Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byNeil Smith Modified over 9 years ago
2
The Cold War The Cold War Begins
3
Definition “Cold War” describes the conflict between the USSR and the “Western Powers” in the period following WWII Period of tension characterized by conflict at diplomatic, economic, and all levels short of actual armed conflict between the principals on either side.
4
Origins Fear of spread of communism following WWI (Red Scare) still strong After Battle of Stalingrad (Turning pt. of WWII) and D-Day thoughts began to turn to dealing with post-war realities
5
Breakdown of wartime co-operation between the Allies Mutual Suspicion Roosevelt had idealistic aims ‘four freedoms´: f. from want, f. of speech, f. of religious belief, and f. from fear Stalin had more concrete aims regaining of Russian territory lost in WWI, control over E.E. for SECURITY
6
American Presidents – Cold War 1. Harry Truman 1948-1952 2. Dwight D. Eisenhower 1952-1960 3. John F. Kennedy 1960-1963
7
Origins of The Cold War: 1. Ideological Differences: Communism vs. Capitalism (economic, political, philosophical disputes) 2. Competition for global power & Influence 3. Mutual Distrust 4. Atomic Weapons – “Arms Race”
8
Origins of Cold War (after WWII) 1. Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) Established Spheres of Influence In Eastern Europe
9
Origins of Cold War 2. Eastern European nations Became Soviet “satellites” (1946-1948) 3. Soviets refused to sign plan eliminating atomic weapons
10
Origins of Cold War 4. Soviets refused to allow free elections in Eastern Europe 5. Stalin hoped to establish “communist block” clear violation of war conference agreements
11
Feb 4-11, 1945 – Yalta Conference – Churchill, FDR, and Stalin meet: agree Stalin could control countries of Eastern Europe though Stalin promises to hold elections in occupied countries (Korea was divided at 38 th II) promises Roosevelt had to secure Russian assistance in ending war with Japan
12
Animosity Builds The Soviets believed that the United States purposefully delayed starting a 2nd Front (Normandy) so as to allow the Russians to take the load of the fighting “ensuring their interests.” y delayed starting a 2 nd Front (Normandy) so as to allow the Russians to take the load of the fighting “ensuring their interests.”
13
POLAND? Eastern Europe provided the scene for conflict. How the question of Poland would be decided would set the precedent for Eastern European governments
14
Soviet Policy Toward Poland? 1. Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939 – extinguished Polish independence 2. News leaked of Katyn Woods Massacre – Soviets killed over 4000 Polish officers in 1940 3. Stalin broke with Polish government-in-exile in London and supported a group of Polish Communists in Lublin in 1943 4. Stalin did nothing to stop the Nazis from brutally suppressing the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, organized by the London Poles, despite the Red Army was on the outskirts of the capital 5. Stalin claimed 1/3 of Poland after war
15
POLAND? Allied supported gov. in exile in London Soviet supports Lublin gov. Truman takes a hard line refusing to lend money to Russia w/o free democratic elections in Poland Russia refuses and announces 5-Year Plan Results: Poles would never elect a pro-Soviet government so Stalin imposed one. Cost: Permanently resentful Poland America and Britain become untrusting of Stalin FDR: “Stalin has broken everyone of his promises at Yalta.”
16
July 17 – Aug. 2 Potsdam Conference Truman, Churchill, and Stalin meet Stalin cuts off East Germany
17
Berlin Airlift, 1948 Joseph Stalin Cut off city of Berlin from Western contact Blocked all routes into Berlin with Soviet troops Why? tired of U.S. intrusion in European affairs
18
Berlin Blockade, 1948
19
Berlin Airlift, 1948 American planes delivered supplies to city For 11 months
20
Berlin Airlift- American “Candy Bombers” American servicemen Flew over Berlin and dropped candy for city’s children
21
Alliances… President Truman joined alliance with W. European countries, Canada, Iceland NATO –North Atlantic treaty organization
22
Alliances… Stalin’s response: Warsaw Pact – 1955 Communist Eastern European military alliance Once a member, a nation can NEVER leave!
23
The Atomic Race Begins Superior large scale weapons Soviet Union exploded first A- Bomb 1949 1952 U.S. developed Hydrogen bomb 1,000 X’s stronger than A-bomb
24
U.S. Domestic Policy 1. National Security Act (1947)- created the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) 2. NSC-68- secret document discussed Soviet plans for world domination, encouraged U.S. to build up military
25
Containment in Asia China “fell” to communism 1949 1950 Mao Tse- Tung and Joseph Stalin signed pact 2 large nations = “communist block”
26
Korean War 1945 Allies divided Korea Border between North & South 38 th Parallel North Korea = communist China and Soviet Union supplied weapons
27
Korean War N. Korea invaded South Korea, June 1950 U.S. authorized “police action” of military force to liberate South Korea Conflict ended in “stalemate”
28
Dwight D. Eisenhower Became President, 1952 American foreign policy : He would support nations who sought liberation from communism
29
Eisenhower’s Policies 1. “brinkmanship” – U.S. would push aggressor nation to the “brink “of nuclear war, forcing them to back down 2. “massive retaliation” – U.S. would release arsenal of nuclear weapons on any threat
30
Eisenhower Doctrine, 1957 Policy designed to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East by offering military aid to those countries seeking help from resisting Communist aggression
31
Joseph Stalin died, 1953 Nikita Krushchev took over Soviet Union 1958 demanded removal of westerners from Berlin Eisenhower called meeting…
32
Geneva Convention, 1954 French lost colonies in Indochina Geneva Convention agreed to split up territory: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Divided Vietnam into communist north, anti- communist south
33
The 1950’s
34
American Espionage “ Red Scare” Fear of spies in the U.S. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg – accused of delivering atomic secrets to Soviets Convicted of treason & espionage 1951 Sentenced to death
35
Senator Joseph McCarthy 1. Wanted to uncover & prosecute American Communists 2. Used media to his advantage 3. His accusations mostly false 4. Hearings televised 5. Modern day “witch hunt”.
36
Living in Fear… Threat of nuclear war Bomb shelters People purchased canned goods/water “duck and cover” drills in schools
37
Living In Fear… The National Highway Act 1956 Created interstate freeway system 42,000 miles of road
38
Interstate Highways… Meant to provide : quick evacuation, emergency landing of planes, transport of missiles
39
Space Race 1. Russian Space Satellite Sputnik launched 1957 2. U.S. created National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 1958 Congress allocated millions to better prepare students in math, science, foreign languages
40
Eisenhower Era 1952-1960 Popular Culture & American Society in the 1950’s
41
1950’s Popular Culture
42
Servicemen’s Re-adjustment Act, 1944 Also known as the “G.I.” Bill Huge impact on American society & economy in the 1950’s Opportunities for WWII Veterans
43
G.I. Bill Offered… 1. University education 2. Vocational Training 3. Small business loans 3. Home loans
44
Universities Award 2x’s as many degrees in 1950 as opposed to 1940 8 million vets used G.I. funds to attend Colleges &Universities
45
1950’s Prosperity Credit Cards: Diner’s Club, American Express, 1958 Low interest home loans
46
Who is the 1950’s The Middle Class? 1. At least some college education 2. Men work – white collar jobs, or blue collar management 3. Own 2 cars 4. Own suburban home 5. Stay at home wife, 2 kids 6. mostly white
47
“Auto Mania” Cars Facilitate movement 85% of homes built in 1950’s built in the suburbs.
48
Growth of Suburbs Tract homes built en masse in the 1950’s “Levittowns”- emerged (planned communities in suburbs) Levitt Construction company- east coast
49
Growth of Suburbs Average home price 1950’s: $11,500 - $14,500
50
Lakewood, Ca- 1 st Planned Community in L.A. STEP 1 STEP 2
51
Lakewood, Ca- 1 st Planned Community in L.A. STEP 3 STEP 4
52
“White Flight” White, middle class Moved to suburbs Loans denied to minorities 60% of Americans owned homes by end of 50’s
53
National Highway Act 1956 “Interstate” Highways unified nation $40 billion 41,000 mile construction project
54
Popular Culture Along Highways The emergence of fast food chains, motels, shopping malls
55
Baby Boom 50-75 million babies born between 1946- 1964 “at home” mothers depicted in popular culture
56
Women in the 1950’s 1950’s Middle Class ideal: stay at home mom Husband earns enough money so wife does not have to work
57
Television Culture 9 in 10 homes had T.V. sets by 1960 Facilitated the spread of “fads”
58
1950’s Fads Hula Hoops! Records! Barbie! Telephone booth stuffing!
59
Rock N’ Roll Term coined by DJ Alan Freed 1951 Controversial Society concerned about teenagers
60
Rebellious Youth in Film James Dean - “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955) Marlon Brando – “ The Wild One” (1954)
61
Disneyland Opened in Anaheim, CA 1955 Price of admission: $1
62
The Construction of Disneyland… Does Disneyland represent the social idealism of the 1950’s??
63
Poverty and Urban Blight By 1960, 35 million people lived below poverty line Inner city deteriorated into slums Reality of the ignored
64
1950’s Reality: 1. Racism, discrimination, segregation 2. Popular Culture depicts white middle class experience 3. Poverty, urban blight, inequality
65
President Kennedy Traveled to Berlin, 1963 Did not stop construction Proclaimed support for people in Berlin "Ich bin ein Berliner."
66
John F. Kennedy Elected President 1960 Defeated Richard Nixon
67
Tense Times… Soviets discovered American U-2 spy plane And it was shot down 2 weeks before meeting…
68
Berlin Wall Soviets began construction, 1961 To prevent East Berliners from escaping to West
69
Castro Communizes Cuba Dictator Batista overthrown by Fidel Castro 1959 Established communist state Asked Soviets for Help U.S. cut off diplomatic relations w/ Castro
70
Bay of Pigs April 1961 U.S. planned Invasion of Cuba Attempt to overthrow Castro Failure Embarrassment to President Kennedy
71
Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 Fidel Castro & Khrushchev joined forces U.S. spy plane discovered Building of nuclear missile sites in Cuba
72
Kennedy Ordered … Removal of missiles U.S. enacted naval blockade against Cuba Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles if… U.S. agreed never to invade Cuba again, and remove their missiles from Turkey
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.