The Cold War American History (B) C. Simmons

Clash of Interest After WWII, the U.S. and Soviet Union became increasingly hostile, era lasted from , known as the Cold War After WWII, the U.S. and Soviet Union became increasingly hostile, era lasted from , known as the Cold War Communism over Capitalism Communism over Capitalism Fear of future attacks Fear of future attacks FDR concerned with economic concerns, world would stay peaceful if economies were prosperious FDR concerned with economic concerns, world would stay peaceful if economies were prosperious

The Yalta Conference FDR, Churchill, and Stalin met in Yalta FDR, Churchill, and Stalin met in Yalta Agreements would later lead to what is called the Cold War Agreements would later lead to what is called the Cold War Declaration of Liberated Europe – people have the right to choose their own governments Declaration of Liberated Europe – people have the right to choose their own governments Division of Germany – four sections b/t Soviets, British, French, Americans Division of Germany – four sections b/t Soviets, British, French, Americans Soviets did not follow agreements Soviets did not follow agreements

Truman Takes control Tensions at Postdam, threat from Truman about atomic-bomb test Tensions at Postdam, threat from Truman about atomic-bomb test Spread of Communism – satellite nations Spread of Communism – satellite nations Communists took over Eastern Europe, Churchill coined the term iron curtain, that separated east and west Europe Communists took over Eastern Europe, Churchill coined the term iron curtain, that separated east and west Europe

Discussion Why was the Cold War named that? Why was the Cold War named that? What was the main goal for the Soviet Union after WWII? What was the main goal for the Soviet Union after WWII?

Containing Communism George Kennan and the Long Telegram, proposed containment policy – keeping Communism within its present borders George Kennan and the Long Telegram, proposed containment policy – keeping Communism within its present borders 1947 Truman Doctrine – asked for money to defend against Communism, U.S. pledge to stop spread of Communism 1947 Truman Doctrine – asked for money to defend against Communism, U.S. pledge to stop spread of Communism Marshall plan – economic recovery in Western Europe, lessened appeal of Communism Marshall plan – economic recovery in Western Europe, lessened appeal of Communism

Cold War Spreads Berlin Crisis – split Germany into two separate nations (W & E Germany) Berlin Crisis – split Germany into two separate nations (W & E Germany) Berlin airlift – Truman ordered aid to Berlin and West Germany Berlin airlift – Truman ordered aid to Berlin and West Germany North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created in 1949 – allowed Western Germany to rearm, East Germany countered with Warsaw Pact North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created in 1949 – allowed Western Germany to rearm, East Germany countered with Warsaw Pact 1950, Rise of Red China – People’s Republic of China 1950, Rise of Red China – People’s Republic of China

The Korean War Division of Korea after war (38 th Parallel) Division of Korea after war (38 th Parallel) Soviet aid to the north, building of massive military Soviet aid to the north, building of massive military June 1950 North Korea invaded the South June 1950 North Korea invaded the South Chinese threat – and “limited war” Chinese threat – and “limited war” MacArthur v. Truman MacArthur v. Truman Armistice signed on July 1953 Armistice signed on July 1953 Korean War was turning point – first time US used military to “contain” communism Korean War was turning point – first time US used military to “contain” communism

Discussion What type of place is North Korea today? What type of place is North Korea today? What was the point of the idea of containment? What was the point of the idea of containment?

A New Red Scare Fear of Communism at home led to Communist subversion – secretly weaken society and overthrow government Fear of Communism at home led to Communist subversion – secretly weaken society and overthrow government J. Edgar Hoover - FBI J. Edgar Hoover - FBI Loyalty tests, HUAC – House Un- American Activities Committee Loyalty tests, HUAC – House Un- American Activities Committee The Alger Hiss Case The Alger Hiss Case Julius and Ethel Rosenberg case Julius and Ethel Rosenberg case Fear of Espionage Fear of Espionage

“A Conspiracy so Immense” Continuous fear that Communist have infiltrated the government Continuous fear that Communist have infiltrated the government McCarthyism – Senator Joseph McCarthy, claimed he had list of known communist McCarthyism – Senator Joseph McCarthy, claimed he had list of known communist McCarren Act (1950) – illegal to be linked in any way to totalitarian gov McCarren Act (1950) – illegal to be linked in any way to totalitarian gov McCarthy’s investigations (witch hunt) McCarthy’s investigations (witch hunt) 1954 McCarthy and his tactics fell out of favor with most Americans 1954 McCarthy and his tactics fell out of favor with most Americans

Life During the Early Cold War Communism and the fear/threat of atomic bomb dominated American Life in the 1950’s Communism and the fear/threat of atomic bomb dominated American Life in the 1950’s Building of fallout shelters, fear of radiation fallout Building of fallout shelters, fear of radiation fallout Contrast – Fear of Communism, Prosperity and optimism Contrast – Fear of Communism, Prosperity and optimism

Discussion Why was McCarthyism so successful? Why was McCarthyism so successful? Was there a good reason for people to be scared? Was there a good reason for people to be scared?

Eisenhower’s New Look (R) Won by landslide in 1952, Why? (R) Won by landslide in 1952, Why? Pushed massive retaliation – threat of use of nuclear weapons Pushed massive retaliation – threat of use of nuclear weapons New B-52 Bombers, submarines New B-52 Bombers, submarines 1957 Sputnik was launched into space, America was falling behind in technology 1957 Sputnik was launched into space, America was falling behind in technology 1958 (NASA) was created 1958 (NASA) was created

Brinksmanship Some Americans feared Eisenhower’s use of brinksmanship – willingness to go to war to get other side to back down Some Americans feared Eisenhower’s use of brinksmanship – willingness to go to war to get other side to back down 1953 armistice in Korea stopped communism from spreading 1953 armistice in Korea stopped communism from spreading Threat toward China Threat toward China Battle at Suez Canal Battle at Suez Canal

Fighting Communism Covertly Covert (secret) operations carried out by CIA Covert (secret) operations carried out by CIA Usually took place in developing nations who blamed imperialism for their despair Usually took place in developing nations who blamed imperialism for their despair Some covert operations worked and others did not Some covert operations worked and others did not Nikita Khrushchev took power after Stalin's death Nikita Khrushchev took power after Stalin's death Peace Summit stopped b/c of U.S. spy plan being shot down Peace Summit stopped b/c of U.S. spy plan being shot down

Discussion What was brinksmanship? What was brinksmanship? What was America's goal during the Cold War? What was America's goal during the Cold War?