The Cold War

The Cold WarThe Cold War

-WWII?-WWII?

KABOOM!KABOOM!

-Arms Race-Arms Race

Soviet Influence:Soviet Influence:

USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) took control of many Eastern European took control of many Eastern European countries…behind the “Iron Curtain.”countries…behind the “Iron Curtain.”

Truman Doctrine (1947)—U.S. supported Truman Doctrine (1947)—U.S. supported free peoples from Soviet takeoverfree peoples from Soviet takeover

Marshall Plan (1947)Marshall Plan (1947) U.S. gave $12 billion to rebuild EuropeU.S. gave $12 billion to rebuild Europe

COMECON =COMECON = Council for Mutual Economic AssistanceCouncil for Mutual Economic Assistance

U.S.’ containment policy: to prevent communism U.S.’ containment policy: to prevent communism from spreading any further!from spreading any further!

COLD WAR: COLD WAR:

a struggle between two political systems a struggle between two political systems (democracy vs. totalitarianism), & between two (democracy vs. totalitarianism), & between two economic systems (capitalist system of free economic systems (capitalist system of free enterprise vs. communist system of govt.-owned enterprise vs. communist system of govt.-owned & directed means of production)& directed means of production)

Berlin AirliftBerlin Airlift Soviets tried to force W. Allies out of BerlinSoviets tried to force W. Allies out of Berlin Allies airlifted/dropped food/supplies into Allies airlifted/dropped food/supplies into

Berlin Berlin Allies determined to oppose Soviet’s Allies determined to oppose Soviet’s

extension of control extension of control

NATO (1949): NATO (1949):

North Atlantic Treaty Organization: mutual North Atlantic Treaty Organization: mutual defense pact between Western allies.defense pact between Western allies.

Warsaw Pact: Warsaw Pact:

mutual defense pact between USSR & mutual defense pact between USSR & nations of Eastern Europe.nations of Eastern Europe.

Indirect Conflicts (“proxy wars”):Indirect Conflicts (“proxy wars”):

1) Korean War (1950 – 1953)1) Korean War (1950 – 1953)

2) Vietnam War (1965 – 1973)2) Vietnam War (1965 – 1973)

3) Afghanistan (1979 – 1989)3) Afghanistan (1979 – 1989)

1960—Soviets shot down U2 spy plane1960—Soviets shot down U2 spy plane 1961—Berlin Wall 1961—Berlin Wall 1962—Cuban Missile Crisis1962—Cuban Missile Crisis

The Nuclear Arms & Space RaceThe Nuclear Arms & Space Race

1952- U.S. detonated H-bomb1952- U.S. detonated H-bomb

1953- Russians produce H-bomb1953- Russians produce H-bomb

1957- Soviets launched Sputnik1957- Soviets launched Sputnik

*ICBMs: Inter-Continental Balistic *ICBMs: Inter-Continental Balistic MissileMissile

1960s: 1960s:

*Atlas missile: travel 5,000 miles @ *Atlas missile: travel 5,000 miles @

16,000 mph. 16,000 mph.

*Polaris submarine carrying nucs.*Polaris submarine carrying nucs.

*China exploded the H-bomb.*China exploded the H-bomb.

*MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)*MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

Just some stats…Just some stats…

1981: US had 8,000 ICBMs & USSR had 1981: US had 8,000 ICBMs & USSR had 7,0007,000

*US defense spending (1981) = $178 *US defense spending (1981) = $178 billionbillion

*(1986) = $367 billion*(1986) = $367 billion

Fall of the USSRFall of the USSR

1960s: USSR economy was struggling1960s: USSR economy was struggling Conflict in Middle East caused oil prices to soarConflict in Middle East caused oil prices to soar

1973-’74 Oil Embargo: oil prices rose1973-’74 Oil Embargo: oil prices rose 1979 Oil Crisis 1979 Oil Crisis

USSR imported more food, consumer goods, & USSR imported more food, consumer goods, & developed oil/natural gasdeveloped oil/natural gas

DID NOT DEVELOP REAL INDUSTRY!DID NOT DEVELOP REAL INDUSTRY!

1986: global oil prices fell 46%1986: global oil prices fell 46%

The “Iron Curtain” falls!The “Iron Curtain” falls!

*Development of military technology & *Development of military technology & space exploration left little $ consumer space exploration left little $ consumer goods & human services for the USSR. goods & human services for the USSR.

--could not give aid to poorer satellite --could not give aid to poorer satellite nations of E. Europenations of E. Europe

Mikhail Gorbechev: Pres. of Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbechev: Pres. of Soviet Union

*took NO action to oppose Communist *took NO action to oppose Communist collapse in E. Europecollapse in E. Europe

**perestroikaperestroika: “restructuring” the economy : “restructuring” the economy & govt. & govt.

*glasnost*glasnost: “openness” discussion of : “openness” discussion of political & social issues—move towards political & social issues—move towards democracy democracy

1991: Gorbechev was imprisoned1991: Gorbechev was imprisoned

*Communist party lost control of govt.*Communist party lost control of govt.

*15 republics of the Soviet Union declared *15 republics of the Soviet Union declared their independencetheir independence

*USSR was no more*USSR was no more

*Ronald Reagan’s Speech at Brandenburg *Ronald Reagan’s Speech at Brandenburg Gate, West Germany—June 12, 1987 Gate, West Germany—June 12, 1987