The Cold War

1. The Cold War American History (B) C. Simmons

2. Clash of Interest • After WWII, the U.S. and Soviet Union became increasingly hostile, era lasted from 1946-1990, known as the Cold War • Communism over Capitalism • Fear of future attacks • FDR concerned with economic concerns, world would stay peaceful if economies were prosperious

3. The Yalta Conference • FDR, Churchill, and Stalin met in Yalta • Agreements would later lead to what is called the Cold War • Declaration of Liberated Europe – people have the right to choose their own governments • Division of Germany – four sections b/t Soviets, British, French, Americans • Soviets did not follow agreements

4. Truman Takes control • Tensions at Postdam, threat from Truman about atomic-bomb test • Spread of Communism – satellite nations • Communists took over Eastern Europe, Churchill coined the term iron curtain, that separated east and west Europe

5. Discussion • Why was the Cold War named that? • What was the main goal for the Soviet Union after WWII?

6. Containing Communism • George Kennan and the Long Telegram, proposed containment policy – keeping Communism within its present borders • 1947 Truman Doctrine – asked for money to defend against Communism, U.S. pledge to stop spread of Communism • Marshall plan – economic recovery in Western Europe, lessened appeal of Communism

7. Cold War Spreads • Berlin Crisis – split Germany into two separate nations (W & E Germany) • Berlin airlift – Truman ordered aid to Berlin and West Germany • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created in 1949 – allowed Western Germany to rearm, East Germany countered with Warsaw Pact • 1950, Rise of Red China – People’s Republic of China

8. The Korean War • Division of Korea after war (38th Parallel) • Soviet aid to the north, building of massive military • June 1950 North Korea invaded the South • Chinese threat – and “limited war” • MacArthur v. Truman • Armistice signed on July 1953 • Korean War was turning point – first time US used military to “contain” communism

9. Discussion • What type of place is North Korea today? • What was the point of the idea of containment?

10. A New Red Scare • Fear of Communism at home led to Communist subversion – secretly weaken society and overthrow government • J. Edgar Hoover - FBI • Loyalty tests, HUAC – House Un-American Activities Committee • The Alger Hiss Case • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg case • Fear of Espionage

11. “A Conspiracy so Immense” • Continuous fear that Communist have infiltrated the government • McCarthyism – Senator Joseph McCarthy, claimed he had list of known communist • McCarren Act (1950) – illegal to be linked in any way to totalitarian gov • McCarthy’s investigations (witch hunt) • 1954 McCarthy and his tactics fell out of favor with most Americans

12. Life During the Early Cold War • Communism and the fear/threat of atomic bomb dominated American Life in the 1950’s • Building of fallout shelters, fear of radiation fallout • Contrast – Fear of Communism, Prosperity and optimism

13. Discussion • Why was McCarthyism so successful? • Was there a good reason for people to be scared?

14. Eisenhower’s New Look • (R) Won by landslide in 1952, Why? • Pushed massive retaliation – threat of use of nuclear weapons • New B-52 Bombers, submarines • 1957 Sputnik was launched into space, America was falling behind in technology • 1958 (NASA) was created

15. Brinksmanship • Some Americans feared Eisenhower’s use of brinksmanship – willingness to go to war to get other side to back down • 1953 armistice in Korea stopped communism from spreading • Threat toward China • Battle at Suez Canal

16. Fighting Communism Covertly • Covert (secret) operations carried out by CIA • Usually took place in developing nations who blamed imperialism for their despair • Some covert operations worked and others did not • Nikita Khrushchev took power after Stalin's death • Peace Summit stopped b/c of U.S. spy plan being shot down

17. Discussion • What was brinksmanship? • What was America's goal during the Cold War?