The Cold War

What is the Cold War? The Cold War was a political, social,

economic, and military rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

The Cold War is a misnomer. During the 45 year period of the Cold War, the Americans and Soviets were involved in dozens of ‘hot wars’ around the globe (Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, El Salvador, Honduras, Afghanistan, etc.)

From Allies to Enemies Feelings of Animosity as a result of:

Western support of White Army during Civil War after Bolshevik Revolution. Western fear of worldwide Communist revolution. Nonaggression Pact between Soviets and Germany. Delayed Invasion of European Continent by Britain and United States. US use of atomic bomb.

Yalta Conference – Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), Josef Stalin (February, 1945)

Agreed to Divide Germany into occupied zones controlled by Allies. Germany would have to pay compensation to Soviet Union. Soviet Union would allow free elections in Eastern Europe. Soviet Union would join war against Japan.

United Nations (UN) (June, 1945) Differing US and Soviet Postwar Goals

US wanted a democratic world led by United States. Soviets wanted a Communist state and protection against invasion from the West.

The US and Soviet Union After WWII The United States:

most wealthy country in the world 400,000 people killed in WWII Cities and factories intact Democratic government Capitalist economy

The Soviet Union : More than 25 million Russians killed in WWII Cities and industry destroyed Communist government Socialist economy

What is Communism? Theory of Social Organization written by Karl Marx and

Frederic Engels in The Communist Manifesto. Written as an answer to the problems of the period of

industrialization: huge, poor, working class controlled by a few wealthy individuals that own the Means of Production.

Communist Theory – worker’s revolution to overthrow the bourgeoisie, dictatorship of the proletariat, socialist economy, government/state disappears and all live in happiness in a classless society.

Communism v. Stalinism

Josef Stalin’s Rise to Power Organization of

Communist Party Elections in the Soviet Union

Stalinism

Stalin’s Consolidation of Power Five Year Plans Collectivization Housing Education Show Trials Purges Terror Censorship Propaganda Isolation

“Comrade Stalin has concentrated enormous power in his hands, and I am not sure that he always knows how to use that power with sufficient caution.”

V.I. Lenin

Differing U.S. and Soviet GoalsUnited States Soviet Union

Encourage democracy in other countries to help prevent the rise of Communist governments.

Encourage communism in other countries as part of a worldwide workers’ revolution.

Gain access to raw materials and markets to fuel booming industries.

Rebuild its war-ravaged economy using Eastern Europe’s industrial equipment and raw materials.

Rebuild European governments to promote stability and create new markets for American goods.

Control Eastern Europe to protect Soviet borders and balance the U.S. influence in Western Europe.

Reunite Germany to stabilize it and increase the security of Europe.

Keep Germany divided to prevents its waging war again.

The Iron Curtain Divides East and West Soviets Created a “Buffer Zone” of Eastern European

Satellite Nations (Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Poland, and Yugoslavia) to protect Russia against future invasions from the West.

Potsdam Conference – Truman, Stalin, and Churchill A Divided Germany “Iron Curtain” came to represent Europe’s division

between democratic Western Europe and Communist Eastern Europe.

American Actions Contributing to the Cold War Policy of Containment – contain communism to its

current borders. Truman Doctrine – U.S. allies with and supports nations

resisting communism. Support for British interests in Greece and Turkey. The Marshall Plan - $12.5 billion to rebuild Europe as a

way of containing communism. National Security Act – preparedness for war during

‘peacetime.’ Established Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency.

Soviet Actions Contributing to the Cold War Soviet control over Poland, Bulgaria, Romania,

Hungary. Stalin’s order that satellite nations end trade with

Western nations. Soviet refusal to halt work on nuclear weapons. Molotov Plan – economic plan for Eastern Europe. Soviet overthrow of Czech government and installation

of Communist government. Berlin Blockade – Stalin blockaded West Berlin, U.S.

airlifted supplies into citizens.

The Cold War and a Divided World Rival Military Alliances

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – United States, Canada, ten Western European nations.

Warsaw Pact – Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania.

Nuclear Weapons and the Space Race Nuclear Threat

US had atomic bomb in 1945 Soviet Union had atomic bomb in 1949 Development of Hydrogen Bomb (US, 1952 – Soviets, 1953) Brinksmanship Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

The Cold War in the Skies Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Sputnik I U-2 Incident The Space Race Yuri Gagarin – Soviet, first person in space

The Chinese Revolution Civil War

Nationalists – Jiang Jieshi Communists – Mao

Zedong Communist Victory, 1949

Soviet-Chinese Treaty of Friendship, 1950

Communist Victory in China Fueled Anti-Communist Hysteria in the United States

The Korean ‘Conflict’ Korea divided at the 38th

Parallel After World War II By 1949, Soviets and

Americans had pulled most of their troops from Korea.

June, 1950, North Koreans launched surprise attack against South Korea.

Containment Policy Tested

The UN Reacts to Invasion of South Korea 15 UN nations participated in

action to stop the invasion of Korea. Led by Douglas MacArthur.

Initially, North Koreans got deep into South Korea.

Containment policy tested. UN surprise counterattack ,

pursued North Koreans across the 38th parallel almost to Yalu River, border with China.

China Gets Involved China felt threatened by American troops and naval fleet off their

coast, sent 300,000 troops to aid North Korea. Fight between North and South Korea had turned into war between

the Chinese and Americans. China drove UN troops south, captured South Korean capital Seoul. MacArthur called for a nuclear attack against China; Truman fired

him. For two years, UN forces fought to drive North Koreans back to 38th

parallel. After three years of fighting, UN forces and North Korea signed a

cease-fire agreement, border between the two Koreas again set near 38th parallel.

Aftermath and Legacy of the Korean ‘Conflict’

5 million soldiers and civilians were killed. Korea remained divided into two nations. North Korea

Communist dictator Kim Il Sung established collective farms, developed heavy industry, and built up country’s military power.

In 1994, Kim Jong Il ascended to power after his father died. Kim Jong Un now in power.

Developed nuclear weapons and is well armed, but continues to struggle with economic problems.

South Korea Prospered thanks to U.S. aid Ruled by dictators until 1987, then a democratic

constitution. Korea still divided

Troops in demilitarized zone (DMZ). U.S. maintains troops in South Korea. South Korea has begun limited shipments of food

aid to North Korea.

The Berlin Wall Berlin Wall erected in August, 1961 after

Khrushchev and Kennedy had unpleasant meeting.

Berlin Wall enclosed West Berlin to prevent people from escaping East Germany into West Berlin and then to West Germany.

Barrier completed within two days, then more permanent structure.

City remained divided until 1989.

Trouble in Cuba Revolution in Cuba led by Fidel Castro in 1959. Communist government turned to Soviet Union for

support/protection. Bay of Pigs – U.S. trained, coordinated and armed group of

Cuban counterrevolutionaries in attack on Castro government. Failed. Huge embarrassment to Kennedy Administration.

Castro always believed the United States would attempt to overthrow him again.

U.S. had recently coordinated a massive military exercise nearby in Puerto Rico – an amphibious invasion to remove a dictator named ORTSAC.

The Cuban Missile Crisis U.S. had nuclear missiles pointed at Soviet Union in

Turkey. Soviet Union arranged with Castro to position

nuclear missiles on Cuba within striking distance of major U.S. cities.

Castro took on risks of being site of nuclear missiles because he always believed the U.S. would try to invade again and he felt that a conventional war would be as devastating to the island as a nuclear war would be.

Thirteen Days in 1962 U.S. surveillance photos provided clear evidence that Soviet missile sites were

being developed. Nuclear missiles on Soviet ships headed for Cuba. Some tactical weapons already

on the island. World on edge – would the two superpowers engage in nuclear war? Kennedy was presented with a difficult situation – how to resolve this issue without

setting off nuclear war? JFK decided to set up a naval blockade around Cuba. After much fear and tension, Khrushchev turned the Soviet ships around. Soviet missile equipment and tactical weapons removed from Cuba. U.S. promises never to invade Cuba. Privately, Robert Kennedy had negotiated a compromise – U.S. missiles removed

from Turkey. The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the United States and Soviet Union ever

got to nuclear war – as far as the general public knows.

Vietnam History of Colonialism

Due to Rich Natural Resources China, 208 BC France, 1861 Japan, 1940 France Returns, 1945 United States, 1954-

1975

The Road to the Vietnam War French Indochina

After Japanese defeated in 1945, Vietnam expected independence, but French regained their colony.

In 1950, Ho Chi Minh declared the Democratic Republic of Vietnam the only legal government. Soviets and Chinese recognize Ho Chi Minh’s government, U.S. and Britain recognize French appointed leader.

Independence Movements Developed Ho Chi Minh turned to Communists for help gaining independence. Formed Vietminh Independence League. Guerilla Attacks Against French 1954, Battle of Dien Bien Phu, French surrendered.

A Divided Vietnam 1954, Geneva Conference Vietnam Divided at 17th Parallel, Free Elections

Scheduled for 1956 Ho Chi Minh and Communists ruled in North U.S. and France set up anti-Communist

government of Ngo Dinh Diem in South Ho Chi Minh Very Popular Ngo Dinh Diem Very Unpopular, Cancelled

Elections. Immolation of Quang Duc Communist guerillas called Vietcong formed to get

rid of Diem. Diem killed in a coup backed by the U.S., but new

leaders no more popular with people of Vietnam. It seemed that Communist Vietcong, with help

of North Vietnam, would take over.

U.S. Involvement in Vietnam Domino Theory – belief that if one nation fell to

Communism, the nations around it would turn communist and so on.

U.S. greatly increased “advisers” in South Vietnam and military supplies.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – allowed President to increase American involvement and combat action in Vietnam without a declaration of war from Congress.

U.S. soon supplying American troops. 1965, more than 185,000 American soldiers in Vietnam. By 1968, more than 500,000 American soldiers in Vietnam.

Americans Faced Major Problems in Vietnam War

Guerilla Warfare in Unfamiliar Jungle Hit and Run Tactics

South Vietnamese government the U.S. was supporting was very unpopular, while support for Vietcong grew steadily.

Ho Chi Minh, Soviet Union, and China supported Vietcong with troops and munitions.

Unable to win decisive victory on ground, U.S. turned to air power, increasing peasant opposition to South Vietnamese government

More fire power dropped on Vietnam than in all of WWII, including atomic weapons.

Agent Orange Napalm Phosphorous Bombs

The U.S. Withdrawal From Vietnam War Unpopular in U.S.

Selective Service System Role of Television Tet Offensive My Lai Massacre

Nixon and the Policy of Vietnamization U.S. troops withdrawn, replaced with South Vietnamese troops. Increased bombing and illegal incursions into Laos and

Cambodia. Kent State Tragedy – 4 students killed by National Guard Jackson State Tragedy – 2 students killed by police. Repeal of the Gulf of Tonkin resolution.

The U.S. Leaves Vietnam Paris Peace Accords, 1973

U.S. POWs released. Last American Troops Withdrawn in 1973

Communist North Overran South Vietnam in 1975 Communists renamed Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City

1.5 million Vietnamese Killed 48,000 Americans Killed

Cambodia The Vietnam War and American Bombing

Resulted in an Unstable Cambodia. Communists Known as the Khmer Rouge

took control under brutal leadership of Pol Pot.

In an attempt to return Cambodia to a rural society, more than 2 million people – almost 25% of the population - were killed by the Khmer Rouge.

Vietnam invaded in 1978, overthrew Khmer Rouge.

Vietnamese withdrew in 1989. UN Peacekeepers supervised creation of

democratic constitution in 1993 and free elections.

Pol Pot captured and detained for war crimes.

Postwar Vietnam Communists imposed Strict

Control 1.5 Million Refugees Fled

Communist Oppression 200,000 “Boat People” died at sea About 70,000 Vietnamese

Refugees settled in U.S. Today, Vietnam Still a Communist

Government U.S. and Vietnam are now trading

partners Vietnamese are very forgiving

and understanding of the ‘American War’

The Cold War Around The World The Cold War in the

Developing World Consequences of Imperialism –

Poverty and Political Instability Cold War Tactics/Strategies

Sponsored and/or supported wars of revolution or counterrevolution.

CIA and KGB Military Aid Schools Volunteer Workers Peace Corps

The Cold War in Latin America Chile

Salvador Allende , a Marxist, elected president in free elections in 1970. CIA helped forces opposed to Allende overthrow his government. Replaced by Augusto Pinochet, brutal military dictator.

Cuba US supported unpopular Fulgencio Batista. Batista overthrown by Fidel Castro. Bay of Pigs – Failed American attempt to overthrow Castro. Cuban Missile Crisis

Nicaragua Sandinistas Overthrew The Brutal Samoza Dictatorship that US had put in power and had

been supporting since 1933. Sandinistas then began to aid socialist rebels in El Salvador. To help the El Salvadoran government fight those rebels, the US supported Nicaraguan

anti-Communist rebel forces, also known as Contra or contrarevolucionarios. Civil War in Nicaragua lasted more than a decade.

Why did the United States often support horrible dictators rather than freely elected leaders during the Cold War? What effects

does this have in the present day?

The Cold War in the Middle East Iran

Shah Pahlavi embraced Western governments and wealthy western oil companies. Iranian nationalists angry at growing western influence and that Western oil companies

were making huge profits while Iranian people continued to live in poverty, led by Prime Minister Mossaddeq

Mossaddeq and his followers seized and nationalized a British oil company and forced Shah to flee.

US arrested Mossaddeq, because they feared he would seek support from the Soviet Union, and put Shah back in power.

Shah government corrupt and brutal. Shah wanted to limit influence of Islam in government. Ayatollah Khomeini encouraged workers to go on strike – riots erupted across Iran;

Shah forced to flee. Khomeini and followers established Islamic law as legal code of Iran. Iranian Hostage Crisis Iran/Iraq War

Afghanistan Muslim revolt threatened to remove Communist

regime. Soviets invaded Afghanistan and got stuck there

fighting rebels called mujahadeen. Americans supplied mujahadeen with weapons. Americans boycotted 1980 Olympic games in

Moscow. Soviets withdrew after 10 years of fighting.

The End of the Cold War Eastern European Nations Began To Protest Soviet Control. Nikita Khrushchev

Destalinization Hungary

Imre Nagy Leonid Brezhnev Czechoslovakia

Alexander Dubcek and Prague Spring Soviets and Chinese Became Enemies Germany Reunified

From Brinksmanship to Détente Brinksmanship created too many crises and nearly developed into

nuclear war on several occasions. Nixon Visit to China Nixon Visit to Soviet Union Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) SALT I Treaty – five year agreement limiting to 1972 levels the number

of ICBM and submarine-launched missiles each country could have. Helsinki Accords – US, Soviet Union, and 33 other nations signed a

commitment to détente and cooperation. Détente Cools Under President Jimmy Carter President Reagan Intensified Anti-Communist Actions and Reignited

the Cold War

The Fall of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev succeeded Leonid Brezhnev Glasnost “openness” – Soviet citizens encouraged to

discuss ways to improve society. Perestroika – economic restructuring. Democratization. Foreign Policy – Gorbachev realized arms race too costly.

Stressed diplomacy over force. Boris Yeltsin. August Coup. The Soviet Republics Declared Independence.