COLD WAR

1945 - 1989

Term:

Cold War - refers to a state of political hostility between 2 nations (threats, propaganda, spying…) short of armed conflict

Contributing Events

Tensions between Russia/USSR and Britain and the US go back to the mid 1800’s. However…

1917 (Russian Revolution) USSR becomes the 1st communist nation. Its challenge to capitalism antagonized the West. US supported the White Army (Czar) in the Russian Civil War Russia's withdrew from World War I after Revolution. US didn’t recognize the USSR as a legit. Nation until The British appeasement of Germany German-Soviet Non-aggression Pact

Contributing Events Cont’d

WWII - USSR believes the

Western Allies are letting the Russians take the brunt of the Nazi offensive

Disagreements about the post war plans US/UK want open

markets, interdependence and international peace agreements (UN)

USSR wants peace through space = territory

Yalta Conference ~ Feb. 1945

US, UK, USSR (Big Three) meet at Yalta, USSRto create post war plans

Agreed: to basic tenants of the future UN That the USSR would enter the Pacific war

at the end of the European war

Yalta Cont’d Didn’t agree:

Post war PolandUS wanted democratic gov’t in powerUSSR wanted pro communist gov’t in power

- Reparations from Germany- US didn’t want them. - Stalin did - and to dismantle the nation

~ Did agree to divide Germany into 4 zones (US, UK, France, USSR) inc. Berlin. ~

Yalta agreement was so vague, both sides thought they’d won.

Potsdam Conference ~ July - August 1945

US, UK, USSRAgree:

To redraw the Polish border (USSR gets more territory

Agree that Western spheres of Germany will not pay reparations to USSR

No one really gets what they want…

The China IssueChiang Kai-shek (leader of China)

Generally on good terms with WestLed corrupt gov’t, little control

Since 1927 - Communist/Nationalist conflict Paused for WWIIBack on… 1945 - Mao takes advantage of weak

national gov’t

US pumps $ to Nationalists Doesn’t work - Mao takes China (10-1-49) US restoring Japan as a means of gaining a western

ally

Truman Doctrine Post WWII

economic/political unity was lost

New policy of “containment” est. Contain “Russian

expansive tendencies” (US diplomat, G. Keenan).

Known as the Truman Doctrine - policy to aide all nations/factions who were anti-communist.

Marshall PlanIntegral part of containment = rebuild Europe

Needed economic ties to EuropeAccess to marketsFear it would be a $ drain if not restored Weak economies would lead to stronger communist ties

Marshall Plan (George C. Marshall - Sec. of State) Announced plan to rebuild16 Western European nations took partOver 3 years - US sent $12 billion in aide

Industrial production rose 64%Membership in communist parties dropped Ties with US trade established

US Mobilizes for the new war…

With a new enemy… passed the National Security Act Renewed the draft and

Selective Service Redesigned military to

create a Dept. of Defense

Created CIA and NSC Invested heavily in

atomic research/weapons

Dividing Berlin June, 1948 - US, UK, France

agreed to merge three zones of German territory (including their sections of Berlin even though it is in USSR territory)

Stalin responds by creating a blockade around western Berlin10 months the US airlifts

food, fuel etc… to prove it would fight communism

1949 - Stalin lifts blockadeGermany (and Berlin)

officially divided - Oct. ‘49

NATO and Warsaw PactNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Division of Berlin alarmed West12 nations signed NATO agreement (April

‘49) If you attack one, you attack all NATO nations would maintain a standing force in

Europe

Prompted USSR to create a similar alliance with communist gov’ts in Eastern Europe = Warsaw Pact, 1955