The Cold War Begins The Cold War Differences in their world view Intense rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union for International Dominance Everybody else was too weak or destroyed in WW2. Differences in their world view US perceived the Soviets as a threat because of their rapid expansion and forced control of countries after WW2
Philosophical Differences US Beliefs Democratic government – multiple parties Individual freedom Capitalistic economy Communist Beliefs State-run economy – no private ownership One-party rule Suppression of religion – “Opiate of the masses” Use of force to crush opposition
REVIEW What happened at the Potsdam Conference? Name ONE change which occurred in Japan under U.S. occupation. What is the #1 goal of the UN? Who is on the permanent Security Council? What is the “Cold War”? Identify ONE philosophical difference between the U.S. and USSR.
Soviet Expansionism During WW2 the Soviets had “acquired” many nations in Eastern Europe. They intended to keep them as a buffer… The nations became known as Satellite Nations In response the other Allies strengthened their control in western Germany and spent a lot of money to revive their industries Churchill said that an “Iron Curtain has descended across the Continent” Under George Kennan (State Dept official) the US adopted a policy of containment- restricting the spread of Soviet communism
The Arms Race The Baruch Plan (US presidential advisor) An international agency should inspect any country’s nuclear plants The Soviets didn’t comply and by 1949 they had a bomb of their own. In August of 1946 the US Congress passed the Atomic Energy Act Created the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Oversaw nuclear weapons research and promoted peacetime uses
Containment Around the World The Truman Doctrine “It must be the policy of the US to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.” Truman was referring to the civil war in Greece and Soviet claims of Turkish territory. Congress gave $400 million to Greece and Turkey to keep them out of Soviet control
Containment Around the World Marshall Plan George C. Marshall was Secretary of State Felt that the destitute conditions in western Europe made it susceptible to the USSR Truman followed Marshall’s advice and asked Congress for $17 billion to help rebuild western Europe. Following the Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia, Congress provided the money.
The Berlin Airlift The Allied zones in Berlin were growing stable and prosperous and the Allies merged them. Soviets were unhappy and blocked all access to West Berlin in protest. Over the next 10 months US and British planes supplied West Berlin U.S. told Soviets that if they shot down any planes it would be considered an act of war = nukes The Soviets quickly backed down.
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization After the Berlin crisis the US shifted its focus from economic aid to military security Nine Western European nations joined the US, Canada and Iceland in a mutual defense league called NATO – Founded in 1949 General Dwight D. Eisenhower was put in charge and the US supplied troops and military aid and money to our NATO allies The Soviets responded in 1955 with the Warsaw Pact – mutual defense agreement with satellite nations
WRITTEN REVIEW What are Satellite Nations? Explain the US Policy of Containment. According to the Truman Doctrine, what must the US policy be? Why did Marshall ask for $17 billion? What was the Berlin Airlift? Define NATO and explain its purpose.