the united states and the soviet union became super power rivals. knowledge of nuclear weapons...
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13A. The Cold War
The Cold War
The United States and the Soviet Union became super power rivals.
Knowledge of nuclear weapons caused the two to avoid direct confrontation in open warfare.
Led to frequent conflicts on every continent.
Roots of the Cold War
THE UNITED STATES
Supported a system of democracy and free enterprise to spread.
THE SOVIET UNION (USSR) Wanted to see other
countries adopt Communism
Complete Chart on P. 260
Category Soviet Communism American Democracy
Political System
Organizations
Economic System
Religion
Individual Rights
Joseph Stalin
Leader of the Soviet Union
Promised a classless society helping workers
But created a brutal dictatorship exercised absolute
control Opponents and critics
were sent to gulags in Siberia. Labor camps
Conference at Yalta
Roosevelt (USA), Churchill (Britain) and Stalin (USSR) met at Yalta to discuss Europe after WWII
ended Formed the United Nations Divided Germany into four
occupation zones. Agreed to allow free
elections in the countries they liberated.
Stalin never followed through.
The Cold War Begins
The Soviets greatly distrusted the West and feared another invasion from the west.
Created a wall of satellite countries as a buffer against future invasions. No free elections
American knowledge of Atomic power increased tensions.
Trade and contact between eastern and western Europe was cut off.
Created an Iron Curtain.
The Iron Curtain.
Containment Policy
US would not attempt to overturn Communism where it already existed
Resolved to prevent it from spreading further.
Truman Doctrine
Communists threatened Greece and Turkey
President Truman offered these countries military aid.
Did not want to make the same mistake that was made by the appeasers in Munich.
The Marshall Plan, 1948
Secretary of State, George C. Marshall proposed aid be given to the countries of postwar Europe.
Fear that desperate people were attracted to Communism.
Would build strong European allies
Included Germany and Italy Very successful
Divided Germany
Modern Berlin from Space, showing differences
Germany was divided into four occupation zones.
Berlin also divided and located in Soviet Sector
Stalin declared a blockade of West Berlin.
Berlin Airlift, 1948
Western allies would not abandon West Berlin
Began a massive airlift to feed and supply the city.
Lasted about a year.
US and allies would not retreat when met with aggression.
The Two Powers OrganizeUNITED STATES
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Based on the concept of
collective security. Joined by Western
Europe and Canada Pledged to defend
each other.
SOVIET UNION
Warsaw Pact Similar collective
security Joined by the various
satellite nations run by communists.
Soviet Aggression Behind the Iron Curtain
Americans condemned Soviet acts of force, but never intervened.
1956- Soviets stopped an anti-Communist revolt in Hungary
1961- Erected the Berlin Wall to keep East Germans from escaping
1968- Conquered Czechoslovakia
Containment in Asia
China falls to Communism in 1949. Mao Zedong (communist) defeated the
Nationalists Nationalist leaders fled to the island of
Taiwan Truman refused to recognize
Communist (Red China) and declared nationalist government in Taiwan as the true China
The Korean War 1950 - 1953
Korea divided into two zones at end of WWII
North: Communist
South: Democracy
North invades South. Truman intervenes to
support South Korea. War ends when
communists are pushed back into North.
Korean War
Truman-MacArthur Controversy
MacArthur was commander of the U.N. forces.
Disagreed publically about the containment policy MacArthur wanted to enter North Korea
and destroy Communism. Truman fired Gen. Douglas
MacArthur.
Eisenhower is Elected
Pledged to end the Korean War. An armistice was signed
in 1953. Left Korea divided
exactly as it was before. “Demilitarized Zone” lies
between. Prisoners of war were
swapped.
Arms and Space Races
The US was originally the only country with atomic power.
The Soviet Union followed four years later.
Both developed the hydrogen bomb within a year of each other.
Massive Retaliation
American powers decided to rely more on nuclear weapons for defense.
These weapons acted as a deterrent. Massive Retaliation was cheaper
than maintaining a large military force but less flexible. Could only be justified if a nation’s very
survival was at stake.
Soviets Launch Sputnik, 1957 Soviets launch an artificial satellite
into orbit. Scared Americans and showed that
the USA was scientifically behind the Russians.
Created NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
American education was restructured to stress science and math.
The Cold War At Home Truman’s Loyalty Review Boards
investigated “Un-American activities” particularly Communist involvement
House Un-American Activities Committee questioned actors, directors, writers, and
others about Communist sympathies Those found guilty were “blacklisted”
The Rosenberg Trials, 1950
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg charged with selling
national secrets to the Soviet Union.
Found guilty and executed for spying.
1997, the Venona Papers revealed names of several American spies for the Soviet Union. Julius Rosenberg was one of those.
The McCarthy Hearings
Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed that he knew of hundreds of Communists working in the government positions. Created a new Red Scare by raising fears.
After three years of hearings, McCarthy never provided any real proof.
Eventually “censured” The term “McCarthyism” has become
identified with making harsh accusations without evidence.
Foreign Policy Under Eisenhower
John Foster Dulles Secretary of State. Dedicated to preventing
the spread of Communism.
The Eisenhower Doctrine extended the Truman Doctrine to include the Middle East
Domestic Policy Under Eisenhower
Era experienced great prosperity.
Signed the Interstate Highway Act (1956) establishing our nations
highways. Originally for defense
purposes, it helped interstate commerce and the growth of suburbs.
Advances in Medicine
Jonas Salk developed the first
vaccine for polio. Measles vaccine First heart
transplant Discovery of
streptomycin: an antibiotic to treat
tuberculosis.