1945 TO PRESENT

Formation of the United Nations

U. S., Russia and 48 Other Nations GOAL: To Protect Members Against

Aggression

1945 “Revised League of Nations”

MAKE UP: General Council and A Security Council

Were Created To Keep A Balance of

Power in the United Nations

U. S. and Soviet DifferencesGOALS OF THE SUPERPOWERS

• U.S. Encouraged DemocracyRebuilt European nations after WW IIUnify Germany for European security

• Soviets Encouraged Communism Control Eastern Europe (protect

borders)

Keep Germany Divided

THE IRON CURTAINThe division between mostly democratic Western Europe and Communist Eastern Europe was known as the “iron curtain”

The Iron Curtain was constructed of concrete and steel and stretched across Europe, dividing the Communist from the free world.

The Cold WarA Divided World

• Beginning in 1949 the superpowers used spying, propaganda, and secret operation in their dealings with each other.

• Much of the world allied with one side or the other.

• Both superpowers had nuclear weapons.

• Political tension threatened world peace.

COMMUNISM IN CHINA• 1949 – Communist leader Mao Zedong

gained control of China.• American’s viewed the take over as “just

another step in Russia’s attempt to take over the world”

• Mao became an important part of the Cold War by directing an anti-American campaign.

The Race In SpaceSoviets launched Sputnik – the first successful satellite

The U.S. answered the challenge – within a year the U.S. had launched its own satellite.

In 1961, both the Soviets and the United States sent a man into space.

Korean War

1950-1953

38th Parallel

Divided Korea into North and South

•North = Communist

•South = Non – Communist

• Russia supplied North Korea with money, tanks, and airplanes…What do you think their motive was?

• June 25, 1950– North attacks South…surprise!!!!!!!!!!– Truman senses a de ja vu of WWII (Hitler &

Mussolini) and pledges assistance to South Korea

– United Nations also supports South Korea

Korean War

General Douglas MacArthur

•General MacArthur is selected to lead 15 nations against North Korea

Proven leader of the Pacific War in World War II

North Korea…. Controlled all of the Peninsula,

except a small area in the SE (Pusan)

MacArthur launches a surprise attackand ½ N. Korea surrenders around

Inchon (near Seoul) the other half retreats…the UN Army pursues them across the 38th parallel

October-January 1950

• China sends 300,000 to aid North Korea– This turns into a war between China vs. USthe Chinese have many more troops and drive

UN and South Korea troops out of N. Korea- China/N. Korea get control of Seoul…Is this a

big deal?MacArthur pushes to nuke China…President

Truman says no way…we’re trying to prevent WWIII…they argue…MacArthur is fired

1952UN forces drive North Korea out of Seoul

1953UN and North Korea sign a cease-

fire agreement

Accomplishment (?)

•The two Koreas are divided at the 38th parallel….almost EXACTLY where the line was before they began fighting…..

•Result? 5 million soldiers and civilians died

Communism in Cuba

•Fidel Castro Led A Revolution– Harsh Dictator– Suspended Elections– Jailed or Executed Opponents– Nationalized the Economy taking U.S. Owned Sugar Mills and Refineries- The U.S. Responded With an Embargo- Castro Turned to the Soviets for Help

Cuban Missile Crisis•Soviet Leader Secretly Built 42

Missile Sites in Cuba!•Discovered by an American Spy

Plane•Kennedy Demanded the Missiles

Be Taken Down•Kennedy Established a Blockade

Around Cuba•Finally, Russia Backed Down!• (close call – World War III)

Colonies Become New Nations

• India Was Partitioned and Became Independent From Britain

•Pacific Islands Gained Independence

•Colonized Areas of Africa Gained Independence

{Some through war, others granted independence}