1. Causes and Effects of the Cold War
Beard World History

2. What was the Cold War?
Came out of World War II tensions between the US and Soviet Union
Resulted in mutual suspicions, heightened tensions, and a series of international incidents that brought the world’s superpowers to the brink of disaster.

3. Causes Ideological differences Nuclear Arms Race Mistrust
Once WWII was over, the Soviet Union wanted to spread its ideology of communism worldwide, which alarmed the Americans who followed democracy.
Ideological differences Nuclear Arms Race Mistrust
America’s nuclear weapons caused fear in the Soviets; both feared mutual mass destruction
US did not approve of Soviet’s actions in East Germany, Soviets feared US would use Europe as a base of attack

4. Terms to know
Containment - the U.S. intended to push back attempts by any communist countries to take over any non-communist countries.
Mutually assured destruction (MAD) - Military theory of nuclear deterrence holding that neither side will attack the other if both sides are guaranteed to be totally destroyed in the conflict.
NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an international organization composed of the US, Canada, Britain, and a number of European countries: established for purposes of collective security

5. Timeline of major events/Conflicts
8/14/1945
10/14/1962
4/30/1975
6/12/1987
11/9/89
Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall!
WWII ends
Korean War
Cuban Missile Crisis
Vietnam War to 1975
Berlin Wall torn down; end of USSR and collapse of communist rule in E. Europe
US helps South Korea resist attacks by communist North Korea/China
Communist North Vietnam against South Vietnam. Part of a larger regional conflict
US enters 1965

6. The Berlin Wall
Video, click here

7. Effects of Cold War
Both the United States of America and the Soviet Union built up huge arsenals of atomic weapons and ballistic missiles.
NATO was formed; still exists today
It led to destructive conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
The Soviet Union collapsed, communism collapsed in Eastern Europe
The Berlin Wall was demolished and the two German nations were unified.
Former Soviet Republics achieved independence.
America became an unchallenged super power

8. Impact of cold war on middle east
Nixon Doctrine
“We shall provide a shield if a nuclear power threatens the freedom of a nation allied with us we shall furnish military and economic assistance when requested in accordance with our treaty commitments….”
Ensure regional stability (especially in Saudi Arabia and Iran)
What would super powers want from the Middle East?
Hint: what abundant natural resource does the Middle East have to offer industrialized power houses like the United States or the USSR?
Eisenhower Doctrine 1957:
a Middle Eastern country could request American economic assistance or aid from U.S. military forces if it was being threatened by armed aggression from another state.
(remember the Containment policy – US wants to keep communism contained)