Beginnings of the Cold War Factors towards Conflict

Beginnings of the Cold Beginnings of the Cold WarWar

Factors towards Conflict

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

This lesson examines:• Conflict at the end of WWII• Post-war US and Soviet foreign policies• Confrontation over Berlin• Foundations for long-term competition

Friction at PotsdamFriction at Potsdam

Context Questions:• Describe the general attitude

and spirit of the Big Three (FDR, Churchill and Stalin).

• What were their major agreements and disagreements?

• In general, were they more similar or different in their interests? Why?

Friction at PotsdamFriction at Potsdam

Mistrust between the US and USSR increased during the Potsdam Conference because:

• Elections in Poland resulted in Communist single-party rule

• Final borders of Germany were not decided• FDR trusted Stalin more than Truman• The US had a monopoly on atomic weapons

The Truman DoctrineThe Truman Doctrine

Context Question: Why did the governments of Russia, Italy and Germany experience extremist takeovers during the interwar period?

The Truman DoctrineThe Truman Doctrine

In March 1947, Truman appealed to the US Congress to…

• Help countries to make decisions “free of coercion”

• Prevent totalitarianism such as in Poland, Rumania and Bulgaria

• Send $400million and advisors to Turkey and Greece

The Truman DoctrineThe Truman Doctrine“…the seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by

misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full growth when the hope of a people for a better life has died.

We must keep that hope alive. The free peoples of the world look to us for support

in maintaining their freedoms. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.”

What were the similarities and differences between US foreign policy before WWII and the Truman

Doctrine?

How might Stalin and the Soviets have reacted to the Truman doctrine?

The Marshall PlanThe Marshall Plan

Between 1947 to 1952, the Marshall Plan…

• Offered financial aid to any European power

• Sent food, fuel and raw materials

• Invested over $13.2 billion into the European economies

• What benefits did the US gain from the Marshall Plan?

• In what way was Marshall Aid similar in purpose to the Truman Doctrine?

• How might the Soviets respond to the Marshall Plan?

The Marshall PlanThe Marshall Plan

Confrontation: BerlinConfrontation: Berlin

Context Question: The Yalta agreement of 1945 called for Germany to eventually be united. The western controlled sectors received aid and also had a new currency. How might Stalin feel about these actions by the West?


On June 1948, Soviet forces blocked all rail and road links between West Berlin and West Germany. What choices did the Western powers have? What would have been the consequences of these choices?

Break through

the blockade with force

Evacuate citizens and give

up the city

Support the city without

the use of force

Result? Result? Result?

War with the Soviet

Union

Loss of face and confidenc

e in American leadership

Force the Soviets to

start a war or to stop the blockade



For minimum daily consumption, West Berlin required:

• 4,000 to 5,500 tons of food

• 2,500 tons of coal

US and British air force cargo planes worked 24-

hour shifts for nearly a year; by March 1949,

they were able to deliver 8,000 tons of supplies

daily.

In May 1949, the Soviets lifted the blockade; the western sector of Germany became the Federal Republic of Germany.

In what way was the result of the Berlin Airlift considered a victory for the western powers?


Towards a bi-polar worldTowards a bi-polar world

Context Question: What did the results of the Berlin Airlift demonstrate was necessary to achieve “victory” for the Western powers against Soviet actions?


• In April 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created.

• Defensive military alliance; members had to assist each other in the event of attack

• The USSR then formed the Warsaw Pact military alliance in 1955


• Why might Woodrow Wilson have been opposed to the idea of American participation in NATO?

• Was the creation of NATO and Warsaw Pact beneficial or problematic to the United Nations? Explain.

SUMMARY QUESTIONSSUMMARY QUESTIONS

• What was the source of conflict between the US and the USSR at the end of WWII? What goals did each side want to achieve?

• What was US foreign policy after WWII and how was it put into action?

• What did the Americans and the Russians want to achieve during the Berlin blockade? What was the final result?

Documents

Beginnings of the Cold War Factors towards Conflict