The Cold War 1945-1991

1. The Cold War 1945-1991

3. YALTA (in the USSR) Date: Feb 1945 Present: Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin

4. POTSDAM (Germany) Date: July 1945 Present: Churchill, Truman and Stalin

5. Iron Curtain – A term used by Winston Churchill to describe the separating of Those communist lands of East Europe from the West. Divided Germany

6. Divided Berlin

7. Improve your knowledge • The nuclear bomb gave America a lead which was expected to last at least 5 years. The rapid Russian development of nuclear technology, helped by the work of the “atom spies” was a shock.Significantly, Russia hurriedly declared war against Japan at the beginning of August 1945 and rushed to advance into Asia to stake out a position for the post-war settlement. This helped make both the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts more likely.

8. The ‘Truman Doctrine’ • Truman had been horrified at the pre-war Allied policy of appeasement and was determined to stand up to any Soviet intimidation. • The Truman Doctrine in March 1947 promised that the USA “would support free peoples who are resisting communism” • It signalled the end of “isolationist” policies.

9. The ‘Marshall Plan’ • The Marshall Plan offered $13 billion to help the economies of Western and Southern Europe to rebuild after World War II, and, by generating prosperity, to reject the appeal of Communism. • The Soviet Union (USSR) prevented Eastern European countries from receiving American money.

10. Berlin • West Berlin, was an outpost of Western democracy and economic success deep within the communist zone – like a capitalist island within communist East Germany • The Berlin Blockade by Stalin, was an attempt to starve West Berlin into submitting [giving up] to the communists • The Allied airlift signalled the West’s determination to use all resources to defend West Berlin. (Berlin Airlift) • It was felt by both sides that Berlin could act as the trigger for general war between capitalist and communist countries

11. Korean War • June 1950: North Korea invades South Korea & is very successful early on in the campaign • The U.S. (trying to enforce their theory of containment) gets the United Nations together and they go to war under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. • South Korea then pushes North Korea all the way back to the 38th Parallel. • MacArthur gets permission to push into North Korea and pushes all the way up to China.

12. Korean War • China (communist) feels threatened and attacks the U.S. pushing them back into South Korea. • MacArthur wants to retaliate and drop atomic bombs on China, but President Truman (not wanting to start WWIII) says NO!!! MacArthur publicly criticizes Truman & gets himself fired. • Both sides come to a draw and eventually the 38th parallel is again the divider between North & South Korea.

13. The Shifting Map of Korea[1950-1953]