The Cold War

• The U.S. and Soviet Union emerged from WWII as world powers, triggering a rivalry over ideology and national security. The tension between the free world and the communist world caused divisiveness at home and abroad.

Origins of the Cold War

• Differences in goals and ideologies between the U.S. and the Soviet Union (two superpowers.) The U.S. was democratic and capitalist and the Soviet Union was dictatorial and communist.

Communism Communism:A political theory devised by Karl Marx, promoting a struggle between the working class and the ruling class that leads to a society where all property is publicly owned and shared and each person works and is paid according to their needs.

Modern day Communism is based on the writings of two German economists, Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels, who answered the question “What is Communism?” in their collaboration, The Communist Manifesto, published in 1848. In it they declare that many problems in society are due to the unequal distribution of wealth. To bring about happiness and prosperity for all, the distinctions between the rich and poor of society must be eliminated. And since the rich will never give up their goods or status voluntarily, a rebellion of the poor -- the working class -- is necessary

How Communism “Works”

Let’s pretend that communism came to school!

• Johnny always earn 100% on tests and quizzes. He is our wealthy person.

• Gina and George always earn 70% on tests and quizzes. They are our poor persons.

• Under communism, 20% would be taken from Johnny because he doesn’t “need” it. Then, 10% from Johnny would be given to Gina and the other 10% would be given to George, because they do “need” it.

• Now, everybody is equal. They ALL have 80%!

If you were Johnny, would YOU be happy? Would the “government” (the principal) have to MAKE Johnny give up his 20%?

Communism Communism is willing to use violent means to attain its goal of a classless society. If capitalism is a social system based on individual rights (and individual wealth), then communism is its direct opposite. Communism believes in equality through force. In the communist system as it is practiced, individual rights are ended and replaced by absolute government control. (Totalitarian government)

Communism does not allow any religion, calling it “the opiate of the masses,” or a system designed by the rich and powerful to keep the poor in their place.

But Communism’s goal of a classless society has never come about.

As Frank Zappa, ‘60s rock star, said, “Communism doesn’t work because people like to own stuff.” (Remember Johnny.) Also, someone has to control the economy or money even in a communist-style society. Those who have been in control in the world’s communist nations have formed totalitarian governments.

Reasons for divisiveness at home• Fear of being named

a communist by Senator Joseph McCarthy

• It was called anticommunism, or McCarthyism.

• Hearings were held in which McCarthy unjustly accused many Americans of being communists.

Senator McCarthy was eventually disgraced and removed from office.

Origins of the Cold War• Soviet Union’s

domination over Eastern European countries.

• The Berlin Airlift

• The Marshall Plan

• Truman Doctrine – policy of containment

• Berlin Wall erected in 1961

Make a timeline of the Cold War from 1945-1991. Copy the dates AND descriptions onto your paper.

Americans and Western Europeans feared that Stalin’s and the Soviet Union’s domination of Eastern Europe would spread to the rest of the world.

Americans and Western Europeans feared that Stalin’s and the Soviet Union’s domination of Eastern Europe would spread to the rest of the world.

Origins of the Cold War• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

(capitalism/U.S.) versus the Warsaw Pact (communism/Soviet Union)

Borders of NATO (blue) andthe Warsaw Pact (red) during the Cold War Era.

Label the countries on your map. Then color the NATO nations one color and Warsaw Pact nations another color.

Major conflicts in the post-WWII era

• Since WWII, the U.S. has been directly involved in conflicts that reflected the divisions caused by Cold War tensions and hostilities.

•Korean War

•Cuban Missile Crisis

•Vietnam War

Major conflicts in the post-WWII era

• South Korea and the U.S. resisted Chinese and North Korean aggression. The conflict ended in a stalemate (no winner.)

Major conflicts in the post-WWII era

• The Cuban Missile Crisis happened when the Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba.

• The Soviets removed the missiles in response to a U.S. blockade. •What do you think this cartoon means?

•Why was the U.S. concerned about Soviet missiles in Cuba?

Reasons for divisiveness at home• Division over the

Vietnam War. Americans disagreed greatly about fighting the war. Many anti-war demonstrations and marches for peace were conducted.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Major conflicts in the post-WWII era• The U.S. intervened

to stop the spread of communism in South Vietnam.

• Americans were divided over our involvement.

• The conflict ended in a cease-fire after which U.S. troops withdrew.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/southeast_asia_pol97.jpg

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/southeast/11/15/clinton.vietnam/map.vietnam.hanoi.jpg

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Color and label your map to match this slide.

Reasons for the collapse of communism in Europe

• The breakup of the Soviet Union into independent countries.

Reasons for the collapse of communism in Europe

• The destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/Pictures/web/s/u/h/Berlin-wallready.jpg

East and West German border guards join in on the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

Now the U. S. is faced with many new challenges around the world.

• The role of U.S. military intervention: Do we need to interfere in the affairs of other countries?

• Environmental challenges: deforestation, clearing of forests for logging or farming, pollution of oceans and freshwater by chemicals, sewage, fertilizers, and pesticides.

• What issue concerning the environment is popular today?

• Global warming

• Global issues such as the loss of jobs, trade problems such as protective tariffs, and disease.