COLD WAR 1945 - 1989
Jan 02, 2016
Term:
Cold War - refers to a state of political hostility between 2 nations (threats, propaganda, spying…) short of armed conflict
Contributing Events
Tensions between Russia/USSR and Britain and the US go back to the mid 1800’s. However…
1917 (Russian Revolution) USSR becomes the 1st communist nation. Its challenge to capitalism antagonized the West. US supported the White Army (Czar) in the Russian Civil War Russia's withdrew from World War I after Revolution. US didn’t recognize the USSR as a legit. Nation until The British appeasement of Germany German-Soviet Non-aggression Pact
Contributing Events Cont’d
WWII - USSR believes the
Western Allies are letting the Russians take the brunt of the Nazi offensive
Disagreements about the post war plans US/UK want open
markets, interdependence and international peace agreements (UN)
USSR wants peace through space = territory
Yalta Conference ~ Feb. 1945
US, UK, USSR (Big Three) meet at Yalta, USSRto create post war plans
Agreed: to basic tenants of the future UN That the USSR would enter the Pacific war
at the end of the European war
Yalta Cont’d Didn’t agree:
Post war PolandUS wanted democratic gov’t in powerUSSR wanted pro communist gov’t in power
- Reparations from Germany- US didn’t want them. - Stalin did - and to dismantle the nation
~ Did agree to divide Germany into 4 zones (US, UK, France, USSR) inc. Berlin. ~
Yalta agreement was so vague, both sides thought they’d won.
Potsdam Conference ~ July - August 1945
US, UK, USSRAgree:
To redraw the Polish border (USSR gets more territory
Agree that Western spheres of Germany will not pay reparations to USSR
No one really gets what they want…
The China IssueChiang Kai-shek (leader of China)
Generally on good terms with WestLed corrupt gov’t, little control
Since 1927 - Communist/Nationalist conflict Paused for WWIIBack on… 1945 - Mao takes advantage of weak
national gov’t
US pumps $ to Nationalists Doesn’t work - Mao takes China (10-1-49) US restoring Japan as a means of gaining a western
ally
Truman Doctrine Post WWII
economic/political unity was lost
New policy of “containment” est. Contain “Russian
expansive tendencies” (US diplomat, G. Keenan).
Known as the Truman Doctrine - policy to aide all nations/factions who were anti-communist.
Marshall PlanIntegral part of containment = rebuild Europe
Needed economic ties to EuropeAccess to marketsFear it would be a $ drain if not restored Weak economies would lead to stronger communist ties
Marshall Plan (George C. Marshall - Sec. of State) Announced plan to rebuild16 Western European nations took partOver 3 years - US sent $12 billion in aide
Industrial production rose 64%Membership in communist parties dropped Ties with US trade established
US Mobilizes for the new war…
With a new enemy… passed the National Security Act Renewed the draft and
Selective Service Redesigned military to
create a Dept. of Defense
Created CIA and NSC Invested heavily in
atomic research/weapons
Dividing Berlin June, 1948 - US, UK, France
agreed to merge three zones of German territory (including their sections of Berlin even though it is in USSR territory)
Stalin responds by creating a blockade around western Berlin10 months the US airlifts
food, fuel etc… to prove it would fight communism
1949 - Stalin lifts blockadeGermany (and Berlin)
officially divided - Oct. ‘49
NATO and Warsaw PactNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Division of Berlin alarmed West12 nations signed NATO agreement (April
‘49) If you attack one, you attack all NATO nations would maintain a standing force in
Europe
Prompted USSR to create a similar alliance with communist gov’ts in Eastern Europe = Warsaw Pact, 1955