THE COLD WAR
Communism v. Democracy
“The Fight for the World”
SOCIETY AND CLASS SYSTEM
Soviet Communism v. American Democracy
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All people equal social and economic
status
One class society
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People can move
betw. social and
economic classes
Lower, middle and
upper classes, are, in
theory, available to
all
PROPERTY AND ECONOMICS
Soviet Communism v. American Democracy
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Socialism: in theory,
property and business are
owned by the community
as a whole
But in reality, the gov’t
controls the economy,
including all business
and trade
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
Capitalism: economy
based on private
ownership, of property
and business
Economy is controlled
mainly by free market
trade
(supply and demand)
FREEDOM AND RIGHTS
Soviet Communism v. American Democracy
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Supposedly, all laws are
for the good of society
Gov’t demands loyalty
to what the communist
party dictates
No freedom of
expression, travel or
elections

People have right and
liberties protected by
Constitution from gov’t
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of assembly
• Freedom of press
• Freedom of movement
• Vote for leaders in
free elections
GOALS IN THE COLD WAR
Soviet Communism v. American Democracy

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Spread communism all
over the world
Destroy enemies of
communism
Cause capitalism to
collapse and make
everyone “equal”


Contain and stop the
spread of communism
Assist all other “enemies
of communism” militarily
or financially
COLD WAR ALLIANCES
Soviet Communism v. American Democracy


Eastern Bloc countries
forced to sign a military
alliance: the “Warsaw
Pact”
Cuba, North Korea,
China and other
communist countries in
Asia and Latin America


Great western
democracies joined
NATO (North Atlantic
Treaty Organization)
Britain, France, West
Germany and other anticommunist countries
Both sides feared attack from the other, so
they created military alliance systems
World Alliances

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How could there be
a “Cold” War with
military alliances?
Why were both
NATO and the
Warsaw Pact
created?
How did the Soviet
Union respond to
attempts by
Eastern European
countries to leave
the Warsaw Pact or
establish
democracy?
NATO v. Warsaw Pact
WWI & the Cold War

In what ways were the conditions at
the beginning of the Cold War similar to
the conditions before WWI? (Think back
to those long-term MAIN factors.)
• Competition for land and control of other countries
(Sphere of influence – imperialism)
• Military alliances and wartime armies ready to fight
• Strong feelings of nationalism
What “spark”
triggered WWI?
If the world conditions during
the Cold War were similar to
those MAIN factors before
WWI, what might happen?
AMERICA FIGHTS
COMMUNISM
Truman Doctrine

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Harry Truman – US Pres. (1946-1952)
Doctrine: America’s foreign policy to
stop the spread of communism
(containment) and fight communism
where it existed (roll it back)
Led the United States
to become involved in
many world conflicts
(ex: Korean and Vietnam
Wars, Cuban Revolution)
Marshall Plan
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George Marshall – US Sec. of State
under Truman (deals w/ foreign policy)
Plan: give $ assistance to struggling
countries in Europe after WWII..
• So weakened nations would not turn to
communism for answers or help

1948-1951: US gave $13 billion in
economic, agricultural and technical aid
to help “free” Europe recover
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
“Red Scare”
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Communists/Soviets called Reds
During the 1950’s, many American
feared a communist takeover in US
People believed that there were
communist spies secretly working in
American government positions