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Cold War

Cold War. 1945-1957. The Cold War. What is it? A passive aggressive confrontation between Superpowers. (U.S.A. vs. U.S.S.R.) Not a direct confrontation (No bombs) A battle of diplomacy, propaganda, and nerves. Roots of Cold War. Yalta Conference , 1945:

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Cold War

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  1. Cold War 1945-1957

  2. The Cold War • What is it? • A passive aggressive confrontation between Superpowers. (U.S.A. vs. U.S.S.R.) • Not a direct confrontation (No bombs) • A battle of diplomacy, propaganda, and nerves.

  3. Roots of Cold War • Yalta Conference, 1945: • Stalin pledged to allow democratic elections in E. Europe (but later reneged) • Germany would be divided into four zones controlled by U.S., France, Britain and USSR • Potsdam Conference, 1945: • Truman demanded free elections in Eastern Europe but Stalin refused • Stalin wanted a "buffer zone" between Germany and USSR for protection against future war

  4. Roots of Cold War • U.S. point of view: • Stalin seemed intent on creating "spheres" of influence in Eastern Europe • Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech in 1946 alerted Americans to a future conflict • U.S. wanted democracy spread throughout the world

  5. Roots of Cold War • Soviet point of view: • Democracies traditionally hostile towards communism • US & Britain did not open western front in Europe early enough; millions of Soviet soldiers were dying fighting the Nazi armies alone until mid-1944. • The US and Britain froze Russia out of the atomic bomb project. • US terminated lend-lease to Moscow in May 1945 but gave Britain aid until 1946. • Wanted "buffer zone" for the Soviet western border esp. in Poland

  6. Partition of Germany • USSR, U.S., Britain & France would each occupy a part of Germany but would allow for German reunification once it was no longer a threat. • Germany was to pay heavy reparations to USSR in form of agricultural and industrial goods. • Did not want revitalized Germany that could once again pose a threat. • Stripped E. Germany of much of its resources.

  7. Germany is Divided into Four Zones • Berlin is also divided into zones. • West Berlin – Allies • East Berlin - Soviets • The U.S.S.R. promises free elections in East Europe – Not True

  8. U.S.S.R. Seized Eastern Europe • Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Rumania Albania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia.

  9. Eastern Countries • Become Satellite countries to the U.S.S.R. • Independent, but under U.S.S.R. control. • U.S.S.R. tightens borders, no free elections, people can’t leave. total control.

  10. "Containment" • By 1947, Truman pledged to prevent further spread of communism • Truman Doctrine, People around the world have the right to be free, & U.S.A. will support them. • 1947: U.S. gave aid to Greece and Turkey to defeat communist forces there. President Harry Truman

  11. Marshall Plan • 1947: Massive aid package to help war-torn Europe • Purpose: prevent communism from spreading • Result: Western and Central Europe recovered • Soviets refused to allow U.S. aid to countries in eastern Europe http://www.historicaldocuments.com/MarshallPlanPhoto.jpg

  12. Berlin Airlift (1948) • Berlin deep inside E. Germany • U.S.S.R. blockades West Berlin. • The Berlin Blockade lasted 318 days. During this time, 275,000 planes transported 1.5 million tons of supplies and a plane landed every three minutes at Berlin’s airport. • blockade ended in May 1949.

  13. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) • 1949 U.S.A., Canada, England, Iceland, 8 more. • Join/agree to defend each other. • Allows Europe to “Shoulder” some of Cold War responsibilities.

  14. Warsaw Pact • U.S.S.R. response to NATO. • Soviet Union & East European powers join to oppose NATO. • 1955

  15. Korean War

  16. Korean War 1950-1953 • After WWII, Korea divided at 38th parallel: North was communist, South was not • Cause: 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea (supported by Soviet resources) • UN (led by US & Gen. Douglas MacArthur) sent forces to push back communists • China sent thousands of troops to push back UN • Result: cease-fire and border at 38th parallel restored; still in existence today http://www.awm.gov.au/korea/maps/images/establishing.gif

  17. Space Race • (Part of Cold War competition to achieve technological superiority) • 1957, USSR launched Sputnik, an orbiting satellite using long-range rockets • US is fearful Soviets could now launch a nuclear missile into space and then down to U.S. • Resulted in development of ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles)

  18. Space Race • U.S. countered with creation of NASA and vastly increased educational funding for science. • 1961, Soviets sent world’s first cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, into orbit. • President John F. Kennedy responded by increasing funds for space. • 1969, Apollo Program put first man on the moon; 4 more moon landings followed by 1972.

  19. U-2 Incident • U.S. spy plane shot down over USSR • Khrushchev demanded an apology from Eisenhower; Eisenhower refused

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