The Cold War,
What Was the Cold War? Post-WWII Super Powers Ideological / Political Conflict between the U.S. and Soviet Union Never directly attacked each other “COLD” vs. “HOT War Fought each other around the globe in other countries, through political/economic disputes Stand-off over economics, politics, military bases, resources Conflict in the Atomic Age No one wins an atomic/nuclear war
Why Was it Significant? C.W. influenced all international relations U.S. supported anti-communist dictators U.S. believed many liberal / progressive reforms were communist inspired Believed that Moscow wanted to expand around the globe and invade U.S. Massive military build-up $4.5 trillion spent in U.S.
Origins of the Cold War 40 Million dead in USSR US Atomic Testing Decline of British Capitalism v Socialism Suspicion, fear, militarism
Globalizing National Security The US defined the internal/domestic events of other countries in relation to its own “national security” Believed that socialist leaders elected in other countries were controlled by Moscow AND threatened U.S. economic interests “Free Markets” led to democracy Other countries must consume U.S. products Sanctioned invasions
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
Soviet Weaknesses After WWII Economy destroyed Military deaths Small air force & navy Few international military bases Chinese independence
Containment Policy George Kennan, Diplomat Architect of U.S. policy USSR was insecure and paranoid Inherently expansionistic Open ended, constant war “Contain” communism
Harry Truman V.P. to FDR Agreed to A-Bomb Truman Doctrine Good v. Evil Two ways of life All nations must choose Exaggerated dangers for political gain
First Moves 1945: Bombed Japan Scare USSR McArthur in Japan 1946: Iron Curtain 1947: Aid to Greece and Turkey 1947: Berlin Blockade 1948: Czechoslovakia
Continued… Marshall Plan $13 billion European aid 1949: NATO U.S. atomic testing in the Pacific Soviet A-Bomb 1947 Public Service Film FQ&feature=related FQ&feature=related
De-Colonization Liberation in countries controlled by Europeans Who would have power??? Philippines, 1946 India, 1947 Middle East Israeli & Palestinian homelands Africa U.S. wanted pro-U.S. leaders
Cold War in Europe
Cold War Government National Security Council Document-68 (NSC-68) 1950 Massive military & global power Endless war National Security Acts, 1947 & 49 C.I.A Dept of Defense Pentagon
Cold War Institutions
China and the Cold War Japanese invasions U.S. economic interests Chinese Civil War Mao Zedong won 1949: People’s Republic of China Nationalists retreated to Taiwan Agreement with USSR US believed it had “Lost China” to a “monolithic” communist menace
Korean War, “Northern” forces invaded “the South” “Stalemate” US involvement
American Involvement Invaded Korea and pushed forces north Called a “police action” Assumed Moscow ordered invasion McArthur wanted to go north China sent in reinforcements Ended back at original dividing line
American Politics C.W. ruined or weakened many of the gains of labor, Progressivism, New Deal Demonized reformers and reform movements Polarized political debate Anti-Communist rhetoric polluted democracy Free Speech perceived as subversive
Cold War Politics Taft-Hartley Act, 1947 G.I. Bill and FHA Racial Segregation & inequality continued Pledge of Allegiance “One nation under God” & “In God We Trust”
Second Red Scare Joseph McCarthy Life of anti-communism House Un-American Activities Committee Army-McCarthy Hearings Hollywood Ten 1950s Gov’t film bYvxM&feature=related bYvxM&feature=related
Casualties… Truman: loyalty oaths for federal workers 1952: Hydrogen bomb in U.S. Rosenbergs executed for allegations of selling atomic secrets
Cold War Culture America as victim Baby-boom prosperity Conformity Fear and suspicion Sexual repression Distorted patriotism No political debate “Duck and Cover”
Living with the Atom Bomb
Conclusions Endless War of ideology Struggle for global power Containment Atomic Arms Race Black and White World Cold War at Home Distorted American Politics Red Scare