Events of the Cold WarBy Griffin, Clarice, Caitlyn and Brad

Division of Germany

The division of Germany shows the struggle between competing ideologies because Germany was effectively divided up between Soviet (communist) and western (capitalist) powers. This eventually caused some minor conflicts, such as the Berlin blockade. This image was chosen because it clearly shows the division between East and West Germany

Berlin Blockade

This event shows the struggle between Soviet and Western ideologies because it was the first act of aggression taken by the USSR against the USA. We chose this image because it most directly depicted the conflict between the opposing ideologies

Korean War This event demonstrates this

struggle because it was the first real violent conflict to arise from the competition of soviet and western ideologies. It also had a large scale effect on many people in the Koreas, both those fighting and civilians. We chose this image because the 38th parallel shows the strong division between the communist ideals of the North and the non-communist ideals of the South.

Vietnam War

The Vietnam war shows this struggle because it was a large scale reaction by the USA to a possible Communist take over of South Vietnam. It also had a large effect on people living in and around Vietnam. This image was chosen because it clearly shows the struggle required to keep communism out of Vietnam.

Cuban Missile CrisisThe Cuban Missile Crisis shows this struggle because it was a one of the first and biggest non-violent conflicts between the actual superpowers of the time, the USSR and the USA. It also had a big impact on many people worldwide as there was a drastic fear of complete nuclear annihilation. We chose this image because it shows American spy footage of the Cuban missile sites, which gave reason to escalate the conflict

Fall of the Berlin WallThe fall of the Berlin Wall

shows part of this struggle ideals because it symbolizes the end of the struggle and conflicts between Soviet and American ideals. We chose this picture because it shows the moments leading up to the Wall’s collapse, and one of the last symbolic divisions between the USSR and the USA

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan The invasion of Afghanistan

demonstrates the struggle between Soviet and Western ideals because the Soviets invaded the country in an attempt to stop a non-communist rebellion and take-over of the government. It is also shown by the Americans arming the anti-communist militants of the Mujahideen to stop the Soviets and assist in continuing the revolution. We chose this picture because it shows the Soviet and Afghan allied troops preparing for battle.

Creation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact

The formation of these two organizations show the struggle between Soviet and Western ideologies because they represented competing mutual defense alliances between capitalist nations and communist nations, respectively. It is also shown in the fact that the Warsaw pact was formed in response to the formation of NATO. We chose this map because it clearly shows the nations belonging to each treaty.

U-2 Espionage Incident

The U-2 Incident shows the struggle between Soviet and American ideologies because it essentially brought the espionage parts of the Cold War to the public. This event showed the already existing tension between the nations due to being infiltrated by each other’s spies. We chose this picture because it shows an American U-2 bomber similar to the one shot down by the Soviets.

SALT and START These treaties show the

struggle between Soviet and Western ideologies because it was a cooling down period between the nations involved which allowed for the eventual end of the Cold War. We chose this photo because it shows the two heads of state involved signing one of the treaties.