1. Objectives: Section 2: The Cold War Begins
What caused the Cold War, and what was the U.S. strategy during the Cold War?
How did the U.S. government try to control the development of atomic weapons?
How did the Marshall Plan help block the spread of communism in Europe?
How did the Western Allies respond to Soviet expansion?

2. The Cold War Section 2: The Cold War Begins
Major economic, political, and philosophical differences between U.S. and Soviet Union made them enemies.
As Soviet Union expanded, the United States responded with policy of containment.

3. What Is communism?
A collective ideology- calls for the community ownership of land and productive properties (factories, mines, distribution chains etc…)
Belief that individual holders of productive property use it to exploit working class
Theories developed by Karl Marx- stage theory of communist revolutions based on assumptions
Conflict between business class and workers must happen.
Religion is a drug used by the privileged classes to keep control over workers
A “Dictatorship of the Proletariat” would lead to a free classless society”

4. How Communism Worked in the First Communist State
The Soviet Union became the first sustaining communist state in 1918.
The Soviet communist government under Vladimir Lenin and Josef Stalin collectivized farms and took over industries. Economic production directed by government 5 year plans.
Capitalism (production of goods and services motivated by profit) officially ended by Stalin
All political opposition to communist party crushed
Soviets eager to export communism

5. Control of atomic weapons
Section 2: The Cold War Begins
Control of atomic weapons
Baruch Plan imposed penalties on countries that did not follow international rules.
Atomic Energy Act created the Atomic Energy Commission in the United States to oversee research and promote peacetime uses of atomic energy.

6. Question to consider
How might the nuclear technology developed in America to defeat the axis be a concern with its allies, especially the Soviet Union?
How might the Soviet Union try to counter the nuclear capabilities of America?

7. The Marshall Plan Section 2: The Cold War Begins
alleviated economic problems, making countries were less vulnerable to communism
stabilized European economies
led to European economic recovery

9. Western Allies’ responses to Soviet expansion
Section 2: The Cold War Begins
Western Allies’ responses to Soviet expansion
created NATO
created Federal Republic of Germany
supplied West Berlin during Soviet blockade

11. The Berlin Crisis Berlin was occupied by the four allied powers
Western part of the city: France, Britain and US
Eastern part of city: USSR
Western zones unite-This is opposed by the USSR
USSR cut of western road access (autobahn) to Berlin June 24, Want the surrender of Western Berlin
Western powers airlift over 2 million tons of supplies to Berlin
Soviets end blockade by May 1949-Cold War Victory for The West

13. Question: How did the Western Allies try to limit Soviet expansion?
SECTION 2
The Cold War Begins
Question:
How did the Western Allies try to limit Soviet expansion?

14. created NATO, a military alliance during Soviet blockade
SECTION 2
The Cold War Begins
created NATO, a military alliance
Western Allies’
Responses to
Soviet expansion
created Federal
Republic of Germany
supplied West Berlin
during Soviet blockade

15. The Cold War and America: The Twin Fears of communism and the Soviet Union
Fear of Soviet Communism
Fear that communism will spread around the world and isolate America.
Fear that communist agents in America are plotting the overthrow of American democracy
Fear of Nuclear War
By 1947, America lost its nuclear monopoly
Fear that the Soviet Union will use atomic weapons against the United States in its attempt to spread communism
American communities prepared for the possibility of nuclear war