Aftermath of WW2 The Start of the Cold War ( )

Essential Questions What is the Cold War? What is the Cold War? What ideological differences could cause the Cold War? What ideological differences could cause the Cold War? Should Nazi war criminals be forgiven if they have a skill to offer? Should Nazi war criminals be forgiven if they have a skill to offer? How do the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan change American foreign policy? How do the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan change American foreign policy?

It’s September 1945….. Hitler is dead…. Germany and Japan have both surrendered. Hitler is dead…. Germany and Japan have both surrendered. The Allies are planning the trial of Nazi war leaders…. The Allies are planning the trial of Nazi war leaders…. Who are the major players left in the game of international politics? Who are the major players left in the game of international politics? See any problems arising? See any problems arising?

Poland Poland was occupied by the Soviets on their way to Germany. Poland was occupied by the Soviets on their way to Germany. Stalin insisted on having a Polish government that was friendly to the Soviet Union. Stalin insisted on having a Polish government that was friendly to the Soviet Union. The Western leaders eventually compromised and allowed the Soviet Union to set up a communist Polish government. The Western leaders eventually compromised and allowed the Soviet Union to set up a communist Polish government.

Germany After the war Germany was to be occupied by Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. After the war Germany was to be occupied by Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The same four countries would each occupy a section of Berlin, the capital of Germany, even though it was in the Soviet sphere The same four countries would each occupy a section of Berlin, the capital of Germany, even though it was in the Soviet sphere The Soviet Union insisted that the Germans have to pay reparations for the damage caused in their country. The Soviet Union insisted that the Germans have to pay reparations for the damage caused in their country.

Potsdam Conference Shortly after the fall of Germany Truman met Stalin at Potsdam, a city near Berlin. Shortly after the fall of Germany Truman met Stalin at Potsdam, a city near Berlin. Truman believed he needed Germany to recover to be a trading partner with the U.S.; Stalin wanted to crush Germany with reparations. Truman believed he needed Germany to recover to be a trading partner with the U.S.; Stalin wanted to crush Germany with reparations. Potsdam is important because it marks a huge increase in Soviet/American tensions. Potsdam is important because it marks a huge increase in Soviet/American tensions.

Potsdam Conference At Potsdam though Stalin and Truman fought over the fate of Eastern Europe. At Potsdam though Stalin and Truman fought over the fate of Eastern Europe. Truman wanted Stalin to free eastern Europe; but Stalin had troops on the ground. Truman wanted Stalin to free eastern Europe; but Stalin had troops on the ground. Truman was powerless to stop him. Truman was powerless to stop him. Soon the Russians had set up satellite communist states in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany. Soon the Russians had set up satellite communist states in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany. Winston Churchill was quoted as saying “An Iron Curtain had descended upon Europe” Winston Churchill was quoted as saying “An Iron Curtain had descended upon Europe”

Operation Paperclip A secret U.S. program that searched through post-war Germany looking for talented scientists. A secret U.S. program that searched through post-war Germany looking for talented scientists. These men were rushed back to the U.S., given fake ID’s and put to work for the U.S. government. These men were rushed back to the U.S., given fake ID’s and put to work for the U.S. government. Operation Paperclip also targeted German weapons exportation to the U.S. Operation Paperclip also targeted German weapons exportation to the U.S.

Operation Paperclip The most famous of these was Werhner von Braun. The most famous of these was Werhner von Braun. He had developed the deadly V-2 rocket. He had developed the deadly V-2 rocket. He was taken to the U.S. where he developed missiles for the United States and eventually worked for NASA. He was taken to the U.S. where he developed missiles for the United States and eventually worked for NASA. Von Braun is generally considered the father of the American space program. Von Braun is generally considered the father of the American space program. Von Braun received the national medal of Science in Von Braun received the national medal of Science in While in Germany Von Braun used slave labor to build his rockets; several thousand prisoners died whiled working on them While in Germany Von Braun used slave labor to build his rockets; several thousand prisoners died whiled working on them

The Truman Doctrine In August 1946 communist guerrillas tried to take over Greece. In August 1946 communist guerrillas tried to take over Greece. On March 1947 President Truman went before Congress and asked for $400 million to aid the non-commies. On March 1947 President Truman went before Congress and asked for $400 million to aid the non-commies. His speech became known as the Truman Doctrine; Truman pledged aid to any country that was fighting communism. His speech became known as the Truman Doctrine; Truman pledged aid to any country that was fighting communism.

The Marshall Plan The post war economies of Western Europe were in shambles… The post war economies of Western Europe were in shambles… Communism was gaining strength in France and Western Germany. Communism was gaining strength in France and Western Germany. Secretary of State, George Marshall developed a plan that sent billions of dollars of supplies, machinery, and food to these countries. Secretary of State, George Marshall developed a plan that sent billions of dollars of supplies, machinery, and food to these countries. The Soviets rejected the U.S. offer of aid in Eastern Europe The Soviets rejected the U.S. offer of aid in Eastern Europe

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization North Atlantic Treaty Organization Coalition of non-communist nations that would defend each other from attack. Coalition of non-communist nations that would defend each other from attack. The Eastern European communist nations countered by forming the Warsaw Pact. The Eastern European communist nations countered by forming the Warsaw Pact. Both sides stood poised for war. Both sides stood poised for war.

Civil War in China After the Japanese were removed a Civil War broke out in China between communists and capitalists. After the Japanese were removed a Civil War broke out in China between communists and capitalists. U.S.= capitalist support U.S.= capitalist support Soviet= communist support Soviet= communist support Eventually in 1949 the communists won. Eventually in 1949 the communists won. After the fall the U.S. began rebuilding Japan as our chief ally in Asia. After the fall the U.S. began rebuilding Japan as our chief ally in Asia. Also in 1949 Truman announced that the Soviet Union had successfully tested a nuclear bomb. Also in 1949 Truman announced that the Soviet Union had successfully tested a nuclear bomb.

Korean War Open your books to page 663. Open your books to page 663. Take a few minutes to read the section on the Korean War. Take a few minutes to read the section on the Korean War. We will discuss the causes and effects of the war in a moment. We will discuss the causes and effects of the war in a moment.