Cold WarConflicts

What do you do when a friend is accused?

Origins of the Cold WarMain Idea

The U.S. and the Soviet Union emerged from WW II as two “superpowers” with vastly different political and economic systems.

Why it Matters Today

After WW II, differences between the U.S. and the Soviet Union led to a Cold War that

lasted almost to the 21st century.

Examine the Issues

• Do Americans with communist beliefs pose a threat to the nation?

• What can individual citizens do to protect the rights of all people?

• Should citizens speak out to preserve the rights of others?

Former Allies Clash• The U.S. and the Soviet Union had very

different ambitions for the future. These differences created a tension that plunged the two countries into a bitter rivalry.

• The United Nations– April 25, 1945-50 nations met in S.F.– June 26, 1945- UN is chartered

• Truman Becomes President• The Postdam Conference

– U.S., G.B., Soviet Union met in Postdam– Soviets block free elections

POTSDAM (Germany)POTSDAM (Germany)Date: July 1945Date: July 1945

Present: Churchill, Present: Churchill, Truman and StalinTruman and Stalin

UN vs. NATO?

What’s the difference between the UN and NATO?The UN (United Nations) is a international organization

of every recognized state, created to keep the peace between nations and create international law and cooperation.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance of the United States, Canada and most of Europe, created back in the Cold War to counter Soviet and Communist power. It now consists of 26 nations.

U.S. Aims vs. Soviet Aims• The US wanted to…

– A New World order– Gain access to raw

materials and markets

– Rebuild European governments for American goods

– Reunite Germany

• The Soviet Union…– Encourage

communism– Rebuild Eastern

Europe w/industrial equipment & raw materials

– Control Eastern Europe to balance U.S. influence in Western Europe

– Keep Germany divided, so it wouldn’t be a threat

Tension Mounts• Stalin’s refusal to allow free elections in

Poland convinced Truman that U.S. and Soviet aims were deeply at odds.

Tension Mounts

BargainingAt Postdam

Soviets GripEastern Europe

U.SContainment

Satellite nations

George F. KennanStop the spread of

Communism“Iron Curtain”

ReparationsU.S. interest abroad

Europe after World War II

Cold War in Europe

• The conflicting U.S. and Soviet aims in Eastern Europe led to the Cold War, a conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, in which neither nation conflicted each other on the battlefield.

• The Truman Doctrine– Truman asked Congress for $400 million to help

Greece and Turkey.– US policy to help free people who are resisting

communist takeover• The Marshall Plan

– George Marshall, Sec. of State– The U.S. to provide aid to all European nations that

needed it.– 1948-1952- 16 countries received some $13 billion in

aid

Marshall Plan to Aid Europe, 1948-1952

Superpowers Struggle over Germany

• As Europe began to get back on its feet, the U.S. and its allies clashed with the Soviet Union over the issue of German reunification.

BerlinAirlift

NATOAlliance

Improve your knowledge

• The Russians took very high casualties to capture Berlin in May 1945. They spent the early occupation trying to take over all zones of the city but were stopped by German democrats such as Willy Brandt and Konrad Adenauer. Reluctantly the Russians had to admit the Americans, French and British to their respective zones.

Origins of the Cold WarReview

• What were the goals of U.S. foreign policy in the Cold War?– To encourage democracy; to gain access

to raw materials and markets; to rebuild Europe; to contain Soviet expansion.

• Describe the Truman doctrine and how America reacted to it.– A policy of helping countries resist

Communist takeover; strongly supported by Americans.

The Cold War Heats UpMain Idea

After World War II, China became a communist nation and Korea was into a communist north and a democratic

south.

Why it Matters Today

Ongoing tensions with China and North Korea continue to involve the United

States

China Becomes a Communist Country

• For two decades, Chinese communist had struggled against the nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek.

• The U.S. had supported Chiang during WWII.

• Chiang’s government undermined Nationalist support.

• Mao Zedong gained support of communism throughout the country.

Renewed Civil War• As soon as the defeated Japanese left China

at the end of WW II, cooperation between the Nationalists and the Communists ceased.

• From 1944-1947, the U.S. played the peacemaker while supporting the Nationalists.

• May 1949- Chiang and others fled to the Island of Taiwan or Formosa.

• China became a communist country, which was called the People’s Republic of China.

• America Reacts to Communist Takeover– Conservative Republicans blamed Truman for

only supplying limited aid.

The Korean War• As WW II ended, Japanese troops north of the 38th

parallel surrendered to the Soviets. South of the parallel they surrendered to the Americans.

• U.S. cuts back on troops in South Korea• Soviets backed North Korea• North Korea attacks South Korea

– June 25, 1950- North Korean forces swept across the 38th parallel in a surprise attack on South Korea

– U.N. backs South Korea– 16 nations sent 520,000 troops; 90% were

Americans– Under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur

The Korean War, 1950-1953

The U.S. Fights in Korea• At first, North Korea seemed unstoppable.

Stalemate

MacArthurVs

Truman

RecommendationTo Attack China

ChineseFight Back

MacArthur’sCounterattack

KoreanWar

The Cold War Heats UpReview

• What global events led to U.S. involvement in Korea?– Communist victory in China; North

Korea’s attack on South Korea

• What issue between General Douglas MacArthur and President Truman eventually cost MacArthur his job?– Truman wanted limit the Korean War to

Korea. MacArthur wanted to bomb and invade China.

The Cold War at HomeMain Idea

During the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, fear of communism led to reckless charges against innocent citizens.

Why it Matters Today

Americans today remain vigilant about unfounded accusations.

Fear of Communism• In the early years of the Cold War, many Americans

believed that there was good reason to be concerned about the security of the U.S.

• During WW II, there were about 80,000 Americans that claimed membership in the Communist party.

Fear ofCommunism

Loyalty ReviewBoard

House UN-AmericanActivities Comm.

McCarran Act

InvestigateGov. employees

Communist influenceIn the movie industry1947- Hollywood Ten

“Blacklist”

Unlawful to establish aTotalitarian gov. in the

U.S.

Spy Cases Stun the Nation

• Two spy cases added to fear that was spreading like an epidemic across the country:

• Alger Hiss– 1948- former Communist spy Whitaker Chambers accused

Alger Hiss of spying for the Soviet Union.– Hiss proclaims his innocence.– Richard Nixon pursues the charges

• The Rosenbergs– Soviets exploded an atomic bomb on Sept. 3, 1949– 1950- German-born Klaus Fuchs admitted giving

information about atomic bomb to Soviets– Ethel and Julius Rosenberg-American Communist Party– Found guilty of espionage and sentenced to death

McCarthy Launches His “Witch Hunt”

• The most famous anti-Communist activist was Senator Joseph McCarthy, a Republican from Wisconsin.

McCarthyism

McCarthy’s Tactics

McCarthy’sDownfall

Other CommunistMeasures

AccusationsOf Communist in the

State Dept.

1954-Accusations against the U.S. Army

1953-39 states passed lawsMaking it illegal to advocate

The overthrow of Gov.

The Cold War Review

• What actions of Joseph McCarthy worsened the national hysteria about communism?– McCarthy’s allegation of Communists in

government and in the armed forces.

• How did the Rosenberg case fuel anti-communist feelings?– The Rosenberg case involved transfer of

nuclear secrets to the Soviets; Americans feared any Soviet influence in the U.S. and their possession of nuclear weapons.

Two Nations Live on the EdgeMain Idea

During the 1950’s, the U.S. and the Soviet Union came to the brink of

nuclear war.

Why it Matter Today

The Cold War continued into the following decades, affecting U.S.

policies in Cuba, Central America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Brinkmanship Rules U.S. Policy• The nuclear arms race began during Truman’s

presidency.• Soviets exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.• Race for the H-Bomb

– Hydrogen Bomb “H-Bomb”– 67 times stronger than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima– U.S. vs. Soviet Union in a race– Nov. 1, 1952- U.S. wins, exploded the 1st H-Bomb

• Policy of Brinkmanship– Dwight D. Eisenhower-President– John Foster Dulles-Sec. of State

• Dulles wanted to use all force , including nuclear weapons, against any aggressor

– Brinkmanship- a policy of all out war• Army & Navy scaled down and the Air Force increased.

– Schoolchildren practiced air-raids procedures– Families built fallout shelters

Improve your knowledge• 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.

Significantly, Russia hurriedly 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.

The Cold War Spreads Around the World

• As the nation shifted to a dependence on nuclear arms, the Eisenhower administration began to rely heavily on the recently formed Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for information.

• Covert Actions in the Middle East & Latin America– 1951-Mohammed Mossadegh nationalized Iran’s

oil fields– Great Britain stopped buying Iranian oil– 1953- CIA gave millions of $ to anti-Mossadegh

supporters.– CIA supported the Shah of Iran– 1954-Guatemala

Cold War Spreads Around the World- cont’

Cold War

Warsaw Pact1955

Geneva1955

Suez War1955

Linked Soviet UnionWith 7 other countries

“Open Skies”Aswan Dam

Gamel Abdel-NasserGB, FR, & Israel

• The Eisenhower Doctrine– Jan. 1957- U.S. would defend the Middle

East against an attack by any Communist country.

• The Hungarian Uprising– Hungarians revolted in 1956– Imre Nagy-Communist leader promised

free elections– Nov. 1956- Soviets send in troops– Soviets overthrow Nagy and place Soviet

leaders in charge.– U.S. did nothing to help Hungary

The Cold War Takes to the Skies

• Nikita Khrushchev became the new leader in the Soviet Union upon Stalin’s death in 1953.

• Khrushchev wanted a peaceful coexistence.

The SpaceRace

Sputnik

U-2 ShotDown

Francis Gary Powers

RenewedConfrontation

Two Nations Live on the EdgeReview• How did the U.S., including the CIA,

wage the Cold War in the 1950’s?– By sponsoring covert actions to overthrow

governments unfriendly to the United States.