United States History The Cold War Conflicts
The Cold War 1945-1991
Cold War Begins a non-military battle of diplomacy and propaganda between the United States and Soviet Union Lasted from 1945-1990 led to “hot” wars around globe in Korea, Vietnam - Many of the smaller wars were called proxy wars because the U.S. and U.S.S.R. never fought face to face
U.S. vs. USSR (Soviet Union) U.S. U.S.S.R Capitalism Communism Private property State owns Democratic Totalitarian
The Ideological Struggle Soviet & Eastern Bloc Nations [“Iron Curtain”] US & the Western Democracies GOAL spread world-wide Communism GOAL “Containment” of Communism & the eventual collapse of the Communist world. [George Kennan] METHODOLOGIES: Espionage [KGB vs. CIA] Arms Race [nuclear escalation] Ideological Competition for the minds and hearts of Third World peoples [Communist govt. & command economy vs. democratic govt. & capitalist economy] “proxy wars” Bi-Polarization of Europe [NATO vs. Warsaw Pact]
The “Iron Curtain” From Stettin in the Balkans, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lies the ancient capitals of Central and Eastern Europe. -- Sir Winston Churchill, 1946
FIGHTING COMMUNISM CONTAINMENT POLICY: The U.S. would work to stop the spread of communism. 1. Truman Doctrine 2. Marshall Plan 3. NATO and other alliances
4. The Truman Doctrine & Domino Theory Truman Doctrine: U.S. would aid countries around the world who are fighting communism (like Greece and Turkey). Domino Theory: If the U.S. doesn’t fight communism, then countries will fall to communism like dominos.
The ‘Truman Doctrine’ Truman had been horrified at the pre-war Allied policy of appeasement and was determined to stand up to any Soviet intimidation. The Truman Doctrine in March 1947 promised that the USA “would support free peoples who are resisting subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures”. Triggered by British inability to hold the line in Greece, it was followed by aid to Greece and Turkey, and also money to help capitalists to stop communists in Italy and France. It signalled the end of “isolationst” policies.
The Marshall Plan 1948 Plan to aid Europe—in ruins Prevent countries from falling to communists Aid American business $17 billion to 16 countries in Europe (not Soviet Union)
The ‘Marshall Plan’ The Marshall Plan offered huge sums to enable the economies of Europe to rebuild after World War II, and, by generating prosperity, to reject the appeal of Communism. The Soviet Union (USSR) prevented Eastern European countries from receiving American money.
NATO vs. WARSAW PACT North Atlantic Treaty Organization: defense alliance among U.S. and Europe against the Soviet Union. Still exists. Warsaw Pact: Defense alliance among Soviet Union and its satellite governments in Eastern Europe.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949) United States Belgium Britain Canada Denmark France Iceland Italy Luxemburg Netherlands Norway Portugal 1952: Greece & Turkey 1955: West Germany 1983: Spain
Warsaw Pact (1955) U. S. S. R. Albania Bulgaria Czechoslovakia East Germany Hungary Poland Rumania
Postwar Germany Nuremburg Trials for war crimes Divided into 4 zones: West Germany – U.S., Britain, and France East Germany- Soviets Capitol city of Berlin divided into 4 zones (in East Germany) Berlin Airlift: In 1948-49, the U.S. and Europe flew food and supplies to save West Berlin, until Soviets reopened roads.
Improve your knowledge Divided Berlin The Russians took very high casualties to capture Berlin in May 1945. They spent the early occupation trying to take over all zones of the city but were stopped by German democrats such as Willy Brandt and Konrad Adenauer. Reluctantly the Russians had to admit the Americans, French and British to their respective zones.
Divided Germany Iron Curtain – A term used by Winston Churchill to describe the separating of Those communist lands of East Europe from the West. Divided Germany
Berlin Blockade & Airlift (1948-49)
Berlin West Berlin, was an outpost of Western democracy and economic success deep within the communist zone – like a capitalist island within communist East Germany The Berlin Blockade was an attempt to starve West Berlin into submitting [giving up] to the communists The Allied [western powers] airlift signalled the West’s determination to use all resources to defend Berlin. It was felt by both sides that Berlin could act as the trigger for general war between capitalist and communist countries
Post War Japan: U.S. occupied – under General MacArthur New constitution Democracy with Emperor as figurehead Rebuild economy Abolished army and navy Tokyo trials convicted war criminals
The Red Scare Intense fear of Communists taking over U.S. China became a Communist country in 1949. Soviets developed an atomic bomb in 1949. Rosenbergs convicted of selling atomic secrets to Soviet Union. Executed 1953.
McCarthyism In 1950, Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin claimed that he had “lists” of communists in the U.S. government. Falsely accused hundreds of people of being active Communists, ruining lives. When hearings were televised, people saw that McCarthy was wrongly accusing many people. Censured (punished) by Senate.
Korean War [1950-1953]
Korean War [1950-1953] Kim Il-Sung Syngman Rhee “Domino Theory”
MacArthur at Inch'on landing U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led the U.N. force, approximately 80% of which were U.S. soldiers.
Korean War, 1950-53 Divided north and south at 38th parallel at end of WWII. In 1950, Communist North Korea invaded South Korea. The U.S. and United Nations, aided the South; China aided the North Koreans. Treaty signed in 1953, keeping dividing line at 38th parallel (still today). 33,000 American soldiers died, 100,000 wounded.
The Shifting Map of Korea [1950-1953]
U.N. troops regained South Korea by March of 1951. Ending the War: U.N. troops regained South Korea by March of 1951. Gen. MacArthur wanted to attack China with support of Chinese nationalists. President Truman disagreed with MacArthur about attacking China.
Truman fired MacArthur for defying him by publicly taunting and threatening the Chinese.
In July of 1953, the Korean War ended
Space Race Began when Soviets beat the U.S. into space Soviet satellite Sputnik launched in 1957 Explorer I, the first U.S. satellite, was launched in 1958. The National Defense Act of 1958 approved federal funding of education in math, science and foreign languages. Reforms in education –
The Arms Race: A “Missile Gap?” The Soviet Union exploded its first A-bomb in 1949. Now there were two nuclear superpowers!
Nuclear Arms Race Hydrogen bomb invented – both U.S. and Soviets had them 1,000 times more powerful than atomic bomb—vaporized an island. Dangers of fallout and radiation Many built bomb shelters!!
Improve your knowledge The nuclear bomb gave America a lead which was expected to last at least 5 years. The rapid Russian development of nuclear technology, helped by the work of the “atom spies” was a shock. Significantly, Russia hurriedly declared war against Japan at the beginning of August 1945 and rushed to advance into Asia to stake out a position for the post-war settlement. This helped make both the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts more likely.
National Defense Budget [1940-1964]
Premier Nikita Khrushchev De-Stalinization Program About the capitalist states, it doesn't depend on you whether we (Soviet Union) exist. If you don't like us, don't accept our invitations, and don't invite us to come to see you. Whether you like it our not, history is on our side. We will bury you. -- 1956 De-Stalinization Program
An Historic Irony: Sergei Khrushchev, American Citizen Who buried who?
Mao’s Revolution: 1949 Who lost China?
Growing Interest in China People’s Republic of China: In the 1940’s, China was embroiled in a civil war. Nationalists Led by Chiang Kai-shek Communists Led by Mao Zedong
The U.S. gave the Chiang Kai-shek millions of dollars, but the communists won the war.
China became a communist country, and Chiang Kai-shek and his forces fled to Taiwan.
Nixon-Khrushchev “Kitchen Debate” (1959) Cold War ---> Tensions <--- Technology & Affluence
Col. Francis Gary Powers’ plane was shot down over Soviet airspace. U-2 Spy Incident (1960) Col. Francis Gary Powers’ plane was shot down over Soviet airspace.
Paris, 1961 Khrushchev & JFK meet to discuss Berlin and nuclear proliferation. Khrushchev thinks that JFK is young, inexperienced, and can be rolled.
The Berlin Wall Goes Up (1961) Checkpoint Charlie
President Kennedy tells Berliners that the West is with them! Ich bin ein Berliner! (1963) President Kennedy tells Berliners that the West is with them!
Khruschev Embraces Castro, 1961
Bay of Pigs Debacle (1961)
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) We went eyeball-to-eyeball with the Russians, and the other man blinked!
Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Vietnam War: 1965-1973
The Cold War Years Quiz
Who controlled East Berlin? United States Soviet Union Cuba Frankenstein
How did America get supplies to West Berlin? Mailed them U.P.S. Sent them in by trains. Flew them in by planes. Dropped them from a parachute.
Who invaded South Korea and tried to take over their country? Britain North Korea United States Donald Duck
Who was president during the Cuban Missile Crisis? A. Lyndon B. Johnson B. Thomas Jefferson C. John F. Kennedy D. Ronald Reagan
Where did the Soviet Union build their missile sites? A. Russia B. England C. United States D. Cuba
How did the United States avoid nuclear was with the Soviets? Set up a naval blockade around Cuba. Threatened to bomb Russia. Told Soviet leaders to take a hike. Attacked Russia’s military.
What was the arms race? It was the way presidents are elected. It was the build up of weapons in order to have the most power for protection. It was the invention of the atomic bomb. It was the way many Americans spent their free time in the 1950’s.
The Cold War Years Quiz
Who controlled East Berlin? United States Soviet Union Cuba Frankenstein
How did America get supplies to West Berlin? Mailed them U.P.S. Sent them in by trains. Flew them in by planes. Dropped them from a parachute.
Who invaded South Korea and tried to take over their country? Britain North Korea United States Donald Duck
Who was president during the Cuban Missile Crisis? A. Lyndon B. Johnson B. Thomas Jefferson C. John F. Kennedy D. Ronald Reagan
Where did the Soviet Union build their missile sites? A. Russia B. England C. United States D. Cuba
How did the United States avoid nuclear war with the Soviets? Set up a naval blockade around Cuba. Threatened to bomb Russia. Told Soviet leaders to take a hike. Attacked Russia’s military.
What was the arms race? It was the way presidents are elected. It was the build up of weapons in order to have the most power for protection. It was the invention of the atomic bomb. It was the way many Americans spent their free time in the 1950’s.