The Cold War Communism v. Capitalism/Democracy
Cold War Cold War: a conflict between the US and the USSR following WW II which never escalated into open conflict Cold War: a conflict between the US and the USSR following WW II which never escalated into open conflict Other Terms to Remember: Other Terms to Remember: –Democratic: people vote and elect their own rulers –Capitalism/Free Market: People own private businesses and operate with little control from the govt –Communist/Command Economy: The govt owns and operates all businesses…there is no private ownership
The Key Players The Two World Powers USSR (Russia) v. United States
WW II Ends During WW II, Russia and the US were Allies (on the same side) During WW II, Russia and the US were Allies (on the same side) As the war ends, the Allied Powers (US, Britain, France and USSR) now controlled all of the countries which were previously taken over by Germany and Italy As the war ends, the Allied Powers (US, Britain, France and USSR) now controlled all of the countries which were previously taken over by Germany and Italy
The German and Italian Empires during WW II
The Cold War Begins Now the Allied Powers have to decide how they want to rebuild the countries Now the Allied Powers have to decide how they want to rebuild the countries THEY DISPUTE THIS QUESTION: THEY DISPUTE THIS QUESTION: –“Should they become Communist or Democratic and Capitalist??”
The Cold War Begins Russia takes responsibility for rebuilding the countries they took back from Germany Russia takes responsibility for rebuilding the countries they took back from Germany The US, Britain and France Rebuild what they took back from Germany The US, Britain and France Rebuild what they took back from Germany
RESULT
RESULT All of the countries in Eastern Europe become satellite nations of the USSR All of the countries in Eastern Europe become satellite nations of the USSR –Satellite nation: a –Satellite nation: a nation dominated by another country These countries, along with China become the “Communist Bloc” (orange) These countries, along with China become the “Communist Bloc” (orange)
RESULT All of the countries in Western Europe are rebuilt as Democratic and Capitalist (Green) All of the countries in Western Europe are rebuilt as Democratic and Capitalist (Green)
East v. West West=Democratic/Capitalist (blue) East=Communist (red)
Germany and Berlin is also divided!! Just like the Europe, Germany is also divided into East and West Just like the Europe, Germany is also divided into East and West
The Berlin Wall To stop people from fleeing into the Democratic part of Berlin, Russia put a wall surrounding that part of the city To stop people from fleeing into the Democratic part of Berlin, Russia put a wall surrounding that part of the city This wall was a symbol of the divided world (east and west) This wall was a symbol of the divided world (east and west)
Berlin Wall
What was all of this about?? FEAR OF COMMUNISM!! FEAR OF COMMUNISM!! The Non-Communists were afraid Communism was becoming too powerful and it was growing one country at a time The Non-Communists were afraid Communism was becoming too powerful and it was growing one country at a time The Vietnam and Korean Wars were fought because of this fear The Vietnam and Korean Wars were fought because of this fear The Communists had the same fear about the non-communists The Communists had the same fear about the non-communists
The Arms Race Arms Race: during the cold war, the US and Russia built up their military power (weapons/arms) in fear that the other would be more powerful in an attack Arms Race: during the cold war, the US and Russia built up their military power (weapons/arms) in fear that the other would be more powerful in an attack
Early 1990s-End of Cold War Berlin Wall comes down!
Soviet Union During Cold War
Russia after Cold War