Origins of the Cold War
A Clash of Interests USSR US The Soviets were primarily concerned about their security Germany and other unpredictable countries lie around its borders They were also communists Believed it would replace capitalism Distrusted capitalist nations (like the US) US Many Americans believed that the Depression caused WWII, so they wanted to focus on economy Wanted to promote free trade and democracy Governments with protections for human rights made them more stable and peaceful.
Yalta Conference (1945) Declaration of Liberated Europe Poland Polish leaders fled to Britain when Hitler invaded USSR liberated Poland and encouraged Polish Communists to set up a new gov’t US and Britain- Poles should be free to decide on their own gov’t Compromise- US and Britain recognize new Polish gov’t as long as it included members from the prewar gov’t. Declaration of Liberated Europe Allowed people to choose their own gov’t
Yalta Conference Dividing Germany 4 zones: GB, US, USSR, and France Same in Berlin (capitol) Germany was to pay reparations (through trade goods) Allies could also remove industrial machinery, railroad cars, etc. The Soviets forced Romania to become communist and it was clear that they would not allow Poland to have free elections.
Truman Takes Control FDR died with Soviet-American relations deteriorating- VP Harry S. Truman stepped in Potsdam Conference (1945): Truman met with Stalin to discuss German economy If Germany’s economy doesn’t recover, the rest of Europe may not either May turn to communism out of desperation Decided that USSR would take reparations from its territory and Allies would let industry revive Truman gave some industrial equipment to USSR in exchange for food shipments
Truman Doctrine (1947) Truman scared the American people by telling them that they needed to choose between a free life & one of terror & oppression under Stalin’s communism Truman asked for $400 million in economic & military aid to support Greece & Turkey From this point on, Americans viewed communism as a worldwide threat to democracy that they had a duty to resist.
The Marshall Plan (1948) European cities were bombed to ruins, roads & canals destroyed, & millions were sick, homeless, and hungry These conditions were ripe for communist takeover The plan called for spending billions of dollars to help Europe, including the USSR, rebuild (Soviets refused to take part) The money was to be spent on American goods The plan was successful in rebuilding Europe, but it also put more strain on the relationship with the USSR
The Berlin Crisis The U.S. wants a strong Germany so W. Europe recovers economically, & communism is contained The USSR wants a powerless Germany so it can never attack the USSR again Both nations pursued their aims within their occupation zones in Germany & Berlin June 18, 1948: England, France, & U.S. had merged their occupation zones into a W. German republic with its own currency
The Berlin Crisis Soviets angry because Germany is supposed to be administered as one country Announced a new currency for Soviet zone Prohibited all land traffic between Berlin & West Germany--hoped this would force Western powers to give up their plans for West Germany & surrender Berlin American Air Force air lifted needed supplies to West Berlin for 11 months World opinion favored the Americans because Stalin starved innocent people to achieve his goals May 1949 Stalin lifted blockade Oct. 1949, Germany officially divided & NATO formed
The Iron Curtain Soviets still refused to uphold the Declaration of Liberated Europe in Eastern Europe Communist countries of E. Europe became known as satellite nations Not under Soviet control, but had to remain friendly with USSR The Iron Curtain separated Communist nations of Eastern Europe from the West. Churchill gave the speech that named this in Fulton, MO The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, separating East (communist) and West (capitalist) Berlin. WWII had ended, but the Cold War had begun.