Bell Ringer What was the Cold War What

Bell Ringer • What was the Cold War? • What is the difference between a Cold war & a Hot War? • Which two countries (superpowers) fought during the Cold War?

Bell Ringer • What is the Eastern Bloc? • Who replaces FDR as President after he dies? • What is the difference between a 1 st world nation, a 2 nd world nation, and a 3 rd world nation?

Bell Ringer • What is the difference between a 1 st world nation, a 2 nd world nation, and a 3 rd world nation?

CH 38: The Origins of the Cold War

The US After WWII • FDR strongly believed that after WWII ended the US could NOT return to isolationism • The future security of the United States would not be in standing alone, but would rely on our ability to work with others in the World to ensure peace • FDR would strongly push for worldwide organizations that focused on economic and diplomatic relations to ensure world peace

• July 1944 - The US & 43 other World Bank & IMF countries would found the International Bank for Reconstruction & Development, but better known as the World Bank – The World Bank would give loans to help nations recover from the war & develop their economies • These nations would also create the International Monetary Fund – The IMF would help to stabilize exchange rates which would encourage international trade

United Nations • The US also called for a replacement for the League of Nations • At the Dumbarton Oaks Conference US, Great Britain, USSR, and China would found the UN • By June 1945 there were 50 members • The US Senate approved joining the UN by a vote of 89 -2

• As WWII turned in favor of the allies FDR, Churchill, and Stalin met to discuss Europe after the war (WWII is still going on). – Collaborate together on post war Europe – Divide Germany into four parts, and divide Berlin into four parts. – All agreed to free and fair elections in Eastern Europe after the war (even though the Russians held most of Eastern Europe) Yalta Conference

Potsdam Conference • After the defeat of Germany the allied leaders met again, but this time it was TRUMAN, Churchill, & Stalin • Truman hinted to Stalin that the US had created a new destructive weapon, but didn’t go into details • Stalin distrusted Truman & Truman distrusted Stalin • Stalin had not yet allowed free elections, & actually rigged the Polish election so the communists won

• Truman & Stalin had different visions of Post War Europe • Truman – Wanted a free Eastern Europe – Was convinced people, if given the choice, would pick democracy • Stalin – Felt USSR (Russia) had twice been invaded by Germany through Poland – Wanted to create a “buffer zone” between Germany and USSR for protection – That this “buffer zone” be made up of “friendly (pro-USSR) communist states” – This “buffer zone” becomes known as the Eastern Bloc

• In 1946 Winston Churchill (no longer British PM) was asked to give a speech at a college in Missouri. • Americans respected Churchill as an ally, and for what the British had done during WWII • Churchill warned that the Soviets had cut off Eastern Europe from the world behind an “iron curtain” • The term stuck, and was used to describe the border between Eastern & Western Europe until the end of the Cold War. Iron Curtain

Superpowers • By 1946 Britain, France, and Germany were greatly weakened by WWI & WWII • That left the USA & the USSR as the remaining 2 superpowers in the world • These Superpowers would be able to influence the world, and depending on who you aligned with determined you place in the world – 1 st World, 2 nd World, 3 rd World Nations

Containment • Things were simple – Stalin hated Capitalism -> USA – Truman hated Communism -> USSR • Stalin would openly attack Capitalism in speeches • US officials came to believe that Soviet leaders were “committed fanatically” to the idea that communism was a better way of life – (The Long telegram- George Kennan) • The only realistic plan was to stop the Soviet Union from spreading its influence- a strategy that came to be known as containment

• In 1946 a civil war broke out in Greece to determine who would run the country, capitalists or communists. • Near by Yugoslavia (Commie) backed the rebels and Britain (Caps) backed the government • The British called on the US to help make a stand. • Truman would address Congress saying, “It must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. ” • • Truman wants to help the “Freedom loving people of the world” Truman gave the world a blank check. If your country was at risk of falling to communism, the US would back you in any way possible (Normally through CASH) • Containment & the Truman Doctrine would mold US foreign policy for the next 45 years. Truman Doctrine

Money is the Answer Marshall Plan (1947) • Truman saw with Greece and Turkey helping European nations economical seemed to prevent communism • The Marshall Plan would provide Western European nations with generous funding to help rebuilt their nations economically • 1948 -1952 = 13 Billion – Theory was people turn to communism when unhappy, a good economy made people happy Molotov Plan (1949) • Stalin saw the Marshall Plan as a blatant attempt for the US to form a sphere of influence in Western Europe • To counter it he introduced the Molotov Plan which provided economic aid for Eastern European countries • It also arranged special economic agreements between allies – Theory was communist countries would back the communist country that backed them

• Truman knew Stalin would attempt to develop his own atomic weapon • Truman sent advisors to the UN to call for the UN Atomic Energy Commission, which was tasked with limiting a nations access to the raw materials needed for a bomb • However, through spies and Soviet scientists Stalin would have access to a bomb by 1949 The Atomic Age