Transcript Nature of the Cold War

Nature of the Cold War
IB History: The Cold War
About the Unit…
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In the unit we will explore various aspects of the Cold War which was a
global political and economic conflict between the United States and
the Soviet Union (USSR) that lasted from the end of WWII until 1989.
Topics
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Nature of the Cold War
Origins of the Cold War
The First Cold War
Fluctuating Relations
From Détente to Second Cold War
End of the Cold War
What historians agree about…
• The Cold War developed during and after the end of
World War II
• The world became politically and economically
divided between the United States and it’s allies
known as “The West” and the Soviet Union and it’s
allies known as “The East.”
• The terms “West” and “East” came from the countries
of Western Europe being mostly allied with the United
States and the countries in Eastern Europe being
mostly allied with the Soviet union.
Churchill (UK), Truman
(USA), Stalin (USSR) at
Yalta negotiating postWWII occupation of
territory.
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World map of USA and
it’s allies (blue) and the
Soviet Union and it’s
allies (red).
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What historians disagree
about…
• The United States and the Soviet Union were definitely the two
most powerful countries following WWII but not all agree the two
were equals.
• The Cold War had many aspects including competing ideologies
and a propaganda war but not all agree on which was most
important.
• The Cold War affected many aspects of politics and society of
the countries who were involved, and especially the operation of
the United Nations.
• Other important features of the Cold War included an arms race;
cultural, scientific, and sporting competition; spying and covert
activities; and public fears about a third “World War.”
Competing Ideologies
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Fears about WWIII
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Arms Race
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Propaganda + Societal Effects
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Summary
• Historians agree that…
– The Cold War developed at the end of WWII
– World became divided between the US/Allies and Soviet
Union/Allies
– Terms East/West came from US/Soviet Union’s allies in
Europe
• Historians disagree about…
– Whether US and Soviet Union were equals as world super-powers
– What was most important between competing ideologies and
propaganda war
– How Cold War effected society and the UN
– Also included an arms race, a non-military competition,
spying/cover activities, and fears of WWIII