2. Origins of the
Cold War

3. A Clash of Interests USSR US
The Soviets were primarily concerned about their security
Germany and other unpredictable countries lie around its borders
They were also communists
Believed it would replace capitalism
Distrusted capitalist nations (like the US) US
Many Americans believed that the Depression caused WWII, so they wanted to focus on economy
Wanted to promote free trade and democracy
Governments with protections for human rights made them more stable and peaceful.

4. Yalta Conference (1945) Declaration of Liberated Europe Poland
Polish leaders fled to Britain when Hitler invaded
USSR liberated Poland and encouraged Polish Communists to set up a new gov’t
US and Britain- Poles should be free to decide on their own gov’t
Compromise- US and Britain recognize new Polish gov’t as long as it included members from the prewar gov’t.
Declaration of Liberated Europe
Allowed people to choose their own gov’t

5. Yalta Conference Dividing Germany 4 zones: GB, US, USSR, and France
Same in Berlin (capitol)
Germany was to pay reparations (through trade goods)
Allies could also remove industrial machinery, railroad cars, etc.
The Soviets forced Romania to become communist and it was clear that they would not allow Poland to have free elections.

6. Truman Takes Control
FDR died with Soviet-American relations deteriorating- VP Harry S. Truman stepped in
Potsdam Conference (1945):
Truman met with Stalin to discuss German economy
If Germany’s economy doesn’t recover, the rest of Europe may not either
May turn to communism out of desperation
Decided that USSR would take reparations from its territory and Allies would let industry revive
Truman gave some industrial equipment to USSR in exchange for food shipments

7. Truman Doctrine (1947)
Truman scared the American people by telling them that they needed to choose between a free life & one of terror & oppression under Stalin’s communism
Truman asked for $400 million in economic & military aid to support Greece & Turkey
From this point on, Americans viewed communism as a worldwide threat to democracy that they had a duty to resist.

8. The Marshall Plan (1948)
European cities were bombed to ruins, roads & canals destroyed, & millions were sick, homeless, and hungry
These conditions were ripe for communist takeover
The plan called for spending billions of dollars to help Europe, including the USSR, rebuild (Soviets refused to take part)
The money was to be spent on American goods
The plan was successful in rebuilding Europe, but it also put more strain on the relationship with the USSR

9. The Berlin Crisis
The U.S. wants a strong Germany so W. Europe recovers economically, & communism is contained
The USSR wants a powerless Germany so it can never attack the USSR again
Both nations pursued their aims within their occupation zones in Germany & Berlin
June 18, 1948: England, France, & U.S. had merged their occupation zones into a W. German republic with its own currency

10. The Berlin Crisis
Soviets angry because Germany is supposed to be administered as one country
Announced a new currency for Soviet zone
Prohibited all land traffic between Berlin & West Germany--hoped this would force Western powers to give up their plans for West Germany & surrender Berlin
American Air Force air lifted needed supplies to West Berlin for 11 months
World opinion favored the Americans because Stalin starved innocent people to achieve his goals
May 1949 Stalin lifted blockade
Oct. 1949, Germany officially divided & NATO formed

11. The Iron Curtain
Soviets still refused to uphold the Declaration of Liberated Europe in Eastern Europe
Communist countries of E. Europe became known as satellite nations
Not under Soviet control, but had to remain friendly with USSR
The Iron Curtain separated Communist nations of Eastern Europe from the West.
Churchill gave the speech that named this in Fulton, MO
The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, separating East (communist) and West (capitalist) Berlin.
WWII had ended, but the Cold War had begun.