“Ice, Ice, Baby”

The Cold War

DefinitionA state of hostility between the U.S. and

the Soviet Union (the two “superpowers” of the world) from the late 1940’s through the 1980’s

Clash of ideology: U.S. – Capitalism Soviet Union- Communism

Countries

U.S. Soviet Union

Capitalist Superpower

Democratically Elected President

NATO Leader

Communist Superpower

Dictatorial RuleWarsaw Pact

Leader

Origins1. U.S. upset that Stalin signed Non-Aggression

pact w/ Germany in 1939. Stalin blames Allies for not starting D-Day earlier

2. Yalta Conference: (Feb. 1945) Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill meet to discuss plans for post-war Europe. Agree to divide Germany and Germany must pay Soviet Union for damages. Stalin agrees to free elections in East Germany. Churchill skeptical.

3. Soviet Union begins control of “Satellite Countries” in Eastern Europe spreading communism to those areas.

4. Berlin is locked down by the Soviet Union

“Iron Curtain”The countries

indirectly controlled by the Soviet Union

Eastern Germany, Poland, Romania, Estonia, ect.

Berlin Wall

Space RaceInstead of

physically fighting they out achieved one another

Soviet Space Program vs. NASA

First to space was the Soviet Union

U.S. first to the moon

Arms RaceWho could have the

biggest and most Nuclear Weapons and Armed Forces

Four years later (1949) Soviets have nuclear bomb called First Lightning

U.S. get H-Bomb capabilities on Nov. 1 1952

In 1953 both countries had Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM)