Post World War II and the Cold War

What was the Cold War? Activator Analyze the political cartoon and brainstorm THREE WORDS that you think summarize the meaning of the cartoon. You cannot use any of the words in the cartoon as one of your three. How does this cartoon relate the end of World War II and the development of the Cold War?

Potsdam Conference Description: July, 1945 Potsdam Germany Harry S. Truman attends this conference instead of FDR (he became President after FDR’s death)

Potsdam Conference Impact: U.S. demanded free elections in European nations, and USSR refused set the stage for lasting distrust between U.S. and Soviet Union Reasserted “unconditional surrender” led President Truman to drop the atomic bomb

Stop and think!! How did the Potsdam Conference contribute to the start of the Cold War? Brainstorm with an elbow partner and be ready to share 

The United Nations June 1945, 48 nations join together forming this international peace keeping body General Assembly: all member nations meet, 1 vote per nation Security Council: 11 members, 5 permanent members (U.S., Great Britain, U.S.S.R., France, and China) The real power of the UN UN Headquarters in NYC

Europe Divided “…an iron curtain has descended across the continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe…All these famous cities and the populations around them lie in the Soviet sphere and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and increasing measure of control from Moscow” Winston Churchill, “Iron Curtain” speech, March 5, 1946

Use the quote and the political cartoon … What was the iron curtain Use the quote and the political cartoon … What was the iron curtain? Why was it important? “…an iron curtain has descended across the continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe…All these famous cities and the populations around them lie in the Soviet sphere and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and increasing measure of control from Moscow” Winston Churchill, “Iron Curtain” speech, March 5, 1946

Germany Split in Two East Germany along with half of the capital occupied by Soviets Communist government Renamed German Democratic Republic West Germany occupied by US, France, and Britain Federal Republic of Germany

What do the two images tell you about what happened in Berlin following World War II? For each image 1) Describe what you SEE 2) Explain what you think it means 3) Analyze why it matters (why do you need to know this? What does it mean in the big picture?)

The Cold War – Stop and Think! (with a partner) How did the “Cold War” impact Europe and the U.S. in years following World War II? List 3 specific events or components of the Cold in the years following WWII. For each item you list, explain the impact of the item on Europe or the U.S.

The World Chooses Sides NATO Warsaw pact

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) provide for the mutual defense of Western Europe expansion of America’s military, economic, and diplomatic presence

Warsaw Pact Soviet response to U.S. NATO provided for the mutual defense of Eastern Europe

Containment Policy US pledged to protect world from communist expansionism Methods: Military force Economic aid

Marshall Plan Major Aims: U.S. provides economic support to European countries to help them rebuild after WWII. to prevent spread of communism

Stop and Think! The Marshall Plan was an attempt by the United States to combat communism by using A) military strength to control war ravaged Europe. B) economic sanctions against communist countries in Europe. C) economic aid to countries in Europe to make communism less attractive. D) diplomatic sanctions against Soviets and other communist countries in Europe.