Introduction to the Cold War

The Cold War IB History 11

The Cold War• The Cold War was a series of events caused by

the political, economic, and military competition between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) from 1945-1991.

• This competition was caused by the following things:

• Defeat of Hitler and Nazi Germany in WWII removed reason for US and USSR to be allies

• Opposing political and economic ideologies of Democracy/Capitalism (USA) and Communism (USSR)

• Rapid development of military technology, primarily nuclear weapons.

Cold War Conflicts• The US and USSR challenged each

other in many ways and in many different places throughout the World from 1945-1991 including the following:

• Conclusion of WWII (Europe)

• Korean War (Asia)

• Cuban Missile Crisis (North America/Caribbean)

• Vietnam War (Asia)

• Soviet-Afghan War (Asia)

Research Simulation

• Despite the Cold War ending between 1989 and 1991, the effects of this political, economic, and military competition are still very present in the World today.

• Describe a way in which the effects of the Cold War are still present in the World today.