The Cold War

1. The Cold War From 1945 to 1991, the Cold War dominated international affairs. The global competition between the United States and the Soviet Union took many forms: political, economic, ideological, cultural.

2. Even though We were allies at the end of World War II …The two Superpowers would soon become rivals.

3. Why is it the “Cold” War? …Because the two Superpowers never confronted each other directly in open warfare. It was inevitable that the United States and the Soviet Union would clash. Joseph Stalin: Communist Leader of the Soviet Union Supposed to be created a “classless society” that helped all workers. Actually established a brutal dictatorship over which he exercised absolute control People suspected of being opponents and critics were arrested and often sent to Gulags (forced labor camps) in Siberia.

4. The Roots of The Cold War Competing ideological System of the United States and the Soviet Union

5. February 1945: Yalta President Roosevelt, Winston Church, and Joseph Stalin meet at Yalta Conference Plan the reorganization of Europe a the end of the war Agree on the Formation of the United Nations Agree Germany would be divided into 4 occupation zones Agree to allow free elections in the countries liberated from German Rule. Stalin pledges to allow free election in Poland post WWII August 1945: Potsdam President Truman met with Stalin Meeting took place in Germany Serious differences began to emerge

6. The Cold War Begins An Iron Curtain fell over Eastern Europe, closing it off from the West. It was both physical and ideological The United States refused to share the secrets behind the atomic bomb with the Soviet Union. Stalin creates wall of Satellite nations.