Cold War1945-1957

The Cold War What is it?

A passive aggressive confrontation between Superpowers. (U.S.A. vs. U.S.S.R.)

Not a direct confrontation (No bombs)

A battle of diplomacy, propaganda, and nerves.

Roots of Cold War Yalta Conference, 1945: Stalin pledged to allow democratic elections in E. Europe

(but later reneged) Germany would be divided into four zones controlled by

U.S., France, Britain and USSR

Potsdam Conference, 1945: Truman demanded free elections in Eastern Europe but

Stalin refused Stalin wanted a "buffer zone" between Germany and

USSR for protection against future war

Roots of Cold War U.S. point of view: Stalin seemed intent on creating "spheres"

of influence in Eastern Europe Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech in

1946 alerted Americans to a future conflict U.S. wanted democracy spread

throughout the world

Roots of Cold War Soviet point of view: Democracies traditionally hostile towards

communism US & Britain did not open western front in

Europe early enough; millions of Soviet soldiers were dying fighting the Nazi armies alone until mid-1944.

The US and Britain froze Russia out of the atomic bomb project.

US terminated lend-lease to Moscow in May 1945 but gave Britain aid until 1946.

Wanted "buffer zone" for the Soviet western border esp. in Poland

Partition of Germany USSR, U.S., Britain & France would each

occupy a part of Germany but would allow for German reunification once it was no longer a threat.

Germany was to pay heavy reparations to USSR in form of agricultural and industrial goods.

Did not want revitalized Germany that could once again pose a threat.

Stripped E. Germany of much of its resources.

Germany is Divided into Four Zones

Berlin is also divided into zones.- West Berlin – Allies- East Berlin - Soviets

The U.S.S.R. promises free elections in East Europe – Not True

U.S.S.R. Seized Eastern Europe

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Rumania Albania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia.

Eastern Countries

Become Satellite countries to the U.S.S.R. Independent, but under U.S.S.R. control.

U.S.S.R. tightens borders, no free elections, people can’t leave. total control.

"Containment" By 1947, Truman pledged

to prevent further spread of communism

Truman Doctrine, People around the world have the right to be free, & U.S.A. will support them.

1947: U.S. gave aid to Greece and Turkey to defeat communist forces there. President Harry Truman

Marshall Plan 1947: Massive aid

package to help war-torn Europe

Purpose: prevent communism from spreading

Result: Western and Central Europe recovered

Soviets refused to allow U.S. aid to countries in eastern Europe http://www.historicaldocuments.com/MarshallPlanPhoto.jpg

Berlin Airlift (1948) Berlin deep inside E.

Germany U.S.S.R. blockades West

Berlin. The Berlin Blockade lasted

318 days. During this time, 275,000 planes transported 1.5 million tons of supplies and a plane landed every three minutes at Berlin’s airport.

blockade ended in May 1949.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

1949 U.S.A., Canada, England, Iceland, 8 more.

Join/agree to defend each other.

Allows Europe to “Shoulder” some of Cold War responsibilities.

Warsaw Pact U.S.S.R. response to

NATO.

Soviet Union & East European powers join to oppose NATO.

1955

Korean War

Korean War 1950-1953 After WWII, Korea divided at 38th

parallel: North was communist, South was not

Cause: 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea (supported by Soviet resources)

UN (led by US & Gen. Douglas MacArthur) sent forces to push back communists

China sent thousands of troops to push back UN

Result: cease-fire and border at 38th parallel restored; still in existence today http://www.awm.gov.au/korea/maps/images/establishing.gif

Space Race (Part of Cold War competition to achieve

technological superiority) 1957, USSR launched Sputnik, an

orbiting satellite using long-range rockets US is fearful Soviets could now launch a

nuclear missile into space and then down to U.S.

Resulted in development of ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles)

Space Race U.S. countered with creation of NASA and vastly

increased educational funding for science. 1961, Soviets sent world’s first cosmonaut, Yuri

Gagarin, into orbit. President John F. Kennedy responded by increasing

funds for space. 1969, Apollo Program put first man on the moon; 4

more moon landings followed by 1972.

U-2 Incident U.S. spy plane shot

down over USSR Khrushchev

demanded an apology from Eisenhower; Eisenhower refused