The Fear of Communism and The Fear of Communism and The Cold WarThe Cold War

Chapter 19Chapter 19

GermanyGermany KoreaKorea

VietnamVietnam CubaCuba

Origins of the Cold WarOrigins of the Cold War

Formation of the United Nations

• 50 nations• 11 on Security council• USA, England, China,

France get a seat.

Potsdam Conference• Truman & Stalin meet• Face off

U.S.S.R. formed with Russia establishing satellite nations

• Red army held freed Nazi countries

• Iron Curtain forms

Cold War Heats upCold War Heats up

Marshall plan – USA lends money to war torn European nations.

• $13 billion went to 17 nations

• USSR call USA out for “buying its way into Europe”

What to do with Germany?• Allies divide country to

help get it on its feet.• Which political system?• Three democratic and

one communist.• Split four ways• What to do with capitol?• Berlin split four ways.

Look at Pg 647

East and West GermanyEast and West Germany

Berlin divided

Communists close off the east, build a wall

Blockade by Russia to force others out

Berlin airlifts begin• 1 year of flights in and

out with supplies• Russian quit May, 49.

NATO• April 1949 “Collective

Security” established.• Warsaw pact of

communist countries was established to counter NATO

• Atomic threats go back and forth.

• USA was in an era where we had a fear of communism spreading into our country

• We were also afraid of the Domino Effect; when one country falls then its neighbor will fall, then their neighbor, etc.

• USA have to step out before it’s too late.

The Korean WarThe Korean War

Korea gained its independence from Japan after WWII. – It was split by two countries who both wanted it

North was helped by Russia

South was helped by USA- Korea was split at the 38th parallel

USA believes Russia is behind making it a communist country and encouraging the North to military invasion of the South.

Timeline of eventsTimeline of eventsJune 1950 – North Korea invade the SouthSept 1950 – North had taken nearly all of the South, down

to a small corner in the S.East.United Nations arrive at Inchon, behind the Northern army• North is now cut and fighting in two places• North retreat back to the 38th parallelNov 1950 – USA forces drive North Korea into the north,

almost over the boarder to China.Spring 1951 – China enters the war to help North Korea,

they drive the USA forces back southUS/UN Forces sign a truce with the North-set 38th parallel

as the dividing line. Back to where it all started!

D.D. Eisenhower became President in 1952• His policy was “Massive retaliation” and he

threatened to use nuclear weapons.• This led to “Brinkmanship” taking us close to

war.• The D.M.Z. was formed to divide North from

South Korea. (DeMilitarized Zone)

This is still in place today and is one area US soldiers will serve a tour of duty.

VietnamVietnam

• French Indochina….the area had been owned by France during the colonial years

• 1954 Vietnam gained its independence, leading to a political struggle. The country split in two at the 17th parallel.

North Vietnam - communist

South Vietnam – non communist

North Vietnam

• Led by Ho Chi Minh• Official army was

called the Viet Minh• Unofficial army was

the Viet-Cong

Used guerrilla war tac-tics throughout the South.

• Aid from China

South Vietnam

• Led by Ngo Dinh Diem• He asked the USA for

help, supplies, etc

Time scale of USA involvement.Time scale of USA involvement.1954 - Revolution raises concern of a take over.

Pres. Eisenhower sends advisors1961 – Pres. Kennedy of USA sends troops to act like police

between the two sides.

1964 – USS Maddox is attacked. (US ship)

1968 – Pres. Johnson increases US presence, all is going well and we should win very soon.

Tet Offensive – Communist forces carry out mass attack on many major cities of the south on their New Years day. Total surprise to our military.

1970 – Pres. Nixon orders Ho Chi Minh trail to be bombed

200,000 protesters march on D.C.

1973 – Pres Ford of USA signs a treaty to pull out of Vietnam. Our job is done. (win, loss, or tie?)

1975 – Vietnam falls to communist control and becomes a unified communist country.

This led to a mass exodus of those who “might” have helped the USA. All intellectuals and potential threats fled the country in fear for their lives. “Boat People”

USA lost 58,000 soldiers, 300,000 wounded, 1000’s with lasting “issues”, and at a cost of approx $150 billion.

Problems faced by the USA.Problems faced by the USA.

• Fighting an unknown, unrecognizable enemy,

it was hard to know the good guys from the bad.• Unconventional fighting methods: Guerrilla

attacks, ambushes, booby traps, women and kids fighting.

• Poor conditions: Jungle, high temps, bad water• Attitudes of the people back at home: Our

troops were following orders, but were treated like they were the bad guys by other Americans.

Issues with CubaIssues with Cuba

USA still having concerns over communism into the 1960s. President Kennedy has to deal with this area as well as Asia.

Eisenhower had embargoed Cuba because Castro had taken some US lands.

1961 Bay of Pigs invasion.• The CIA trained a revolutionary force to attack

and remove Castro. JFK sent them in as his first presidential order.

• The invasion was met by Casto’s army, who seemed to know it was coming.

• USA had egg on their face and JFK had a blow to his ego.

• JFK started the Peace Corp at this point to make him look more compassionate.

He learned a valuable lesson here which in turn made him popular.

Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis

The Soviets wanted to install missile bases in Cuba, with modern weapons and missiles pointing at USA.

USA spy planes, U2’s, took photos and found this information from above.

JFK had some choices• Attack the bases – potentially starting WWIII• Do nothing – potentially giving Russia victory• Stop the weapons – annoying but not bad• Threaten – potentially getting Russia mad

We take the last two options and stop Russian ships that were transporting missiles. This was bold and worked in our favor. We turned away the ship, but if the captain didn’t listen and tried to carry on our blockade was there to stop him. That would / could have been WWIII.

The Soviets did not over react and we get into treaties between our two countries.

• JFK passed this test and it opened the way for better relationships.

A new direct “hot line” was installed between USA and Russia to avoid future confusions or misunderstandings.

All through the 1970 and 1980 eras we were in the Cold War with The Soviet Union.

• Eventually Communism there fell in the late 80’s.