U.S. HISTORY 1302

Unit 8

World War II Aftermath

Germany divided into four zones, one controlled by the U.S., U.S.S.R., France, and Britain

Immediate tension between the U.S.S.R. and the Western powers as both sides fought over territory

Stalin wanted to continue expanding to the west but was intimidated by American nuclear power

The West badly outmatched by the Russians and intimidated by the Red Army

The result: The Cold War

The Cold War

Lasted from 1945-1991 (Roughly) Divided Europe and numerous other

countries Called the Cold War because the U.S.

and Russia never fought directly, but through proxies

Both sides intimidated by the strength of the other

U.S. Policy

U.S. policy advocated three specific points: Containment – The U.S. must contain

communism, that is not allow it to spread beyond its current borders

The Truman Doctrine – To achieve containment the U.S. would support any anti-communist forces fighting to keep a country from turning communist (Greece & Turkey)

The Marshall Plan – The U.S. would supply $12.5 billion to Europe to rebuild the economy, alleviate poverty, and prevent communism from taking root

NATO vs. The Warsaw Pact

The Western powers formed a military alliance against Communist aggression

Called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

The U.S.S.R. countered with the Warsaw Pact

The Berlin Airlift

In June 1948 Stalin tests Western resolve Berlin located inside East Germany and

was itself divided into zones Stalin cuts off the supply road into West

Berlin The West organizes a massive airlift

operation to supply the city for 10 months

Korea

Korea occupied by Japan at the time of the surrender

Russia occupied North Korea, the U.S. occupied South Korea

Temporary arrangement that became permanent

Dividing line was the 38th parallel In June, 1950 North Korea invaded South

Korea attempting to reunite the country under communism

The Korean War

N. Korea aided by Russia

S. Korea aided by the U.N., mostly made up of U.S. troops

U.N. initially successful but pushed back by Chinese aide to N. Korea in late 1950

The Korean War

The U.N. eventually pushed back to the 38th parallel

Cease-fire negotiations continued for over a year, centering on POW’s

Cease-fire finally goes into effect after Stalin dies in 1953

Still military tension between N. and S. Korea

Ultimately the war DID contain communism

The Arms Race

By 1949 Russia had developed the atomic bomb, thanks to Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

By 1953 both sides had developed hydrogen bombs

H-bombs were vastly more powerful than A-bombs

The U.S. tested these at the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands

The Space Race

Part of the arms race, but also a battle for prestige

Russia led in the 1950’s Sputnik, the 1st satellite in

1957 Yuri Gagarin, 1st man in

space in 1961 Prompted Kennedy to

announce in 1960 that the US planned to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade

Nikita Khrushchev

Emerged as the leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin died in 1953

Of humble origins in Russia Firmly communist, but believed

communism could win without a military confrontation with the U.S.

Successfully bluffed the U.S. for many years

Brinkmanship vs. Flexible Response Eisenhower elected in

1952 and served 2 terms Favored a policy of

Brinkmanship Stripped the traditional

military Vastly increased nuclear

capacity Threatened nuclear

retaliation for any aggression

Brinkmanship vs. Flexible Response

Kennedy elected in 1960 and favored Flexible Response Continued with nuclear and

missile programs Also formalized the Special

Forces Emphasized the navy,

submarines, and long-range bombers

Kennedy vs. Khrushchev