Cold War Around the World

Fighting Over Third World After WWII, nations were considered to be First World, Second World, or Third World. – Third World nations were poor, politically unstable, and lacked industrialization and education. – Why were they Third World? Imperialism. – Third World countries were targets for Soviet Union (communism) and USA (capitalism). Nonaligned nations: India & Indonesia tried to stay neutral during Cold War.

Latin America American businesses dominated Latin America. – Often supported dictators to protect U.S. interests. Latin American people suffered under harsh rulers for years. – Inspired revolutions: sometimes communist. – U.S. supported anti-communist rulers.

Latin America Cuba: – U.S. supported dictator Fulgencia Batista. – Jan Batista overthrown by communist Fidel Castro. – Castro suspended elections, jailed or killed opponents, and censored the press.

Latin America Castro nationalized (govt. owned) American sugar companies. Pres. Eisenhower place embargo on trade w/Cuba. Castro tuned to the Soviet Union for help. Bay of Pigs invasion: – CIA planned invasion of Cuba. – Anti-Castro Cubans trained for attack. – Pres. Kennedy refused to send air support. – Castro defeated invasion force. – United States humiliated.

Latin America Cuban Missile Crisis: Oct 1962 Khrushchev (USSR leader) began building missile sites in Cuba. U.S. found out – Demanded removal of missiles – Imposed blockade of Cuba Castro upset about Cuba being a “tool” for the Cold War.

Latin America Possible WWIII: U.S. troops assembled in Florida and the world prepared for nuclear war. After 13 days Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles, only if U.S. never invades Cuba. – Missile Crisis Over! Cuba became dependent on Soviet support.

Middle East Iran: Embraced western ideas after WWII – Iranians upset about foreign alliances. – Prime Minister Mossaddeq took power – overthrown with U.S. support U.S. feared Mossaddeq would turn to communism. Western ideas vs. Islamic ideas – Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini: led religious opposition. – West corrupting Iran – Muslim leaders began rioting and drove shah out – Islamic law now legal code

Middle East Iran’s policies become very anti-U.S. 1979: Islamic extremists take over U.S. Embassy in Tehran. – 60 American hostages – Released Jan Iraq vs. Iran – Iraqis = Sunni – Iranians = Shi’a – Iran Muslim state, Iraq secular state. – Fought for 8 years.

Middle East Afghanistan: Became communist in Afghans revolted – Soviets invaded Dec to stop the rebellion. Parallel wars: Soviets stuck in Afghanistan like U.S. stuck in Vietnam. – Mujahideen fought Soviets with U.S. supplied weapons. Soviet troops left in Feb – Civil unrest & distrust of foreigners would last in the region.

Boycott of 1980 Olympics Summer Olympic Games to be held in Moscow. After Soviets invaded Afghanistan, U.S. warned USSR by placing embargo on grain and boycotting Olympics. 62 nations joined U.S. Future games to be held in neutral nations during wartime.