1. Topic 7a-The Start of the Cold War
Analyze the origins of the Cold War
Compare and contrast the major beliefs of communism and capitalism and why this led to conflict
Evaluate early actions of the United States to combat communism and USSR influence

2. Cold War post WWII US/Soviet Relations Germany and Eastern Europe
Allies during WWII
Common Enemy
Germany and Eastern Europe
US- Unified Germany; independent nations in E. Europe
USSR-Weak and divided Germany; keep onto areas in E. Europe under their control
Soviet Position
Promised elections in Eastern occupied zones
Did not-US believed USSR wanted to take over whole world
Led to Cold War
Huge tension-no “hot” military conflict
How did the situation following World War II lead to issues between the United States and Soviet Union?
Why is the period between referred to as the Cold War?

3. Communism v. Capitalism-Ideological Clash
US-Capitalist
Democratic government
Private property (owned by individuals)
Uneven wealth distribution=class system
Individualism/focus on individual
Small government interference
Competition=achievement
People need freedom
USSR-Communist
Totalitarian government
Public property (owned by govt.)
Even wealth distribution=no class system
Communalism/focus on community
Government is in total control
Equality over freedom
People need one another
Draw a T-chart and elaborate on the major differences between communism and capitalism.
Based on the basic characteristics of the two systems, what do you think are positives and negatives of capitalism? What are positives and negatives of communism?

4. W. European Response-Iron Curtain
US-very concerned about growing power of USSR
Also Britain-Churchill gave Iron Curtain speech in Missouri
Europe divided between Soviet East and Democratic West
USSR goal-install communist governments throughout Eastern Europe
Also wanted to spread communism throughout W. Europe and Asia
US and others-stand firm
What were the major points of Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech?
Examine the map. What does this map show about Europe following WWI? What were the Iron Curtain’s borders?
Who were the major countries in the Eastern bloc? Who were the major countries in the Western bloc?

5. Early US Cold War Policy
US idea-containment
Limit communism to where it already existed-no expansion
“The main element of any US policy toward the Soviet Union must be that of long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.”- George Kennan
Truman Doctrine
Request to aid Greece and Turkey from Communist influence
Congress gave $400 million in aid to fight communism to these countries
What as the major idea behind containment?
Who was George Kennan? What does his quote say about the conflict with the Soviet Union?
What was the Truman Doctrine? What does this say about US Cold War strategy?

6. Continued US Strategy Truman Doctrine moved to Marshall Plan
Help to recover countries in W. Europe from WWII
Goal to make sure countries didn’t become communist
Situation with Germany
East v. West Germany
Berlin Airlift
Cold War Alliances Emerge
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) US
Britain
France
W. Europe
Warsaw Pact
USSR
E. European Countries
Cold War is on
What were the major goals of the Marshall Plan?
What was the Berlin Airlift and how did it increase Cold War tensions?
What were the major goals of the two alliances? Who were their major members and how did this contribute further to the Cold War?