United States History

1. United States History Chapter 28: The Cold War

2. Occupation • The Allies agreed that, to best prevent World War III, supervision of gov’t establishment and rebuilding must take place • Germany was divided into four zones at the Potsdam Conference in 1945 • The United States, Britain, France and USSR controlled a section of the nation • Berlin, within the Soviet zone, was also divided • Set out to destroy the Nazi Party, reorganize gov’t and rebuild the nation • Japan was occupied solely by the United States from 1945-1952 • Emperor Hirohito remained at the helm, but had no power • Gov’t was led by American Gen. Douglas MacArthur, his staff and a Japanese congress • Established a new constitution that reformed society and the economy and banned a military

3. War Crimes • The Allies also agreed that war criminals had to be punished for their roles in the war • German trials were held in Nuremberg in 1945-46 • High ranking Nazi officials were tried for several crimes • Thousands of others were also tried and jailed/fined for their roles in the war and Holocaust • 12 Nazi leaders were sentenced to death, 7 prison, and 3 acquitted • Some escaped into hiding • Japanese criminals were tried in 1946-48 • Seven gov’t officials were sentenced to death, including Tojo • Others were given life in prison • The trials set a new standard in international law that you couldn’t commit crimes just by “following orders”

4. The United Nations • In April 1945, delegates from 50 nations met for the first time as the United Nations • The charter for the UN created a body that renounces war and attempts to address social, economic, political and military issues of member nations • Created a General Assembly and a Security Council • General Assembly includes all member nations • Security Council includes five permanent members (US, Russia, China, France, Great Britain), and a set of ten rotating members • Approves or vetoes actions taken by the General Assembly • Approved by the US Senate in Oct. 1945 and is headquartered in New York City

5. Israel • After the war, many of Europe’s Jews moved to Palestine • Palestine is claimed by Jews and Arabs as the homeland • In 1948, the UN created a Jewish state in the Middle East called Israel, against Arab protest • Immediately, it led to a war between Arabs and Israel • After bitter fighting, a shaky cease fire went into effect in 1949 • However, the fighting over Israel and Arab lands continues today, often times killing numerous innocent people

6. The Cold War • After WWII, a “cold” war broke out between the United States and USSR • The conflict was over economic and political disagreements • While actual fighting never occurred, the threat of war, especially nuclear war, was very high from 1946-1991 • Stalin insisted that areas occupied during WWII by the Soviets needed to remain friendly to created a buffer zone between the capitalist nations • Created several satellite nations that remained under direct Soviet control for nearly 50 years • Britain, France and the US insisted on protecting free nations from Communist control in a policy of containment • Churchill described the Communist takeover as an Iron Curtain • Prevent other nations from falling and Communism would eventually crumble

7. The Cold War • Nuclear weapons were key to the Cold War • Stalin was upset that the US didn’t share news about the bomb before using it • He set out developing weapons for the Soviets, successfully testing in 1949 • Terrified many into thinking that nuclear war was a possiblity • President Truman insisted on helping nations around the world to fight communism • Known as the Truman Doctrine • Directed Gen. George C. Marshall to devise a plan to help Europe rebuild and stay away from communism (Marshall Plan) • However, Eastern European nations fell one after another to Communist control

8. The Cold War • Tensions increased in Germany between the Allies and Soviets, leading to the creation of a new West German nation • However, the Soviets refused to give in to Western ideals, forming their own East German nation • Blocked all ground transportation routes linking West Germany and Berlin in 1948 • Cut off fuel, food, medical supplies, etc. from Berliners, hoping to drive the Allies out • The US and Britain responded with the Berlin Airlift • For 10 months, planes brought supplies to Berlin • The Soviets lifted the ban in May 1949 • To combat communism, in 1949,the US, Canada, Iceland, and 9 western European nations formed a military pact, with the Soviets following suit • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) • Warsaw Pact

9. NATO, 1949 • United States, Canada, Iceland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Norway, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Luxembourg

10. China • A US ally during the war, revolution swept China in 1911 and left them unstable • Free Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-Shek (aka Jiang Jieshi), went up against Communists led by Mao Zedong • The battle intensified after WWII • The US sent aid to Chiang • However, more and more began to support Mao • In 1949, Mao was able to proclaim a Communist gov’t, with Chiang fleeing to Taiwan • The US refused to recognize Mao, instead standing by Chiang in exile on Taiwan • This Communist revolution gave the Soviets a strong ally in Asia

11. Korea • After driving the Japanese from Korea during the war, the US and Soviet occupied the peninsula • In 1948, two separate Korean nations, a Communist North, and a free South, were created • Both the US and USSR withdrew troops, but had built up strong armies that were dangerously close to war in 1949 along the division line of the 38th parallel • War broke out in June 1950 • North Korean troops invaded South Korea • The UN demanded a cease fire or UN action would be taken • With the Soviets boycotting the Security Council, a US led coalition of UN troops agreed to go to Korea to end the hostilities • Five short years after WWII ended, the US is involved in another brutal war across the world

12. The Korean War • General Douglas MacArthur was placed in command of UN troops, mostly American and South Korean • Fighting was fierce and by September, the North had nearly overrun all of the peninsula • Troops were pushed to the southern port city of Pusan • However, MacArthur was able to organize a counterattack • Troops in Pusan were resupplied and began pushing north • An amphibious landing at Inchon, near the S. Korean capital of Seoul, chased thousands of N. Koreans back across the 38th parallel • Rather than stopping there, the UN forces drove the Communists to the Chinese border in the North, which prompted the Chinese to enter the war on the side of the Communists • With bitter fighting and a cold winter, UN forces fell back to the 38th parallel by winter 1950-51

14. The Korean War • Gen. MacArthur wanted to expand the war and invade China • Supporters claimed it would free Korea and China • Opposition claimed it would allow the Soviets to enter the war • President Truman was strongly against MacArthur • MacArthur publically criticized Truman • Truman fired MacArthur in April 1951 • The war reached a stalemate by summer 1951 • Little land was won by either side • American death tolls began to pile up • Major issue for the presidential election of 1952

15. Ending of the Korean War • Truman decided not to run again, giving way for a showdown between Adlai Stevenson (D) and Dwight D. Eisenhower (R) • As the former commander of WWII, Eisenhower, vowing to fight communism and end the Korean War, won the election easily • Once elected, he made true to his promise of ending the war • Stepped up bombing against the North • Threatened use of nuclear weapons • A truce was reached on July 27, 1953 • Set border near the 38th parallel • Made many question whether 54,000 American dead and 103,000 wounded were worth the fight

16. Eisenhower’s Cold War Policy • Believed that the way to end communism was through nuclear weapons and technology • Brinkmanship: threat of war, even nuclear, if necessary • Very secretive, using the Central Intelligence Agency to gather info on enemies • Used the CIA to aid pro-American gov’ts around the world • Iran: organized a coup to oust anti-American leader • Guatemala: used CIA to overthrow “pro-Communist leader” • Egypt: conflict between Israel and Egypt over Suez Canal; used the UN alleviate crisis • Led to anti-American sentiment around the world • Soviets crushed uprisings in Hungary in 1956 • Fearing all out war, Eisenhower did not aid rebels, just condemned Soviet actions

17. Soviet Russia and the Cold War Thaw • In the late 1950s, the US and USSR looked to improve relations • Vice President Nixon visited the Soviet Union and Premier Nikika Khrushchev visited the US in 1959 • Both sides agreed to meet in 1960 at a summit to reduce nuclear weapons • However, the friendliness ended when the Soviets announced that they had shot down an American spy plane over the Soviet Union • An American U-2 spy plane was spying on Soviet military installations when it was shot down • Eisenhower promised to stop spy missions, but did not apologize • Khrushchev refused to meet, ending any hope of easing tensions between the two superpowers

18. The Cold War at Home • Congress created the National Security Council to advise the president • Another Red Scare ensued amongst Americans • House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC): Congressional group that accused many of being Communists • Hollywood Ten: group of actors and directors accused of being Communists • Spent time in jail for refusing to talk to HUAC • Blacklisted and careers were destroyed • HUAC also investigated ordinary Americans • Alger Hiss: former gov’t agent found guilty of lying to Congress about his ties to the Communist Party • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg: executed for allegedly selling nuclear secrets to the Soviets • Internal Security Act: required Communists to register with the gov’t and restricted immigration on suspect immigrants

19. The Rosenbergs

20. McCarthyism • Joseph McCarthy, a senator from Wisconsin, fueled the Red Scare even more • Claimed that the gov’t was infiltrated by Communists • Never produced a list of people, but dozens were fired for being suspect Communists • Many Americans supported McCarthy in fear of Communism • Televised hearings of McCarthy began to show the American public of his bully tactics and lack of evidence • Finally, after producing no evidence, he was condemned by the Senate • Faded away nearly as quickly as he came to light

21. Nuclear Race • The US and Soviets raced to develop bigger and more powerful bombs • US successfully tested first hydrogen bomb in 1950 • 9 months later, so did the Soviets • Many looked for comfort, especially in religion • Gov’t began to educate the public on what to do in case of an attack • Duck and cover • Pamphlets, television shows, radio programs, etc educated people on what to do • Fallout shelters were built everywhere • Homes, businesses, gov’t buildings, etc • Made of steel and concrete underground • Held basics like a toilet, food, water, flashlights, first aid kits, etc.

22. Sputnik • US fears of Soviet technology advancement were realize in October 1957 • Soviets launched Sputnik, the first satellite to orbit the Earth • About 200 lbs • Launched Sputnik II with a dog onboard a month later • US launched Explorer I in January 1958 • The thought was that whomever ruled space could launch nuclear attacks from anywhere • Led Eisenhower and Congress to create a space program and fund more education • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) • National Defense Education Act • Gave money to schools for science, math and foreign language education