The Beginning of the Cold
War
Agenda
1. Bell Ringer: How does World War II lead to tensions
between Capitalism and Communism? (5)
2. Notes: Beginning of the Cold War (20)
3. Compare and Contrast Truman Doctrine and the
Marshall Plan. (10)
4. Duck and Cover Analysis (15)
5. NATO vs. Warsaw Pact Map (10)
6. Review Guide for WWII Test. (10)
HW: Study Review Guide for Test on Tuesday/Wednesday
The Soviet Union vs. the United
States
• After the war, Germany is
annexed into territories
occupied by different
forces.
• Soviets take East
Germany, US and the
Allies occupy West
Germany.
• Berlin is divided in half.
• Churchill claims an “iron
curtain has divided East
and West.
Containment
• Communism was spreading
after World War II ended.
Truman wants to stop it.
• The Soviets wanted more
territory, and China became
communist under Mao Zedong.
• Greece and Turkey were
nearly taken by Communist
forces.
• Truman Doctrine added that it
“must be the policy of the
United States to support “free
people” that are resisting
Communism.
Marshall Plan
• Aid in the economic
reconstruction of Europe.
• Marshall’s idea was to
provide economic
assistance to ALL that
would join in drafting a
program for recovery.
• Of course the Soviets
refused, but it allowed
Western Europe to rebuild
major centers by 1950 and
increase trade.
Berlin Airlift
• Occupation forces left
West Germany by 1948,
but Stalin wanted to keep
Germany weak.
• Blocks off Western Berlin,
cuts off supply lines.
• American and British
forces launch the airlift,
sending supplies to West
Berlin for 11 months.
• Soviets lift blockade in
May 1949.
The Cold War Begins
• Diplomatic Hostility
between Soviet Union
and United States.
• The United States
wanted to stop the
spread of Communism
through containment.
• 1949, Soviets have an
atomic weapon, and
nuclear age begins.
NATO vs. Warsaw Pact
• North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
– Defensive military
alliance that promised
to attack anyone that
messes with a NATO
country.
• Soviets, feeling
threatened begin the
Warsaw Pact.
Nuclear Threats
• The Soviets get the Hbomb in 1953.
• Brinkmanship- the ability
to go to the edge of war.
• Mutually Assured
Destruction- If a nuclear
attack was launched, it
was guaranteed the world
would be destroyed.