ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR

 1917 – US-RUS had strained relations  1933 – US officially recognizes Communist Russia (out of necessity, not want)  1941 – US-USSR are “allied” after German invasion  1943 – Stalin angered US-ENG choose North Africa instead of helping him  FDR vastly misinterprets relationship with Stalin

FDR jokingly called Stalin “Uncle Joe”

 Last WWII meeting between FDR, Churchill and Stalin  Agreed to:  Divide post war Germany into 4 sections  Stalin promised “free” elections in East Europe

Problems between US/England and Russia at the discussion table at Yalta Conference STALIN FDR CHURCHILL

Germany would be split into 4 sections, each controlled by a member of the Allies Berlin was split also, but was deep in the Soviet zone

 FDR developed idea (1942)  Originally created to gain allies to defeat Axis (26 nations)  Develops into international org. to maintain post war peace (1943)  Finalized at Yalta  11 Nations made up Security Council  US, China, Soviet Union, England and France get permanent seats

 Agreed upon at Yalta  1945 – 50 Nations met in SF, CA  Established charter:  Settle differences peacefully  Stop wars before they start  11 Nations made up Security Council  US, China, Soviet Union, England and France had permanent seats

SIGNING THE UN CHARTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA, AUGUST 1945

193 NATIONS CURRENTLY ACTIVE

THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ROOM

THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL ROOM

 FDR, in poor health, never lived to see the UN meeting or the end of WWII in Europe and the Pacific  The nation mourned his shocking death

 Harry S. Truman - 33 rd President  Very unprepared for the job  FDR kept Truman out of foreign affairs  He must finish both wars in Europe and Pacific  He must control Stalin

 He planned to compromise with Russia at first, but quickly changed his mind

POTSDAM CONFERENCE  JULY 1945

 He planned to compromise with Russia at first, but quickly changed his mind  He had to show strength

 1. The Soviet Union was occupying Central and Eastern Europe  2. Britain had a new Prime Minister  3. America had a new President  4. The US had tested an atomic bomb  5. The Post-War world is the single greatest concern

Winston Churchill coined the phrase the ‘Iron Curtain’ to refer to Communist oppression and domination

TURNING POINT IN FOREIGN RELATIONS

 Sends the “Long Telegram” from Moscow to the US  In it he states”  USSR was intent on expansion  US must stop them or else they will gain world dominance  Containment becomes the US foreign policy to fight the Cold War US Ambassador to USSR George Kennan

 US recognized Soviet control of East Europe  Vowed to stop further spread  Various methods will be used  Economic Aid  Military Action

 1947 – Truman announces his plan to prevent Soviet take over of Turkey and Greece  $400 Million sent to Greece and Turkey  Economic aid was a key tool to fight Communism

"it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."

 US would financially support European nations develop new economic programs  COST  $13B  US offered deal to Soviets; they refused

 Stop Communism in W. Europe  establishing Democratic governments  Create allies to fight Communism  Gain European trade markets

 North Atlantic Treaty Organization  UN struggled to accomplish goals  Soviets vetoed all Capitalist policies  “The West” needs a strong alliance  US-Canada-W. Europe join together

US – Belgium – Britain – Canada – Denmark – France – Iceland – Italy – Luxemburg – Netherlands – Norway – Portugal – 1952: Greece & Turkey – 1955: West Germany – 1983: Spain Defense alliance (Attack on 1 was Attack on all)

 Soviet response to NATO  Military alliance with satellite nations in E. Europe

U. S. S. R. – Albania – Bulgaria – Czechoslovakia - East Germany – Hungary – Poland – Romania

 Stalin cut off access to W. Berlin  US responded with airlift of goods to people of W. Berlin  Stalin realized failure and ends blockade.

GAIL HALVORSEN “THE CANDY BOMBER”

1. Soviets successfully test atomic bomb 2. Communist leader Mao Zedong captured Beijing a. China goes Communist

 National Security Council – Resolution 68  pushed for a large build up of the U.S military  Korean conflict  pressed for offensive tactics  $37B increase in defense spending  determined US foreign policy for the next years  Allowed US to "strive for victory" in cold war