The Cold War Begins
Allies Become Enemies
1. Post-war Problems
– During WWII the Soviet
Union and the US worked
together
– When the war ends old
hostilities come back
– Both countries had
different political view
points that did not go
together
Communism v. Capitalism
1. Communism (USSR- Soviet Union)
– Equal distribution of wealth
– No private property
– Government or workers control the businesses
and the means of production
– Soviets wanted to spread communism around
the globe
2. Capitalism/Democracy – United States
– Most businesses and industries are privately
controlled by individuals
– Competition determines the cost of goods and
worker pay
– US saw itself as the beacon of freedom in the
world
Fate of Europe
1. Yalta Conference
– Feb 4, 1945
– Conference to decide
the postwar fate of
Europe
– Called for free elections
and democracy in the
nations liberated from
the Nazis
– Stalin (leader of Soviet
Union) did not agree
with this
2. Germany
– Western Allies want a united
demilitarized and independent
Germany
– Soviets feared a united
Germany would invade their
country
– Split into 4 parts but later
becomes 2 countries
– Eastern Germany (Soviet
controlled) and Western
Germany (democratic and free)
3. Eastern Europe
– Free elections
agreed on at
Yalta did not
happen
– Soviets establish
“satellite states”
or governments
under the Soviet
Unions control
Berlin Airlift
• Berlin was also divided and in the Soviet
section of Germany.
• The Soviets decided to cut Berlin off
from all western influence and supplies.
• Berlin Blockade began in June 1948.
• The answer was the Berlin Airlift. From
6/48 until 5/49 the allies flew in all the
supplies needed.
• The Soviets finally ended the blockade.
Co-Super powers U.S. & U.S.S.R.
1. 1st move Soviets – The occupied countries in
Eastern Europe are annexed by the S.U. All
of these countries make up the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics.
2. Churchill gives a speech in Missouri. In the
speech he says “an iron curtain has
descended across the continent”.
3. Communist countries
are called Iron
Curtain countries.
4. Iron Curtain
– Winston Churchill uses this phrase to describe
what happened in Europe
– This imaginary line marked the democratic west
on one side and the Soviet controlled east on the
other
The Marshall Plan
• The Marshall Plan was suggested by Sec. of
State George Marshall.
• It was put into effect to aid Europe in
rebuilding from the war.
• It was also in place to keep countries from
becoming communist.
• Millions of dollars were spent on Europe.
• Britain, France and Italy got most of the
money.
• Marshall receives the Nobel Peace prize.
A Cold War
1. When
– Lasted from 1945-1991
2. What
– Cold War = struggle/tensions between the US and
Soviet Union over global power
– No real face to face war between the two countries
3. Why
– US worried the Soviets would try to extend their
control
– Soviets worried the US would try to take away their
power
New Organizations
• NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 11
free nations agreed to help each other in case
they were attacked. Today there are 26 nations
in NATO.
• Warsaw Pact – Formed in 1955. It’s a military
alliance for Eastern Europe. If any communist
country was attacked, the others would help.