The Cold War Overview Notes The Basics Lasted

The Cold War Overview Notes

The Basics • Lasted from 1945 -1991 • Elevated tensions between the U. S. and the Soviet Union – Plus the allies of each country • Commonly referred to as East vs. West • Never escalated into a full scale war between the two – There were “hot spots” where tensions flared up

The Basics • The Cold War was really about Communism vs. Democracy (and Capitalism)

New Alliances Emerge • As a result of these tensions, two new military alliances emerged: 1. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – U. S. and allies 2. Warsaw Pact – Soviet Union and allies

NATO VS. Warsaw In Europe

Cold War Events that Shaped the “Conflict”

The Berlin Wall • Built to keep East and West Berlin separated • Became the symbol of the Cold War

The Cuban Missile Crisis • In 1959, Fidel Castro set up a communist state in Cuba • In 1962, the U. S. found out that he was allowing the Soviet Union to put nukes on the island – Only 90 miles from U. S. • World almost goes to nuclear war because of it

Proxy Wars • Throughout the Cold War era, the Soviet Union and United States engaged in “proxy wars” – Wars in which they would support different sides, but not directly fight each other • Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan are the main examples • A direct fight between US and USSR could mean World War Three!

Proxy Wars Korean War Vietnam War • Korea was divided between • Vietnam was also divided North (communist) and between Communist North South (democratic) after and Democratic South after WWII • US sends troops to support • US fought to stop spread of South Korea when invaded communism there from 1964 -1975 • 1950 -1953 • War is technically not over, • US feared “domino theory” if Vietnam became just in a period of armistice communist

Korean War Vietnam War

The Space Race • The U. S. and Soviets competed to see who was superior scientifically • Technology to fire rockets into space could also be used to launch missiles • Soviets have early victories, but U. S. beats them to the moon

Nuclear Arms Race • Both sides tried to develop more nuclear weapons than the other • Tested weapons all through the 1950’s and 1960’s • Threat of nuclear was very real and always a concern for people • US and Soviets agreed to what was known as MAD – Mutually Assured Destruction

Nuclear Arms Buildup

“Duck and Cover” video

The End of the Cold War Overview Notes Vs. Ronald Reagan Mikhail Gorbachev

The 1970’s • Cold War “cooled off” during this period • Known as “détente” – French for “relaxing” • Fear of nuclear was reduced as weapon buildups halted

Nuclear Arms Reductions

The 1980’s • Tensions build again in the 1980’s • Ronald Reagan becomes U. S. president • Has a new idea for ending the Cold War – bankrupt the Soviet Union!

The 1980’s • Reagan’s plan called for restarting the arms race and forcing the Soviet Union to keep up • He knew the S. U. economy would fail and people would call for reforms

The 1980’s • Reagan’s rival in the S. U. – Mikhail Gorbachev – tried to reform the country by easing government roles – Perestroika and Glasnost • This plan backfired and people wanted more of the freedom that he had given them

The End • By 1989 the Berlin Wall was torn down by unhappy Germans • One-by-one, the states of the S. U. demanded freedom • The Soviet Union officially dissolved on December 31, 1991