1. Brrr… It’s the Cold War

2. Setting the Stage for Conflict
At the end of the war conferences were held by the BIG THREE
Two conflicting superpowers rose out of World War II at these conferences
Yalta
Potsdam

3. What is the Cold War?
The hostile relationship between the competing ideas of communism and capitalism
Officially lasted from
The Soviet Union and the United States were the dominant opponents
These two Superpowers never directly went to war, but “battled” over expanding their “spheres of influence”
Numerous “conflicts” arose between the superpowers

4. Understanding Capitalism and Communism
Let’s take a test to see if you understand the differences between these philosophies
After thinking about the statement, rank your opinion, SA is strongly agree, A is agree, N is neutral, D is disagree, and SD is strongly disagree

5. Political Beliefs Survey
Individual rights and freedoms are more important than responsibilities to help others.
Income and wealth should be divided much more equally than it is in the us today.
I support private education – Private Schools.
All People should receive Healthcare, elderly should receive social security, and laid off workers should receive unemployment.
People who work hard should receive material riches.

6. Political Beliefs Survey
I Support public education – Public Schools.
Religion is very important to society.
Taxes should be structured so wealthy people pay larger percentage of their income taxes.
Providing health care insurance is an individual’s responsibility not the governments.
(Seems strange, but will explain later) Economic equality is more important than religion.

7. Scoring the Survey For the odd numbers, SA is 5 down to SD is 1
For the evens, SA is 1 up to SD is 5.
Low score would be a strong communist, up to socialist 17-22, is a liberal, mixed economy 28-34, to conservative 35-42, and strong capitalist 43+

8. Capitalism Stresses private ownership.
Encourages individualism and self-determination in citizens.
Great range of wealth between rich and poor.
Individuals expected to watch out for themselves.
Encourages religion.
Differences in wealth between citizens is good.

9. Communism Stresses public ownership.
Encourages citizens to think of themselves as members of a group.
Encourages hard work to help the group and the country.
Rewards for hard work are self-satisfaction and recognition by group.
All receive much the same income.
All taken care of by government regardless of income
Officially scorns religion as foolish.
Believe that class differences result in discontent, conflict and war.

10. What does this mean?
The distinct lines between capitalism and communism may not be always clear.
Most societies have elements both.
After World War II until today, many do not see shades of grey in political beliefs.

11. Yalta and Potsdam Conferences
United States
Minimal loss of life, democratic society
Cause of Wars
Worldwide Depression led to fascists, like Hitler
WW I Treaty of Versailles humiliated and angered Germany
Soviet Union (USSR)
Tremendous loss of life, one-party rule
Cause of Wars
German Aggression in World Wars I and II
German industrial strength

12. Why did the Soviet Union want a “buffer zone”?
Estimates run as high as 26 million war deaths - 14 per cent of the population
See p. 747 in text
They also believed in their form of government - Communism

13. Conflict Results from WWII Experiences
United States
Reactions to Cause
Occupation of aggressive nations
NO Reparations
German economy must be rebuilt
Soviet Union (USSR) now Russia
Reactions to Cause
- Need physical security from the Germans
- Desire Reparations
- Poland key to USSR security

15. Yalta Agreements Governments in Eastern Europe to be reestablished
- Germany would be split East and West divided among allies
Berlin, the capital, would be further divided
Poland and other nations would hold free elections
United Nations would go forward

16. Yalta “betrayels”
Soviet Union did not follow the Yalta agreements, especially in Poland
This officially started the Cold War

17. The Iron Curtain

18. Federal Government Spending

20. The former Soviet Union is now many other countries

21. Does the Cold War still chill relationships?
North Korea
Cuba
Health Care Reform

22. Assignment
Please read pp.
Do questions