Transcript The Cold War - randallworldhistory

The Cold War
1945 - 1978
The East – West Split
• The US & the Soviet Union emerged
from World War II as the world’s two
SUPERPOWERS.
• Differences in political beliefs pulled
them apart & led to the COLD WAR.
• COLD WAR: time period when the US &
the Soviet Union tried to influence the
world every way possible short of
actual war.
• The threat of nuclear weapons made
the cost of a “hot” war too high.
The Beginning
• Yalta Conference
February 1945
• Stalin promises to
allow free election
in occupied
Eastern European
countries
• Soviet Union keeps
captured countries
• Created the United
Nations
• Divided up
Germany and
Berlin
Churchill
Roosevelt
Stalin
• The “weapons”
used in the Cold
War were:
– Threat of force
– Propaganda
– Sending of military
& economic aid to
weaker nations
The United Nations
• After WWII, the Allies
agreed to replace the
League of Nations with
the United Nations.
• The purpose of the UN
was to maintain peace
by guaranteeing the
security of member
nations.
• It would foster good
relations among
nations based on equal
rights.
•
•
•
Representatives from 50
nations met in San
Francisco to create the UN.
The headquarters were
established in New York
City.
It has 6 groups, with only
two holding the majority of
the power:
1. Security Council – diplomatic,
political & military disputes.
2. General Assembly – policy
making body
UN Security Council
•
•
Made up of 11 members
5 were permanent:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
•
Great Britain
United States
China
France
Soviet Union
Each member was given the right to veto
any other member.
UN General Assembly
• Made up of representatives from all the
UN member nations.
UN
• During the post war period, the UN
solved many disputes.
• However, the right to veto granted to
the Security Council’s permanent
members made it powerless to solve
any disputed between the US & the
Soviet Union.
• During the Cold War it was
“deadlocked.”
From Allies to Arch Enemies
• After WWII, the Western Allies (Great
Britain, US & France) believed the
best way to achieve security was to
strengthen democracy and build
prosperous economies.
• The Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin,
wanted to establish pro-Soviet
governments in Eastern Europe to
prevent further attacks & expand
their empire.
• US President, Franklin D Roosevelt,
believed post war cooperation with Stalin
was possible.
• His successor, Harry S Truman, believed
Stalin wanted to control Eastern Europe,
and extend communism.
The Iron Curtain
Eastern Europe became the 1st region
where the western & Soviet interest came
into conflict.
 In Albania & Yugoslavia, local Communist
Parties took control with little help from
the Soviets.
 Soviet troops helped bring communism to
Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.
 Stalin also refused to allow free elections.

The Iron Curtain
By 1947, most of Eastern
Europe were Soviet
SATELLITES: nations controlled
by the Soviet Union.
 This convinced US president
Truman, and British Prime
Minister Churchill to try and stop
any further Soviet advance.
 Churchill used the phrase “iron
curtain” referring to the Soviet
made barrier that split Europe
into non-Communist west &
Communists East.

European Map
Soviet Union
Satellite Countries
Containing Communism
• In 1947, the US developed a new policy –
Containment: stop the spread of communism.
• Truman Doctrine:
– 1st time containment policy was used.
– Greece & Turkey were fighting a guerrilla war against
local communist leaders.
– US President Truman asked Congress for $ to help
them.
Marshall Plan
• Another
containment
policy.
• Allowed the US
to supply
economic aid to
European
countries.
• The Soviets
developed
COMECON to
increase their
influence in
eastern Europe.
Both Sides Begin to Spar
March 1947 US Sends 400 million
To help Greece and
Turkey fight Communist
Guerrillas
During WWII Soviet Forces
Invaded Iran To obtain Oil
with the Understanding
June 1947 - Marshall Plan
That they would leave after the
US Sends 12.5 Billion
War. Well they didn’t and the
To Help Rebuild Western Europe
UN finally convinced the Soviets
After WWII
To leave.
National Security
The Crisis In Berlin
• Post World War II
Berlin split into 4
Areas
• Soviets attempt to
block all supply
shipments into Berlin
to force the US,
France and Britain to
give up their parts of
Berlin
• America airlift
supplies over the
blockade
NATO & WARSAW PACT
• In 1949, the US, Great Britain, and
several other democratic nations
formed the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
• This organization was a military
alliance which agreed that an
attack on one was an attack on all.
• In response, the Soviet Union
formed the Warsaw Pact.
Warsaw Pact
World Wide Struggle
• Tensions further
increased when the two
superpowers started an
ARMS RACE.
• Communists
governments were
coming to power in
China & North Korea.
• The Soviets helped
North Korea attack the
pro-Western republic of
South Korea.
Nuclear Arms Race
4500
4000
3500
3000
U.S.
Soviet Union
Britain
France
China
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1945
1955
1965
1975
1985
1995
“Duck and Cover” Preparing for Doomsday
• People begin to
build their own
fallout shelters
• Government plans
for 50-person
shelters (CHS was
designated as a
shelter)
• Fallout Alarms
were available for
homes
Shelters and Fallout Information
Berlin Wall
• In the mid 1950s, Nikita Khrushchev
became the new Soviet leader.
• In 1961 he threatened to force the Allies
out Germany.
• Many East Germans were fleeing to the
West.
• To stop this drain on the work force, East
Germany built a concrete wall across the
city.
• The Berlin Wall became a symbol of the
Cold War.
Berlin Wall
Soviet Union
• After WWII, Stalin
worked to build the
Soviet Union’s heavy
industry.
• Stalin died in 1953
and was replaced by
Nikita Khrushchev.
• He started a policy of
de-Stalinization, but
kept the 5-year plan
and collective farms.
Cold War “Thaw”
• By the mid-1950s, both
America & the Soviet
Union were interested in
reducing the tensions.
• Khrushchev called for a
policy of PEACEFUL
COEXISTENCE:
competition without war.
• He put an emphasis on
technology which paid off
in 1957 when the Soviets
launched Sputnik.
Sputnik
Sputnik meant "fellow traveler." It
was the first of many Soviet
launched satellites. More
importantly this beach ball sized
object showed the world that the
Soviet's reigned supreme in their
missile technologies. It was not
really the Sputnik satellite which
worried the United States instead
how long would it would be until the
technology could bring a nuclear
bomb to the American mainland?
After Sputnik it seemed just a matter
of time.
Space Race/Kennedy Elected
• The Soviets also
developed
Intercontinental
Ballistic Missiles.
• Eisenhower &
Khrushchev tried to
maintain peace.
• This became difficult
when an American U2
spy plane was shot
down by the Soviets.
Powers
•• US
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U2 Incident
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May 1959
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and
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•Since
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and
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President
and
Soviet
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• This
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take
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US Blockade of Cuba
Bay of Pigs Invasion
• In 1959 communists under Fidel
Castro gained control of Cuba
• US could not allow a communist
country to be so close to the
United States.
• In 1959 the US CIA began
creating a plan to overthrow the
communist in Cuba.
• The plan was to insert
1,400 Cuban exiles at
the Bay of Pigs. From
there they would march
overland to Havana.
Hoping to gain support
along the way.
Fidel Castro
and Nikita
Khrushchev
1959
Bay of Pigs Invasion
• In 1959 communists under Fidel Castro
gained control of Cuba
• US could not allow a communist country
to be so close to the United States.
• In 1959 the US CIA began creating a plan
to overthrow the communist in Cuba.
• The plan was to insert 1,400 Cuban exiles
at the Bay of Pigs. From there they would
march overland to Havana. Hoping to
gain support along the way.
Summarize all this
The Bay of Pigs
• April 7, 1961 The Invasion Began
• President Kennedy withdrew US support
for the invasion at the last minute by
canceling bombing missions that could
have crippled the Cuban Air Force and
Communist troops. The military invasion
ended in 72 hours with total failure and
quickly became a foreign policy
nightmare for President Kennedy.
• The US backed Cuban invaders were all
killed or captured. Later Kennedy paid
$53 Million in ransom for the survivors.
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis October 1962
• US Spy Aircraft discoverers the
nuclear missile sites in Cuba
• JFK invites the Soviet
Ambassador to the White
House. JFK asks what is going
on in Cuba? The Ambassador
says it’s a military defensive
measure and never mentions
missiles.
Cuban Missile Crisis
JFK attempts to make a deal with Khrushchev to
Remove the missiles, Khrushchev stalls.
• On Oct 22 At the UN the US Ambassador informs
the world that the Soviets have nuclear weapons in
Cuba.
• After several days of on the brink of nuclear
holocaust, the world breathed a sigh of relief on Oct
28th Khrushchev and JFK made a deal. Removal of
missiles in Cuba for removal of US missiles in Turkey.
•
Cuban Missile Crisis II
Brezhnev Era
• In October of 1964,
Khrushchev was
removed from
office.
• He was replaced by
Leonid Brezhnev.
• Brezhnev reversed
Khrushchev’s
policies.
• Arms increased, but
the economy did
not.
Détente
• By 1972, Brezhnev was ready to reduce
tensions with the West.
• He needed to cut military spending, but not
fall behind the US.
• The word Détente means a relaxation of
American –Soviet tensions.
• US President Nixon & Brezhnev signed the
Strategic Arms Limitation Agreement.
• SALT did not reduce the # of
weapons, but slowed their
production.
Soviet Satellites
• Yugoslavia – Under the leadership of
Joseph Broz Tito, remained independent
of Soviet control, even though they were
a communist nation.
• * East Germany – Most prosperous of the
Soviet Satellites – the educated tried to flee
to West Germany – This “brain drain” was
embarrassing – The Berlin Wall was built in
1961 to stop this.
• * Poland – Industrialized, but resented
communist rule – The Catholic Church
aided anti-communist movements.
Soviet Satellites
• Hungary – tried to withdraw from the Warsaw
Pact – Soviet’s sent tanks& troops – the West
would not intervene because of fear of a WWIII –
200,000 fled to the West.
• Czechoslovakia –
Alexander Dubcek
became leader in 1968 –
he loosened government
control – Soviet’s sent
troops to invade – Soviet’s
declared their right to
intervene under the
Brezhnev Doctrine
Great Britain
• After WWII, Great Britain’s position as a world
power had declined.
• Because of economic weakness they were not
able to compete with the US & Japan.
• They could not support all of their overseas
colonies.
• In 1945 Churchill was voted out & Clement
Attlee became the new Prime Minister.
• Britain’s Labour government created a
WELFARE STATE: a system where the
government provides programs for the well
being of its citizens.
• In 1952, King George VI died & was succeeded
by his daughter, Elizabeth II.
France
• Germany’s occupation of France during
WWII ended the Third French Republic.
• After the war, the Fourth French Republic
was formed.
• It had a very weak presidency.
• There were many political parties none of
which was very strong.
• France lost many of its overseas colonies.
• The 4th Republic fell, and Charles de Gaulle,
leader of the French resistance during WWII,
was called from retirement to head an
emergency government.
France
• De Gaulle became the president of the 5th
Republic of France.
• His strong nationalistic policies angered
France’s allies such as Great Britain & the
US.
• He withdrew all French forces from NATO
& France began to build its own nuclear
force.
• His successors have worked to restore
France’s relations with the US & Great
Britain.
Germany
• West Germany’s political system was dominated
by two political parties: Christian Democrats &
Social Democrats.
• In 1949, the Christian Democrats, led by Konrad
Adenauer, formed the West German government.
• They created a capitalistic economy & joined
NATO.
• During the 1960s, the Christian Democrats lost
control to the Social Democrats led by Willy
Brandt.
• Brandt worked to improve relations with the Soviet
Union.
• This was called Ostpolitik.
European Unity
• Throughout Europe’s history, disputes between two
or more nations often drew the entire continent into
war.
• The development of nuclear weapons prompted
leaders to seek solutions.
• They began to plan for unification of European
countries.
• These plans ranged from economic cooperation to
a United States of Europe
• The Common Market was created to help end trade
barriers and abolish tariffs.
• These changes have allowed Europe to compete
with North America & East Asia in world markets.
American Prosperity
• After WWII, the US entered an era of
economic growth.
• Population increased with a “baby boom.”
• With more money to spend, technology
increased.
• Automation – producing goods using
electronic devices instead of people.
• More highways were built, allowing people
to move out of towns and into the suburbs.
The Cold War at Home
• Many blamed Truman for communists gains in
Europe.
• Red Scare – many believed there were communists
sympathizers in our own government.
• The House Committee on Un-American Activities
began an investigation.
• Senator Joseph McCarthy led the investigation.
• Most of his allegations were never proved, but many
lost their jobs.
• McCarthyism came to mean making charges of
disloyalty without regard to evidence.
Spies
• At this time there were spies discovered in
the US.
• Alger Hiss, a former government official
was accused of selling government
secrets and was sent to prison.
• Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were tried for
treason, convicted and executed.
Vietnam War
• Dwight D Eisenhower decided to help
France in stopping a communists take
over of South Vietnam.
• By the time Lyndon B Johnson became
president, US participation had expanded
to a full scale war.
• Many protested America’s involvement
• Nixon pledged to stop the war and was
elected president in 1968.
• The US gradually withdrew troops.
• At the same time, Nixon ordered the
bombing of Cambodia because of their
assistance to the North Vietnamese.
• Because it was a neutral country the
bombings increased the opposition to US
involvement in Vietnam.
• IN may of 1970, a group of National
Guardsmen fired into a crowd of
demonstrators at Kent State University.
• In 1973, the last American troops were
removed from Vietnam and the Paris Peace
Accords were signed.
Struggle for Civil Rights
• Despite the wealth of the United States
after WWII, many Americans lived
below the poverty level.
• African Americans in the North & South
were being discriminated against in
jobs, housing and education.
• The war against Germany made
Americans more sensitive towards
racism.
• During the 1940s & 1950s, African
Americas worked hard to gain Civil Rights.
• The membership of the NAACP’s (National
Association for the Advancement of
Colored People) membership tripled.
• They hired lawyers to bring a series of
lawsuits to the federal courts to end the
violation of the constitutional civil rights of
African Americans.
• Brown vs. Board of Education ruled that
racial segregation was illegal.
• President Eisenhower had to use federal
forces to enforce this decision.
Martin Luther King Jr.
• Baptist minister who supported the use
of sit-ins & marches to draw attention
to the discrimination in housing, public
facilities and voting.
• In 1963, more than 200,000 people
marched to Washington DC for the
largest civil rights demonstration in US
history.
• At the Lincoln memorial, Dr. King gave
his “I Have a Dream” speech.
• He was later assassinated in 1968 by
James Earl Ray.
Watergate Scandal
• Spiro Agnew, vice president, was forced to
resign after being accused of taking bribes
when he was governor of Maryland.
• Began on June 17, 1972 when 5 men
were caught trying to plant listening
devices in the offices of the Democratic
National Committee in the Watergate
building.
• Nixon’s reelection committee was
responsible for the break in.
• Nixon participated in trying to cover it up.
• Under the threat of impeachment he
resigned.
• Vice president, Gerald Ford became
president.
• He was the 1st US president not to have
been elected as president or vice
president.
• He was succeeded by Jimmy Carter.