The Roots of the Cold War
Hitler’s Political Testament, April 1945 “After the collapse of the German Reich, and until there is a rise in nationalism in Asia, Africa or Latin America, there will only be two powers in the world: The United States and Soviet Russia. Through the laws of history and geographical position these giants are destined to struggle with each other either through war, or through rivalry in economics and political ideas.” Hitler’s Political Testament, April 1945
Ideologies Capitalism Communism vs
Own businesses and make a profit. Freedom and opportunity. Ideologies Capitalism Communism Multiple parties One political party Own businesses and make a profit. Work for the state. vs Make as many products. Make products we need. Freedom of speech. Strict censorship. Fairness and equality. Freedom and opportunity.
Why were hostilities between the USA and USSR suspended in 1941? A COMMON ENEMY
Deciding on post-war world Yalta, 1945 Deciding on post-war world
Yalta Problems Free elections and public votes. Declaration of Liberated Europe Free elections and public votes. A communist government representing the people.
Declaration of Liberated Europe Yalta Problems Declaration of Liberated Europe It has been estimated that the USSR lost 25 million civilians due to the Second World War. Stalin would never be willing to sacrifice that many people to only help create a democratic Europe unfriendly to the USSR.
A new American comes in to play “We have got to get tough with the Russians”.
Potsdam, 1945
What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference?
The West felt that Stalin did not respect the Yalta agreement There was incredible tension between the West and the Soviet Union after the Potsdam conference. What helped to create such tension? Britain & USA refused to share how to create an atomic bomb with Stalin. The West felt that Stalin did not respect the Yalta agreement
Why was it important for the USSR to control Eastern Europe? They had sacrificed many lives in the war. They wanted to make sure that sacrifice was not wasted on helping create a Europe that was hostile to the USSR.
Why was it important for the USSR to control Eastern Europe? Stalin strongly believed that the Soviets were most responsible for stopping the Nazis (80% of Nazi soldiers died on the Eastern Front). They deserved to create the best Europe for the Soviet Union. After all, it was the Soviet Army that had liberated Eastern Europe from the Nazis. They had sacrificed many lives in the war. They wanted to make sure that sacrifice was not wasted on helping create a Europe that was hostile to the USSR. They wanted to create a buffer zone to protect the USSR.
The Truman Doctrine
TRUMAN DOCTRINE Speech by Harry Truman in 1947 Convinced Congress to give $400 million. Speech by Harry Truman in 1947 TRUMAN DOCTRINE America would help any European country which opposed a Communist takeover America would stop Communism from spreading any further (containment)
TRUMAN DOCTRINE Speech by Harry Truman in 1947 Convinced Congress to give $400 million. Speech by Harry Truman in 1947 TO NOT ACT WOULD BE TO ENDANGER THE WELFARE OF THE USA TRUMAN DOCTRINE America would help any European country which opposed a Communist takeover America would stop Communism from spreading any further (containment)
The Marshall Plan
To help the USA stem the flow of communism which they thought developed through poverty. Countries struggling to recover from the effects of war were vulnerable to communist take over. MARSHALL PLAN: WHY?? Truman did not want to use soldiers; he wanted to attack ‘misery and want’. To restore economies affected by war so as to provide trading opportunities for American companies.
What was the founding of NATO?
What was the founding of NATO? An agreement amongst the Western allies that an attack against one of them was an attack against all of them. If such an attack occurs, each of them will assist by taking whatever action is deemed necessary, including the use of armed force. It was dominated by the USA and is considered a milestone in American foreign policy. The alliance was supported with large numbers of troops on the ground. It was a determined attempt to stop the spread of communism.
What was the founding of the Warsaw Pact? A treaty of mutual defense and military aid
What caused the Cold War?