Start of Cold War

Unit 3 Theme 5

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to: 1. explain the immediate impact of WW2 on

Europe2. define cold war 3. analyse the impact of USA & USSR rivalry on

the world through examples of Cold War Conflict

4. describe formation of Cominform & Comecon; NATO & Warsaw Pact

Chap 1 Chap 2 Chap 3 Chap 4

Start of Cold War

1946

End of Cold War

1989

Korean War 1950

Cuban Missile Crisis 1963

HOT SPOTS

IN A COLD WAR

Theme 5: Start of Cold War

Theme 6: Korean War

Theme 6: Cuban Missile Crisis

Theme 7: End of Cold War

GCE O LEVEL SYLLABUS

COMMUNISM FASCISM DEMOCRACY

PHILOSOPHY From each according to his ability, to each

according to his needs. Free-access to country’s resources

The state must gain glory through

constant conquest, aka war

All eligible citizens get equal say in decisions

ECONOMIC SYSTEM

Production is organized to provide

for human needs directly without any

use for money

Autarky (national self-sufficiency)

Elected by the voters. Usually

capitalist

POLITICAL SYSTEM

Usually takes the form of

totalitarianism as Karl Marx described 

One charismatic leader has absolute authority. Often the symbol of the state

Elected officials

RELIGION Abolished - all religion is rejected.

Fascism is a civic religion - citizens worship the state

through nationalism

Permitted

What makes Cold War different from the other wars we have learned earlier?

What were the factors for the start of Cold War?

Reasons for Start of Cold War

Mistrust between USA & USSR

Competition for influence between

USA & USSR

Ideological Differences

What was Cold War? The Cold War is the name given to the

relationship that developed primarily between the USA and the USSR after World War Two.

So COLD!

After being Allies during WWII, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. soon viewed each other with increasing suspicion

Their political differences created a climate of icy tension that plunged the two countries into an era of bitter rivalry between 1945 – 1989 known as the Cold War

The rivalry between the two superpowers led to and many indirect wars

IQ: Why did the USA and Soviet Union become Cold War enemies despite being allies in World War II?

What are the key words in the IQ?

INQUIRY QUESTION = IQ

USA and USSR had turned

from friends to enemies!

Ideological Differences • The Soviet Union was a Communist country,

which was ruled by a dictator and put the needs of the state ahead of personal human rights.

• The hostility of Marxism towards capitalism due to its desire to overthrow capitalism around the world.

• USA is governed by a democratic system of government.

• USA viewed USSR as a threat to its own political and economic security and influence.

Ideological Differences

5

• USA was also hostile to to the Socialist Revolution – American President Woodrow Wilson sent troops to support the White Army against the Socialists.

• The Western European democratic countries were also concerned that USSR would spread their communist ideas to their countries.

The Ideological Differences

Soviet & Eastern Bloc

Nations

US & the Western

DemocraciesGOAL spread

world-wide Communism

GOAL “Containment” of Communism & the

eventual collapse of the Communist

world.

which means Differences in ideologies

CLASH

Historical resentment which led to mistrust between USA & USSR

• The Soviet Union could not forget that in 1918 Britain and the USA had tried to destroy the Red Army.

• During the 1918 Russian civil war, Woodrow Wilson provided 5000 American troops to assist the White Army (anti-communists) to prevent a communist victory in Russia.

• This intervention was perceived by Lenin as attempts by USA to undermine the survival of Russia as well as communism.

Historical resentment which led to mistrust between USA & USSR

• Despite later efforts of the Allies during WWII such as giving USSR supplies and weapons - Stalin could never be satisfied. He continued to hold suspicions to the Allies especially perceived delay by Allies to open a second front when USSR was facing immense pressure from Germany’s attacks.

• USSR also entrenched its troops in Eastern Europe and elsewhere after the war hence USSR did not honor post-war agreements to leave which was a violation of Yalta Conference.

Historical resentment which led to mistrust between USA & USSR

• USA’s refusal to open a second front in Europe while Russians died by the millions. The Russians bore the heaviest casualties in the war and had a right to make some demands after the war but USA and the Western democracies were unable to under USSR’s need for Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe to serve as a buffer zone for its borders.

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

1. Disagreements during post-war conferences (Yalta Conference & Potsdam Conference)

2. Establishment of Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe

3. American adoption of the containment policy

4. USA & USSR confrontation in the Berlin Blockade

5. Formation of opposing military alliances

+ manifestations of Cold War: Nuclear Arms

Race / MAD / DOMINO Theory / Vietnam War

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

1. Disagreements during post-war conferences

The Yalta Conference Participants: Stalin (USSR)Churchill (Britain)Roosevelt (USA)

Once Germany was defeated, Stalin would enter the war against Japan.

Germany and Berlin were to be divided into 4 zones: American, French, British and Soviet Union.

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

The Yalta Conference What the leaders

wantedWhat was agreed? What was the

outcome?

• Stalin’s main concern was the future security of USSR

• Churchill wanted to forge closer relations with USA

• Roosevelt was

concerned about high casualties of US troops in Asia-Pacific and needed Stalin to defeat Japan.

• Defeated Germany will be divided into 4 zones of occupation with USA, USSR & Britain and France administering each zone

• All countries liberated from Nazi Occupation will be allowed to hold free elections to choose government of their choice.

• USSR could occupy Manchuria and North Korea in return for helping USA to defeat Japan

• LON will be replaced by UN

• Resulted in unhappiness between USA & USSR

• USA wanted Poland to have free elections while USSR wanted Poland to be under USSR’s control as previous invasions of USSR had come through Poland

• USA and USSR had different ideas on administering Germany. USA wanted to revive Germany to stabilize Europe’s economy while USSR wanted to keep Germany weak.

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

1. Disagreements during post-war conferences

The Potsdam Conference Participants: Stalin (USSR)Atlee (Britain)Truman (USA)

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

The Potsdam Conference What happened

before the Potsdam Conference?

What was agreed? What was the outcome?

• Stalin’s had engineered a Communist government in Poland and this was resented by USA and Britain who wanted free and fair elections in Britain.

• USA had developed the atomic bomb and did not need Stalin’s help to defeat Japan.

• Germany will be divided into 4 zones of occupation and pay war reparations

• All Nazi war criminals would be brought to justice and all Nazi influence in Germany would be removed

• Resulted in unhappiness between three leaders who disagreed on:

• the boundaries of 4 zones in occupied Germany and the amount of reparation Germany had to pay

• the type of government to be established in Eastern Europe and the level of influence the Soviet Union has over these countries

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

Establishment of Soviet Satellite States in Eastern EuropeWhat happened? What was the outcome?

• To prevent another attack through its Western borders, Stalin brought a ring of Eastern European countries under Soviet control through ‘salami tactics’. These satellite states serve as a defensive measure to strengthen the security of USSR.

• Stalin saw this as a preventive measure but USA saw it as an aggressive action by Stalin to spread communist influence rather than as defensive measure.

• Resulted in further intensification of competition between USA and USSR.

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

American adoption of the containment policy

What happened? What was the outcome?

• Containment was the American policy adopted to prevent the spread of communism outside of USSR.

• USA was previously committed to its policy of isolationism.

• However USA perceived USSR as becoming more aggressive through actions such as violating terms of Yalta & Potsdam Conferences.

• Churchill (Britain’s PM) delivered a speech on an ‘iron curtain’ descending in Europe and dividing Europe into 2 spheres: non-communist Western Europe vs communist Eastern Europe and called on Truman (USA’s president) to take a tougher stand against USSR.

• Truman decided to play a more active role in Europe to stop the spread of communism through containment.

• Truman announced his new policy: Truman Doctrine which stated that USA would aid any country threatened by communism.

• Following the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan was announced.

• USSR viewed this as an aggressive policy aimed at destroying USSR’s interests and communism.

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

USA & USSR Confrontation in the Berlin Blockade What happened? What was the outcome?

• Tensions between the two superpowers reached its first high point over control of Germany.

• USSR believed that the great suffering and losses inflicted on them by the Nazis during World War II gave them a right to play a major role in occupied Germany.

• But based on what was agreed at Yalta and Potsdam Conferences on division of Germany, Western powers controlled two-thirds of Germany.

• Stalin was resentful of this but was forced to accept this arrangement.

• Stalin’s long-term plan was for Germany to become communist while USA & Britain wanted economic recovery of Germany to prevent communism from taking root in Germany.

• Although USSR agreed to send assistance to USA, British and French occupation zones of Germany, they eventually did not do so.

• This made USA increasingly suspicious of USSR’s intentions in Germany.

• Such disappointments and suspicions eventually led a major crisis – Berlin Blockade breaking out in Germany.

Events which intensified competition for influence between USA and USSR

Formation of opposing military alliances

What happened? What was the outcome?

• Stalin’s actions in Berlin and his support for the communists in other countries worried USA and Western Europe.

• USA and Western Europe were also concerned about their military security as USSR had large number of troops stationed in Eastern Europe.

• USA feared that western European countries had to engage the powerful Soviets on their own and wanted a military alliance that would commit USA’s military presence in Europe to protect them from USSR.

• Western Europe welcomed this move as they knew they could not take on USSR on their own.

• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was formed in April 1949.

• USSR viewed NATO as a great threat to its own security and its satellite states in Eastern Europe and formed the Warsaw Pact in May 1955.

• The Warsaw Pact allowed for its members to come together to defend those who faced threats from other countries.

SPREAD OF COMMUNIS

M

Manifestations of Cold War 1: Containment

Policy

The Truman doctrine

Truman felt that it was the duty of USA to protect the West from the USSR. He announced that

the USA would give aid in the form of money and weapons to the poor countries of Europe.

I’ll stop the

Communists!

In other words, US

containment policy was known as

Truman Doctrine.

General Marshall

The Marshall Plan was designed to help the war torn countries of Europe to recover from the years of WW2.

The USA believed that the poorer a country was, the more likely that it would turn to Communism.

The USA set up a massive fund for the countries in Europe in which all of them could apply. However, Stalin became suspicious of this plan and made sure that those countries within his control did not apply.

$$

What is the idea of a domino theory?

Manifestations of Cold War 1I: The Domino

Theory

The domino theory speculated that if one country comes under the influence of Communists, then

more would follow in a domino effect.

What do the

cartoons tell you

about USA & USSR fears?

Churchill’s Warning… Churchill felt

that behind the Iron Curtain, the USSR was planning to attack and conquer Western Europe.

The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were usually seen as the start of

the Cold War.

Mutual suspicion and distrust resulted with the USSR and the USA becoming rivals. The Berlin Blockade would strengthen this

rivalry.

NATO vs Warsaw Pact, the Cold War at its

height in 1985NATO WARSAW PACT

United States

Belgium

Britain

Canada

Denmark

France

Iceland

Italy

Luxemburg

Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

1952: Greece & Turkey

1955: West Germany

1983: Spain

NATO

U. S. S. R.

Albania

Bulgaria

Czechoslovakia

East Germany

Hungary

Poland

Rumania

The Warsaw Pact

BERLIN

BERLINBLOCKADE

A PIECE OF COLD WAR HISTORY IN SINGAPORE BEDOK RESERVOIR

‘Kings of Freedom’ by Dennis Kaun

Summary: How was Cold War ‘fought’?

A)Threat of force and power – Arms, technology, influence

B) Use of Propaganda – created hatred and paranoia of other side

C) Send economic aid to weaker nations to spread influence and gain allies

D) Support with military aid nations in conflicts to protect interests or agitate other side

Coming up next… The Korean

War