World War Two/Cold War

The End of World War Two

The Beginning of the Cold War

Yalta Conference

• February 1945.

• Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin.

• Meet at Yalta in the Soviet Union.

• Purpose

• Decide the fate of Europe.– How to divide Germany.

• East and West

– Who would control Germany.• France/Britain/U.S. West Germany

• Soviet Union East Germany

– Who would control Berlin.

– Who would rebuild Europe.

• Stalin agreed to oversee the creation of new governments in Eastern Europe.

The Atomic Bomb

• The Atomic Bomb– The first atomic bomb is

exploded in New Mexico on July 16, 1945.

– Aug. 6, 1945 the first bomb is dropped on Hiroshima – 73,000 die.

– Aug 9, 1945 the second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki – 37,500 die.

• The way war is fought is drastically changed forever.

The Cost of War

• 60 million people left dead.• 22 million Russians

• 6 million Jews

• 50 million are driven from their homes.

• Damages run into the billions.

Tragedy of War

• 6 million innocent Jews, 5 million Gypsies, Slavs, handicapped, and others.

• In Nanjing in 1937 the Japanese murdered 250,000 Chinese.

Nuremberg War Trials

• 22 Nazi leaders are tried for crimes against humanity.

• The world realizes that what occurred during the Holocaust can never happen again.

• 12 were sentenced to death.

Creation of the United Nations

• An international organization to protect the world against aggression.

• An international organization to protect the people of the world.

United Nations

• The two main bodies of the United Nations are:– The General Assembly

• Consist of representatives of all member countries.

• All representatives have one vote.

– The Security Council• 15 member nations

• 5 are permanent nations (U.S., Russia, France, Great Britain, China)

Occupation

• Germany– In order to prevent

Germany from starting another war, British, American, French and Russian troops were to occupy Germany.

– Germany would be split into East and West.

• Japan– Japan was forced

demilitarize or disband their military.

– Tojo was sentenced to death.

– The U.S. created a democratic government for Japan.

– The U.S. gave billions of dollars to re-build Japan.

Divided Europe

• Two major powers emerged from WWII– The democratic and capitalistic - U.S.– The Communist - Soviet Union.

• The political and economic differences of both countries would lead to the Cold War.

• This conflict between democracy and communism would spread around the globe resulting in;– An arms race– Race to explore space– Military conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Africa, and the Middle East.

The Beginning

• The Atomic Bomb– In 1945 the U.S.

dropped the atomic bomb on Japan.

– The atomic bomb ushered in the nuclear age.

– Once the U.S. obtained the atomic bomb the Soviets also began to start building the bomb.

The End of World War Two

• The war ends– At the end of the war

Germany is divided to stop them from starting future wars.

– The Soviets control eastern Germany

– The U.S. and their allies control western Germany

– There is tension on both sides.

Occupation

• Germany– In order to prevent

Germany from starting another war, British, American, French and Russian troops were to occupy Germany.

– Germany would be split into East and West.

• Japan– Japan was forced

demilitarize or disband their military.

– Tojo was sentenced to death.

– The U.S. created a democratic government for Japan.

– The U.S. gave billions of dollars to re-build Japan.

Divided Europe

• Two major powers emerged from WWII– The democratic and capitalistic - U.S.– The Communist - Soviet Union.

• The political and economic differences of both countries would lead to the Cold War.

• This conflict between democracy and communism would spread around the globe resulting in;– An arms race– Race to explore space– Military conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Africa, and the Middle East.

The Growth of Superpowers

Superpowers

• After World War Two the U.S. and the Soviet Union emerge as the two superpowers.

• Superpower is used to describe the rivalry between both countries to dominate world politics.

• Both countries had a mutual distrust of the other.

U.S. v Soviets

• The U.S. wanted to– Promote worldwide

democracy.

– Stop the rise of communism.

– Open free trade markets to obtain natural resources.

– Re-build Europe to open trade markets.

– Create a stable Europe and unite Germany to stop the spread of communism.

• The Soviets wanted to– Promote worldwide

communism.

– Control eastern Europe as buffer zone to protect the Soviet Union.

– Control eastern Europe as a way of countering U.S. influence in Europe.

– Keep Germany divided.

The U.S. and the Soviets

• Both countries had a mutual distrust of each other.• The tension between both countries came from

different political and economic thought – U.S.-Democracy and Capitalism

– Soviets-Communism and Command economy

• Called a “cold war” because an armed conflict between either superpower never occurred.

The U.S. View

• The United States developed a program called Containment.

• This policy was first outlined under the Truman Doctrine.

• It implied that the U.S. would use military alliances-NATO, economic aid-The Marshall Plan, and military involvement-Korean War/Vietnam War to stop the spread of Communism in the world

The Soviet View

• The Soviets feared that the western nations would try to destroy the Soviets and Communism.

• Stalin distrusted everyone.

• Stalin forced pro-governments on the countries surrounding Russia like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and East Germany.

Summary

• In the 1930’s Germany, Italy and Japan attempt to build world empires.

• During World War Two new weapons of mass destruction cause massive loss of life to both soldiers and civilian populations.

• The brutality of war, killing innocent civilians which had never been seen in history.

• The world was now divided between democracy (U.S.) and communism (Soviets)

Early Cold War Tensions

The Iron Curtain

• After the war the Soviets were responsible for re-building Eastern Europe.

• Stalin wanted a buffer zone in Europe.

• Soon Stalin supported pro-communist governments in eastern Europe.

• Europe became divided east=communist west=democracy

• This became known as the Iron Curtain.

The Iron CurtainSome of the eastern block

Iron Curtain countries.

Soviet Satellites

• These pro-communist countries loyal to the Soviet Union became known as satellites.

Containment

• Containment is a policy of blocking the spread of Soviet influence and communism in the world

• This is done by giving economic and military aid and making alliances to help countries resist the Soviets.

• Containment first comes into play in Greece and Turkey in 1947.

The Truman Doctrine

• The U.S. pledges to resist Soviet expansion.

• Communist were moving into Greece and Turkey.

• Truman asks Congress for both military and economic aid to be sent to these countries resist communism.

• This was a part of the containment policy.

The Marshall Plan

• In 1947 massive economic aid to help rebuild democratic countries in Europe.

• Billions of $ were spent to help western European nations recover from WWII.

• Aid was also offered to countries like Poland which were under Soviet control-Stalin forbid these countries from accepting the aid.

• The Marshall Plan was also a policy of containment.

The Berlin Airlift

• 1st Cold War crisis.

• 1948

• Stalin wanted to force the allies out of Berlin.

• Soviets closed all land routes into Berlins ( No food)

• The U.S. and allies showed it’s support for the Germany and democracy by flying in supplies to West Berlin for 11 months.

• Finally the Soviets were forced to end the blockade.

The Berlin Wall

• The Berlin Airlift lead to a divided Germany.• Western Germany was supported by the U.S. and

in 1949 became the Federal Republic of Germany.• In 1961 the East German government built the

Berlin Wall to further divide Germany.• The wall will become the symbol of the Cold War.• East German military will shoot anyone trying to

escape to the west.

N.A.T.O. v. Warsaw Pact

• N.A.T.O. (1949)– Western European

countries formed a military alliance after the Berlin Airlift.

– North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

– Pledged to support each other with military support if attacked.

• Warsaw Pact (1955)– Made up of the Soviet

Union and seven of it’s satellites. (Eastern European countries)

– Pledged to support each other with military support if attacked.

The Soviets control the East

Repression in Eastern Europe

• Stalin and the Soviets tried to keep tight control over Eastern Europe.

• 1950’s Tensions rose in – East Germany – Poland

• Soviets use tanks to put down revolts.

Repression in Eastern Europe

• Stalin dies in 1953 However….

The new Soviet leader

Nikita Khrushchev takes

Control and continues the repressions with the eastern block countries

Repressions in Eastern Europe

• The Soviets kept tight control of Eastern Europe.

• Some of the Soviet satellites wanted to break free of Soviet domination.

• In East Germany and Poland revolts were put down with tanks.

• The Soviets would use force to control the east.

The Hungarian Revolt

• Imre Nagy a Hungarian nationalist lead a revolt in 1956.

• Nagy wanted to end one party communist rule.

• Hungary withdrew from the Warsaw pact.

• The Soviets sent in troops, thousands died and the Soviets kept control of Hungary.

The Invasion of Czechoslovakia

• In the spring of 1968 Alexander Dubcek called for liberal reforms and lessening of communist control in Czechoslovakia.

• The Czechs wanted to end censorship and create a new democratic constitution.

• The Soviets sent in troops, took over the government and restored a communist dictatorship.

Berlin Wall

• Soviets built a wall surrounding the communist zone in the city of Berlin in an effort to prevent East Berliners from escaping to the west.

• Symbol of the Cold War.

Soviet Domination

• It was clear that the Soviets had planned on using force and military threats to keep the Eastern Block countries in line and the communist system of government in tact in Eastern Europe.

Tensions Heat Up

Cold War Tensions

• Tensions began to flare up between the communist Soviets and the democratic U.S. around the world.

• The superpowers supported opposing sides with troops, economic aid, and advisors.

Arms Race

• During the Cold War both the U.S. and Soviets raced to build the biggest and most destructive weapons.

• This was known as Nuclear Proliferation.

• Each country spent billions of dollars on development of nuclear weapons otherwise known as weapons of mass destruction.

• At the height of the Cold War both countries possessed enough nuclear weapons to destroy the earth 14 times over.

MAD

• The reason for the build-up was for both First Strikes and Mutual Assured Destruction of each country.

• If the Soviets planned to attack the U.S. with nuclear weapons then the U.S. would respond with the same.

• Something needed to be done to stop the build up!!!

The Space Race

• In 1957 the Soviets launched Sputnik-the 1st satellite to orbit the earth.

• The U.S. in an effort to catch up created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

• 1958 the U.S. launches a satellite

• 1961 the Soviets put a man into space

• 1969 the U.S. puts a man on the moon.

The Space Race

• The Space Race also created an educational race between both countries.

• The U.S. felt they had fallen behind the Soviet in education.

• Both science and math were promoted in public schools and colleges.

• The Space Race also caused a drain in economic resources for both countries.

Hot Wars during the Cold War

Korea

• After WWII Korea was divided into North and South.

• The U.S. controlled the democratic south.

• The Soviets controlled the communist north.

• In 1949 both the Soviets and the U.S. left Korea.

• In 1950 North Korea wanted to unify Korea under a communist government.

• North Korea invaded South Korea.

Korea

• The United Nations supported largely with U.S. troops fought back the North Koreans.

• The U.S. pushes the North Koreans back into China.

• China becomes involved in the war and sends troops.

Korea

• By 1953 the war becomes a stalemate with both countries in the same location as before the war started.

• 38th Parallel which splits Korea in two is the dividing line between communist North and democratic South .

• Korea remains divided today and troops from both sides still occupy the 38th Parallel.

Vietnam

• Vietnam had been a colony of the French since about 1800.

• During WWII Vietnam (The Vietminh-a communist nationalist group headed by Ho Chi Minh) fought on the side of the French to drive out the Japanese.

• At the end of WWII the French hoped to regain Vietnam. Instead Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam free.

• The Vietminh defeated the French and drove them out in 1954.

Vietnam

• In 1954 the French lose control of Vietnam.

• Vietnam is split in two. The south (democratic) headed by Ngo Dinh Diem.

• The north (communist) headed by Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam

• In 1956 elections were to be held to unify Vietnam.

• However the U.S. back South Vietnam government feared that the communist would gain control of Vietnam and refused to hold the elections.

• The Viet Cong communist rebels who began to strike out at the South and Diem were supported by Ho Chi Minh.

• The U.S. began to send troops to support Diem against the Viet Cong.

Vietnam

• The communist wanted to control all of Vietnam.

• To stop communism large numbers of American troops were sent to Vietnam.

• From 1959 to 1975 U.S. troops served in Vietnam. In 1969 500,00 troops were in Vietnam.

Vietnam/Domino Theory

• The U.S. policy for sending troops to Vietnam was the fear that if Vietnam fell to the communist then all the other countries in Southeast Asia would fall like a domino.

Vietnam

• South Vietnam and the U.S. were unable to stop the communist.

• In 1973 President Nixon orders a cease fire and begins pulling out troops.

• In 1975 Vietnam is turned back to the Vietnamese. (Vietnamization)

• In 1975 the communist capture all of Vietnam.

Hot War Summary

• While not many hot wars were fought the ones that were fought were costly to the U.S.

• In Korea communism was contained and there is still a division between both communist north and democratic south.

• In Vietnam communism was not contained and Vietnam fell to the communist. Today both Vietnam and the U.S. have good relations.

The Cold War in other parts of the World

South America

Middle East

Africa

South America

Cuba

• In 1898 Cuba gained it’s independence from Spain.

• Cuba then fell under U.S. influence for 60 years.

• In 1952 Fulgencio Batista takes control of the government

• Batista’s government is corrupt and repressive.

• Fidel Castro organizes a guerrilla army to fight Batista.

Castro

• Castro does the following after taking control of the country in 1959.– Turns the country into

a communist state.

– Becomes a dictator.

– Allies Cuba with the Soviet Union.

Bay of Pigs

• Cuba receives aid from the Soviets which is a direct threat to the U.S.

• In 1961 the U.S. supports Cuban nationalist who want to overthrow Castro.

• The invaders are quickly defeated. The invasion fails.

• The U.S. imposes an embargo on Cuba.

• This pushes Cuba closer to the Soviets in 1962.

Cuban Missile Crisis

• 1962 Cold War event whereby the Soviets built a missile base in Cuba! 

• Americans blockaded the island and demanded the removal of the missiles! 

• Peaceful resolution of dismantling the missile for an American pledge not to invade the island of Cuba.

Contras v. Sandinistas

• Sandinistas– The Somoza Family

governs Nicaragua– In 1979 the communist

Sandinistas overthrow the Somoza Family.

– Daniel Ortega turns Nicaragua into a communist nation

– Introduces communist reforms

• Contras– In the 1980’s Contras

were a counter revolutionary group who wanted to drive out the Sandinistas.

– Backed by the U.S. – Contras ad Sandinistas

fought a civil war.– In 1990 Nicaragua had

free elections.

Africa

• Congo– 1960 the Congo becomes

independent

– The government is pro U.S. while the rebels are backed by the Soviets.

– A anti-Communist dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko takes control, renames the country Zaire and is supported by the west until the late 1990’s.

• Angola– During and after a civil war

in Angola the Soviets and Cuba sent troops to back the pro-communist rebels.

– The rebels established a communist dictatorship with the aid of Soviet’s and Cuba.

– The U.S. tried to destabilize the government with little success.

Non-Aligned Nations

• Nations which chose not to align themselves with either superpower during the Cold War were known as non-aligned nations.

• They wanted to make economic progress.

• India, Yugoslavia, and many African nations.

End of the Cold War

Détente/Star Wars/Glasnost

Detente

• In the early 70’s there was a lessening of tensions between the U.S. and Soviets.

• Nixon traveled to both China and USSR.

• SALT (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks) begin to reduce nuclear weapons.

SALT

• The SALT Treaties do limit the amount and types of nuclear weapons.

• People begin to breathe easier.

• Until Pres. Reagan

Problems in the Soviet Union

• The Soviet economy is failing.

• Too much $$$$ spent on defense and nuclear weapons.

Afghanistan

• The Soviets invade Afghanistan in 1979.

• The war goes badly.

• Majahideen, Afghani rebels fighting Soviet forces in 1979; 

• American provided the rebels with supplies and military training; 

• The majahideen successfully prevented a Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

• This is the Soviet’s

Vietnam. They leave in 1989.

End to Detente

• With the war in Afghanistan the U.S. and the Soviets cooled their relationship with one another.

• Both sides began to go back to their old Cold War ways of building their military.

• The U.S. began the Star wars program while the Soviets began to weapons in response.

Star Wars

• Pres. Reagan is a Cold War Warrior.

• Decides to construct a Star Wars Defense system to stop nuclear attacks. (While not directly aimed at the Soviets the Soviets see this as a threat)

Gorbachev

• A young conservative with new ideas for the Soviet Union.

• He wanted to encourage social and economic changes in the Soviet Union.

Glasnost

• Gorbachev's policy of "openness"; a social and economic plan that promoted the free flow of ideas and information with the hopes of reform and progress.

Perestroika

• Gorbachev's economic restructuring plan that aimed to reform the central planning process of communism by allowing capitalist elements such as small private businesses and more free enterprise.

• This is not Stalin’s communism!!!!

Democratization

• The process of adding free elections and a representative government.

• Several Soviet states break free of the Soviet Union forming their own independent nations– Lithuania– Belarus– Latvia

Poland and Solidarity

• Polish ship year trade union turned anti-communist calling for political changes.

• They were led by Lech Walesa.

• The movement was called Solidarity.

•  Workers walked off their jobs.

• Finally in 1989 the Solidarity movement lead to free elections in Poland.

Reunification of Germany

• In 1989 the Berlin Wall falls. East and West Berlin were united.

• In 1990 communism falls in East Germany.

• There is reunification of Germany once it promises the world that they are dedicated to democracy and peace.

The Fall of Communism

• In 1991 many hated Gorbachev’s reforms.

• Boris Yeltsin had also been elected president and Yeltsin demanded a constitutional state.

• Yeltsin tried to take over the government but failed.

• Gorbachev however resigned turning the government over to Yeltsin.

• The Soviet states began to break away and the Soviet Union and communism were over in Russia.

Problems at the End of the Cold War

Yugoslavia and the Balkans

• After the death of Josef Tito, the Communist leader of Yugoslavia and the break up of the Soviet Union countries under Yugoslavia broke away.

• Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina all became independent states.

• This break up lead to fighting between these new nations.• Serbs (Christians) began to attack non-Serbian people

especially Bosnians (Muslims).• This lead to an ethnic cleansing or a genocide.• Both NATO and the UN had to step in to stop the genocide.