The Cold WarDefinition & Causes

Cold War - Defined Definition –

• Hostility & conflict between 2 nations (economic, diplomatic) with no direct fighting

Hot War – • Defined - Actual warfare. Armies

engaged in direct fighting. • Example – WWII, WWI

Cold War – Example – US vs. SU• “Proxy Wars” – Wars fought between

nations supported by Cold War nations (Korea, Vietnam)

Causes Beliefs

• Communism vs. Capitalism

• Truman vs. Stalin Aims / Goals

• SU Rebuild own nation Weak Ger. w/ reparations “Buffer Zone” – in E.

Europe• US

Protect/promote democracy (Europe)

Rebuild Europe & Germany

Markets for goods

Resentment• 1918 /1939• Creation of 2nd

Front • A-Bomb

Events • Yalta / Potsdam• Iron Curtain

Speech• Creation of

“Satellites”• Cominform –

Communist Information Bureau

Postwar Situations Based on the chart, who is

stronger immediately after WWII? • Is the Soviet Union an immediate threat to

the United States? Why would the situations in

Europe and the “Third” world nations be a major concern for the US?