Alliance between USSR and US

1. Alliance between USSR and US • WWII contributed to the Cold War because • Ideological differences = suspicion • US and USSR had competing political objectives for postwar Eastern Europe • US wanted democracy and self-determination • Stalin wanted to create a buffer from German aggression • = The alliance between US and USSR quickly disintegrated during post war 1945.

2. Yalta/ Potsdam • Meeting in Black Sea (Soviet Union) • Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill • Stalin promises free elections in Poland • Germany divided into 4 spheres of influence, Berlin also divided into 4 zones (even though located in the heart of the Soviet’s sphere) • In Potsdam, the three countries agree to recognize each others’ influence over regions where their respective troops remained at the end of war.

3. Communist Rebellions in Greece and Turkey • Rebellions inspired the Truman Doctrine, which justified US intervention in regional conflicts in the name of containing Soviet communism • Truman Doctrine later served as the framework for American foreign policy in the nuclear age • Inspired one of the first indirect confrontations between US and USSR (through other nations)

4. Economic and Military Alliances in Europe after WWII • Economic/Military alliances in Europe post WWII contributed to Cold War • 1) economic alliances formed under the Marshall Plan and the Molotov Plan hardened divisions • Marshall Plan provided $17 billion in aid for the economic recovery of Europe • Accept American loans = agree to buy American products • Molitov Plan: Soviets refused to let Eastern European nations accept loans from the Marshall Plan, so their plan was designed to support war torn Eastern Europe

5. Two Views on Marshall Plan United States’ view Soviet Union’s view • Aid was essential to keep communism from spreading beyond USSR • Will promote peace and stability • Economic alliances formed under the Marshall Plan only served American interests and undermined Soviet power in Europe • Cunning attempt to support American capitalism by economically enslaving Europe

6. The Berlin Crisis/ Airlift • Post WWII, Germany was placed under military rule and divided into zones ruled by Americans, British, French, and Soviets. Berlin was also divided into separate sectors • Berlin was located in Soviet-controlled German territory, and Soviets felt they were entitled to full control over capital • In 1948, plans announced to introduce a new form of currency in Germany- Soviets withdrew from Allied Control Council • When allies introduced new currency in West Berlin- Soviets instituted a formal blockade • August 1948, US proved it was willing to take action against Soviets by airlifting supplies to Berlin.

7. NATO Established North Atlantic Treaty Organization Warsaw Pact • 1949 United States joined western nations such as Canada, France, Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization • NATO was a military alliance designed to protect each other from Soviet aggression • Soviet alliance with Eastern European nations such as Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania • These organizations introduced the possibility of armed conflict and led to est. of defensive armies throughout Europe

8. Development of Nuclear Weapons • Soviet Union’s development of nuclear weapons positioned them to compete with the US as a military superpower (helped them maintain control of “their” countries) • Fueled an arms race between US and USSR to keep one another in “check” • US and USSR knew that direct conflict using nuclear weapons would cause untold devastation, so both chose to fight indirectly using economic and military aid to rivaling nations

9. China becomes a communist country • Chinese Communists battle nationalist government of Chiang Kai-Shek • US supports Chiang (government is corrupt) • Communists led by Mao Zedong, work to get peasant support • Peasants flock to Red Army, by 1945, communists control north China • 1949 Nationalists flee to Taiwan • Communists establish People’s Republic of China in mainland (US doesn’t recognize)

10. Korean War begins • Japan had annexed Korea in 1910. • As WWII ended, Japanese troops in north surrendered to USSR, South to US • Divided at the 38th parallel • US occupied zone became the Republic of Korea • Soviet zone became Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (communist) • Kim Il Sung leader

11. Korean War • Korean War in 1950 increased American alarm spread of communism • 38th parallel divided communist North Korea and UN supported South Korea • US gets involved… Has early victories until 1 million Chinese “volunteers” pushes US back into South Korea. • General MacArthur calls for war with China • Truman disagrees- fires MacArthur for going public • War ends in stalemate in 1953

12. Korean War • June 25, 1950 North Korea swept across 38th parallel in surprise attack on South Korea • War confirmed the growing American belief that the spread of communism in Asia was now a serious threat • South Korea calls on UN to stop invasion (approved) • MacArthur put in command of forces • North Korea drives south (to Seoul) • MacArthur attacks North Koreans from 2 sides, pushes into north • China sends troops to help North Koreans, push south, • MacArthur calls for war with China (is fired) • Stalemate…Soviets suggest cease fire 1953 armistice

13. Importance of Korean War • After Chinese Communist Rev. and Korean War, the Cold War became more global • This began US/USSR rivalry to compete for influence worldwide. • Political scientist eventually began to describe the world as bipolar (belonging to US or USSR)

14. Soviet invasion of Hungary • USSR became known as the “Iron Curtain”, behind which the Soviets desire was “the… indefinite expansion of their power and doctrines.” Winston Churchill • Over time, Eastern Europeans began to rebel • 1956 Hungarian citizens began rioting • Khrushchev, new USSR leader, dispatched Red Army, rounded up protesters and executed leaders.

15. Soviet invasion of Hungary contributed to Cold War because • Soviet Union’s attempts to draw an “iron curtain” around itself increased American suspicions of communism • Using rule by force in E. Europe, the USSR increased American belief that communism that to be stopped at all costs • Suppression of Hungarians confirmed US worst fears and escalated hostilities.

16. Cold War at Home • Truman accused of being soft on Communism • Created Federal Employee Loyalty Program to investigate (dismiss 212) • House Un-American Activities Committee investigates Communist ties (esp. in movies) • Hollywood Ten refuse to testify, sent to prison • Hollywood Blacklist- People with Communist ties cannot get work • Alger Hiss accused of spying for USSR (convicted of perjury

17. Cold War at home (cont.) • 1949 Soviets explode atomic bomb • Physicist Klaus Fuchs admits giving info • Ethel, Julius Rosenburg (minor Comm. Party activists implicated) = executed • Senator Joseph McCarthy launches “Witch Hunt” on suspected communists • Became known as McCarthyism- accusing people of disloyalty without providing evidence • Name-called only in Senate (due to congressional immunity)

18. McCarthy’s downfall • 1954, McCarthy made accusations against US Army= televised Senate investigation • McCarthy’s bullying of witnesses lost him public support. • Three years later, suffering from alcoholism, he died