how “cold” was the cold war?? was there really an “iron curtain?”
TRANSCRIPT
How “cold” was the COLD WAR??
Was there really an “iron curtain?”
• Before WW2 there were a number of countries which could have claimed to be superpowers – USA, USSR,GB, France, Japan, Germany.
• The damage caused by the war to these countries left only two countries with the military strength and resources to be called superpowers….USA and USSR.
• Before WW2 there were a number of countries which could have claimed to be superpowers – USA, USSR,GB, France, Japan, Germany.
• The damage caused by the war to these countries left only two countries with the military strength and resources to be called superpowers….USA and USSR.
The rise of the superpowersThe rise of the superpowers
• WWII, the US and USSR on the same side
• US mistrusts USSR– Communist government– Rejection of religion– Government ownership of all business
• USSR mistrusts the US– U.S. would at some time attack the USSR– U.S. would rebuild Germany to challenge
the USSR in the future
The Cold War Begins
• U.S.S.R. first to enter Berlin when WWII ended
• USSR occupied much of eastern Europe
• Stalin promised elections in E. European countries…never happened
• 1948 - USSR controlled all countries in E. Europe except Yugoslavia
• Nations controlled by USSR=satellite nations
Broken Promises
YALTA (in the USSR)YALTA (in the USSR)Date: Feb 1945Date: Feb 1945
Present: Churchill, Present: Churchill, Roosevelt and StalinRoosevelt and Stalin
POTSDAM (Germany)POTSDAM (Germany)Date: July 1945Date: July 1945
Present: Churchill, Present: Churchill, Truman and StalinTruman and Stalin
Weren’t we “friendly” with Stalin??
Yalta/Potsdam Conferences (1945):– Future of Europe– How to split Germany
4 ways– Free Elections for
Eastern and Western European Countries
The victorious leaders of the Allies
Nice to meet you, my friend!
If it wasn’t a real war….• No direct military contact
• Armies, nuclear weapons, submarines were built up in order to assure protection
• Drills
• Threats from both sides
Then what was it????The Cold War was a period of East-West competition,
tension, and conflict not quite a full-scale war, characterized by mutual perceptions of hostile intention of
BOTH the U.S. and Soviet Union
• The nuclear bomb gave America a lead which was expected to last at least 5 years. The rapid Russian development of nuclear technology, helped by the work of the “atom spies” was a shock.
Russia declared war against Japan at the beginning of August 1945 and rushed to advance into Asia to stake out a position for the post-war settlement. This helped make both the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts more likely.
United Nations formed in 1945Purpose: To avoid war and maintain peace
191 members
What are the aims of the United Nations?
• To keep peace throughout the world.
• To develop friendly relations between nations.
• To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental destruction and to encourage respect for each other's rights and freedoms.
Security Council - Permanent Members - USA, Great Britain, France, China, Russia
Truman Doctrine: Economic Aid to stop spread of Communism
Marshall Plan: (1947)Help Western Europe rebuild their economies…what
happens when a country is in such chaos???
Before and After the Marshall Plan
West Berlin, An Island of Freedom Within Communist
East Germany
Stalin begins to play dirty!
All good things must come to an end!
• Every 3 Minutes• 3.5 tons of food a day
– Flour– Fats– Coal– Powdered Milk– Coffee– Sugar– Yeast– Salt– Cheese
In 1949 NATO is established…currently at 26 members
Purpose: To diligently defend peace, even if war is inevitable; alliance system of “western” countries
NATO andthe
Warsaw PactPost WWII
Europe
