Origins of the Cold War By the 1970s the US and the USSR each had enough nuclear weapons to blow the world up several times over. Can you explain this cartoonist’s joke?

What was the Cold War? The strategic and political struggle that developed after WWII between the United States and it’s Western European allies and the Soviet Union (aka Russia/USSR) and Eastern European allies The strategic and political struggle that developed after WWII between the United States and it’s Western European allies and the Soviet Union (aka Russia/USSR) and Eastern European allies The 2 Sides of Cold War USSR USSR USA USA EastWest CommunismCapitalism DictatorsDemocracy East Europe (USSR Satellites) West Europe (US Allies) Warsaw Pact NATO

Characteristics of Cold War Suspicions between capitalists & communists Propaganda Espionage - spying Nuclear arms race Space race NO direct conflict between those involved

COLD WAR MAP USA USSR West Germany and East Germany

A significant aim was also to discuss the future: A significant aim was also to discuss the future: What to do with Germany’s leaders after the war What to do with Germany’s leaders after the war What would happen to the occupied countries after defeat of Nazis, especially those of Eastern Europe What would happen to the occupied countries after defeat of Nazis, especially those of Eastern Europe How to end the war with Japan How to end the war with Japan How to build a lasting peace. How to build a lasting peace. Two conferences were held in 1945 at Yalta and Potsdam to discuss differences of opinion (there had also been conferences at Quebec in 1943 and 1944)

Why did the wartime alliance breakdown? Background to the Cold War

Damage caused by WWII Houses, factories, shops & entire cities destroyed by bombing Houses, factories, shops & entire cities destroyed by bombing By 1945, millions of sick, hungry & homeless & refugees across Europe By 1945, millions of sick, hungry & homeless & refugees across Europe Millions had lost their lives Millions had lost their lives Which country had suffered most? How did this affect its relations with other countries after the war?

Major point: The USSR lost about Major point: The USSR lost about 20 million people in WW2 Stalin was determined to make the USSR secure against any future attacks - paranoid Stalin was determined to make the USSR secure against any future attacks - paranoid By contrast:- Great Britain lost 370,000 - the USA lost 297,000 By contrast:- Great Britain lost 370,000 - the USA lost 297,000 - Canada lost Canada, meanwhile was known as a ‘middle power’ with the world’s 3rd largest navy and 4th largest air force The USSR’s Position

Conflicting ideologies Before the war many countries could claim to be superpowers: USA, USSR, Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Italy Before the war many countries could claim to be superpowers: USA, USSR, Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Italy By 1945 only 2 clear superpowers: US & USSR By 1945 only 2 clear superpowers: US & USSR Conflicting ideologies: capitalism & communism Conflicting ideologies: capitalism & communism What joke is this cartoonist saying about relations between the Grand Alliance after 1945? Canada, meanwhile was known as a ‘middle power’ with the world’s 3rd largest navy and 4th largest air force

Political changes in Europe Most European countries occupied by Germany & run by governors Most European countries occupied by Germany & run by governors With no German govt., who would govern Europe? With no German govt., who would govern Europe? Resistance movements: communist, e.g. Greece & Turkey or non-communist e.g. France? Resistance movements: communist, e.g. Greece & Turkey or non-communist e.g. France?

Rise of USA 1941, Germany invaded Russia Western allies delayed opening of 2 nd front US developed atomic bomb independently US economic threat (50% global manufacture) US air & naval supremacy Believed Communism was undemocratic USA’s first atomic bomb test

Rise of USSR 1941, Germany invaded Russia 1941, Germany invaded Russia Russia fought back bravely suffering more than 20 million deaths Russia fought back bravely suffering more than 20 million deaths Russia felt Western allies intentionally delayed opening of 2 nd front to cause Russian suffering Russia felt Western allies intentionally delayed opening of 2 nd front to cause Russian suffering US developed atomic bomb independently and did not tell their allies: Russia US developed atomic bomb independently and did not tell their allies: Russia Russia occupied most of eastern europe after war and was determined to keep it as a cushion Russia occupied most of eastern europe after war and was determined to keep it as a cushion Russia explodes own atomic bomb in 1949 Russia explodes own atomic bomb in 1949

Key events of the Cold War 1945, Yalta & Potsdam conferences 1945, Yalta & Potsdam conferences Soviet expansion in E. Europe Soviet expansion in E. Europe 1946, Iron Curtain 1946, Iron Curtain 1947, Truman Doctrine & Marshall Plan 1947, Truman Doctrine & Marshall Plan 1949, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) 1949, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) 1955, Warsaw Pact 1955, Warsaw Pact 1961, Berlin Wall 1961, Berlin Wall 1962, Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, Cuban Missile Crisis Cuban Missile Crisis Berlin Wall – last days