THE COLD WAR AND THE 1950’s What was it? How did it develop? Why is it important?

THE COLD WAR DEVELOPS The Cold War is a phrase used to describe the era of strong tension between the democratic United States of America and the communist Soviet Union. The Cold War began in the late 1940s as the two superpowers debated over how to rebuild Europe after World War II.

U.S. Aims versus Soviet Aims in Europe Create a new world order in which all nations had the right of self- determination Gain access to raw materials and markets for its industries Rebuild European governments to ensure stability and to create new markets for American goods Reunite Germany, believing that Europe would be more secure if Germany were productive Encourage communism in other countries as part of the worldwide struggle between workers and the wealthy Rebuild its war-ravaged economy using Eastern Europe’s industrial equipment and raw materials Control Eastern Europe to balance the U.S. influence in Western Europe Keep Germany divided and weak so that it would never again threaten the Soviet Union Source: The Americans, McDougal-Littell, Chapter 18, p.604

LEADERS AT THE START OF THE COLD WAR Harry S. Truman – President of the United States Joseph Stalin – leader of the Soviet Union

U.S. POLICY: CONTAINMENT Containment became the official policy of the United States under the Truman Doctrine. This doctrine provided economic and military aid to countries that were struggling to prevent communist takeovers. In 1947, President Truman asked Congress for and received 400 million dollars for supporting the nations of Turkey and Greece. This policy worked because it prevented these two countries from becoming communist. In 1948, the Berlin blockade happened when the Soviets choked off supplies to West Berlin. The Soviets were trying to force the former allies out of the city. The United States was forced to air lift supplies in the city to keep it alive until the blockade was lifted. This was known as the Berlin Airlift. Containment was the idea of keeping communism from spreading beyond its current borders.

The Marshall Plan The goal of it was to revise the post-war economic devastation in Europe after the war. Secretary of State George Marshall said the goal behind the plan was “not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos (606).” Over 4 years, some 16 European countries received 13 billion dollars in aid. By 1952, western Europe was flourishing and the communist party no longer appealed to the citizens of these countries.

COLLECTIVE SECURITY The U.S. tried to help control the spread of communism through collective security. Collective security is the idea that a group of nations agree to treat an attack on one nation as an attack on all. The U.S., along with 12 other nations formed NATO in 1949 as a means of collective security. Ron Burgundy and the Channel 4 News Team provided collective security against the threats they faced from Wes Mantooth.

Ideological boundaries of the world

THE COLD WAR: OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD CHINA KOREA

CHINA TURNS TO COMMUNISM Towards the end of World War II, civil war broke out in China between the nationalists and communists. The United States supported the nationalists with $3 billion in aid from The U.S. supported the nationalists because of…CONTAINMENT.

LEADERS ON EACH SIDE Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the nationalists Mao Zedong, leader of the communists

U.S. INVOLVEMENT The U.S. did support the nationalists with money but did not send U.S. troops to China to help the nationalists. In 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and the nationalists would flee China to the island of Taiwan. Mao Zedong set up the People’s Republic of China, which the U.S. did not recognize as a country at that time. The American public was unhappy that the U.S. did not get more involved. Containment had appeared to fail.

THE KOREAN WAR After World War II, Korea was split into two parts – and the 38 th parallel line was the dividing line. Japanese troops to the north of the 38 th parallel had surrendered to the Soviet Union, so North Korea became communist under Kim il Sung. Japanese troops to the south of the 38 th parallel had surrendered to U.S. troops, so South Korea became a democracy.

THE KOREAN WAR On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops crossed the border and attacked South Korea. They made great progress into South Korea. The U.S. decided to send troops to South Korea to defend the democracy and to follow our policy of CONTAINMENT.

THE KOREAN WAR BATTLES The Korean War really went back and forth. (See the chart on page 613) By September 1950, North Korea controlled nearly all of the peninsula. With the assistance of the U.S., South Korea will push North Korea back beyond the 38 th parallel. The U.S. will eventually help South Korea control nearly the entire peninsula by November 1950.

CHINA GETS INVOLVED In November 1950, China sent troops across the Yalu River and into North Korea in order to help North Korea protect themselves from U.N. forces By January 1951, China had pushed the U.S. and South Korea back beyond the 38 th parallel line. Kim il Sung and Mao Zedong

CIVILIAN CONTROL OF THE MILITARY (a core democratic value) In early 1951, General Douglas MacArthur, who was in charge of the Korean War, recommended that the U.S. invade China. President Truman rejected this recommendation, and with the help of the U.N., established the 38 th parallel as a dividing line. MacArthur publicly criticized President Truman for his decision, making Truman seem weak to the American public. Gen. Douglas MacArthur

CIVILIAN CONTROL OF THE MILITARY (a core democratic value) Truman responded by firing Douglas MacArthur from his position for trying to go above the President’s head in making decisions. MacArthur would return to the U.S. as a hero, and even addressed Congress upon his return. Ultimately, Truman was vindicated by his decision, as evidence of MacArthur’s statements were made public challenging Truman. This is a great example of civilian control of the military, because we elect a civilian, the President, to make final military decisions, not our generals. MacArthur and Truman, during friendlier times

A CEASE FIRE: NO VICTORY The 38 th parallel line was suggested by the Soviet Union as a formal dividing line, allowing for two countries to exist in Korea. This set up a cease fire agreement, signed by North and South Korea in July There was really no victor here. The U.S. did prevent communism from spreading to South Korea, but was not able to get rid of communism in North Korea. The Korean War also cost the U.S. about $67 billion dollars, and the loss of 54,000 American soldiers.