra Rebels in Nicaragua
without Congressional
approval.
52
1989: The Wall Comes A’ Tumblin’
Down!
53
Georgia Congressman (Lanny McDonald) dies when
Soviets shoot down Korean Airliner in their airspace!
(Accident or Conspiracy?)
54
U.S. Increases Spending to Build
Star Wars!!!
President Reagan persuaded Congress to spend billions of dollars on “Star Wars”the satellite defense system (not the movie)! Star Wars would allow satellites to shoot
Soviet missles out of the sky. This would end the M.A.D. scenario (“mutally assured
destruction), and it forced the Soviets to increase their spending on defense to
“catch-up” at a time when the Soviet economy was collapsing. This proved to be the
“straw that broke the camel’s back”, as new Soviet leaders ended communism in their
country & changed their name back to Russia.
FYI: Ironically, the United States never completed the Star Wars defense system. In
essence, the threat of such an advantage for the Americans led to the USSR collapse
55
Free Enterprise + Democracy =
Incentive to Do Well
The major economic problem
that communism faced was
that people had no incentive to
work hard: they didn’t benefit
from their hard work and
ingenuity- the government got
all the benefits.
Also, Communism was not
able to treat everyone equally.
A few still “got richer” while
many “got poorer”. So, people
in a communistic society had
the same problems as a
capitalistic society with NONE
of the individual benefits or
freedoms!
56
Chinese Students Protest
Communism
in Tienamen Square (1989)
57
President Clinton & NAFTA
The North American
Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA)
was a trade treaty
between Canada, US,
and Mexico.
It was to strengthen
the ties between the
three countries.
58
NAFTA Trade Data
59
Russian Leaders:
Mikail Gorbachev & Boris Yeltsin
60
Communism Today:
Cuba, China, Vietnam, North Korea
61
What Is The Future of
Communism?
62
Fighting New Enemies: Terrorists
63
Remembering the Past,
Moving Towards the Future
64