Cold War

Division of Europe After World War II, the Soviets aggressively set up communist governments in eastern European countries These countries became known as Soviet Satellites

U.S. responded with Truman Doctrine Containment Policy doing whatever was necessary to stop the spread of communism Domino Theory—the fear that if one country falls to communism, the one next to it will soon fall as well

Economic/Political Differences U.S. democratic government free enterprise or capitalist economic system. U.S. was in good shape after WWII and did not have to rebuild. USSR communist government Communist economic system. USSR had the biggest losses by far of any country in WWII, both civilian and military, and had much to rebuild. In addition, they had poor economic growth after the war.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift In 1948, Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin. No one could go in or out, by road or train. United Nations responded with the Berlin Airlift—daily delivering supplies into W. Berlin. Airlift continued from June 1948 – May 1949. Soviets decided the blockade was unsuccessful and ended it.

Arms Race Began in 1949 with first successful Soviet atomic test Build-up of weapons on both sides in order to keep the other side from attacking—they would be afraid of the response. This was called a policy of deterrence.

Space Race Closely tied to arms race, because they shared technology (rockets, missiles, etc.) Sputnik—first satellite to orbit earth, Soviet, 1957 U.S. astronauts landed on moon, 1969

Chinese Communist Revolution Mao Zedong (communist) came to power in 1949 Followed conflict with Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-Shek (Jiang Jieshi) Nationalists fled to Taiwan, and still refuse to accept communist government

Korean War 1950-53 War between communists from North Korea and anti-communists in South Korea; North was trying to control all of Korea North was backed by USSR and China; South was backed by United Nations, including US. This was an example of war by proxy—the superpowers were involved but not fighting directly with each other.

Korean War War ended with North Koreans being defeated; Result was that Korea remained divided at 38th Parallel, where it had been divided before the war as well

Berlin Wall Built in 1961 to block access between East and West Berlin 28 miles long Dozens of people killed in the next 28 years trying to escape East Berlin across Berlin Wall Torn down in November, 1989 after massive pro-democracy protests

Cuba Communist Revolution in 1959; Fidel Castro came to power Bay of Pigs—embarrassing and unsuccessful attempt by American government to assassinate Fidel Castro

Cuban Missile Crisis Worst point in Cold War in terms of being on the brink of nuclear war 1962—Soviets tried to place nuclear armed missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from Florida U.S. President John F. Kennedy demanded that Khrushchev (Soviet leader) remove the missiles and blockaded Cuba Soviets backed down and removed the missiles.

Vietnam War Began with Vietnamese fight for independence from France 1945-1954; French left; Vietnam divided North Vietnamese communists, led by Ho Chi Minh, tried to take over all of Vietnam US troops into Vietnam in 1965, left in 1975

Vietnam War—who fought? North was backed by USSR and China; South was backed by US. This was another example of war by proxy—the superpowers were involved but not fighting directly with each other.

Vietnam War Also fighting for the Communists were the Vietcong —South Vietnamese people who secretly fought against Americans and S. Vietnamese army

Vietnam War Tet Offensive—1968. Tet is an important Asian holiday. The North Vietnamese attack on this day was unexpected. The US/South won, but losses were terrible. Along with new reports of the 1967 My Lai massacre, it changed Americans’ opinions about the war.

Vietnam War Saigon—capital of South Vietnam—fell to communists hours after US troops evacuated Vietnam; it is now called Ho Chi Minh City War ended with North Vietnam victorious—all of Vietnam is communist.

Fall of Communism Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in Soviet Union in 1984 and instituted new policies Glasnost—greater freedom of speech and press Perestroika—privatizing state-owned business—allowing a more free economy.

Chernobyl Explosion at Soviet nuclear plant, 1986 Worst environmental disaster ever Reflected the disrepair of Soviet infrastructure News about it was more open because of glasnost

Nationalism in Warsaw Pact countries and China Protests for democracy throughout 1989 Poland—April 1989 Hungary—May 1989 [China—Tiananmen Square]—unsuccessful—June 1989 East Germany—Fall of Berlin Wall—November 1989 Bulgaria—November 1989 Romania—December 1989 Czechoslovakia—December 1989

Tiananmen Square

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Attempted coup Attempt to overthrow Gorbachev in 1991 by hardliner Communists Unsuccessful Followed by massive protests against hardliners Gorbachev resigned and the Soviet Union collapsed Boris Yeltsin elected president—first election in Russia ever

The End US remained as only superpower Without a superpower enemy, the Cold War ended