Bell Ringer #1 Write two sentences describing what is going on in this cartoon. Try to name all the people.

Bell Ringer By the time WWII ended which countries were the two biggest world powers?

What caused Soviet-American problems? Origins of the Cold War What caused Soviet-American problems?

Questions to think about What were three issues that led to hard feelings between the Soviet Union and the United States? How did Truman’s and Stalin’s plans differ?

Former Allies Clash The United States and the Soviet Union had very different ambitions for the future. These differences created a climate of icy tension that plunged the two countries into a bitter rivalry.

Former Allies Clash Soviet Communism American System (Capitalism) The state controlled all property and economic activity Established a totalitarian government with no opposing parties. This is concept of a political system in which the state holds total control over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. Private citizens controlled almost all economic activity. Voting by the people elected a president and congress from competing political parties. American Propaganda Cartoon- 1940’s While watching the cartoon explain how capitalism is described and how communism is described.

Former Allies Clash Soviets frustrated with U.S U.S frustrated with Soviets Soviets frustrated with U.S The United States was furious that Joseph Stalin—the leader of the Soviet Union—had been an ally of Hitler for a time. Stalin had supported the Allies only after Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941. Stalin resented the Western Allies’ delay in attacking the Germans in Europe. Stalin became resentful when he found out the U.S. kept the development of the atomic bomb secret.

United Nations (UN) At the end of the war, people hoped that the United Nations (UN) would help bring a time of peace. On April 25, 1945…50 nations met in San Francisco to establish this new peacekeeping body. Instead, the UN became a place where the two superpowers (The U.S. and Soviet Union) competed and tried to influence other nations.

Truman Becomes President Roosevelt had died on April 12, 1945. Harry S. Truman had become president. Truman was only VP for a few months before Roosevelt’s death. As VP Truman was not included in top policy decisions. Many doubted his abilities to be president. Truman was a plain, self-educated man. But he had honesty, self-confidence, and a willingness to make tough decisions.

With a partner list similarities of Truman and Stalin With a partner list similarities of Truman and Stalin. Also, explain how this American text book excerpt explains the power of both rulers.

Potsdam Conference Truman met with the British and Soviet leaders at the Potsdam Conference in July 1945. The BIG 3 Final wartime conference.

Potsdam Conference Truman reminded Stalin of his promise at Yalta that he would allow free elections in Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe. But Stalin would not listen to Truman. Soviet troops occupied Eastern Europe and Stalin was not going to allow free elections.

Tension Mounts Stalin’s refusal to allow free elections in Poland convinced Truman that the U.S. and Soviet goals were at odds. Truman was wanting to simply spread democracy to nations who had been under Nazi rule.

U.S. Aims Versus Soviet Aims in Europe

Stalin’s Goals and Expectations Stalin wished to spread communism. He also wanted to control Eastern Europe to prevent another invasion of Soviet territory. He wanted to use the resources of Germany and Eastern Europe to rebuild his war-torn nation. Stalin also felt that war between the Soviet Union and the West could not be avoided. Stalin set up Communist governments in the European nations occupied by Soviet troops.

Cause and Effect They became satellite nations, countries that depended on and were dominated by the Soviet Union. The United States answered with a policy of containment. This was an effort to block Soviet influence by making alliances and supporting weaker nations.

The Iron Curtain In 1946, Winston Churchill described “an iron curtain” coming down across Europe. It separated the nations in the “Soviet sphere” from the capitalist democracies of the West. The Berlin Wall separated West Berlin and East Berlin.

Iron Curtain Activity Work with a partner to complete Task 1. Switch partners and complete the British cartoon analysis. Indivudally complete Task 2.