Post WWII and The Cold War Era

1. Post WWII and The Cold War Era • USII.8abc

2. The United States & Soviet Union • Emerged as SUPERPOWERS after WWII

3. The United Nations • An international organization that debates world issues and tries to keep peace • Formed near the end of WWII to prevent future wars

4. After WWII Japan: • Adopted a democratic form of government • Resumed self-government • Became a strong ally of the United States

5. After WWII • The U.S. felt it was in its best interest to rebuild Europe to prevent political and economic instablililty

6. Containment • The policy or process of preventing the expansion of a hostile powers; a policy of blocking communist expansion.

7. Marshall Plan • U.S. plan to provide massive economic aid to Western Europe after WWII and to stop the spread of communism Named after George C. Marshall who made the announcement

8. Germany was partitioned into: West Germany- Became democratic Resumed self-government (after a few years of American, French, and British occupation) East Germany- Remained under domination of Soviet Union & did not adopt democratic institutions

9. Capitalism • An economic system based on private property and free enterprise • U.S.A. has this type of system

10. Converting from: Wartime to peacetime • Following WWII, Americans prospered due to an expanding economy stimulated by America’s involvement in the war

11. Reasons for rapid growth of American economy following WWII • With rationing over, business converted from production of war materials to consumer goods • Americans purchased goods on credit

12. Combat boots to tennis shoes Fighter jets to passenger airplanes Parachutes to nylon stockings Production of war vehicles to family automobiles automobiles Examples of businesses converting from the production of war materials to consumer goods:

13. More reasons for rapid growth of American economy following WWII: • Workforce went back to men • Women returned to family duties • Labor unions merged & became more powerful • Workers gained new benefits and higher salaries

14. A “Booming” economy: • As economic prosperity continued and technology boomed, the next generation of women re-entered the labor force in large numbers

15. The Cold War • Tension between the USA and the Soviet Union without actual fighting

16. Origins of Cold War • Differences in goals and ideologies between the U.S. and the Soviet Union • The U.S. : Capitalist and Democratic • The Soviet Union: Dictatorial and Communist

17. During the Cold War the Soviet Union controlled: • Eastern European countries

18. NATO • North Atlantic Treaty Organization • Stated that “an armed attack against one or more of (the member nation) shall be considered an attack against all” • Military allianceof Democratic nations formed to guard against Soviet/Communist attack

19. Warsaw Pact • Counterpart of NATO • Had military force that the Soviet Union controlled to guard against a NATO/Democratic attack

20. The Korean War • ended in a STALEMATE

21. China • Aided North Korea during the Korean War

22. Domino Theory • If one country is taken over by communism then all surrounding countries fall to communism • Coined by President Eisenhower referring to the spread of communism into SouthVietnam

23. The Vietnam War • Americans were divided over whether the U.S. should be involved in Vietnam. • The conflict ended in a cease-fire agreement in which U.S. troops withdrew

24. The Cuban Missile Crisis • An event during the Cold War that brought the USA and the Soviet Union close to a nuclear war • The Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba • The USA responded by a naval blockade & the Soviet Union turned back

25. The collapse of the Soviet Union and Communism in Europe • The destruction of the Berlin Wall • The break up of the Soviet Union into independent countries

26. America’s New Challenges AFTERthe Cold War • Role of U.S. military involvement • Environmental problems • Global trade and jobs • Diseases • Energy

27. FINALLY!!! You’re finished! • Go home and STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!