The Cold War Origins 1955 Potsdam Conference Truman

The Cold War: Origins 1955

Potsdam Conference • Truman, Churchill, and Stalin meet to discuss German occupation and the punishment of War Crimes • Germany separated into East and West, with Berlin separated into 4 districts: East Berlin (Soviet), and than American, French, and British occupied districts

United Nations Formation • The United Nations was formed at first to assure that there was one unified peace, instead of several separate peace treaties with varying terms. • As well, the United Nations was chartered to serve as an intergovernmental meeting place for diplomatic purposes and the prevention of another World War • General Assembly of all member states, and Security Council of America, China, Great Britain, and Russia, as well as 6 elected nations

Truman Doctrine • Doctrine meant to protect “free peoples” from falling to totalitarian regimses that by direct or indirect aggression, would undermine the foundations of international peace and hence the security of the United States. • This was the basis for the ideology of Containment, and the “”Domino” theory, where if one country fell, others would, and all would be lost; it was a major motivator for the American forces to fight against communist revolts and takeovers in other countries, be it Latin America, or Asia.

Mccarthyism • Immediately after World War 2, there was a frenzied anticommunism throughout the country, which made people turn on each other. • Joseph Mccarthy accused hundreds of being secret communists • Julius and Ethel Rosenburg were executed for being spies • Actors were blacklisted, and anybody who even seemed to be odd was accused, people had faith only in the government

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization • Nato was formed as an alliance of mutual defense between Western Europe and the United States in response to Soviet Aggression in Postwar Europe • Initial members were The United States, Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Canada, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Iceland Portugal • Later, West Germany, Spain, and Turkey would join

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift • Because of the reforms in West Germany, Stalin blockaded off all access roads to Berlin, cutting off 2. 5 million people from restocking on food and other essentials, when they already only had minimal supplies • US and British cargo planes flew over Germany around the clock delivering supplies, totaling 1. 7 million tons of supply to the west berliners • “Candy Bomber” from Salt Lake City, dropped candy to the children of Berlin, and raised morale and opinions of the United States in the hearts and minds of Germans

American Involvement in Asia • The American Government was invested in keeping Communism out of Asia as much as it possibly could, in fear that once a country fell, more around it would as well, and the tide would be unstoppable, this was the Domino theory • When the Communist party took control of China, Congress heavily criticized Truman and his administration for not providing enough direct aid to the Republic of China, and Chiang Kai-Shek, this only further made the Americans more upfront in their need for involvement in Asian affairs

Korean War Begins • On June 25, 1950, North Korea invades South Korea, claiming the Republic of Korea attacked North Korean forces • Within days, General Douglas Mac. Arthur is authorized to lead troops in to fight for the Republic of Korea • United Nations sends troops in with Mac. Arthur as well, and a resolution is passed to occupy all of North Korea • September 13, 1950 at 6: 33 Am: United Nations and American troops arrive at Inchon

Korean War • Chinese forces supply and reinforce North Korea, lead the charge to recapturing Seoul, triggering UN Counteroffensive • Mac. Arthur dismissed over dispute on how to manage the Cold War (Mac. Arthur wanted nuclear warfare) • United Nations and Chinese/Korean forces fight back and forth, with no real progress made until a Cease-Fire in 1951 declares the 38 th Parallel the line of Demarcation and Cease-Fire

The Warsaw Pact • Eastern European Mutual Defense Alliance, this served as a legitimization of Soviet Forces in several countries, and was a direct response to the formation of a new West German army • This was the forge in which the conflicts would grow, now with a solidified alliance, NATO, and the Warsaw Pact, would square off against each other politically countless times, trying to secure governments for their ideals