1. Cold War

2. Division of Europe
After World War II, the Soviets aggressively set up communist governments in eastern European countries
These countries became known as Soviet Satellites

3. U.S. responded with Truman Doctrine Containment Policy
doing whatever was necessary to stop the spread of communism
Domino Theory—the fear that if one country falls to communism, the one next to it will soon fall as well

4. Economic/Political Differences
U.S.
democratic government
free enterprise or capitalist economic system.
U.S. was in good shape after WWII and did not have to rebuild.
USSR
communist government
Communist economic system.
USSR had the biggest losses by far of any country in WWII, both civilian and military, and had much to rebuild. In addition, they had poor economic growth after the war.

5. Berlin Blockade and Airlift
In 1948, Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin. No one could go in or out, by road or train.
United Nations responded with the Berlin Airlift—daily delivering supplies into W. Berlin.
Airlift continued from June 1948 – May Soviets decided the blockade was unsuccessful and ended it.

6. Arms Race Began in 1949 with first successful Soviet atomic test
Build-up of weapons on both sides in order to keep the other side from attacking—they would be afraid of the response. This was called a policy of deterrence.

7. Space Race
Closely tied to arms race, because they shared technology (rockets, missiles, etc.)
Sputnik—first satellite to orbit earth, Soviet, 1957
U.S. astronauts landed on moon, 1969

8. Chinese Communist Revolution
Mao Zedong (communist) came to power in 1949
Followed conflict with Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-Shek (Jiang Jieshi)
Nationalists fled to Taiwan, and still refuse to accept communist government

9. Korean War
War between communists from North Korea and anti-communists in South Korea; North was trying to control all of Korea
North was backed by USSR and China; South was backed by United Nations, including US.
This was an example of war by proxy—the superpowers were involved but not fighting directly with each other.

10. Korean War War ended with North Koreans being defeated;
Result was that Korea remained divided at 38th Parallel, where it had been divided before the war as well

11. Berlin Wall Built in 1961 to block access between East and West Berlin
28 miles long
Dozens of people killed in the next 28 years trying to escape East Berlin across Berlin Wall
Torn down in November, 1989 after massive pro-democracy protests

12. Cuba Communist Revolution in 1959; Fidel Castro came to power
Bay of Pigs—embarrassing and unsuccessful attempt by American government to assassinate Fidel Castro

13. Cuban Missile Crisis
Worst point in Cold War in terms of being on the brink of nuclear war
1962—Soviets tried to place nuclear armed missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from Florida
U.S. President John F. Kennedy demanded that Khrushchev (Soviet leader) remove the missiles and blockaded Cuba
Soviets backed down and removed the missiles.

14. Vietnam War
Began with Vietnamese fight for independence from France ; French left; Vietnam divided
North Vietnamese communists, led by Ho Chi Minh, tried to take over all of Vietnam
US troops into Vietnam in 1965, left in 1975

15. Vietnam War—who fought?
North was backed by USSR and China; South was backed by US.
This was another example of war by proxy—the superpowers were involved but not fighting directly with each other.

16. Vietnam War
Also fighting for the Communists were the Vietcong —South Vietnamese people who secretly fought against Americans and S. Vietnamese army

17. Vietnam War
Tet Offensive—1968. Tet is an important Asian holiday. The North Vietnamese attack on this day was unexpected. The US/South won, but losses were terrible.
Along with new reports of the 1967 My Lai massacre, it changed Americans’ opinions about the war.

18. Vietnam War
Saigon—capital of South Vietnam—fell to communists hours after US troops evacuated Vietnam; it is now called Ho Chi Minh City
War ended with North Vietnam victorious—all of Vietnam is communist.

19. Fall of Communism
Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in Soviet Union in 1984 and instituted new policies
Glasnost—greater freedom of speech and press
Perestroika—privatizing state-owned business—allowing a more free economy.

20. Chernobyl Explosion at Soviet nuclear plant, 1986
Worst environmental disaster ever
Reflected the disrepair of Soviet infrastructure
News about it was more open because of glasnost

21. Nationalism in Warsaw Pact countries and China
Protests for democracy throughout 1989
Poland—April 1989
Hungary—May 1989
[China—Tiananmen Square]—unsuccessful—June 1989
East Germany—Fall of Berlin Wall—November 1989
Bulgaria—November 1989
Romania—December 1989
Czechoslovakia—December 1989

22. Tiananmen Square

23. Fall of the Berlin Wall

24. Attempted coup
Attempt to overthrow Gorbachev in 1991 by hardliner Communists
Unsuccessful
Followed by massive protests against hardliners
Gorbachev resigned and the Soviet Union collapsed
Boris Yeltsin elected president—first election in Russia ever

25. The End US remained as only superpower
Without a superpower enemy, the Cold War ended