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The Cold War

The Cold War. 1945 - 1990. What is the Cold War?. Not a declared, physical war More ideological Two superpowers “competing” to show power by spreading their forms of government and threatening each other with new technology Who were the superpowers? What were the two forms of government?.

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The Cold War

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  1. The Cold War 1945 - 1990

  2. What is the Cold War? • Not a declared, physical war • More ideological • Two superpowers “competing” to show power by spreading their forms of government and threatening each other with new technology • Who were the superpowers? • What were the two forms of government?

  3. How did the 2 sides “fight”? • For decades after WWII, both the U.S. and Soviet Union are convinced the other side is trying to take over the world • Showed power by: (what do you think…?) • Building up their militaries • Improving technology to show that, “Our country is one step ahead of your country, so don’t step on our toes….or else” (including bombs, space race) • Spreading their form of government around the world • Never any direct physical fighting…both sides scared! (Why?) • Like one big game of chicken

  4. Quick Book Assignment • Book • Turn to pg 302-303 and next Paragraph on 304 • Read the section on “Marxism: Radical Socialism” • Answer Skillbuilder #1

  5. What is Capitalism? • This is the form of economy in our democratic government • Key Elements: • Individuals and businesses own property and means of production • Progress= individuals follow own self-interests • Business compete for consumers’ money. They try and produce better goods that are cheaper than other businesses • Consumers choose what to buy/not buy…this determines what businesses can sell • Gov’t should not interfere….competition= efficiency

  6. What is Communism/Socialism? • Socialism is seen as a step to communism • Key Elements • Community or the state owns property and the means of production • Progress= producers cooperate for the good of all • Capitalist employers take advantage of workers…the community or state must act to protect them • Capitalism creates unequal distribution of wealth and material goods…better to distribute them evenly according to need

  7. Class Struggle diagram

  8. How Do These Views Affect Perspectives of WWII? • U.S: • If weakened, capitalism can lead to a depression • This depression led to Nazis and fascism • Solution: avoid depression by making capitalism strong • Soviet Union: • Capitalism failed and created a depression • Nazism develops and takes over • Solution: Socialism/Communism (economy controlled by the state….spread this)

  9. How did the Cold War “start”? • Russia devastated by WWI • Russian Civil War: Red Army vs. Whites • Western nations intervene to help Whites • Memory of western intervention lingers with Soviet people and leaders

  10. How did the Cold War “start”? • WWII • Stalin and Hitler allies at first…then not • Stalin turns to the West for help • Soviets feel they were more the victims in Hitler’s war than anyone else…disagree over war strategies • Soviet and American soldiers meet in Germany

  11. How did the Cold War “start”? • After WWII • Two superpowers emerge • Europe is divided….Americans in West, Soviets in East • Marshall Plan aligns Western Europe • Soviets respond with Molotov Plan in Eastern Europe • War of nerves…

  12. How did the Cold War “start”? Conferences – mtg of leaders to make plans for after the war • Yalta – February 1945 • U.S., Britain, Sov.Un., meet in Sov.Un. • Decide to carve Germany up into zones of occupation • Germany has to pay Sov. Un. For their losses • Stalin agrees to help in Japan • Stalin also promises to let Eastern Europe have free elections • Stalin argues that Poland needs to be pro-communist because the last two wars everyone keeps attacking them through Poland…wants a buffer zone • UN established • Churchill and Truman (Brit. And U.S.) are skeptical • V-E Day – May 8th, 1945

  13. How did the Cold War “start”? • Potsdam Conference– July 1945 • FDR died…so now… • Truman, Churchill (then another guy), Stalin • Trying to convince Stalin to stay out of Eastern Europe • Say: “You have to let E.European countries have 3 free elections to let them choose their gov’t.” • Stalin thinking: “Yeah right!” • Truman gets word that the U.S. is ready with the atom bomb • Japan surrenders/WWII ends

  14. Youtube

  15. Timeline • One side of paper…notes….other side….timeline • Instructions • Put date on line • Put both sides on opposites sides of line • Circle the “winner” • If there is a clear one • List of Events: • Yalta Conference • Potsdam Conference • Truman Doctrine • Marshall Plan • NATO • Warsaw Pact • Berlin Airlift

  16. Reading Questions • 1. What was decided at the Yalta conference? • 2. Pg 532 – Skillbuilder 2 • 3. Why and Where do the Soviets want a “buffer zone”? • 4. What was the “iron curtain”? • 5. Define Containment • 6. Why was the Truman Doctrine controversial? • 7. What was the reasoning behind the Marshall Plan?

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