Origins of The Cold War Unit 11 – Topic 1

The Origins of the Cold War What is the United States’ position in the world after WWII? With all the other world powers in ruins the US becomes a world power Clip 1 – postwar Best Years: start to 14:00

Post-War Realities Japan was occupied by the US. Became a democracy and a strong ally of the US. Western Europe struggled to rebuild their economies. Millions of refugees struggled to resettle and rebuild. Clip 2 - reforms Clip 4 - Israel

Cooperation? The United Nations was formed to prevent future wars… …much like the League of Nations

The Iron Curtain Descends The Soviet Union (Russia) occupied most of Eastern Europe, Central Europe & the Eastern part of Germany Germany was partitioned into East and West West Germany American, British & French sectors Independent Democracy East Germany Run by Soviets Communist Clip 3 – iron curtain

War of Ideas….and $$$ Why would E. Europe turn to communism? Was Western Europe at risk? Europe was in ruins so the US launched the Marshall Plan - provided financial support to rebuild countries so they do not turn to Communism Clip 5-MP Clip 6-more

The split between the US and the Soviet Union brought on the Cold War which influenced world foreign affairs until the 1980's.

Origins of the Cold War The Cold War lasted from the end of World War II until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990. Cold War: competition between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) for power; both tried to influence Europe

US and the USSR had different ideals and values. United States Soviet Union Political system Democratic government Totalitarian government Economic system Capitalism (Free market) Capitalism: economic system in which the factors of production are owned individually; different social classes exist Communist (socialist) Communism: economic system in government makes all economic decisions; no private property Why were they angry with each other? 1. US disliked/feared Communism 2. USSR dropped out of First World War 3. USSR signed a pact with Hitler Allies waited to invade Germany in World War II Took the US 17 years to recognize the Soviet government USSR not invited to Peace Conferences in World War I US did not tell the Soviets about the atomic bomb

Early in the Cold War 1945: Truman is president Containment: keep communism in the areas where it already exists, do not allow communism to spread Truman Doctrine (1947) - support democracies in Europe to help contain communism give economic and military aid to Turkey and Greece ($400 million) 1947-1950: $660 million to European countries How do containment and the Truman Doctrine relate?

More Events of the Cold War Marshall Plan (April 1948): US gives $$$ to European Countries to help them recover from WWII and to keep communism out 1948: The Soviets blockade Berlin. What should Truman do? Clip 7

More Events of the Cold War The Berlin Airlift (aka Operation Vittles): Eleven months of supplies for West Berlin, flown in by the US and Britain. Stalin backs down.

More Events of the Cold War Development of Competing Alliances Europe is divided in a military standoff – The Cold War NATO (1949) North Atlantic Treaty Org. The Warsaw Pact (1955) - US & Western Europe promise common defense - If one is attacked, all are attacked - USSR & Eastern Europe promised common defense