The Cold War Superpowers Face Off Setting the

The Cold War: Superpowers Face Off

Setting the Stage • During WWII the United States and the Soviet Union had joined forces to fight against Germany. • Even though they were allies the two countries did not get along; many because of their different political believes.

Allies Become Enemies • When the Soviets and Germany signed the nonaggression pact the United States got mad. • Stalin was upset allies didn’t invade German occupied land sooner.

Yalta Conference: A Postwar Plan • Before WWII ended the United States, Britain, and Soviet Union met at the Soviet Black Sea resort of Yalta. • At this meeting they agreed: 1. To divide Germany into zones and control it with their armies. 2. Germany would pay the Soviet Union for damaged property and loss of life. 3. Stalin would help fight Japan 4. Stalin would have free elections (Churchill was skeptical about this)

Creation of the United Nations • At the end of WWII the U. S. and Soviet Union attempted to put aside their differences and joined 48 other countries in forming the United Nations. • The purpose was to protect members from aggression and it was to be based in NY. • How does it work? • Each UN member can cast a vote on issues • 11 member body called the security council had real power to investigate & settle issues. • 5 permanent members-US, France, Britain, China & Soviet Union could veto actions.

Differing U. S. and Soviet Goals • Despite their agreement at Yalta & Security council meetings, the US and Soviet Union had different goals. • The Soviets had 50 x the amount of soldiers killed and Soviet cities were destroyed leading to political & economic differences. • Meanwhile, the US had become the most rich and powerful country in the world.

Discussion Question Why did the United States and the Soviet Union split after the war?

Eastern Europe’s Iron Curtain/ Soviets Build A Buffer • A major goal of the Soviet Union was to shield itself from another invasion from the west. • Russia had no natural borders to protect them • At the end of World War II their troops occupied a strip of countries along the Soviets own western border.

Soviets build a buffer • Stalin viewed these countries as a necessary wall of protection and installed Communist governments in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Poland & Yugoslavia. • Stalin’s refusal to allow free elections was a clear violation of the Yalta meeting. • Stalin & US President Truman met in Germany in July of 1945. Truman pressed Stalin to allow free elections, but Stalin refused. • Stalin states the communism & capitalism could not exist in the same world.

An Iron Curtain Divides East and West • Europe was divided into two parts, east & west. • Germany was split into two. • The Soviets controlled the east including half of the Capital of Berlin. • It’s turned into a communist government and was called the German Democratic Republic. • The west being the Federal Republic of Germany • Churchill called this the Iron curtain- Cold War boundary separating the Communist nations of Eastern Europe from the mostly democratic nations of Western Europe.

Discussion Question Why might Winston Churchill use “iron curtain” to refer to the division between Western and Eastern Europe?

United States tries to contain Soviets • In response, Truman adopts containment- US policy directed at blocking Soviet influence and stopping the expansion of communism including help weak countries to resist the Soviets. (forming alliances) • Truman Doctrine- US policy of giving economic & military aid to free nations that rejected the spread of communism. • Marshall Plan- US program of economic aid to European countries to help them rebuild after World War II. Provided food, machinery and other goods.

The Berlin Airlift • The US and its allies clashed with Russia over Germany. • Soviets wanted to keep Germany weak and divided. • France, Britain & US wanted to withdraw forces and allow Germany to form one nation. • The Soviets cut off water and supplies to western Europe, but the allies flew food and supplies into West Berlin for 11 months to help defeat the Soviet Union who lifted the blockade.

Discussion Questions What was Truman’s major reason for offering aid to other countries? What Soviet actions led to the Berlin airlift?

The Cold War Divides the World • These conflicts marked the start of the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union. • Cold War- struggle over political differences carried on by means short of military action of war. • Instead they used spying, propaganda, diplomacy, and secret operations.

Superpowers Form Rival Alliances • Most of the world was allied with either the US or the Soviet Union. • NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Organization was a defensive military alliance formed by 10 western European nations, Canada & the US. Any attack on a NATO member would be met by attack from all member nations. • Warsaw Pact- military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and 7 Eastern European countries. • 1961 - The Berlin wall was built to separate East & West Berlin symbolizing a divided world.

The Threat of Nuclear War • Events will lead to brinkmanship- a policy threatening to go to war in response to any enemy aggression. • The US and Russia developed nuclear weapons creating fear thus leading to a military build up by both nations known as the arms race. • The countries competed with each other on everything.

The Cold War in the Skies • Sputnik- first unmanned Soviet satellite made the US feel like they were falling behind in science & technology forcing the US to pour money into science education. • The U. S. begins to send U-2 (spy planes) to scope out Soviet territory. • May 1960, Soviets shoot down Francis Gary Powers U-2 plane which heightens the Cold War tension.

Discussion Question How did the U. S. policy of brinkmanship contribute to the arms race?

COLD WAR ACTIVITY • Time Line!

Summary of the Sides The West • Players: • USA – Truman • UK – Churchill • Gov’t: • Capitalist / Democratic • Supranational Organization: • NATO The Rest (East) • Players • USSR – Stalin • China – Mao • Gov’t: • Communist • Supranational Organization: • Warsaw Pact