Two superpowers emerged after World War II The United
Statesbelievers in Democracy The Soviet Unionbelievers in Communism
The leaders of the United States wanted to spread Democracy in the
World The Soviet leaders wanted to take over all of Eastern Europe
and spread Communism
Slide 3
Yalta Conference: At the Yalta Conference, many of the tensions
for the Cold War were set The Big Three met at Yalta and were
trying to establish an agenda for governing post-war Germany Big
Three Churchillwanted to save the British Empire FDRwanted to
spread democracy Stalinwanted Eastern Europe
Slide 4
The Big Three decided to partition (divide up) Germany after
the war Germany will be split into a Western and an Eastern Part
Western Germanydemocratic Eastern Germanycommunist and controlled
by the Soviets
Slide 5
The Big Three at Yalta
Slide 6
The Soviets will be given most of Eastern Europe They wanted
Eastern Europe as a buffer against Western Europe These Eastern
European nations became satellite nations that would provide
security against attacks from Western Democracies The Soviets were
afraid of the United States because the US had the atomic bomb The
Soviets were hard at work on trying to create their own bomb The
Soviets did not emerge from WWII as well off as the US
Slide 7
The US was afraid of communism Americans were afraid of the
Soviets large military Many Americans distrusted Stalin because of
his Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler before WWII The US adopted a
policy of Containment toward communism Trying to keep communisms
from spreading especially from spreading close to the United
States
Slide 8
Because of the differing policies on government and politics,
the US and Soviet Union entered into a secret war known as the Cold
War Both nations would avoid direct fighting against each other
They would try to block each others goals around the world
Churchill said an Iron Curtain had fallen across Europe when Stalin
took control of Eastern Europe
Slide 9
Many in the US were uneasy about communism abroad They were
even more uneasy about communism at home Many in the US will
attempt to squash any communist feelings at home before they turned
into full blown revolutions
Slide 10
1.) HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) Created
during FDRs New Deal Years Created to explore the issue of
communist influence in the New Deal Nothing really came about from
the hearings because of WWII After WWII, the HUAC hearings resumed
HUAC failed to find any existence of communism in the
presidency
Slide 11
A HUAC Hearing Video
Slide 12
2.) Alger Hiss Traveled with FDR to Yalta Accused by Whittaker
Chambers (a former communist) and Richard Nixon as being a
communist Nixon and Chambers believed that Hiss may have influence
FDR to give up Eastern Europe to Stalin and the Soviets Hiss was
placed on trial by HUAC Hiss denied knowing Chambers Not enough
evidence to accuse Hiss However, later evidence was found in a
hollowed out pumpkin Microfilm proving Hiss was a communist Hiss
could not be retried for his communist activiteis but was tried for
perjury Hiss was found guilty and served 5 years in jail
Slide 13
Alger Hiss
Slide 14
3.) The Rosenbergs Ethel Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg were
American communists who were convicted and executed in 1953 for
conspiracy to commit espionage during a time of war The charges
related to their passing information about the atomic bomb to the
Soviet Union This was the first execution of civilians for
espionage in United States history Ethels brother accused the
couple of the act He was a worker on the Manhattan Project Said the
couple recruited him to collect atomic secrets for them
Slide 15
Julius Rosenberg Ethel Rosenberg Hiss and Rosenberg Video
Slide 16
4.) McCarthyism An anticommunist cause to wipe communism in the
US Led by Senator Joseph McCarthy McCarthy recklessly accused many
government officials and American citizens of being communist
McCarthy rarely had any evidence for his accusations McCarthy
accumulated a lot of power, but grew more reckless with is actions
1954, he accused the United States Army as being communist The Army
met his attack Army quickly and easily defended itself against
McCarthys charges 1954: the Senate voted to condemn McCarthy
Slide 17
Senator Joseph McCarthy
Slide 18
5.) Presidential Elections The Cold War made foreign policy a
major issue in every presidential election during the period Voters
were concerned about how candidates would deal with the Soviet
Union and other problems associated with communism and the Cold
War
Slide 19
6.) Space Race/Arms Race 1950s saw the US and Soviet Union
locked into an arms race to produce more nuclear weapons than each
other 1957: Arms race intensified Soviets launched the 1 st
intercontinental ballistic missile carrying a nuclear warhead Would
allow the Soviets to strike targets far away with a missile Oct. 4,
1957: The Soviets launched Sputnik (a satellite) into orbit Caused
fear in many Americans The Soviets had beaten the Americans into
Space
Slide 20
The US responded to Sputnik by increasing its spending on
missile development 1959: The US created NASA (National Aeronautics
and Space Administration) The US enlarged its B-52 bomber fleet The
government put lots of money into education Trying to get more
trained scientists to ensure the US would not fall behind the
Soviets again The US also adopted a policy of massive retaliation
since the Soviets had matched the US in nuclear weaponry If nuclear
war did break out, both the US and Soviet Union would be
destroyed
Slide 21
Sputnik Sputnik Video
Slide 22
7.) Fallout Shelters Because the Soviets had the ability to
strike the US with missilesand possible satellites many in the US
began building fallout shelters During the 1950s and 1960s,
American schools regularly held drills to train children what to do
in case of a nuclear attack American citizens were urged by the
government to build bomb shelters in their own basements
Randolph-Henry, at one time, housed a fallout shelter
Slide 23
Do-it Yourself Fallout Shelter Video
Slide 24
8.) Effect of Cold War on Virginia The heavy military
expenditures throughout the Cold War benefited Virginias economy
more than any other state Hampton Roadshome to several large naval
and air bases Lots of $ poured into Hampton Roads for defense
Northern Virginiahome to the Pentagon and numerous private
companies that made contracts with the military
Slide 25
The US adopted a policy of containment toward communism The
American government did not want communism to spread The US will
take many stepsfrom legislative to actual warto stop the spread of
communism
Slide 26
1.) United Nations Formed near the end of WWII Designed to
create a body for the nations of the world to try to prevent future
global wars
Slide 27
2.) Truman Doctrine Great Britain was nearly bankrupt after
WWII GB had been supporting the Greek and Turkish governments GB
asked the US to take over the support for the Greek and Turkish
governments The Soviets were trying to force the Turks to share a
shipping channel between the Black and Mediterranean Seas Communist
rebels were fighting against the government in Greece
Slide 28
Pres. Truman and his advisors believed the US should act
Without American help, Truman believed that the communists might
succeed in taking over many nations Truman believed that America
must help all free people who were resisting communist rule This
ideas is known as the Truman Doctrine The US would resist communist
aggression from spreading into other nations The Truman Doctrine
dictated American foreign policy for the next 20 years Truman
Doctrine Video Truman Doctrine Video
Slide 29
3.) Marshall Plan June, 1947: Secretary of State George C.
Marshall created the Marshall Plan as a way to contain communism
Europeans were still struggling to survive 2 years after the end of
WWII This struggle and suffering left many European nations in a
situation that could allow for communism to spread into Western
Europe Marshalls plan: use American money to help Europe regain its
economic strength American aid would help rebuild Europe European
nations would have a favorable view of the US because of Americas
help American $ was even offered to the Soviets, but they refused
to accept the offer Soviets believed the US was trying to take over
Europe
Slide 30
Marshall Plan Video
Slide 31
4.) Berlin Crisis After WWII, the Americans and Soviets had
adopted different plans for Germany US wanted a strong Germany to
promote European economic growth and recovery Also wanted a strong
Germany to help contain communism Soviets wanted a powerless
Germany that would never be a threat to the Soviet Union again Each
side will be given control of different zones of Germany and
Germanys capital of Berlin
Slide 32
Germany will be split into a Western Part and an Eastern Part
West Germany France, GB, and the US turned West Germany into a
powerful state with an economy closely tied to Western Europe East
Germany dominated by the Soviets and communist The capital of
Berlinlocated in East Germany will also be split into a Western
Part and an Eastern Part West Berlindemocratic East
Berlin--communist Soviets were upset at the Western Democracies
(FR, GB, US) for turning West Germany into a powerful state
Slide 33
Slide 34
Map of West and East Germany
Slide 35
June 1948: the 3 Western Democracies announced a new currency
for West Germany Soviets=upset, believed Germany should be treated
as one nation Soviets responded by giving the democracies an
ultimatumeither drop the new currency for West Germany or the
Soviets would create a new currency for East Germany and ALL of
Berlin (West and East) Western leaders told the Soviets that the
Soviets had no say in West Germany Soviets then demanded that ALL
of Berlin (Germanys capital) become part of their territory
Slide 36
June 22: Meetings were held, but a compromise between the
Soviets and Western Democracies could not be reached Soviets then
announced their new currency would start for ALL of Germany (West
and East) the next dayJune 23 Soviet troops then blockaded railways
and highways that crossed from East Germany into West Berlin
(democratic section of the capital) The Soviets were holding 2
million West Berliners hostage The people of West Berlin could not
get needed supplies Stalin and the Soviets were hoping to force
Western Leaders into giving up Berlin to the Soviets and giving up
on their plans for a new currency in West Germany
Slide 37
Pres. Truman of the US faced a major dilemma He could send
troops to East Germany and start a war with the Soviets Truman then
realized he could get supplies to West Berlin through the air
Truman authorized 130 American planes to fly in needed goods to the
people of West Berlin Berlin Airlift Every 3 minutes, planes landed
in West Berlin with needed supplies The Berlin Airlift was a
success for the US and a failure for the Soviets
Slide 38
Berlin Airlift Video
Slide 39
5.) NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) The Berlin
Airlift showed the people of Western Europe that they needed more
than economic hope They also needed military support to stay free
from communism April 1949: The US, Canada, and 10 European nations
formed NATO A military alliance with Europe If the Soviets tried to
invade Western Europe, NATO and the US would take action NATO was
able to keep many nations from joining with the Soviets
Slide 40
6.) Warsaw Pact Soviets responded to NATO by forming their own
alliance with Eastern European nations the Warsaw Pact
Slide 41
Slide 42
7.) Berlin Wall Wall built barrier constructed by the Soviets
starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin
from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin The Soviets were
trying to keep Eastern Germans and East Berliners from escaping
into democratic West Berlin The wall was 28 miles long The Berlin
Wall was a symbol for communism
Slide 43
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Slide 47
US had been involved in Latin America for many years 1950s:
many Latin American nations were experience lots of
nationalismpride in their nation Very little wealth in Latin
America stayed with the Latin American people Many Latin American
leaders wanted to loosen the grip that US businesses had over the
Latin American people Many nations in Latin America were on the
verge of revolution
Slide 48
1.) Fidel Castro and Cuba Cuba will be one of these Latin
American nations on the verge of revolution 1950s: Cuba was totally
controlled by US businesses Nearly 90% of Cubas resources belonged
to the US Most people in Cuba were living in poverty 1952:
Fulgencio Batista overthrew the Cuban government Batista made
himself dictator Batistas dictatorship was friendly to the US
Batista did little to help his own people 1958: Fidel Castro led a
successful revolt against Batista Castro had support from the Cuban
middle class and peasants
Slide 49
Fulgencio Batista
Slide 50
Fidel Castro
Slide 51
Castro moved to solve all of Cubas problems Castro wanted to
have control over American properties in Cuba The American
businesses REFUSED to turn over their properties in Cuba US
businessmen did not want to lose the $ they were getting from Cuba
Castro then turned to the Soviet Union for Economic help The
Soviets now had influence in a nation that was only 90 miles from
the US Cuba became communist By 1961, Castro had taken over all
American businesses in Cuba The US and Cuba broke off all
diplomatic relations
Slide 52
2.) Bay of Pigs Invasion President John Kennedy will attempt to
send the La Brigada (a secret society of Cuban exiles) to get
Castro out of power April 17, 1961: 1500 commandos attempted to
land in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba The commandos were quickly defeated
in 2 days by the Soviet trained Cuban forces Americas failure at
the Bay of Pigs made the US and Kennedy look weak
Slide 53
Bay of Pigs Video
Slide 54
3.) Cuban Missile Crisis Kennedy still wanted Castro out of
Cuba Castro and the Soviet PremierKruschevbegan taking attempts to
ensure the US would have no influence over Cuba The Soviets wanted
to keep their holding in the Western Hemisphere Castro and Kruschev
wanted to place nuclear missiles in Cuba to serve as a warning to
the United States to leave Cuba alone Oct 14, 1962: an American spy
plane flew over Cuba and took photographs of the missile silo
construction Kennedy attempted to block Cuban shipping lanes to
keep Soviet missiles from reaching Cuba Kennedy was trying to
quietly push Kruschev into removing the remaining missiles from
Cuba
Slide 55
Oct. 22, 1962: Pres. Kennedy addressed the American people on
TV (Kennedy addressing the American people video)Kennedy addressing
the American people video Oct. 24, 1962: 180 American naval ships
set sail for Cuba American bombers carrying nuclear weapons were in
the air and ready to attack the Soviet Union Soviet ships loaded
with nuclear missiles were still headed for Cuba The US and Soviet
Union were on the brink of nuclear war
Slide 56
Oct. 26, 1962: Kruschev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba
Nuclear war had been avoided Kruschev also demanded that the US
remove their nuclear missiles from Turkey Kennedy refused Oct. 28,
1962: Kruschev finally agreed to the US demands and removed Soviet
missiles in Cuba
Slide 57
Spy plane photo of Soviet missile sites in Cuba
Slide 58
Slide 59
Many formerly held European colonies in Asia began demanding
their freedom in the late 1940s (after WWII) Revolutions will occur
in China, and other European nations Communism will find its way
into Asia
Slide 60
1.) Red China (Mao v. Chiang) China had been a major ally of
the US At the end of WWII, a revolution was occurring in China The
revolution had powerful leaders on both sides Chiang Kai-shekleader
of the Nationalism government Mao Zedongleader of the Communist
forces in China Most in America supported (wanted) Chiang Kai- shek
to be successful If he won the Civil War, China could block the
expansion of communist Soviet Union China was also a major trading
partner to the US keeping China away from communism would keep
trade with China
Slide 61
Chiang Kai-shek
Slide 62
Mao Zedong
Slide 63
1945: Pres. Truman sent a negotiator to China to help ease
tensions between the warring sides Negotiations failed Mao Zedong
eventually won the civil war China will become a communist nation
Many Americans saw Chinas falling to communism as a failure in
Americas policy of containment The US broke off nearly all
relations with China for the next few decades
Slide 64
2.) Pres. Nixon visits China 1971: relations between China and
the US began to improve Mainland China was allowed into the United
Nations 1972: Pres. Richard Nixon visited China An attempt to make
relations better with communist China (Dtente) Nixon was also
trying to scare the Soviets into thinking the US was making an
alliance with their neighbor, China 1979: formal diplomatic
relations were re- established with China
Slide 65
Nixon and Mao
Slide 66
3.) Korean War After WWII, Korea was divided into North and
South at the 38 th parallel North Koreacommunist South
Korea--democratic June 1950: North Korean troops (communists) with
Soviet made tanks stormed over the 38 th parallel into South Korea
(democratic) Pres. Truman was Korea as a true test of Americas
policy of containment June 27, 1950: Truman ordered air and naval
forces to Korea without consulting Congress Truman also tried to
get the United Nations involved The United Nations voted to give
money to help South Korea The UN also voted to send UN forces to
help the US defend South Korea
Slide 67
North and South Korea
Slide 68
The combined US and UN troops were led by General Douglas
MacArthur The combined US and UN forces were successful in driving
the North Koreans out of South Korea and back across the 38 th
Parallel General MacArthur believed he could also free North Korea
from communism He demanded to push on into North Korea MacArthur
WAS able to push the communist North Koreans all the way to the
Chinese border
Slide 69
General Douglas MacArthur
Slide 70
MacArthur ordered American planes to start bombing the North
Koreans who were on Chinese soil Although the US was after the
North Koreans, the bombs were exploding on Chinese soil Mao (the
leader of communist China) told the Americans to stop coming into
Chinese territory MacArthur refused to listen to Mao Chinese troops
began to give aid to the communist North Koreans With Chinese help,
the communist North Koreans were able to reclaim North Korea
Slide 71
Truman gave up on trying to free ALL of Korea after China
joined in to help North Korea MacArthur was outraged and wanted to
attack Chinawith nuclear weapons Truman would have no part of using
nuclear weapons on China Truman will FIRE General MacArthur
Slide 72
1953: the Korean War ended Korea still remained divided (still
is today) North Koreacommunist South Korea--democratic The Korean
War convinced many in America that a large military buildup was
necessary to contain communism American defense spending was
greatly increased after the Korean War
Slide 73
4.) Vietnam Americas involvement in Vietnam is another example
of Americas policy of containment Vietnam had been a possession of
France 1945: Vietnam claimed its independence from France France
did not want to give up Vietnam Vietnam started a revolution
against France The leader of the Vietnamese revolutionary forces
was Ho Chi Minh Ho Chi Minh formed the Vietminh to resist French
rule
Slide 74
Slide 75
Ho Chi Minh
Slide 76
The Vietminh and Ho Chi Minh were communist A full scale war
broke out between the Vietminh and France The Vietminh began to
gather support from Vietnamese peasants France was unable to defeat
the Vietminh France will ask the US for help Pres. Truman was not
eager to get involved, but did send $20 million to help France
France was still losing France surrendered and a temporary peace
was drawn Geneva Accords
Slide 77
The Geneva Accords created a split Vietnam North Vietnamled by
Ho Chi Minh and communist South Vietnamdemocratic 1950s: communist
North Vietnam attempted to install through force a communist
government in South Vietnam Pres. Eisenhower did not want South
Vietnam to fall to communism Eisenhower proposed the Domino Theory
If South Vietnam fell to communism, then other nations in Southeast
Asia would fall in turn, just like dominoes
Slide 78
1954-1961: The US sent over $1 billion to South Vietnam to help
them resist communist rule The leader of South VietnamNgo Dinh
Diemwas corrupt and did not use the money wisely Many South
Vietnamese people began to turn against Diem and join with the
communist North These were called the NLF (National Liberation
Front) Also called the Vietcong Vietcong had very close ties to Ho
Chi Minh
Slide 79
The American military buildup in Vietnam started under Pres.
Kennedy Kennedy sent more $ and military advisors into South
Vietnam 1963: Kennedy was assassinated Pres. Lyndon Johnson will
intensify American military buildup in Vietnam Johnson did not want
to lose Vietnam, but he did not want to plunge the US into a war
without Congress consent
Slide 80
President Kennedy
Slide 81
President Johnson
Slide 82
August 1964: Johnson announced that 2 American destroyers were
attacked by the North Vietnamese in the Gulf of Tonkin Johnson
claimed the US was the victim of an unprovoked attack Congress will
pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Gave Pres. Johnson the authority
to get more involved in Vietnam Under Johnson, the scale of combat
grew larger in Vietnam By the end of 1965: 180,000 American troops
were in Vietnam
Slide 83
American soldiers found it difficult to fight in Vietnam The
Vietcong and Vietminh used guerilla warfare and were hard to find
in the jungles American soldiers started using a search and destroy
strategy Raid villages Force the people into refugee camps Villages
would be burned Search and destroy failed to stop the Vietcong
Search and destroy did create new enemies against the US
soldiers
Slide 84
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Slide 86
To help clear the jungle vegetation, the US began using Agent
Orange Like Round-up on steroids Agent orange would kill the
jungle, hopefully allowing the US soldiers to see the enemy
Unfortunately, the chemical caused cancer and other medical
problems to people
Slide 87
Planes spreading Agent Orange
Slide 88
1968: the war took a turn for the worse Jan. 30, 1968: the
Vietnamese New Year (Tet) started The communists launched a massive
attack without any warningTet Offensive Nearly every military
installation in South Vietnam was attacked Showed that no place in
South Vietnam was free from attack American confidence in the war
was shattered Many Americans began to question why the US was even
in the war
Slide 89
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Slide 91
The war was also being televised for all of America to see
American citizens watched flag draped coffins being loaded on plans
Many Americans became divided over the war Hawksin favor of the war
Dovesagainst the war Some Americans were supporting the war, while
others were highly opposed Many protests were staged around the US
against the Vietnam war
Slide 92
Slide 93
1969: Richard Nixon became President of the US Nixon had
pledged to bring the Vietnam war to an honorable end He instituted
a policy of Vietnamization The withdrawing of American troops Turn
the war over to the South Vietnamese while still sending military
aid to South Vietnam 1973: American troops will be pulled out of
Vietnam South Vietnam was unable to resist the invasions of North
Vietnam 1975: North and South Vietnam were merged under communist
control Vietnam was a failure in the fight to contain
communism
Slide 94
Slide 95
1.) President John Kennedy Kennedy was a WWII veteran President
Kennedy pledged in his inaugural address that the United States
would pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support
any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the
success of liberty He also said, Ask not what your country can do
for you; ask what you can do for your country Kennedys speech will
encourage many Americans to join in the fight against communism
Kennedy's Inaugural Speech Video Kennedy's Inaugural Speech
Video
Slide 96
2.) Kennedys Assassination 1963: Pres. Kennedy was assassinated
in Dallas, TX Kennedys assassination shook the nations confidence
The assassination began a period of internal strife and
divisiveness spurred on by the divisions in the US over the Vietnam
War Kennedy Assassination Video Kennedy Assassination Video
Slide 97
3.) American Soldiers during the Cold War Millions of Americans
served in the military Americas military force grew huge in size
during the cold war Defense spending increased greatly Defending
freedom in wars and conflicts that were not always popular Many
were killed or wounded As a result of their service, the United
States and American ideals of democracy and freedom ultimately
prevailed in the Cold War struggle with Soviet communism
Slide 98
4.) Vietnam Veterans Unlike veterans of World War II, who
returned to a grateful and supportive nation, Vietnam veterans
returned often to face indifference or outright hostility from some
who opposed the war Many Americans called Vietnam Vets baby killers
and other derogatory names It was not until several years after the
end of the Vietnam war that the wounds of the war began to heal in
America, and Vietnam veterans were recognized and honored for their
service and sacrifices
Slide 99
Statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
Slide 100
Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D. C.
Slide 101
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Slide 103
1.) Internal Problems in the Soviet Union The real root to the
Soviet Unions collapse was their overspending on the arms race with
the US The Soviets were struggling to keep pace with the Americans
with nuclear weapons When the US under Pres. Reagan began
developing SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative), the Soviets felt
they were outmatched by the US SDI was to be a system of satellites
that would shoot down Soviet missiles before they could hit the US
The Soviets were also fighting a very costly and expensive war in
Afghanistan Many of the Soviet republics began experiencing rising
nationalism With American support, many formerly Soviet held
Eastern European nations began to gain their independence These
nations began joining NATO The Soviets economic system was
inefficient Many in the Soviet Union began to demand a market
economy- -capitalism
Slide 104
SDI
Slide 105
2.) Pres. Reagan and Gorbachev The leaders truly responsible
for the end of communism in the Soviet union Pres. Ronald ReaganUS
president Mikhail GorbachevSoviet Premier Pres. Reagan challenged
the moral legitimacy of the Soviet Union Reagan challenged
Gorbachev and the Soviets in a speech at the Berlin wall, calling
for the Soviets to tear down the Berlin Wall Mr. Gorbachev, tear
down this wall! Tear Down This Wall Video Tear Down This Wall Video
Reagan also increased US military and economic pressure on the
Soviet Union
Slide 106
Pres. Ronald Reagan
Slide 107
Mikhail Gorbachev
Slide 108
Slide 109
Gorbachev and Reagan will develop a friendly relationship
Gorbachev will institute two new policies that will help the
Soviets move away from communism Glasnost openness Allowed the
Soviets more freedom of expression, dissidents were released from
jail, etc. Perestroika economic restructuring Private enterprises
were allowed An elected assembly was also created
Slide 110
The Berlin Wall will also be torn down by Gorbachev The fall of
the Berlin Wall is a symbol for the fall of communism Fall of the
Berlin Wall Video Fall of the Berlin Wall Video East and West
Germany will be joined back together to create the modern nation of
Germany The communist party in the Soviet Union collapsed in the
1990s Soviet leaders in the 1990s began shifting Russia (no longer
the Soviet Union) to a market economy
Slide 111
Slide 112
After the Cold War was over, the US began to focus its
attention on helping to fix some of the worlds problems The US
began to offer aid to many foreign nations Monetary aid
Humanitarian aidfood, supplies, etc. The US also began to push for
human rights around the world Advocating freedom and liberty for
all people
Slide 113
1.) President George H. W. Bush (19891993_ Pres. George Bush
was a key player in helping the world recover after the cold war He
was instrumental in helping communism fall in Eastern Europe He
helped bring East and West Germany back together to form a
powerful, united German nation Collapse of Yugoslavia When
Yugoslavia began to break apart, the Bush administration had hoped
to persuade the various players to avoid violence and bloodshed and
proceed with the breakup using a democratic process Unfortunately,
Bushs advice was not headed, and Yugoslavia fell into violence
Breakup of the Soviet state Bush became an ally to Gorbachev Bush
tried to keep relations friendly as the old Soviet Union began to
break apart Bushs relationship with Gorbachev helped to created a
better relationship between the US and former Soviet Union
Slide 114
Pres. George H. W. Bush
Slide 115
Pres. Bush also faced a major foe in the Persian Gulf War of
19901991 Iraq had taken over its neighbor Kuwait The Bush
administration went to work immediately trying to assemble a
coalition to oppose Iraq Arab nations joined with the US coalition
to help drive Iraq out of Kuwait Operation Desert Storm: January
17, 1991, when US led coalition forces began massive air strikes
against Iraq Feb 24, 1991: the US led coalition launched their
ground attack against Iraq Largest US military action since the
Vietnam War First war in which American women served in a combat
role
Slide 116
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2.) President William J. Clinton (19932001) Pres. Bill Clinton
will also try to bring closure to the world after the Cold War
Pres. Clinton finalized the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico,
and the United States Designed to reduce or eliminate trade
barriers between the 3 nations Full diplomatic relations with
Vietnam In July 1995, Pres. Clinton re-opened diplomatic relations
with Vietnam Instrumental in lifting of economic sanctions against
South Africa when her government ended the policy of apartheid
Slide 118
Pres. Clinton pushed NATO to take action in former Yugoslavia
The bombing of Yugoslavia was intended to stop ethnic cleansing
Many Muslims in Yugoslavia were being killed The NATO bombings were
also done to stop the wars in Yugoslavia
Slide 119
Pres. Bill Clinton
Slide 120
3.) President George W. Bush (20012009) After the Cold War, the
United States had to deal with another deadly problemterrorism
Terrorists attacks on United States soil on 9/11/2001 caused the US
to dramatically change Pres. G. W. Bush was faced with a task of
protecting the American people from future terrorist attacks
Brought the US into a war on Terror
Slide 121
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As a result of 9/11 the US went after terrorist organizations
around the world War in Afghanistan Trying to free Afghanistan from
Taliban rule TalibanIslamist militant group claiming to rule
Afghanistan, and forcing strict Muslim law on the people The War in
Afghanistan is still being waged War in Iraq Pres. Bush went after
Saddam Hussein for his atrocities toward the Iraqi people An
attempt to bring democracy to Iraq Hussein was captured, tried, and
hanged Iraq established a democratic government