What is a superpower? When World War II ended, the United States and the Soviet Union became the world’s superpowers No other country could match their military strength However, their political ideas were very different

How were they different? United States Constitutional government Power is in the hands of the people Soviet Union Totalitarian government Power in the hands of the Communist Party

Weren’t they allies in the war? The US and the Soviet Union worked together in World War II to defeat Germany and its allies… They disagreed about what should happen to the world after the war was over United States Wanted to see the spread of democracy Soviet Union Wanted to see the spread of communism

Gaining support of weaker nations through economic and military aid Did they fight each other? This war of ideas became known as the COLD WAR Both nations tried to spread their ideas and influence in the world by using any method other than war Building up larger supplies of weapons They competed in other ways, such as Gaining support of weaker nations through economic and military aid

World War I and World War II are both examples of “hot wars” What is a “cold war”? cold war – (noun) no direct military action hot war – (noun) direct military action World War I and World War II are both examples of “hot wars” Since the US and the Soviet Union never fought directly, the time from 1945-1991 has become known as the Cold War

What was the purpose of NATO and the Warsaw Pact? Essential Question What was the purpose of NATO and the Warsaw Pact?

Did other countries have an opinion? The split between democracy and communism led to new military alliances In April 1949 – NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) created Members of NATO supported democratic governments In May 1955 – Warsaw Pact is created Members of the Warsaw Pact had communist governments

Many nations have continued to join the NATO alliance over time Who were the members of NATO? Founding member nations included: Belgium Canada Denmark France Iceland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Great Britain United States Many nations have continued to join the NATO alliance over time The NATO alliance still exists to this day to provide defense to its nations from any outside attack – not just communism!

Who were the member of the Warsaw Pact? Soviet Union Poland East Germany Czechoslovakia Bulgaria Hungary Romania Albania The Warsaw Pact ended with the Cold War in 1991 Several nations are now members of NATO!

Why did the US want to rebuild Germany? Essential Question Why did the US want to rebuild Germany?

A country controlled by a more powerful nation Why was communism a problem? Stalin refused to pull his troops out of Eastern European nations He turned these nations into SATELLITE NATIONS A country controlled by a more powerful nation Stalin feared the rise of anti-communist governments near the Soviet Union

How did the US feel about this? The United States believed that communism needed to be contained, or held back I promise to stop the spread of communism worldwide CONTAINMENT became President Truman’s policy His promise became known as the TRUMAN DOCTRINE

What is the Marshall Plan? June 1947 – Secretary of State George Marshall suggests sending money to Western European countries 13 billion dollars was sent to the region – this policy of rebuilding Europe became known as the MARSHALL PLAN Marshall believed that poverty would help to stop the spread of communism and aid would help war-torn nations recover economically

What about Germany? After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones The capital city of Berlin was also divided into four occupation zones

What was the goal? President Truman wanted to reunite Germany and set up democracy… Stalin was very much against a strong Germany… A strong Germany might once again attack the Soviet Union Germany had attacked the Soviet Union in World War I and II Stalin refused to remove his troops from East Germany

What about West Germany? June 1948 – US, Britain, and France combined their zones in West Germany and West Berlin They pledged to create a democracy in West Germany However, the city of Berlin was in the Soviet zone…. this created a problem…

President Truman refused to back down What did the Soviets do? Soviets closed all routes into Berlin… No supplies were able to be sent to the German people who needed them… East Berlin Stalin hoped that by starving the German people, the Americans, British, and French would give up their plan President Truman refused to back down

What did Truman do? Truman organized the BERLIN AIRLIFT For a year, cargo plans filled with supplies kept the people of West Berlin alive… …in the end, the Soviets gave up the blockade…

Was Germany reunited? Germany remained divided West Germany Democratic East Germany Communist Stalin died in 1953, NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV became the new leader of the Soviet Union

Guards shot anyone trying to escape the Eastern part of the city What type of leader was Khrushchev? 1961 – Khrushchev ordered a wall built in Berlin to separate Communist East Berlin from the rest of the city Guards shot anyone trying to escape the Eastern part of the city The BERLIN WALL stood for nearly 30 years – it was the most recognizable symbol of the Cold War