Death of Stalin 1953

1. Death of Stalin 1953 Lesson starter: Why might Stalin’s death be a turning point in the cold war? Write down your ideas.

2. Today we will… • Understand the events which led to continued tension between the USA and USSR in the early 60s

3. Stalin dies 1953 • Nikita Khrushchev is new Soviet leader • After talks, the USA and USSR decided Austria should be independent again • Khrushchev also called for ‘peaceful coexistence’ (living peacefully) • Both wanted to avoid WWIII

4. 1 Arms Race • Arms Race continues into 1960s • Nuclear weapons cheaper than conventional weapons • USSR & USA – A Bombs, H Bombs, ICBM • Meant there was no need for big army

5. The Cold War Arms Race

6. U2 Incident • 1 May 1960 – USSR shoots down an American U2 Spy plane flying over USSR • Spy plane taking photographs • America deny it at first • New president Eisenhower refuses to apologise • This broke down relations between the two powers

8. Space Race • 1957 USSR launch 1st space satellite, Sputnik 1 • USA create NASA • USSR put first man in space- Yuri Gagarin - 1961 • USA have first man on the moon – Armstrong/ Aldrin 1969 • Source of competitiveness and annoyance between two countries

9. Today we will… • Understand the events which led to continued tension between the USA and USSR in the early 60s

10. Reasons for further breakdown in relations – 1960s • Nuclear Arms Race between USA and USSR • U2 Spy Plane incident (1960) • Space Race