COLD WAR 1945 1991 What was the Cold

COLD WAR 1945 -1991

What was the Cold War? A period of diplomatic hostility between the US and USSR (and their allies) USSR USA

Communism Spread in the 20 th century • Starting in the 19 th century, groups affiliated with communism gained power throughout regions of the world. • Russia, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba eventually become communist. • (Similar to the spread of democracy in the 18 th century – American, French, LA revolutions. )

THE YALTA CONFERENCE • FEBRUARY, 1945 • U. S. , BRITAIN & SOVIET UNION GOALS: 1. TO PROMOTE WORLD PEACE 2. TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY RELIEF 3. TO HELP FORM INTERIM GOVERNMENTS BASED ON THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE OUTCOMES: CHURCHILL, ROOSEVELT, STALIN 1. GERMANY DIVIDED INTO ZONES OF OCCUPATION 2. GERMANY WOULD PAY SOVIET UNION FOR LOSSES 3. SOVIET UNION PROMISED FREE ELECTIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE.

Cold War begins • 1. During the communist revolution in Russia, the US worked to defeat the communists. • 2. In WWII, the Soviet army drove the Germans back across Eastern Europe. Other Allies raced to beat the Soviet Army to Berlin. • 3. USSR occupied several countries along its western border and considered them a necessary buffer or wall of protection from the west. • 4. Stalin installed Communist governments in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Poland, and Yugoslavia. • 5. Early in 1946 Stalin declared that communism & capitalism could not exist in the same world. War between the U. S. & U. S. S. R. seemed certain.

“From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the continent. ” • - Winston Churchill March 5, 1946

THE U. S. RESPONSE 1948 - The Truman Doctrine • A promise made by the US to provide military & economic support to countries that rejected communism • This policy of stopping the spread of communism was called the “containment” policy

The Domino Theory What is the idea of a domino theory? The domino theory was a 20 th Century foreign policy theory that speculated if one land in a region came under the influence of Communists, then more would follow in a domino effect. 1949 – Major Domino falls – Chinese communists take control of China - USSR explodes an atomic bomb

The Marshall Plan • A U. S. program of economic aid to European countries to help them rebuild after WWII. • Provided food, machines, and other materials to European nations to help stabilize Europe.

The Marshall Plan • Which country received the most aid from the United States? • Why would Great Britain and France receive the most aid?

The Marshall Plan Evaluate the two photos. What significant changes have occurred in the second photo?

SOVIET RESPONSE BERLIN BLOCKADE 1948 - Soviets closed all road and rail links to Berlin. The Western allies began a massive airlift to feed the West Berliners.

1949 - NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization – Western Nations join in a military alliance to defend against Communist threats. 1955 – Warsaw Pact USSR and Eastern Bloc Nations join in a military alliance to counter NATO.

How did they fight the Cold War? • Threaten each other with – military build up, new technology, & global influence – NATO (US) & Warsaw Pact (USSR) were the two main military alliances • Use Propaganda – create hatred and paranoia of the other side • Send economic aid to weaker nations to spread influence and gain allies • Support allied nations in conflicts to protect interests or agitate other side (proxy wars)

ARMS RACE The United States developed the Atomic Bomb during WWII. Soviet scientists developed one in 1949. For 40 years the superpowers spent huge amounts of money to develop more & more powerful weapons. This raised the tensions between the two countries. It also raised the fears among many people that the superpowers might become involved in a conflict that would destroy the world.

Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What? HISTORY OF NUCLEAR WARHEAD STOCKPILES -1945 -1995 NOTE: Totals are estimates. Lists include strategic and non-strategic warheads, as well as warheads awaiting dismantling 1945 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 UNITED STATES 6 3, 057 31, 265 26, 675 22, 941 14, 766 SOVIET UNION 0 200 6, 129 19, 443 39, 197 27, 000 BRITAIN 0 10 350 300 FRANCE 0 0 32 188 360 485 CHINA 0 0 5 185 425 Source: National Resources Defense Council

SPACE RACE The super powers also competed in space. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, a satellite, into orbit around the Earth. Soon after the United States established NASA. The race was on. In 1958 the U. S. launched its own first satellite. In 1961, the Soviets sent the first man into space. In 1969 the U. S. was the first nation to put a man on the moon. Both the Soviets and Americans explored the use of satellites for military purposes.