The Cold War

The Cold War

Origins of the Cold WarPeriod after WWII is referred to as the Cold War: the tense relationship between capitalism (mainly the USA) and communism (Soviet Union)Postwar (after WWII) discussions were postponed as long as possible. Western countries (mainly U.S. and Britain) were uneasy about Stalins postwar intentions.Teheran conference (Nov. 1943):Big Three: Roosevelt, Churchill, StalinWas decided that Soviet Union would solely deliver Eastern Europe from Germany.Implications: Soviet Union had strong position in East, western powers had little to no input.Flawed VictoryYalta Conference (Feb. 1945): Germany divided into zones of occupation: Soviets in East Germany, western countries in West GermanyBerlin, which fell in Soviet sector of Germany, was sub-divided because it was the capital cityGermany forced to pay heavy war reparations to U.S.S.R.Soviet Union declares war on Japan once Germany was defeated. Before the Yalta Conference: pro-Soviet groups were forming in eastern Europe. Bulgaria and Poland controlled by communists. Potsdam Conference (July 1945):Roosevelt died, succeeded by TrumanTruman was driven to promote the democratic American ideal. He demanded free elections in the east.Stalin would not allow this. Awkwardness at Yalta

Division of Germany according to Yalta Conference

Division of Berlin According to Yalta Conference

West vs. EastDifferences between nations were stalled during WWII; however, with Germany beaten, Western and Eastern politics and ideology clashed.Stalin- a suspicious manBelieved free elections would lead to hostile govt. on western border (again)Communist countries only dependable allystruggle against capitalist imperialism Truman- a decisive manAmerican democratic ideals at all-time highMillions of eastern European voters in U.S. rallied for free elections in Soviet controlled areasView towards Communism was containment: Communism cannot spreadThree main causes of Cold War: military developments, wartime agreements, and political/ideological differencesAmerica Gets ToughMay 1945: U.S. cut off aid to U.S.S.R.October 1945: U.S. announced it wouldnt recognize any govt. established against the free will of the peopleCommunist agents subversively spread communism throughout EuropeAmericas answer: containment Truman Doctrine: military aid to counties fighting communism (Greece & Turkey)Marshall Plan: Financial and economic aid to all Europe

Stalin refused the Marshall Plan in Soviet occupied areas.Communist government seized Czechoslovakia (Feb. 1948)Berlin Airlift: U.S.S.R. blocked routes into Berlin from west.Soviets continuously battered West Berliners with communist propaganda and rioted against anti-communist leaders. Soviets stopped supplying West Berlin and cut electric power to non-Soviet zones. Western powers began flying supplies into West Berlin. Airlift lasted 324 days: Soviets backed off.

Berlin Airlift

Fun anecdote: The Allies dropped not only food and medical supplies, but also Christmas presents to the kids (little parachutes attached to the presents). Planes were flying over some part of the city and dropping supplies every 3 minutes! 10New Alliances1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Anti-Soviet military alliance between U.S. & several other countries.

Stalin focuses on his satellite countries and in 1955 formed the Warsaw Pact between the Soviet Union and eight other communist countries.

Communist AsiaLate 1949 Chinas civil war is won by the communists.Korean War1950 North Korean communist army invades South Korea.U.S. fights with South KoreaChina backs North KoreaTruman refuses to go to war against China; truce negotiated in 1953Make clear to the kids that while there is no actual war when we use the term Cold War, there were 2 actual wars that occurred during the Cold War period: Korean War and Vietnam War- wars fought to halt the spread of communism. Our policy toward Communism was containment. 12Post WWII Economics & PoliticsEconomic conditions were worst in Germany13 million Germans forced from lands given to PolandWar reparations: factories were seized, equipment and materials were shipped back to Soviet UnionWestern allies sometimes treated Germans harshlyThe rest of Europe began to heal. Period of 1945-1968 known as the Western Renaissance Econ & Politics cont.Christian DemocratsOut of the wreckage of WWII, new leaders were emerging. Christian Democrats became leading political party.Italy, France, and West Germany elected leaders from Christian Democrats.Welfare measures throughout EuropeFree medical services, public housing, family allowances, nationalized industry.Countries were willing to step outside the boxFrance: mixed state and private ownership of key industries. Also used national funds for industry.West Germany: Embraced capitalism, reformed currency, abolished rationing & price controls.

In many ways, this is the reason why much of Europe is socialist today. They dealt with the aftermath of WWII through the employment of massive social programs.14European UnityOrganization of European Economic Cooperation (OEEC)Created to help distribution of economic aidCouncil of Europe (1949): dedicated to promote democratic ideals throughout EuropeEuropean Economic Community (1957)Known as the Common MarketCreated by the Treaty of RomeDue to resurgence of nationalism, countries stayed independent in the Common Market DecolonizationColonies fighting for self-determination and equality.Moral views had shifted since 1914: Europe not interested in bloody colonization.India: British socialists not fan of imperialismFinancial burden for BritainChina: Civil war between Nationalists and Communists communists headed by Mao Zedong.Nationalists withdrew to TaiwanChina under Mao: forced labor camps, mass arrests, propaganda, kicked out foreigners.Middle East: Creation of IsraelViolence between Jewish and Arab populations intense in Palestine1947 United Nations voted to create Israel for Jewish pop.Jews were happy, Arabs not happy = continual fightingEgypt: Nationalist revolution led by Gamal Abdel NasserNationalized Suez Canal Company (which was foreign owned)Africa: British colonies gained freedom, entered British Commonwealth of NationsFrench colonies had choice of total break w/ France or enter commonwealth w/ France All but one colony kept ties with FranceEconomic ties increased because of this neocolonialismNeocolonialism: System used by Western powers to keep economic power under the disguise of independenceGuinea- colony that didnt keep ties with France.17Soviet Eastern EuropeDuring WWII Russian nationalism grewRussians expecting increased freedom after the war they were wrongStalin again started to see capitalism as the enemy1930s all over againPurges, labor camps, massive propaganda, censorship, no possessions, no religion, secret policeMilitary industry was priorityAgriculture, consumer goods, and housing were ignoredStalins main postwar goal was to spread his Stalinist system throughout Eastern Europe.The only country that defied Stalin: YugoslaviaJosip Broz Tito achieved independent communism in 1948

De-Stalinization 1953-1964Stalin died March 5, 1953Nikita Khrushchev, reformer, came to powerPower of secret police was weakened and many labor camps were closedResources shifted from military to consumer goods and agricultureStandard of living began to improveForeign relations were relaxedSome eastern European countries rebelled (Why?)Literature and art emerged as a resultPasernaks Doctor Zhivago and Solzhenitsyns One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Stalin died of a strokeAlthough Khrushchev was less oppressive than Stalin, he is not necessarily considered a nice guy in History. America had a very difficult relationship with Khrushchev throughout his rule in the Soviet Union. He is responsible for the Cuban Missile Crisis. 19End of ReformKhrushchevs mistakes:Ordered Western Powers out of West Berlin. When West refused, Khrushchev backed off (1958)Berlin Wall (1961): Constructed to stop access to East and West BerlinCuban Missile Crisis (1962): Soviet missile base in CubaIn 1964 Khrushchev was replaced by Leonid Brezhnev.Re-Stalinization started, but on limited scale.Party members saw de-Stalinization weakening authority of govt.U.S. Blockade of Cuba. Khrushchev agree to dismantle Cuba missile base and Kennedy dismantle bases in Turkey & Italy. U.S. would also never invade Cuba.20Invasion of CzechoslovakiaStalinist leader replaced by Alexander DubcekWanted socialism with personal freedomSoviet leaders intimidated Czech govt. and U.S.S.R. invaded with 500,000 troopsReform in Czechoslovakia was overBrezhnev Doctrine: Soviet Union and allies have right to intervene in any socialist country when needed.Implication: Soviet Union was determined to keep dominance in Eastern Europe.

Brezhnev Doctrine like Monroe Doctrine? Monroe Doctrine symbolically invoked during Cuban Missile Crisis. December 2, 1823. It stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention.21Social Transformations & Late Cold WarScience & TechnologyBig Science: large-scale scientific projects funded by govt. and large corporations.Space Race:1957 Soviets launched Sputnik I1961 Yuri Gagarin (Russian) first person to orbit Earth1962 John Glenn first American to orbit Earth1968 U.S. launched Apollo 81969 U.S. landed on moon Sci & Tech cont.Europe brain drain: govt. funded research attracted many European scientists. In response, Europe pooled resources to begin projects.

Concorde supersonic airliner. Mach 2.04 (~2,179kilometres per hour / 1,354mph) cruising speed24Changing Class StructureTechnological and industrial expansion created need for management = middle class. Middle class grew and diversified. Lower class: farm work declined, no job opportunities for working class.Women began to work white-collar jobsBirthrate declined as women entered workforce.Discuss with kids that this is Western Europe predominately. 25Womens MovementCauses: Higher education, entering workforce, and American civil right movement.Simone de Beauvoir: The Second Sex (1949)Betty Friedan: The Feminine Mystique (1963)1966 National Organization for Women (NOW)Fought for reforms in workplace and family matters

CountercultureEconomic prosperity, mass communication and the baby boom contributed to a radical new generation.Sexual behaviors, living arrangements, drug use experimentationHigher education & romanticismRebelled against traditional views & the establishment Student protests: against admin & govt.Vietnam WarReason: containment of communism U.S. backed South Vietnam against Communist North Vietnam Public bombarded with war daily Anti-war protests Johnson does not run in 1968, Richard Nixon elected (1968)1972 Nixon reached peace with N. VietnamWatergate: illegal activities by administration Nixon resigned.Dtente or Cold War?Dtente: relaxation of Cold War tensionsChancellor Brandt:Wanted reconciliation with Eastern EuropeTreaties accepting existing boundaries negotiated with U.S.S.R., Poland, & Czechoslovakia.Final Act of Helsinki Conference 1975Declaration to improve relations between nationsPromoted political freedom and human rightsSoviet Union ignored many provisionsBy the 80s, dtente was waveringEconomic Troubles1970s: value of dollar dropped, high inflation1973 OPEC place oil embargo on U.S. for backing Israel. Oil prices quadrupled. Misery Index: combined unemployment and inflation rates.

4th Arab-Israel warOPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.30Troubles cont.Optimism and romanticism of postwar gave way to pessimism and realism.Welfare programs prevented a revisit to 1920s.Govt. forced to cut spending.Scientific projects were one of the first to go. Environmentalism: Green party in Germany (1979)Nutrition: awareness of responsibility for oneself. Starting families was postponed.