1. The Cold War
SS5H7 The student will discuss the origins and consequences of the Cold War.
a. Explain the origin and meaning of the term “Iron Curtain.”
b. Explain how the United States sought to stop the spread of communism through the Berlin airlift, the Korean War, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
c. Identify Joseph McCarthy and Nikita Khrushchev.

2. Iron Curtain: A symbol of the differences between communist and noncommunist countries.
Soviet Union set up communist governments in much of Eastern Europe.
Western Europe stayed democratic.

3. Berlin Airlift Berlin Wall
In June 1948, the Soviets blocked off all the roads and railroads that led to West Berlin in hopes that the Allies would leave the city. To break the blockade US leaders along with the British flew food and supplies into the city.
Berlin Wall
Built in 1961-Divided communist Eastern Berlin from noncommunist Western Berlin

4. Korean War :
South Korea: Republic supported by the United Nations
North Korea: Communist supported by the Soviet Union
After 3 years of fighting the two sides agreed to stop fighting. North & South Korea remain divided.

5. North American Treaty Organization
Founded: April 4, 1949
The original countries included the United States, Canada, France, Great Britain, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg), Portugal, and Iceland. After a few years, Greece, Turkey, and West Germany joined. In 1954, the Soviet Union tried to join. The other members rejected their request.
Today there are 28 members in NATO.
The intent behind NATO was a military arrangement for mutual protection between various countries, both in Europe and North America.

6. Senator Joseph McCarthy
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s America was overwhelmed with concerns about the threat of communism growing in Eastern Europe and China.
1950 Red Scare
McCarthy made a public accusation that more than two hundred “card-carrying” communists had infiltrated the United States government.
Though eventually his accusations were proven to be untrue, and he was censured by the Senate for unbecoming conduct.
One of the most shameful moments in modern U.S. History.
McCarthyism: the paranoid hunt for communist infiltrators based on slander, accusition, and innuendo.
Difficult on writers and entertainers, many of whom were labeled communist sympathizers and were unable to continue working.
Some had their passports taken away, while others were jailed for refusing to give the names of other communists. The trials, which were well publicized, could often destroy a career with a single unsubstantiated accusation. In all, three hundred and twenty artists were blacklisted, and for many of them this meant the end of exceptional and promising careers. By 1954, the fervor had died down and many actors and writers were able to return to work. Though relatively short, these proceedings remain one of the most shameful moments in modern U.S. history.

7. Nikita Khrushchev
First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Believed communism would triumph over capitalism.
1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
Ousted from his position in 1964
Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962 Khrushchev deployed nuclear missiles in newly Communist Cuba, within easy striking distance of most major American population centers. Thanks to intelligence received from Oleg Penkovsky, a Soviet double agent, the United States was aware that the missiles were still only partially developed and did not pose an immediate threat. President John Kennedy called Khrushchev's bluff, and the latter was forced to remove the missiles from Cuba.