1. The World After World War II
US History

2. How did the US and the Soviet Union become Cold War Adversaries?
There were many challenges related to the growing mistrust of the United States’ wartime ally, the Soviet Union.
Just as there are many ways to respond to the hypothetical fight in the cafeteria, the United States could have responded to these foreign policy challenges in a variety of ways.

3. On a blank piece of paper, create an organizer that looks like this
Use the whole front of the page (you will need the room) N

4. How do we control Nuclear Weapons?
Based on this image, what do you think the first foreign policy challenge might be?
World War II ended with the use of a massively destructive new weapon: the atomic bomb. In 1946, the United States is the only nation with this new nuclear technology. Several countries, including the Soviet Union, are working to develop their own nuclear capability.
Choose an option from the next slide that you think will best address the problem of controlling nuclear weapons. Prepare to justify your choice with two or more reasons.
How do we control Nuclear Weapons?

5. How do we control Nuclear Weapons?
Options:
Option 1: Let other countries develop nuclear weapons—the United States can’t control what other countries do
Option 2: Suggest a ban on any future bomb making with an exception that allows the United States to keep its nuclear weapons.
How do we control Nuclear Weapons?
Option 4: Bomb any country that is developing nuclear weapons so the United States remains the only one with the knowledge and ability.
Option 3: Propose a plan to the United Nations in which the United States agrees to destroy its nuclear weapons and in which strict penalties will be imposed on any country found making nuclear bombs.

6. How do we stop the spread of communism (in Greece)?
Based on this image, what do you think the second foreign policy challenge might be?
How do we stop the spread of communism (in Greece)?
“Not long ago, an Iron Curtain descended on Europe, dividing the Soviet-controlled communist nations from the rest of the world. Now Greece is embroiled in a civil war. Communist rebels threaten to take over the country, and they may attempt to take over Greece next. Where will they stop?”

7. How do we stop a Communist Take-over of Greece?
Options:
Option 1: Do nothing—the Soviet Union is not directly supporting communist rebels in Greece.
Option 2: Give financial aid to the Greek government to boost the nation's economy and stop the spread of communism.
How do we stop a Communist Take-over of Greece?
Option 4: Take control of the Greek government to expel the communists and install a democracy.
Option 3: Send troops to defeat the communists, and train the Greek military on how to keep order.

8. How should the U.S. respond to Postwar conditions in Europe?
Based on this image, what do you think the third foreign policy challenge might be?
World War II left Europe devastated. Millions were dead, cities were destroyed, and homes were lost. Such destruction causes poverty and discontent, making the countries of Europe perfect breeding grounds for communist movements. Greece could be only the beginning.
How should the U.S. respond to Postwar conditions in Europe?

9. How should the U.S. respond to postwar conditions in Europe?
Options:
Option 1: Do nothing—we already spent a lot helping Europe during World War II.
How should the U.S. respond to postwar conditions in Europe?
Option 2: Supply loans on a case-by-case basis to European countries that have been longtime allies.
Option 4: Send military troops and advisers to be in charge of postwar rebuilding in devastated European countries.
Option 3: Generously fund any European country as long as the money is spent on goods made in the United States.

10. Summarizing Questions
What foreign policy challenges did the United States face after World War II?
• Did the United States adequately respond to those challenges? Why or why not?
How did those responses contribute to the tensions that resulted in the Cold War?

11. United Nations
April 1945, representatives of 50 countries, including the United States, adopted the charter for the United Nations, an organization dedicated to cooperation in solving international problems. 11

12. On April 12, Roosevelt died unexpectedly, making Vice President Truman the new President
Truman continued Roosevelt’s negotiations with Stalin at the Potsdam Conference in July. 12

13. Conflicting Postwar Goals
American Goals
Wanted Europe to experience the democracy and freedoms that the United States had fought for during the war
Wanted to develop strong capitalist economies, which would provide good markets for American products
$$$
Soviet Goals
Wanted to rebuild Europe in ways that would help the Soviet Union recover from the huge losses it suffered during the war
Wanted to establish Soviet satellite nations, countries subject to Soviet domination and a buffer from the west
Wanted to promote the spread of communism throughout the world 13

14. Soviets Tighten Their Hold
Communist Expansion in Eastern Europe
Albania and Bulgaria
Czechoslovakia
Hungary
Romania
East Germany
Yugoslavia 14

15. Iron Curtain Speech 1946 Fulton Missouri
Statement clearly describing existing situation
“From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the continent." 15

16. Truman Doctrine
March 12, 1947
Greece and Turkey in danger of falling to communist insurgents
Truman requested $400 million from Congress in aid to both countries.
Success! The money helps the government prevent a communist takeover! 16

17. America develops a policy of containment
Stop the spread of communism anywhere in the world.
The Truman Doctrine, United States would support free peoples who resist attempted conquest.. 17

18. Marshall Plan On June 5, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall
proposes a massive aid program to rebuild Europe from the ravages of World War II. (don’t make the same mistakes as WWI)
Nearly $13 billion in U.S. aid was sent to Europe from 1948 to 1952.
The Soviet Union and communist Eastern Europe decline U.S. aid, citing "dollar enslavement." 18

19. Germany! Germany has been divided into 4 sections!
British, French, American and Soviet
They could “clean-up”
No one country could take over

20. Berlin!
ALSO, the Capitol of Germany - Berlin, located in Communist East Germany, was divided into West Berlin (capitalist) and East Berlin (Communist). 20

21. 2.3 million tons of relief supplies.
Berlin!
In response, Allied nations began the Berlin airlift, which delivered thousands of tons of food and other supplies to West Berlin via air.
Although the Soviet blockade ended in May 1949, Berlin remained a focal point of Cold War conflict.
In June 1948, Stalin banned all shipments to West Berlin through East Germany, creating a blockade which threatened to cut off supplies to the city.
2.3 million tons of relief supplies. 21

23. NATO
Soviet vetoes prevent the U.N. from resolving many postwar problems – U.S. needs help defending against communism
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in April 1949.
the United States, Canada, and ten Western European nations pledged to support one another against attack, a principle known as collective security.
In response, the Soviet Union created the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance between the Soviet Union and its satellite nations. 23

24. Nuclear Destruction?
In September 1949, the Soviet Union successfully tests an atomic bomb.
In response, the United States began developing the even more powerful hydrogen bomb, reestablishing itself as the world’s leading nuclear power.
The newly formed Federal Civil Defense Administration distributed information on how to survive a nuclear attack; 24

26. People’s Republic of China!
Civil war breaks out in 1920s!
During World War II, the two sides cooperate –
The communists lead by Mao Zedong
The Nationalists lead by Chiang Kai-shek
They resume their fight near at the end of WWII.
Guess which side the U.S. supports? (in spite of inept leaders and lots of corruption!)
1949 – Creation of the PRC! 26

27. Nationalists flee to Taiwan!

28. Chinese Civil War US REACTION!
The most populous nation in the world is now communist!
Who’s fault was it?
Did we do enough?
Was containment working?
US REACTION!
Refusal to acknowledge PRC as a legitimate nation
cut off trade with China
Convinced U.N. to deny PRC admittance

29. Uh…oh….Money didn’t work? How might the U.S. respond now?

30. Domino Theory
The belief that if one country fell to the communists it would bring about a chain reaction of other countries turning to communism.

31. MAPS

32. Korea!
World War II ends with no plan for Korean independence from Japan.
temporarily divided at the thirty-eighth parallel, the latitude line running through approximately the midpoint of the peninsula.
A pro-American government formed in South Korea, while a Communist government formed in North Korea. 32

33. On June 25, North Korean communist forces cross the 38th parallel and invade South Korea.

34. the call for “Police Action”
President Truman turns to the United Nations.
15 nations join the UN forces, although the majority of soldiers come from the U.S.
Aim: to create a “unified, independent and democratic Korea.”

35. TIMELINE
1949 – China became Communist – supported North Korea
1950 – N Korea invaded S Korea
Sept 1950 – UN troops into South Korea at INCHON
N Koreans pushed back into North Korea

36. THE KOREAN WAR
A grief stricken American infantryman whose buddy has been killed in action is comforted by another soldier. In the background a corpsman methodically fills out casualty tags, Haktong-ni area, Korea. August 28, Sfc. Al Chang. (Army)

37. Desegregation of the Military
After African-Americans fought for the Four Freedoms during World War II – they were denied rights at home
If the U.S. wanted nations to follow their democratic example, it needed to rid itself of segregation
Executive Order 9981, signed on July 26, 1948, forbade discriminating against military personnel because of race, color, religion, or national origin.

38. TIMELINE
Oct 1950 CHINA invades!
UN troops pushed all the way back to S Korea
– STALEMATE around 38th Parallel

40. April 1951 – MacArthur fired!
Fighting continued until 1952
1952 – Truman replaced by Eisenhower
1953 – Stalin dies
July Armistice signed

42. MacArthur returns a hero… But eventually fades away…

43. WHO WON???? S KOREA REMAINED ‘FREE’ Containment had worked
Korea badly damaged
The human cost
Still two separate states today
Still US troops in Korea

44. THE COST IN HUMAN LIFE

45. By 1950 had Containment worked???
Most Americans agreed with containing communism
Some wanted a more aggressive policy like MacArthur
People at home were very frightened by the spread of communism…

46. The Cold War in the 1950s
United States involvement around the world, 1947–1956
Eastern Europe — Wary of war with the Soviets, America did not support uprisings in East Germany, Poland, and Hungary.
Southeast Asia — Korean War ends; former French colony of Vietnam is divided into Communist North and anti-Communist South.
Middle East — United States supports Israel, backs groups that restore a pro-American Shah in Iran; the Suez Crisis in Egypt erupts.
Latin America — Organization of American States (OAS) is created; American aid helps anti-Communist leaders gain and retain power. 46

47. U.S. and U.S.S.R. compete in an nuclear arms race, a struggle to gain weapons superiority.
Deterrence, the policy of maintaining a military arsenal so strong that no enemy will attack for fear of retaliation, resulted in the escalating development of powerful nuclear weapons.
This is also known as MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION! (MAD)

48. Deterrence

49. The Arms Race
To carry bombs to their targets, the Soviet Union developed long-range rockets known as intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs.
In 1957, one of these rockets was used to launch the Soviet satellite Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth.
Space Race to put weapons in space and to just show superiority! 49