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The Cold War. Confrontation of the Superpowers. J. J. Ebley 2005. Background. Mistrust from World War II experiences: Allied view of Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact Russian view of Allied delays in Second Front Allied view of Russian domination of Eastern Europe
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The Cold War Confrontation of the Superpowers J. J. Ebley 2005
Background • Mistrust from World War II experiences: • Allied view of Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact • Russian view of Allied delays in Second Front • Allied view of Russian domination of Eastern Europe • Russian search for security from invasion
Yalta ConferenceFebruary 1945 • Decides shape of post-war Europe • Draws borders of restored countries • What to do with war criminals? • When will USSR join in Pacific war?
The United Nations • Founded 24 October 1945 • 51 charter nations • Security Council • China • France • United Kingdom • United States • USSR
Outbreak of Cold War
Iron Curtain speech Fulton, Missouri 1946 Churchill on a speaking tour since he is out of power in Britain.
Policy of Containment • “X telegram” • George F. Kennan • Stop the spread of communism by containing it. • Leave it alone where it already exists
The Marshall Plan • Immense U.S. economic aid plan • Rebuild the economies of Europe and Asia after WWII. • Who can we trade with if they don’t have $$$$?
The Truman Doctrine • Aid to any country opposing Communists • Immediate support for Greeks and Turks in civil war • Leads to support of fascist-style Latin American dictators to prevent communist take-over of their countries
Stalin’s Gamble • Cut off land routes to Berlin • An attempt to starve out the W. Germans • How far will the Western Allies go? • Will they risk war to feed the Berliners?
Allied Response Choices: • open land route by force • abandon Berlin • Supply by air
“The Candy Bomber” Stalin backs down after 320 days
North Atlantic Treaty Organization An alliance to prevent Soviet military action in western Europe
Russia counters NATO • Warsaw Pact • 1955 • Military alliance to oppose NATO
Revolts in E. Germany and Hungary Students revolt against oppression Revolts crushed by Soviets U.S. stands by
Chinese Civil War • Begins in 1926; ends 1950 • Mao’s “Little Red Book”
Between: • Kuomintang (KMT) or Chinese Nationalist Party led by Jiang (Chiang) Kai-Shek) and • Chinese Communist Party (CCP) led by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-Tung)
The Long March • CCP defeated by KMT forces • Mao leads a retreat into the north • Thousands perish – but CCP is successful in escaping and goes on to fight another day!
Allies of convenience • Mao and Jiang come to terms to oppose the Japanese • Once WWII ends, the alliance dissolves
The war ends • Mao and the CCP win and control mainland China • Jiang and the KMT flee to Taiwan • Both still claim to be legitimate gov’t of China!
Post Civil War Minor military incidents continue during 1950’s Quemoy and Matsu How far will the U.S. go to protect Taiwan?
Korean Conflict • Korea divided by US-USSR at 38th parallel after WWII • USSR backs Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) • US backs Republic of Korea (ROK) • June 25, 1950- PRK invades ROK
Limited War How much force to use? Spread the war to China? Test of UN military command How does it fit containment?
Vietnam Part I • French attempted to reassert colonial control • Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnamese independence using Jefferson’s words • French lose key battle at Dien Bien Phu • US refuses to act to rescue French • Vietnam divides into communist North and “democratic” South
Competing for hearts and minds • European nations giving up colonies • Who will these new countries be allied with – U.S. or USSR? • Which system – democracy or socialism - is better?
Space Race Sputnik to Tranquility Base
Cuba Fidel Castro and Che Guevara lead a Communist insurgency against Cuban dictator Juan Batista Overthrow the U.S. backed dictator Establish Communist foothold in Western Hemisphere
The Berlin Wall E. Germany losing population to the West April 1961: Build a Wall & test the new U.S. President
Kennedy goes to Berlin “Ich bin ein Berliner!” “I am a Berliner!”
Cuban Missile Crisis What will the U.S. response be? October 1962 - Soviets install MRBM in Cuba
Cuban Missile Crisis What are U.S. options? Attack Cuban bases Ignore the threat Block missile importation (quarantine)
Settled without WarQuarantine "We've been eyeball to eyeball and the other fellow just blinked." Dean Rusk, Oct 62
How close to war?Film commentary • Fail Safe Dr. Strangelove
Nuclear Weapons • Atmospheric Testing • Strontium 90 in milk • Duck and cover • Treaty controls testing
Atomic Testing Leads to Atmospheric Test Ban Treaty
Spies • Both sides recruit spies to get secrets • Some are caught and arrested, then executed
Vietnam Part II U. S. involvement increases between 1965 and 1968
War ends- April 1975 Communist North occupies the South; remaining U.S. troops and allies flee
Détente An agreement to disagree
Reducing Tension SALT I ABM SALT II Afghanistan Olympics
Glasnost • Mikhail Gorbachev declares “openness” Perestroika- economic restructuring