Beginnings of the Cold War Factors towards Conflict

OVERVIEW This lesson examines: Conflict at the end of WWII Post-war US and Soviet foreign policies Confrontation over Berlin Foundations for long-term competition

Friction at Potsdam Context Questions: Describe the general attitude and spirit of the Big Three (FDR, Churchill and Stalin). What were their major agreements and disagreements? In general, were they more similar or different in their interests? Why?

Friction at Potsdam Mistrust between the US and USSR increased during the Potsdam Conference because: Elections in Poland resulted in Communist single-party rule Final borders of Germany were not decided FDR trusted Stalin more than Truman The US had a monopoly on atomic weapons

The Truman Doctrine Context Question: Why did the governments of Russia, Italy and Germany experience extremist takeovers during the interwar period?

In March 1947, Truman appealed to the US Congress to… Help countries to make decisions “free of coercion” Prevent totalitarianism such as in Poland, Rumania and Bulgaria Send $400million and advisors to Turkey and Greece

The Truman Doctrine “…the seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full growth when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive. The free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.” What were the similarities and differences between US foreign policy before WWII and the Truman Doctrine? How might Stalin and the Soviets have reacted to the Truman doctrine?

The Marshall Plan Between 1947 to 1952, the Marshall Plan… Offered financial aid to any European power Sent food, fuel and raw materials Invested over $13.2 billion into the European economies

What benefits did the US gain from the Marshall Plan? In what way was Marshall Aid similar in purpose to the Truman Doctrine? How might the Soviets respond to the Marshall Plan? The Marshall Plan

Confrontation: Berlin Context Question: The Yalta agreement of 1945 called for Germany to eventually be united. The western controlled sectors received aid and also had a new currency. How might Stalin feel about these actions by the West?

Confrontation: Berlin On June 1948, Soviet forces blocked all rail and road links between West Berlin and West Germany. What choices did the Western powers have? What would have been the consequences of these choices?

Break through the blockade with force Evacuate citizens and give up the city Support the city without the use of force Result? War with the Soviet Union Loss of face and confidence in American leadership Force the Soviets to start a war or to stop the blockade Confrontation: Berlin

For minimum daily consumption, West Berlin required: 4,000 to 5,500 tons of food 2,500 tons of coal US and British air force cargo planes worked 24-hour shifts for nearly a year; by March 1949, they were able to deliver 8,000 tons of supplies daily.

In May 1949, the Soviets lifted the blockade; the western sector of Germany became the Federal Republic of Germany. In what way was the result of the Berlin Airlift considered a victory for the western powers? Confrontation: Berlin

Towards a bi-polar world Context Question: What did the results of the Berlin Airlift demonstrate was necessary to achieve “victory” for the Western powers against Soviet actions?

Towards a bi-polar world In April 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created. Defensive military alliance; members had to assist each other in the event of attack The USSR then formed the Warsaw Pact military alliance in 1955

Towards a bi-polar world Why might Woodrow Wilson have been opposed to the idea of American participation in NATO? Was the creation of NATO and Warsaw Pact beneficial or problematic to the United Nations? Explain.

SUMMARY QUESTIONS What was the source of conflict between the US and the USSR at the end of WWII? What goals did each side want to achieve? What was US foreign policy after WWII and how was it put into action? What did the Americans and the Russians want to achieve during the Berlin blockade? What was the final result?