The Cold War

The Cold War

Why did a “Cold War” develop?

1. Ideology

Marxism: The “Communist Manifesto” Workers (proletariat)

deprived of wealth they create by the bourgeoisie (wealthy)

Government is run by bourgeoisie

Religion is an opiate for the masses

Therefore: Worker should be loyal to

nothing except his own class

Marxism

Founder of ‘Communism’

Working class people will: Rise up in revolution Overthrow

governments Implement

communism Share the wealth

World Response to Communism

Russian Revolution GB, FR, US aid

white armies Red scare in the

West Will Communism

spread??? Can it happen

here??

2.

“ I love the Russians but I think we should shake hands with them as far East as possible.”

3. USSR Takes Control of Eastern Europe

USSR occupied and took complete control of all territory on its western border

Soviets Tighten Grip on Eastern Europe

Satellite nations = communist governments controlled by the Soviet Union by 1948 Albania Bulgaria Czechoslovakia Hungary Romania Yugoslavia (Communist but Stalin could not control Tito) Poland

Soviets ban elections and democracy Install communist puppet dictators

When did it start?

Tehran ConferenceNov-Dec 1943

The conference was held to strengthen the cooperation of the United States, Great Britain, and the USSR in World War II.

Agreement was reached on the scope and timing of operations against Germany, including plans for the Allied invasion of France.

Stalin reaffirmed his pledge to commit Soviet forces against Japan after the defeat of Germany.

The final communiqué also stressed the need for cooperation through the United Nations in meeting the problems of peace.

Feb. 1945: The “Big 3” at the Yalta Conference

Potsdam Conference

Iron Curtain “A shadow has fallen

upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory…From Stettin the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent…”

-- Churchill Iron curtain is an

invisible dividing line between the east (Communist) and West (Democracies)

…the Soviet view

Tomas Masaryk

Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia

Strong anti-communist

10 March 1948 found dead, in his pajamas, under an open window in the Ministry building

Soon afterward, Communists took control of government

US Fears

Spread of Communism Civil war in Greece

Communist could win

Soviets could expand and take over Turkey

Chinese Civil War Mao and

Communists

US Response to Iron Curtain and Soviet Expansion

‘Policy of the US is to support free peoples who are resisting subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures’

-- Truman

Truman Doctrine: Prevent the spread of Communism anywhere in the world

Containment

Marshall Plan

16 countries receive $13 billion in aid from US

Why? Rebuild war-torn Europe Aid starving people Contain the

spread of communism

General George C. Marshall War hero Secretary of State &

Defense Nobel Peace Prize

Winner in 1953

Central Intelligence Agency

Created in 1947

Signed by Truman

Protect US national security

Coordinate nation’s intelligence

The Berlin Blockade 1948-49

Democracy vs Communism

Control over Berlin

Reconstruction of Germany

Berlin Blockade and Long-term Causes

Berlin Blockade and Short –term/Immediate Causes

AND… 2.1 million residents

of West Berlin Had enough food for

the 1st five weeks Starvation

Eating grass Scrounging

Fuel Chopped down all

trees

Berlin Blockade 1948

So why did Stalin do this?

Western Options

For each one, consider: Advantages? Disadvantages?

Western options cont’d

Berlin Airlift 277,000 flights 327 days 2.3 million tons

Food Fuel Medicine Even Christmas

presents

Warsaw Pact

Relations between US & Soviet Union improve until…

West Germany rearms & joins NATO in 1955

Soviet Union created a military alliance named the Warsaw Pact in response:

Poland

Hungary

BulgariaRomania

AlbaniaCzechoslovakia

East GermanySoviet Union

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Why created? Fear of Communism Pledge of military support Standing army of 500,000

Largely US Members:

NATO Flag

USCanada

Denmark

West Germany

Portugal

The NetherlandsBelgium

Luxembourg

TurkeyItaly Greece

Iceland

Norway

France Great Britain