The Cold War 1 Roots of the Cold

The Cold War

1. Roots of the Cold War ► At the end of WW 2, the United States and Russia were left as the world’s two major powers ► U. S. had vast economic power and the Atomic Bomb ► Russian had the massive Red Army ► They were known as the Superpowers

1. Roots of the Cold War ► Even though the United States and Russia had been allies- their different political, economical, and social systems caused them to disagree. ► After the war, each power attempted to extend its influence in Europe and then in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

1. Roots of the Cold War ► Western nations that agreed with the U. S. hoped to spread democracy and free enterprise. ► Soviet Leaders promoted the spread of Communism. ► This caused competition among the different governments.

2. The Cold War Begins In Europe ► Yalta Conference split up Germany into four separate zones of occupation ► Controlled by U. S, Great Britain, France and Soviet Union ► Stalin pledged to allow Free Elections in Eastern Europe when the war ended. ► Stalin did not keep his promise.

2. The Cold War Begins In Europe ► Soviet army occupied eastern Europe and placed local Communists in power. ► Stalin finally had his “buffer” he believed that the USSR deserved. ► Winston Churchill announced that an “Iron Curtain” had descended on Eastern Europe.

2. The Cold War Begins In Europe ► Nations of Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, and, later, East Germany became Soviet satellites. ► Trade and Communication cut off between Eastern and Western Europe. ► Eastern European governments forced to create Communist economies and follow USSR Policies

3. Growing American Involvement ► Western Leaders feared that Stalin was another Hitler. ► U. S. was the only country powerful enough to resist the Soviet Union and the Spread of Communism

3. Growing American Involvement ► In 1947, Britain withdrew troops from Greece from fear of Communist Rebels. ► President Truman sends aid to Greece and Turkey to stop Communist Rebellion. ► He then offered to support all free people who resist Communism

3. Growing American Involvement ► This created a policy known as the “Truman Doctrine” ► Marked the beginning of American Containment Policy ► It said that the United States would not overturn Communism where it already existed, but would stop it from spreading any further.

3. Growing American Involvement ► Later that year, the US announced the Marshall Plan ► It gave billions of dollars in aid to Western European nations to rebuild their war-torn economies. ► Plan was to build more trade partners and help governments from turning to “other” economic systems.

3. Growing American Involvement ► The Berlin Airlift and the Division of Germany ► In 1948, Western allies began to merge their zones of occupation in Germany ► Stalin reacted by closing all Western highway and railroad links to Berlin ► Western allies then began massive airlift to feed and supply city

3. Growing American Involvement ► Within a year, Stalin admitted defeat and lifted the blockade. ► In 1949, the three Western zones of occupation officially merged into a new independent state known as the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) ► Stalin Responded by turning the Soviet Zone into German Democratic Republic (East Germany

4. Formation of Nato and Warsaw Pact ► In 1949, the United States, Canada, and ten Western European countries formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ► NATO was formed to protect Western Europe from Communist aggression. ► U. S. pledged to defend Western Europe with its nuclear weapons.

4. Formation of Nato and Warsaw Pact ► Soviet Leaders responded in 1955 by creating the Warsaw Pact with their Eastern European Allies. ► Hungary tried to drop out, so Soviet forces moved in to “crush the uprisings”

5. Cold War Reaches Asia ► Chiang Kai-Shek had defeated local Warlords and united most of China in 1928. ► Engaged in long struggle with both Chinese Communists and Japanese Invaders. ► Communist Leader Mao Zedong had to retreat his forces in the Long March to Northwestern China

5. Cold War Reaches Asia ► In 1937, Japan invaded China. ► Nationalist and Communist come together to fight the invaders. ► When Japan was defeated, they resumed their fight. ► Soviet Union provides help to Communist rebels by helping them gain the peasant support with land reform policies.

5. Cold War Reaches Asia ► In 1949, Mao Zedong and the Communist gained control ► Chiang retreated to the island of Taiwan, vowing to return.

6. Red Star Over China ► Mao Zedong emphasized the role of the peasantry ► Also made such changes as: § Eliminated “Capitalist Class” § Reeducation of Communist Beliefs § Family authority was replaced by authority of the Communist Party. Abolished Ancestor Worship.

7. The Great Leap Forward ► In 1956, Mao started forcing farmers into cooperative farms. § Families shared work and split crops ► They were later merged in to larger Communes

7. The Great Leap Forward ► In 1958, Mao introduced a Five-Year Plan aimed at turning China into an Industrial Power. ► China’s Vast Population was used to build dams, roads, and factories. ► But Poor Planning caused overspending which led to economic disaster and starvation with up to 30 -50 million died.

The Korean War ► Mao’s victory only strengthened the fears of Communism spreading. ► Like Germany, Korea was divided in 1945. ► Korea was divided into a Communist North and Democratic South. ► In 1950, Communist North Korea invades South Korea

The Korean War ► President Truman kept his promise and came to help of South Korea ► Under a United Nations Resolution, the U. S. and other countries came to force the Communist Back ► The United Nations forces were led by General Douglas Mac. Arthur and invaded North Korea

The Korean War ► When the war approached Chinese border, China itself intervened. ► Mac. Arthur wanted to use Nuclear weapons on China, so Truman removed him from command ► In 1953, a compromise ended the war leaving North and South Korea exactly where they started.

The Cultural Revolution ► By 1962, border disputes and Mao’s dislike of reforms in the Soviet Union caused an open disagreement. ► Mao used this Sino-Soviet split to bid for world leadership of the Communist movement.

The Cultural Revolution ► Mao wanted to boost enthusiasm of party official and cover up his failures from the Great Leap Forward ► Mao pushed China towards what he called the Cultural Revolution ► Mao’s sayings from his “Little Red Book” served as the Blue Print.

The Cultural Revolution ► In 1966, Mao closed China’s universities and schools and invited eleven million students to gather in Beijing as Red Guards ► Used Red Guards to attack intellectuals that looked down on the common man ► Scholars were sent to farms and old Chinese culture destroyed

The Cultural Revolution ► Mao opponents were removed, imprisoned, tortured, and killed ► Eventually Red Guards were out of control and needed military to control them. ► Once again this policy led to food shortages ► In 1969, Red Guard were sent to Farms ► That ended the violence but as many as one million people died.

Cambodia ► Withdrawal of American Forces from Vietnam led to collapse of Cambodian government. ► In 1975, the Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Communist took control ► Their leader, Pol Pot carried out the policy of genocide of 4 million city dwellers and opponents. ► In 1978, finally overthrown by Vietnamese.

The Cold War Ends

Soviet Stagnation ► After Khrushchev fell in 1964, the Soviet Union fell into a period of stagnation (no growth) ► Supplies could not keep up with Population ► Unable to compete with free-market economies of the West. ► Soviet Party members getting special privileges

Soviet Stagnation ► Soviet leaders tried the policy of detente to ease tensions. ► Rebellions in Czechoslovakia in 1968 and Afghanistan in 1979 ended that policy. ► Natan Sharansky, founder of Refusenik Movement, was imprisoned for demanding human rights for nine years.

The Gorbachev Years ► In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union ► Instituted three major reforms ►Glasnost- “Greater Openness” Lifted restrictions on media, borders, and communications with West. ►Perestroika-”Restructuring” of economic policies, promoted individuals owning small businesses ►Foreign Policy-began negotiations with U. S. to reduce nuclear arms and allow Eastern European countries to create Democratic Countries

The Iron Curtain Falls In Eastern Europe ► In 1978, Pope John Paul II was the first non Italian Pope elected in 400 years. ► Inspired Polish people to lead the way for the demand of change. ► Lech Walesa organized independent trade union. ► Government tried to crush movement, but the strike of the Gdansk shipyard caused it to spread through Poland.

The Iron Curtain Falls In Eastern Europe ► Poland became first Eastern European Government to become non-Communist ► The idea of free government spread to other Eastern European Governments who then left communism too. ► In 1989, the Berlin Wall was opened for the first time since 1961.

Gorbachev’s Problems Grow ► Gorbachev’s policies were failing to maintain control ► Nationalism became to spread again, with Boris Yelton being elected President of the Russian Republic. ► Gorbachev was helpless to stop them.

The Dissolution of the Soviet Union ► August 1991, hardcore Communists stage a military coup to overthrow Gorbachev. ► Lacking popular support, the coup collapsed ► Discredited the communist even more. ► Gorbachev tried to negotiate a new arrangement for the Soviet Union but in December 1991, it collapsed

The Dissolution of the Soviet Union ► Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine all declared their independence. ► They formed the Commonwealth of Independent States ► They were independent but served the group in limited functions ► Gorbachev resigned at the 1991 and the U. S. S. R was no more.

The Reunification of Germany ► When the Soviet Union fell, German reunited. ► Helmet Kohl, West Germany’s Leader, helped negotiate the reunification, which became official at the end of 1990. ► After half a century of division, Germany was once again a united nation

Changes Come to China ► After Mao’s Death, Deng Xiaoping became China’s leader. ► Introduced free enterprise slowly without losing monopoly on government power. ► Wanted to “modernize” China by reforming its economy.

Tiananmen Square and the Limits of Reform ► In 1989, Chinese college students peacefully demonstrated in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. ► Wanted greater personal freedom and democracy. ► When they wouldn’t leave, army tanks fired of the demonstrators, killing hundreds. ► Western leaders reduced trade for incident but trade has resumed.

Tiananmen Square