33:4 The Cold War Divides the World

Post-World War II: nations grouped politically into three “worlds” – First World: industrialized capitalist nations (U.S. & allies) – Second World: Communist nations led by Soviet Union – Third World: during the Cold War, developing nations not aligned with either the United States or the Soviet Union

Fighting for the Third World Third World nations located in Latin America, Asia, & Africa – Economically poor, politically unstable – Long history of colonialism – Ethnic conflicts, lack of technology & education – Need to build society: choice between Soviet Communism and American democracy

Cold War Strategies: – U.S., U.S.S.R. gain influence in Third World by backing revolution, liberation, counterrevolution – U.S., Soviet intelligence agencies (CIA, KGB) engage in covert activities (spying, assassination)

– U.S. gives military aid, builds schools, sets up anti-poverty programs, sends volunteer workers to developing nations – U.S.S.R. offers military and technical assistance, mainly to India and Egypt

Association of Nonaligned Nations: – Many developing nations seek assistance, some nations wish to stay out of global affairs – India vows to remain neutral – 1955: Indonesia hosts many Asian & African leaders at Bandung Conference

– Leaders meet to form “third force” of nonaligned nations: the independent countries that remained neutral in the Cold War competition between the United State and the Soviet Union – India, Indonesia remain neutral – Other nations take sides with superpowers or play competing sides against each other

Confrontations in Latin America – Post WWII Latin America: rapid industrialization, population growth, gap between rich/poor – Nations seek aid from both superpowers – Communism, nationalism inspire revolution – U.S., U.S.S.R. provide military and economic assistance

Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution: – 1950s: Cuba ruled by unpopular dictator, Fulgencio Batista, supported by U.S. – January 1959: Batista overthrown – Revolution led by Fidel Castro – Castro initially praised for social, economic reforms – Castro becomes dictator; suspends elections, jails or executes opponents, controls the press

– Castro nationalizes the economy; seizes control of U.S.-owned sugar mills and refineries – U.S. response: Eisenhower orders embargo on all trade with Cuba – Castro turns to Soviets for economic and military aid

– 1960: CIA trains anti-Castro Cuban exiles for invasion – April 1961: Bay of Pigs invasion fails; ground forces do not receive planned air support – Castro’s forces easily defeat invaders – President John F. Kennedy, U.S. humiliated

Nuclear Face-Off: the Cuban Missile Crisis: – Failed Bay of Pigs invasion convinces Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev that U.S. will not resist Soviet expansion in Latin America – July 1962: Khrushchev secretly builds 42 missile sights in Cuba – October: American spy plane discovers sites – JFK demands removal of missiles; announces naval blockade to prevent arrival of more missiles

– Castro protests Cuba’s role as a pawn in Cold War – Worldwide fear of nuclear war ensues – Khrushchev agrees to remove missiles; U.S. promises not to invade Cuba – Cuba completely dependent on Soviet support

– Castro agrees to support Communist revolutions in Latin America and Africa – Soviet aid to Cuba ends in 1991 following breakup of Soviet Union – End of support cripples Cuban economy – Castro forced to loosen control of economy and seek better relations with other countries

Civil War in Nicaragua: – U.S. funds Nicaraguan dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza, family since 1933 – 1979: Communist Sandinista rebels topple Somoza’s son, Anastasio – U.S., U.S.S.R. both give aid to Sandinistas and leader Daniel Ortega – Sandinistas give aid to Marxist rebels in El Salvador

– U.S. helps El Salvadoran government by supporting Nicaraguan ant-Communist forces called the Contras (contrarevolucionarios) – Nicaraguan civil war lasts a decade; weakens nation’s economy – 1990: Ortega agrees to hold free elections; Ortega defeated by Violeta Chamorro – Sandinistas defeated in 1996 and 2001 – 2006: Ortega reelected as president

Confrontations in the Middle East Religious & Secular Values Clash in Iran: – Oil industry wealth causes tension between traditional Islamic values and modern Western materialism – Post WWII: Iran’s leader, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi embraces Western governments and wealthy Western oil companies

– Iranian nationalists resent foreign alliances; unite under Prime Minister Muhammed Mossadeq – British-owned oil company nationalized – 1953: nationalists force shah to flee – U.S. helps restore shah to power

The United States Supports Secular Rule: – 1950s: Shah westernizes Iran with U.S. support – Tehran becomes modern, prosperous; millions still live in poverty – Shah attempts to weaken political influence of Iran’s conservative Muslim leaders (ayatollahs)

– 1978: leader Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini inspires revolution from exile – 1979: overwhelming opposition forces shah to flee Iran – Khomeini returns to Iran; establishes Islamic state

Khomeini’s Anti-U.S. Policies: – Khomeini demands strict adherence to Islam; inspires hatred of U.S. for supporting shah – 1979: Islamic revolutionaries seize U.S. embassy in Tehran – 60 American hostages taken; demand for U.S. to force shah to face trial

– Most hostages remain prisoner for 444 days; released in 1981 – Khomeini encourages Muslim radicals everywhere to overthrow secular governments – Policy increases tensions between Iran and Iraq – Iraq ruled by military leader Saddam Hussein; governed as secular state

– 1980: war breaks out between Iran and Iraq – U.S. secretly gives aid to both sides to keep balance of power – U.S.S.R. supports Iraq – 1 million Iranians, Iraqis die during war – 1988: UN negotiates ceasefire

The Superpowers Face Off in Afghanistan: – Post WWII: Afghanistan maintains independence from both superpowers for several years – 1950s: Soviet influence increases – 1970s: Muslim revolt threatens Communist government – 1979: Soviets invade Afghanistan – Rebel forces outmaneuver Soviet superpower

– Afghan rebels, mujahideen (holy warriors), armed with American weapons – U.S. considers Soviet invasion threat to Middle Eastern oil supplies – President Jimmy Carter warns U.S.S.R. against attempt at controlling Persian Gulf – U.S. stops grain shipments to Soviet Union; orders boycott of 1980 Moscow Olympics

– 1980s: new Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev acknowledges war’s devastating costs – 1989: Gorbachev withdraws all troops from Afghanistan – Internal unrest and economic problems threaten Communist regime and the existence of the Soviet Union itself