The Cold War (1945-1991), (2009??-)

What is a Cold War?A state of rivalry and

tension between two factions, groups, or individuals that stops short of open, violent confrontation.

A Giant Chess Match◦ The US and Russia

used other countries as pawns in a game for world power and influence

What is a hot war?

* An armed, open conflict between nations or faction

What is a Superpower? A powerful and influential

nation, especially a nuclear power that dominates its allies or client states in an international power bloc.

Currently, US is the only Superpower

After WWII, the US and USSR emerged victorious and with major influence around the world

Will the US remain a superpower?

Two Competing IdeologiesUSDemocracy and

Capitalism:Private ownership: you

keep what you earnPrimarily a 2-party

system: Democrats and Republicans

Bill of RightsSpread democracy and

open market (no barriers to trade) capitalism throughout the world

USSRCommunism: Complete government

ownership of land and property: the government distributes wealth based on need

Single party controlLack of individual

rightsCall for communist

revolutions throughout the world

How did the US and the Soviet Union (Russia) go from war time allies to enemies?

“I know I tried to secretly fight against your Revolution in 1917 ‘n all, and did not recognize your communist government until 1933, but are we still cool” – The United States (1945)

How did the US and the USSR go from war time allies to enemies? Distrust:

◦ The US sent troops to Russia in 1917 to support anti-communists

◦ The US did not recognize Soviet Government – Diplomatic weapon

◦ Fear of one another’s ideologies: Communism: Complete government ownership of land

and property One of the principles of communism is to lead communist

revolutions throughout the world. Capitalism: is the economic system in which the means

of production (factories, etc) are owned and controlled by private entities for profit, rather than by the government

Complete opposite viewpoints

Chapter 26 – The Cold War

YaltaRoosevelt,

Churchill, and Stalin meet in Yalta to discuss the futures of Poland and Germany