The Cold War 1945 World War II ends

The Cold War

1945 • World War II ends • United States and Soviet Union were both on the winning side • U. S. and USSR are the two superpowers who emerge after WWII • Both want to spread their political and economic systems throughout the world

The Cold War 1945 -1991 • A period of “icy” tension between the United States and Soviet Union • These two countries never fight one another, but play their battles out in different parts of the world to promote their own type of government and economic system • They also compete in everything from the Olympics, to the race into space, to the race to get nuclear weapons

Different Societies - Economics Free Market Economy (Capitalism) • Unequal Distribution of Wealth • Private Ownership of Business • Competition • Really a mixed economy because government regulates business Command Economy (Communism) • Equal Distribution of Wealth • Government Ownership of Business • No Competition

Different Societies - Politics Democracy • Freedom to chose leaders • Freedom to question leaders and their policies • Majority rules, but minority has rights One-Party Rule • No freedom to select leaders • No speaking out against the leaders or their policies • Government controls and operates all aspects of society • Keeps power by controlling the military and crushing opponents

Post WWII – The Decolonization Period • Many colonial fighters supported Britain and France in the war against Fascism • They began to question why they were forced to answer to a foreign ruler • Nationalist Movements emerge and call for independence

Reasons for Decolonization • Liberal European government attitudes toward the colonies • Increased nationalism and revolts in the colonies • Europe’s debt prohibited them from putting down the nationalist revolts

Generalizations • In newly independent countries, people returned to their culture roots (indigenization) and often rejected western culture • Tribal, ethnic, and religious differences made creating stable governments difficult • Political instability often allowed military rulers or dictators to take power

Generalizations • Poverty and lack of development troubled new countries. Many believe that communism or socialism would help their new countries • The new governments got caught up in the Cold War rivalries between U. S. and USSR. The Soviets often were willing to give aid and support local Communist leaders. The U. S. found itself supporting anti-Communist forces, who were sometimes corrupt and dictatorial.