How did the US and the Soviet Union become Cold War
Adversaries? There were many challenges related to the growing
mistrust of the United States wartime ally, the Soviet Union. Just
as there are many ways to respond to the hypothetical fight in the
cafeteria, the United States could have responded to these foreign
policy challenges in a variety of ways.
Slide 3
On a blank piece of paper, create an organizer that looks like
this Use the whole front of the page (you will need the room)
Slide 4
Based on this image, what do you think the first foreign policy
challenge might be? World War II ended with the use of a massively
destructive new weapon: the atomic bomb. In 1946, the United States
is the only nation with this new nuclear technology. Several
countries, including the Soviet Union, are working to develop their
own nuclear capability. Choose an option from the next slide that
you think will best address the problem of controlling nuclear
weapons. Prepare to justify your choice with two or more reasons.
How do we control Nuclear Weapons?
Slide 5
Options: Option 1: Let other countries develop nuclear
weaponsthe United States cant control what other countries doOption
1: Let other countries develop nuclear weaponsthe United States
cant control what other countries do Option 4: Bomb any country
that is developing nuclear weapons so the United States remains the
only one with the knowledge and ability. How do we control Nuclear
Weapons? Option 2: Suggest a ban on any future bomb making with an
exception that allows the United States to keep its nuclear
weapons. Option 3: Propose a plan to the United Nations in which
the United States agrees to destroy its nuclear weapons and in
which strict penalties will be imposed on any country found making
nuclear bombs.
Slide 6
Based on this image, what do you think the second foreign
policy challenge might be? Not long ago, an Iron Curtain descended
on Europe, dividing the Soviet- controlled communist nations from
the rest of the world. Now Greece is embroiled in a civil war.
Communist rebels threaten to take over the country, and they may
attempt to take over Greece next. Where will they stop? How do we
stop the spread of communism (in Greece)?
Slide 7
Option 1: Do nothingthe Soviet Union is not directly supporting
communist rebels in Greece.Option 1: Do nothingthe Soviet Union is
not directly supporting communist rebels in Greece. Options: How do
we stop a Communist Take-over of Greece? Option 2: Give financial
aid to the Greek government to boost the nation's economy and stop
the spread of communism. Option 3: Send troops to defeat the
communists, and train the Greek military on how to keep order.
Option 4: Take control of the Greek government to expel the
communists and install a democracy.
Slide 8
Based on this image, what do you think the third foreign policy
challenge might be? World War II left Europe devastated. Millions
were dead, cities were destroyed, and homes were lost. Such
destruction causes poverty and discontent, making the countries of
Europe perfect breeding grounds for communist movements. Greece
could be only the beginning. How should the U.S. respond to Postwar
conditions in Europe?
Slide 9
How should the U.S. respond to postwar conditions in Europe?
Options: Option 1: Do nothingwe already spent a lot helping Europe
during World War II. Option 2: Supply loans on a case-by-case basis
to European countries that have been longtime allies. Option 3:
Generously fund any European country as long as the money is spent
on goods made in the United States. Option 4: Send military troops
and advisers to be in charge of postwar rebuilding in devastated
European countries.
Slide 10
Summarizing Questions What foreign policy challenges did the
United States face after World War II? Did the United States
adequately respond to those challenges? Why or why not? Did the
United States adequately respond to those challenges? Why or why
not? How did those responses contribute to the tensions that
resulted in the Cold War?How did those responses contribute to the
tensions that resulted in the Cold War?
Slide 11
United Nations April 1945, representatives of 50 countries,
including the United States, adopted the charter for the United
Nations, an organization dedicated to cooperation in solving
international problems.
Slide 12
On April 12, Roosevelt died unexpectedly, making Vice President
Truman the new President Truman continued Roosevelts negotiations
with Stalin at the Potsdam Conference in July.
Slide 13
Conflicting Postwar Goals American Goals Wanted Europe to
experience the democracy and freedoms that the United States had
fought for during the war Wanted to develop strong capitalist
economies, which would provide good markets for American
products$$$ Soviet Goals Wanted to rebuild Europe in ways that
would help the Soviet Union recover from the huge losses it
suffered during the war Wanted to establish Soviet satellite
nations, countries subject to Soviet domination and a buffer from
the west Wanted to promote the spread of communism throughout the
world
Slide 14
Soviets Tighten Their Hold Communist Expansion in Eastern
Europe Albania and Bulgaria Czechoslovakia Hungary Romania East
Germany Yugoslavia
Slide 15
Iron Curtain Speech 1946 Fulton Missouri Statement clearly
describing existing situation From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste
in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the
continent."
Slide 16
Truman Doctrine March 12, 1947 Greece and Turkey in danger of
falling to communist insurgents $400 millionTruman requested $400
million from Congress in aid to both countries. Success! The money
helps the government prevent a communist takeover!
Slide 17
containment America develops a policy of containment Stop the
spread of communism anywhere in the world. Truman DoctrineThe
Truman Doctrine, United States would support free peoples who
resist attempted conquest..
Slide 18
Marshall Plan On June 5, U.S. Secretary of State George
Marshall proposes a massive aid program to rebuild Europe from the
ravages of World War II. (dont make the same mistakes as WWI)
Nearly $13 billion in U.S. aid was sent to Europe from 1948 to
1952. The Soviet Union and communist Eastern Europe decline U.S.
aid, citing "dollar enslavement."
Slide 19
Germany! Germany has been divided into 4 sections! British,
French, American and Soviet They could clean-up No one country
could take over
Slide 20
Berlin! ALSO, the Capitol of Germany - Berlin, located in
Communist East Germany, was divided into West Berlin (capitalist)
and East Berlin (Communist).
Slide 21
Berlin! Berlin airliftIn response, Allied nations began the
Berlin airlift, which delivered thousands of tons of food and other
supplies to West Berlin via air. Although the Soviet blockade ended
in May 1949, Berlin remained a focal point of Cold War conflict. In
June 1948, Stalin banned all shipments to West Berlin through East
Germany, creating a blockade which threatened to cut off supplies
to the city. 2.3 million tons of relief supplies.
Slide 22
Slide 23
NATO Soviet vetoes prevent the U.N. from resolving many postwar
problems U.S. needs help defending against communismSoviet vetoes
prevent the U.N. from resolving many postwar problems U.S. needs
help defending against communism The North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) was formed in April 1949. the United States,
Canada, and ten Western European nations pledged to support one
another against attack, a principle known as collective security.
In response, the Soviet Union created the Warsaw Pact, a military
alliance between the Soviet Union and its satellite nations.
Slide 24
Nuclear Destruction? In September 1949, the Soviet Union
successfully tests an atomic bomb. In response, the United States
began developing the even more powerful hydrogen bomb,
reestablishing itself as the worlds leading nuclear power. The
newly formed Federal Civil Defense Administration distributed
information on how to survive a nuclear attack;
Slide 25
Slide 26
Peoples Republic of China! Civil war breaks out in 1920s!Civil
war breaks out in 1920s! During World War II, the two sides
cooperate The communists lead by Mao Zedong The Nationalists lead
by Chiang Kai-shek They resume their fight near at the end of
WWII.They resume their fight near at the end of WWII. Guess which
side the U.S. supports? (in spite of inept leaders and lots of
corruption!)Guess which side the U.S. supports? (in spite of inept
leaders and lots of corruption!) 1949 Creation of the PRC!1949
Creation of the PRC!
Slide 27
Nationalists flee to Taiwan!Nationalists flee to Taiwan!
Slide 28
Chinese Civil War The most populous nation in the world is now
communist! Whos fault was it? Did we do enough? Was containment
working? US REACTION! Refusal to acknowledge PRC as a legitimate
nation cut off trade with China Convinced U.N. to deny PRC
admittance
Slide 29
Uhoh. Money didnt work? How might the U.S. respond now?
Slide 30
Domino Theory The belief that if one country fell to the
communists it would bring about a chain reaction of other countries
turning to communism.
Slide 31
MAPS
Slide 32
Korea! World War II ends with no plan for Korean independence
from Japan. temporarily divided at the thirty-eighth parallel, the
latitude line running through approximately the midpoint of the
peninsula. A pro-American government formed in South Korea, while a
Communist government formed in North Korea.
Slide 33
On June 25, North Korean communist forces cross the 38th
parallel and invade South Korea.On June 25, North Korean communist
forces cross the 38th parallel and invade South Korea.
Slide 34
the call for Police Action President Truman turns to the United
Nations. 15 nations join the UN forces, although the majority of
soldiers come from the U.S. Aim: to create a unified, independent
and democratic Korea.
Slide 35
1949 China became Communist supported North Korea 1950 N Korea
invaded S Korea Sept 1950 UN troops into South Korea at INCHON N
Koreans pushed back into North Korea
Slide 36
THE KOREAN WAR A grief stricken American infantryman whose
buddy has been killed in action is comforted by another soldier. In
the background a corpsman methodically fills out casualty tags,
Haktong-ni area, Korea. August 28, 1950. Sfc. Al Chang. (Army)
Slide 37
Desegregation of the Military After African-Americans fought
for the Four Freedoms during World War II they were denied rights
at home If the U.S. wanted nations to follow their democratic
example, it needed to rid itself of segregation Executive Order
9981, signed on July 26, 1948, forbade discriminating against
military personnel because of race, color, religion, or national
origin.
Slide 38
Oct 1950 CHINA invades! UN troops pushed all the way back to S
Korea 1950-51 STALEMATE around 38 th Parallel
Slide 39
Slide 40
April 1951 MacArthur fired! Fighting continued until 1952 1952
Truman replaced by Eisenhower 1953 Stalin dies July 1953 -
Armistice signed
Slide 41
Slide 42
MacArthur returns a hero But eventually fades away
Slide 43
WHO WON???? S KOREA REMAINED FREE Containment had worked Korea
badly damaged The human cost Still two separate states today Still
US troops in Korea
Slide 44
THE COST IN HUMAN LIFE
Slide 45
By 1950 had Containment worked??? Most Americans agreed with
containing communism Some wanted a more aggressive policy like
MacArthur People at home were very frightened by the spread of
communism
Slide 46
The Cold War in the 1950s United States involvement around the
world, 19471956 Eastern Europe Wary of war with the Soviets,
America did not support uprisings in East Germany, Poland, and
Hungary.Eastern Europe Wary of war with the Soviets, America did
not support uprisings in East Germany, Poland, and Hungary.
Southeast Asia Korean War ends; former French colony of Vietnam is
divided into Communist North and anti-Communist South.Southeast
Asia Korean War ends; former French colony of Vietnam is divided
into Communist North and anti-Communist South. Middle East United
States supports Israel, backs groups that restore a pro- American
Shah in Iran; the Suez Crisis in Egypt erupts.Middle East United
States supports Israel, backs groups that restore a pro- American
Shah in Iran; the Suez Crisis in Egypt erupts. Latin America
Organization of American States (OAS) is created; American aid
helps anti-Communist leaders gain and retain power.Latin America
Organization of American States (OAS) is created; American aid
helps anti-Communist leaders gain and retain power.
Slide 47
U.S. and U.S.S.R. compete in an nuclear arms race, a struggle
to gain weapons superiority. Deterrence, the policy of maintaining
a military arsenal so strong that no enemy will attack for fear of
retaliation, resulted in the escalating development of powerful
nuclear weapons. (MAD) This is also known as MUTUALLY ASSURED
DESTRUCTION! (MAD)
Slide 48
Deterrence
Slide 49
The Arms Race To carry bombs to their targets, the Soviet Union
developed long-range rockets known as intercontinental ballistic
missiles, or ICBMs. In 1957, one of these rockets was used to
launch the Soviet satellite Sputnik, the first artificial satellite
to orbit Earth. Space Race to put weapons in space and to just show
superiority!