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COLD WAR. Alliances:. Arms Race : 1949 , the Soviets shocked the world with the detonation of an atomic bomb.
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Arms Race: • 1949, the Soviets shocked the world with the detonation of an atomic bomb At a remote test site at Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan, the USSR successfully detonates its first atomic bomb, code name "First Lightning." In order to measure the effects of the blast, the Soviet scientists constructed buildings, bridges, and other civilian structures in the vicinity of the bomb. They also placed animals in cages nearby so that they could test the effects of nuclear radiation on human-like mammals. The atomic explosion, which at 20 kilotons was roughly equal to "Trinity," the first U.S. atomic explosion, destroyed those structures and incinerated the animals.
In 1957 Soviets dawned the space age with the first Sputnik satellite. The space race was on as USA responded by funding their own satellite project, 1958 creation of NASSA. • This in itself was not a problem, however the rocket that put Sputnik in orbit could also be used to deliver nuclear warheads to North America. • - US President Eisenhower tried to downplay the fact that the Soviets won the first part of the space race, while others were shocked and amazed.
In response Americans created long-range missiles known as intercontinental Ballisitc Missiles (IBMs). • The Soviets responded by building Long-range Missiles as well. • This competition would lead to enormous spending (which neither side could really afford), and in 1969 the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
Propaganda: • As cold war tensions grew, Canada and America propaganda expanded • US president Truman had said, in order to combat Soviet lies, the US (and allies)needed to promote ‘truth’.---Campaign of truth • Television, Music, Movies, posters and school curriculums were all focused on the evils of communism.
Sports were an important symbol of superiority during the cold war: • Although the restrictive nature of communist regimes has drawbacks, it does have one advantage important to something like the Olympics: a command system (like the Soviet ‘proletariat dictatorship’) can hand pick those whom it feels are best in certain activities/sports, and develop them in that area exclusively. In other words, while a freer system might have to wait for a ‘Sydney Crosby’ to prefer Hockey (and for him to focus on more important developmental tasks--like education--during his formative years), the Soviet Union could pluck out the "best and the brightest" very early and develop them only in the areas to which they are "suited."
1952 Olympics showed tensions of the cold war: • Soviets refused to share quarters with other countries and created their own fenced in sleep area, where only soviet athletes could stay. • It was said the medal count would clearly show the superiority of the country • The Soviets lost by a significant amount, however they would return to dominate future Olympic Games like no one had ever seen before. • 1980 Winter Olympics ‘Miracle on Ice’ • US was rated 7th in the world of Hockey coming into the Olympics beat the Soviets, who had won gold the past 4 Olympic Games.
COLD WAR FEARS: • Red Scare- Fear of communism • Espionage- Spies were found in Canada and the US, creating a public fear. It was clear you could not trust anyone, and the government focused on finding and arresting Communist spies. • IgoreGouzenko “the Man with the Hood’ was a part of the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa. He covered his face with a hood and publically named Soviet spies (18 of the 39 named were convicted). In return he was given a new identity and citizenship in Canada
Blacklist- A list that caused by the red scare. Entertainers were put on it for being communist or communist sympathizers. People on this list were fired, and movies/shows they were in were boycotted or had protestors preventing filming. • To get off a blacklist you must publically declare you were wrong/ be cleared at a trial proving you were not a communist/ sympathizer. • Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy star) was on the list for voting communist in 1935 election, she was later found innocent as her vote was made at her grandfather’s request.
Atomic Scare- with the new nuclear technology it became a fear of the average citizen that at any moment their country could be destroyed. Bomb shelters became a regular thing in many homes and schools often practised bomb drills.