Test #8
VUS 13
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Two superpowers emerged after World War II
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The United States—believers in Democracy
The Soviet Union—believers in Communism
The leaders of the United States wanted to
spread Democracy in the World
The Soviet leaders wanted to take over all of
Eastern Europe and spread Communism
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Yalta Conference:
At the Yalta Conference, many of the tensions
for the Cold War were set
The “Big Three” met at Yalta and were trying
to establish an agenda for governing post-war
Germany
Big Three
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Churchill—wanted to save the British Empire
FDR—wanted to spread democracy
Stalin—wanted Eastern Europe
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The “Big Three” decided to partition (divide
up) Germany after the war
Germany will be split into a Western and an
Eastern Part
Western Germany—democratic
Eastern Germany—communist and controlled
by the Soviets
The “Big Three” at Yalta
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The Soviets will be given most of Eastern Europe
They wanted Eastern Europe as a buffer against Western
Europe
 These Eastern European nations became “satellite”
nations that would provide security against attacks from
Western Democracies
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The Soviets were afraid of the United States
because the US had the atomic bomb
The Soviets were hard at work on trying to create
their own bomb
The Soviets did not emerge from WWII as well off
as the US
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The US was afraid of communism
Americans were afraid of the Soviets’ large
military
Many Americans distrusted Stalin because of
his Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler before
WWII
The US adopted a policy of Containment
toward communism
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Trying to keep communisms from spreading—
especially from spreading close to the United States
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Because of the differing policies on government
and politics, the US and Soviet Union entered
into a secret war known as the Cold War
Both nations would avoid direct fighting
against each other
They would try to block each other’s goals
around the world
Churchill said an “Iron Curtain” had fallen
across Europe when Stalin took control of
Eastern Europe
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Many in the US were uneasy about
communism abroad
They were even more uneasy about
communism at home
Many in the US will attempt to squash any
communist feelings at home before they turned
into full blown revolutions
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1.) HUAC (House Un-American Activities
Committee)
Created during FDR’s New Deal Years
Created to explore the issue of communist
influence in the New Deal
Nothing really came about from the hearings
because of WWII
After WWII, the HUAC hearings resumed
HUAC failed to find any existence of
communism in the presidency
A HUAC Hearing
Video
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2.) Alger Hiss
Traveled with FDR to Yalta
Accused by Whittaker Chambers (a former communist)
and Richard Nixon as being a communist
Nixon and Chambers believed that Hiss may have
influence FDR to give up Eastern Europe to Stalin and
the Soviets
Hiss was placed on trial by HUAC
Hiss denied knowing Chambers
Not enough evidence to accuse Hiss
However, later evidence was found in a hollowed out
pumpkin
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Microfilm proving Hiss was a communist
Hiss could not be retried for his communist activiteis
but was tried for perjury
Hiss was found guilty and served 5 years in jail
Alger Hiss
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3.) The Rosenbergs
Ethel Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg were
American communists who were convicted and
executed in 1953 for conspiracy to commit
espionage during a time of war
The charges related to their passing information
about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union
This was the first execution of civilians for
espionage in United States history
Ethel’s brother accused the couple of the act
He was a worker on the Manhattan Project
 Said the couple recruited him to collect atomic secrets for
them
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Ethel Rosenberg
Julius Rosenberg
Hiss and Rosenberg Video
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4.) McCarthyism
An anticommunist cause to wipe communism in the
US
Led by Senator Joseph McCarthy
McCarthy recklessly accused many government
officials and American citizens of being communist
McCarthy rarely had any evidence for his accusations
McCarthy accumulated a lot of power, but grew more
reckless with is actions
1954, he accused the United States Army as being
communist
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The Army met his attack
Army quickly and easily defended itself against McCarthy’s
charges’
1954: the Senate voted to condemn McCarthy
Senator Joseph McCarthy
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5.) Presidential Elections
The Cold War made foreign policy a major
issue in every presidential election during the
period
Voters were concerned about how candidates
would deal with the Soviet Union and other
problems associated with communism and the
Cold War
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6.) Space Race/Arms Race
1950s saw the US and Soviet Union locked into
an arms race to produce more nuclear weapons
than each other
1957: Arms race intensified
Soviets launched the 1st intercontinental ballistic
missile carrying a nuclear warhead
 Would allow the Soviets to strike targets far away
with a missile
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Oct. 4, 1957: The Soviets launched Sputnik (a
satellite) into orbit
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Caused fear in many Americans
The Soviets had beaten the Americans into Space
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The US responded to Sputnik by increasing its
spending on missile development
1959: The US created NASA (National
Aeronautics and Space Administration)
The US enlarged its B-52 bomber fleet
The government put lots of money into
education
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Trying to get more trained scientists to ensure the US
would not fall behind the Soviets again
The US also adopted a policy of “massive
retaliation” since the Soviets had matched the
US in nuclear weaponry
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If nuclear war did break out, both the US and Soviet
Union would be destroyed
Sputnik
Sputnik Video
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7.) Fallout Shelters
Because the Soviets had the ability to strike the
US with missiles—and possible satellites—
many in the US began building fallout shelters
During the 1950s and 1960s, American schools
regularly held drills to train children what to
do in case of a nuclear attack
American citizens were urged by the
government to build bomb shelters in their
own basements
Randolph-Henry, at one time, housed a fallout
shelter
Do-it Yourself Fallout Shelter
Video
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8.) Effect of Cold War on Virginia
The heavy military expenditures throughout
the Cold War benefited Virginia’s economy
more than any other state
Hampton Roads—home to several large naval
and air bases
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Lots of $ poured into Hampton Roads for defense
Northern Virginia—home to the Pentagon and
numerous private companies that made
contracts with the military
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The US adopted a policy of containment
toward communism
The American government did not want
communism to spread
The US will take many steps—from legislative
to actual war—to stop the spread of
communism
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1.) United Nations
Formed near the end of WWII
Designed to create a body for the nations of the
world to try to prevent future global wars
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2.) Truman Doctrine
Great Britain was nearly bankrupt after WWII
GB had been supporting the Greek and Turkish
governments
GB asked the US to take over the support for
the Greek and Turkish governments
The Soviets were trying to force the Turks to
share a shipping channel between the Black
and Mediterranean Seas
Communist rebels were fighting against the
government in Greece
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Pres. Truman and his advisors believed the US
should act
Without American help, Truman believed that
the communists might succeed in taking over
many nations
Truman believed that America must help all
free people who were resisting communist rule
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This ideas is known as the Truman Doctrine
The US would resist communist aggression
from spreading into other nations
The Truman Doctrine dictated American
foreign policy for the next 20 years
Truman Doctrine Video
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3.) Marshall Plan
June, 1947: Secretary of State George C. Marshall
created the Marshall Plan as a way to contain
communism
Europeans were still struggling to survive 2 years after
the end of WWII
This struggle and suffering left many European nations
in a situation that could allow for communism to
spread into Western Europe
Marshall’s plan: use American money to help Europe
regain its economic strength
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American aid would help rebuild Europe
European nations would have a favorable view of the US
because of America’s help
American $ was even offered to the Soviets, but they
refused to accept the offer
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Soviets believed the US was trying to take over Europe
Marshall Plan Video
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4.) Berlin Crisis
After WWII, the Americans and Soviets had
adopted different plans for Germany
US wanted a strong Germany to promote
European economic growth and recovery
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Also wanted a strong Germany to help contain
communism
Soviets wanted a powerless Germany that
would never be a threat to the Soviet Union
again
Each side will be given control of different
zones of Germany and Germany’s capital of
Berlin
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Germany will be split into a Western Part and an
Eastern Part
West Germany—France, GB, and the US turned West
Germany into a powerful state with an economy closely
tied to Western Europe
 East Germany—dominated by the Soviets and
communist
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The capital of Berlin—located in East Germany–
will also be split into a Western Part and an
Eastern Part
West Berlin—democratic
 East Berlin--communist
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Soviets were upset at the Western Democracies
(FR, GB, US) for turning West Germany into a
powerful state
Map of West and East
Germany
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June 1948: the 3 Western Democracies announced
a new currency for West Germany
Soviets=upset, believed Germany should be
treated as one nation
Soviets responded by giving the democracies an
ultimatum—either drop the new currency for West
Germany or the Soviets would create a new
currency for East Germany and ALL of Berlin
(West and East)
Western leaders told the Soviets that the Soviets
had no say in West Germany
Soviets then demanded that ALL of Berlin
(Germany’s capital) become part of their territory
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June 22: Meetings were held, but a compromise
between the Soviets and Western Democracies
could not be reached
Soviets then announced their new currency would
start for ALL of Germany (West and East) the next
day—June 23
Soviet troops then blockaded railways and
highways that crossed from East Germany into
West Berlin (democratic section of the capital)
The Soviets were holding 2 million West Berliners
hostage
 The people of West Berlin could not get needed supplies
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Stalin and the Soviets were hoping to force
Western Leaders into giving up Berlin to the
Soviets and giving up on their plans for a new
currency in West Germany
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Pres. Truman of the US faced a major dilemma
He could send troops to East Germany and
start a war with the Soviets
Truman then realized he could get supplies to
West Berlin through the air
Truman authorized 130 American planes to fly
in needed goods to the people of West Berlin—
Berlin Airlift
Every 3 minutes, planes landed in West Berlin
with needed supplies
The Berlin Airlift was a success for the US and
a failure for the Soviets
Berlin Airlift Video
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5.) NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
The Berlin Airlift showed the people of Western
Europe that they needed more than economic hope
They also needed military support to stay free
from communism
April 1949: The US, Canada, and 10 European
nations formed NATO
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A military alliance with Europe
If the Soviets tried to invade Western Europe,
NATO and the US would take action
NATO was able to keep many nations from joining
with the Soviets
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6.) Warsaw Pact
Soviets responded to NATO by forming their
own alliance with Eastern European nations—
the Warsaw Pact
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7.) Berlin Wall
Wall built barrier constructed by the Soviets
starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut
off West Berlin from surrounding East
Germany and from East Berlin
The Soviets were trying to keep Eastern
Germans and East Berliners from escaping into
democratic West Berlin
The wall was 28 miles long
The Berlin Wall was a symbol for communism
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US had been involved in Latin America for
many years
1950s: many Latin American nations were
experience lots of nationalism—pride in their
nation
Very little wealth in Latin America stayed with
the Latin American people
Many Latin American leaders wanted to loosen
the grip that US businesses had over the Latin
American people
Many nations in Latin America were on the
verge of revolution
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1.) Fidel Castro and Cuba
Cuba will be one of these Latin American nations
on the verge of revolution
1950s: Cuba was totally controlled by US
businesses
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Nearly 90% of Cuba’s resources belonged to the US
Most people in Cuba were living in poverty
1952: Fulgencio Batista overthrew the Cuban
government
Batista made himself dictator
Batista’s dictatorship was friendly to the US
Batista did little to help his own people
1958: Fidel Castro led a successful revolt against
Batista
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Castro had support from the Cuban middle class and
peasants
Fulgencio Batista
Fidel Castro
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Castro moved to solve all of Cuba’s problems
Castro wanted to have control over American
properties in Cuba
The American businesses REFUSED to turn over
their properties in Cuba
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US businessmen did not want to lose the $ they were
getting from Cuba
Castro then turned to the Soviet Union for
Economic help
The Soviets now had influence in a nation that was
only 90 miles from the US
Cuba became communist
By 1961, Castro had taken over all American
businesses in Cuba
The US and Cuba broke off all diplomatic relations
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2.) Bay of Pigs Invasion
President John Kennedy will attempt to send
the La Brigada (a secret society of Cuban exiles)
to get Castro out of power
April 17, 1961: 1500 commandos attempted to
land in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba
The commandos were quickly defeated in 2
days by the Soviet trained Cuban forces
America’s failure at the Bay of Pigs made the
US and Kennedy look weak
Bay of Pigs Video
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3.) Cuban Missile Crisis
Kennedy still wanted Castro out of Cuba
Castro and the Soviet Premier—Kruschev—began
taking attempts to ensure the US would have no
influence over Cuba
The Soviets wanted to keep their holding in the
Western Hemisphere
Castro and Kruschev wanted to place nuclear
missiles in Cuba to serve as a warning to the
United States to leave Cuba alone
Oct 14, 1962: an American spy plane flew over
Cuba and took photographs of the missile silo
construction
Kennedy attempted to block Cuban shipping lanes
to keep Soviet missiles from reaching Cuba
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Kennedy was trying to quietly push Kruschev into
removing the remaining missiles from Cuba
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Oct. 22, 1962: Pres. Kennedy addressed the
American people on TV (Kennedy addressing
the American people video)
Oct. 24, 1962: 180 American naval ships set sail
for Cuba
American bombers carrying nuclear weapons
were in the air and ready to attack the Soviet
Union
Soviet ships loaded with nuclear missiles were
still headed for Cuba
The US and Soviet Union were on the brink of
nuclear war
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Oct. 26, 1962: Kruschev agreed to remove the
missiles from Cuba
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Kruschev also demanded that the US remove
their nuclear missiles from Turkey
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Nuclear war had been avoided
Kennedy refused
Oct. 28, 1962: Kruschev finally agreed to the
US demands and removed Soviet missiles in
Cuba
Spy plane photo of Soviet missile sites in Cuba
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Many formerly held European colonies in Asia
began demanding their freedom in the late
1940s (after WWII)
Revolutions will occur in China, and other
European nations
Communism will find its way into Asia
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1.) Red China (Mao v. Chiang)
China had been a major ally of the US
At the end of WWII, a revolution was occurring in
China
The revolution had powerful leaders on both sides
Chiang Kai-shek—leader of the Nationalism government
 Mao Zedong—leader of the Communist forces in China
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Most in America supported (wanted) Chiang Kaishek to be successful
If he won the Civil War, China could block the expansion
of communist Soviet Union
 China was also a major trading partner to the US—
keeping China away from communism would keep trade
with China
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Chiang Kai-shek
Mao Zedong
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1945: Pres. Truman sent a negotiator to China
to help ease tensions between the warring sides
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Negotiations failed
Mao Zedong eventually won the civil war
China will become a communist nation
Many Americans saw China’s falling to
communism as a failure in America’s policy of
containment
The US broke off nearly all relations with
China for the next few decades
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2.) Pres. Nixon visits China
1971: relations between China and the US
began to improve
Mainland China was allowed into the United
Nations
1972: Pres. Richard Nixon visited China
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An attempt to make relations better with communist
China (Détente)
Nixon was also trying to scare the Soviets into
thinking the US was making an alliance with their
neighbor, China
1979: formal diplomatic relations were reestablished with China
Nixon and Mao
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3.) Korean War
After WWII, Korea was divided into North and South
at the 38th parallel
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North Korea—communist
South Korea--democratic
June 1950: North Korean troops (communists) with
Soviet made tanks stormed over the 38th parallel into
South Korea (democratic)
Pres. Truman was Korea as a true test of America’s
policy of containment
June 27, 1950: Truman ordered air and naval forces to
Korea without consulting Congress
Truman also tried to get the United Nations involved
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The United Nations voted to give money to help South Korea
The UN also voted to send UN forces to help the US defend
South Korea
North and South
Korea
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The combined US and UN troops were led by
General Douglas MacArthur
The combined US and UN forces were
successful in driving the North Koreans out of
South Korea and back across the 38th Parallel
General MacArthur believed he could also free
North Korea from communism
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He demanded to push on into North Korea
MacArthur WAS able to push the communist North
Koreans all the way to the Chinese border
General Douglas
MacArthur
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MacArthur ordered American planes to start
bombing the North Koreans who were on
Chinese soil
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Although the US was after the North Koreans, the
bombs were exploding on Chinese soil
Mao (the leader of communist China) told the
Americans to stop coming into Chinese
territory
MacArthur refused to listen to Mao
Chinese troops began to give aid to the
communist North Koreans
With Chinese help, the communist North
Koreans were able to reclaim North Korea
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Truman gave up on trying to free ALL of Korea
after China joined in to help North Korea
MacArthur was outraged and wanted to attack
China—with nuclear weapons
Truman would have no part of using nuclear
weapons on China
Truman will FIRE General MacArthur
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1953: the Korean War ended
Korea still remained divided (still is today)
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North Korea—communist
South Korea--democratic
The Korean War convinced many in America
that a large military buildup was necessary to
contain communism
American defense spending was greatly
increased after the Korean War
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4.) Vietnam
America’s involvement in Vietnam is another
example of America’s policy of containment
Vietnam had been a possession of France
1945: Vietnam claimed its independence from
France
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France did not want to give up Vietnam
Vietnam started a revolution against France
The leader of the Vietnamese revolutionary
forces was Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh formed the Vietminh to resist
French rule
Ho Chi Minh
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The Vietminh and Ho Chi Minh were
communist
A full scale war broke out between the
Vietminh and France
The Vietminh began to gather support from
Vietnamese peasants
France was unable to defeat the Vietminh
France will ask the US for help
Pres. Truman was not eager to get involved,
but did send $20 million to help France
France was still losing
France surrendered and a temporary peace was
drawn—Geneva Accords
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The Geneva Accords created a split Vietnam
North Vietnam—led by Ho Chi Minh and
communist
 South Vietnam—democratic
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1950s: communist North Vietnam attempted to
install through force a communist government
in South Vietnam
Pres. Eisenhower did not want South Vietnam
to fall to communism
Eisenhower proposed the “Domino Theory”
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If South Vietnam fell to communism, then other
nations in Southeast Asia would fall in turn, just like
dominoes
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1954-1961: The US sent over $1 billion to South
Vietnam to help them resist communist rule
The leader of South Vietnam—Ngo Dinh
Diem—was corrupt and did not use the money
wisely
Many South Vietnamese people began to turn
against Diem and join with the communist
North
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These were called the NLF (National Liberation
Front)
Also called the Vietcong
Vietcong had very close ties to Ho Chi Minh
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The American military buildup in Vietnam
started under Pres. Kennedy
Kennedy sent more $ and military advisors
into South Vietnam
1963: Kennedy was assassinated
Pres. Lyndon Johnson will intensify American
military buildup in Vietnam
Johnson did not want to lose Vietnam, but he
did not want to plunge the US into a war
without Congress’ consent
President Kennedy
President Johnson
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August 1964: Johnson announced that 2
American destroyers were attacked by the
North Vietnamese in the Gulf of Tonkin
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Congress will pass the Gulf of Tonkin
Resolution
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Johnson claimed the US was the victim of an
unprovoked attack
Gave Pres. Johnson the authority to get more
involved in Vietnam
Under Johnson, the scale of combat grew larger
in Vietnam
By the end of 1965: 180,000 American troops
were in Vietnam
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American soldiers found it difficult to fight in
Vietnam
The Vietcong and Vietminh used guerilla
warfare and were hard to find in the jungles
American soldiers started using a search and
destroy strategy
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Raid villages
Force the people into refugee camps
Villages would be burned
Search and destroy failed to stop the Vietcong
Search and destroy did create new enemies
against the US soldiers
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To help clear the jungle vegetation, the US
began using Agent Orange
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Like Round-up on steroids
Agent orange would kill the jungle, hopefully
allowing the US soldiers to see the enemy
Unfortunately, the chemical caused cancer and
other medical problems to people
Planes spreading Agent Orange
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1968: the war took a turn for the worse
Jan. 30, 1968: the Vietnamese New Year (Tet)
started
The communists launched a massive attack
without any warning—Tet Offensive
Nearly every military installation in South
Vietnam was attacked
Showed that no place in South Vietnam was
free from attack
American confidence in the war was shattered
Many Americans began to question why the
US was even in the war
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The war was also being televised for all of
America to see
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Many Americans became divided over the war
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American citizens watched flag draped coffins being
loaded on plans
Hawks—in favor of the war
Doves—against the war
Some Americans were supporting the war,
while others were highly opposed
Many protests were staged around the US
against the Vietnam war
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1969: Richard Nixon became President of the US
Nixon had pledged to bring the Vietnam war to an
honorable end
He instituted a policy of “Vietnamization”
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The withdrawing of American troops
Turn the war over to the South Vietnamese while still
sending military aid to South Vietnam
1973: American troops will be pulled out of
Vietnam
South Vietnam was unable to resist the invasions
of North Vietnam
1975: North and South Vietnam were merged
under communist control
Vietnam was a failure in the fight to contain
communism
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1.) President John Kennedy
Kennedy was a WWII veteran
President Kennedy pledged in his inaugural
address that the United States would “pay any
price, bear any burden, meet any hardship,
support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to
assure the survival and the success of liberty”
He also said, “Ask not what your country can do
for you; ask what you can do for your country”
Kennedy’s speech will encourage many Americans
to join in the fight against communism
Kennedy's Inaugural Speech Video
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2.) Kennedy’s Assassination
1963: Pres. Kennedy was assassinated in
Dallas, TX
Kennedy’s assassination shook the nation’s
confidence
The assassination began a period of internal
strife and divisiveness spurred on by the
divisions in the US over the Vietnam War
Kennedy Assassination Video
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3.) American Soldiers during the Cold War
Millions of Americans served in the military
America’s military force grew huge in size
during the cold war
Defense spending increased greatly
Defending freedom in wars and conflicts that
were not always popular
Many were killed or wounded
As a result of their service, the United States
and American ideals of democracy and
freedom ultimately prevailed in the Cold War
struggle with Soviet communism
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4.) Vietnam Veterans
Unlike veterans of World War II, who returned
to a grateful and supportive nation, Vietnam
veterans returned often to face indifference or
outright hostility from some who opposed the
war
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Many Americans called Vietnam Vets “baby killers”
and other derogatory names
It was not until several years after the end of
the Vietnam war that the wounds of the war
began to heal in America, and Vietnam
veterans were recognized and honored for their
service and sacrifices
Statue at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in Washington D.C.
Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D. C.
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1.) Internal Problems in the Soviet Union
The real root to the Soviet Union’s collapse was their
overspending on the arms race with the US
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The Soviets were struggling to keep pace with the Americans
with nuclear weapons
When the US under Pres. Reagan began developing SDI
(Strategic Defense Initiative), the Soviets felt they were
outmatched by the US
 SDI was to be a system of satellites that would shoot down
Soviet missiles before they could hit the US
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The Soviets were also fighting a very costly and
expensive war in Afghanistan
Many of the Soviet republics began experiencing rising
nationalism
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With American support, many formerly Soviet held Eastern
European nations began to gain their independence
These nations began joining NATO
The Soviet’s economic system was inefficient
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Many in the Soviet Union began to demand a market economy-capitalism
SDI
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2.) Pres. Reagan and Gorbachev
The leaders truly responsible for the end of
communism in the Soviet union—
Pres. Ronald Reagan—US president
 Mikhail Gorbachev—Soviet Premier
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Pres. Reagan challenged the moral legitimacy of
the Soviet Union
Reagan challenged Gorbachev and the Soviets in a speech
at the Berlin wall, calling for the Soviets to tear down the
Berlin Wall
 “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
 Tear Down This Wall Video
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Reagan also increased US military and economic
pressure on the Soviet Union
Pres. Ronald Reagan
Mikhail Gorbachev
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Gorbachev and Reagan will develop a friendly
relationship
Gorbachev will institute two new policies that
will help the Soviets move away from
communism
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Glasnost—openness
 Allowed the Soviets more freedom of expression,
dissidents were released from jail, etc.
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Perestroika—economic restructuring
 Private enterprises were allowed
 An elected assembly was also created
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The Berlin Wall will also be torn down by
Gorbachev
The fall of the Berlin Wall is a symbol for the fall
of communism
Fall of the Berlin Wall Video
East and West Germany will be joined back
together to create the modern nation of Germany
The communist party in the Soviet Union
collapsed in the 1990s
Soviet leaders in the 1990s began shifting Russia
(no longer the Soviet Union) to a market economy
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After the Cold War was over, the US began to
focus its attention on helping to fix some of the
world’s problems
The US began to offer aid to many foreign
nations
Monetary aid
 Humanitarian aid—food, supplies, etc.
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The US also began to push for human rights
around the world
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Advocating freedom and liberty for all people
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1.) President George H. W. Bush (1989–1993_
Pres. George Bush was a key player in helping the
world recover after the cold war
He was instrumental in helping communism fall in
Eastern Europe
He helped bring East and West Germany back together
to form a powerful, united German nation
Collapse of Yugoslavia
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When Yugoslavia began to break apart, the Bush
administration had hoped to persuade the various players to
avoid violence and bloodshed and proceed with the breakup
using a democratic process
Unfortunately, Bush’s advice was not headed, and Yugoslavia
fell into violence
Breakup of the Soviet state
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Bush became an ally to Gorbachev
Bush tried to keep relations friendly as the old Soviet Union
began to break apart
Bush’s relationship with Gorbachev helped to created a better
relationship between the US and former Soviet Union
Pres. George H. W. Bush
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Pres. Bush also faced a major foe in the Persian
Gulf War of 1990–1991
Iraq had taken over its neighbor Kuwait
The Bush administration went to work
immediately trying to assemble a coalition to
oppose Iraq
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Arab nations joined with the US coalition to help drive
Iraq out of Kuwait
Operation Desert Storm: January 17, 1991, when
US led coalition forces began massive air strikes
against Iraq
Feb 24, 1991: the US led coalition launched their
ground attack against Iraq
Largest US military action since the Vietnam War
First war in which American women served in a
combat role
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2.) President William J. Clinton (1993–2001)
Pres. Bill Clinton will also try to bring closure to
the world after the Cold War
Pres. Clinton finalized the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
an agreement signed by the governments of Canada,
Mexico, and the United States
 Designed to reduce or eliminate trade barriers between
the 3 nations
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Full diplomatic relations with Vietnam
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In July 1995, Pres. Clinton re-opened diplomatic relations
with Vietnam
Instrumental in lifting of economic sanctions
against South Africa when her government ended
the policy of apartheid
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Pres. Clinton pushed NATO to take action in
former Yugoslavia
The bombing of Yugoslavia was intended to
stop ethnic cleansing
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Many Muslims in Yugoslavia were being killed
The NATO bombings were also done to stop
the wars in Yugoslavia
Pres. Bill Clinton
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3.) President George W. Bush (2001–2009)
After the Cold War, the United States had to
deal with another deadly problem—terrorism
Terrorists attacks on United States soil on
9/11/2001 caused the US to dramatically
change
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Pres. G. W. Bush was faced with a task of protecting
the American people from future terrorist attacks
Brought the US into a war on Terror
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As a result of 9/11 the US went after terrorist
organizations around the world
War in Afghanistan
Trying to free Afghanistan from Taliban rule
 Taliban—Islamist militant group claiming to rule
Afghanistan, and forcing strict Muslim law on the people
 The War in Afghanistan is still being waged
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War in Iraq
Pres. Bush went after Saddam Hussein for his atrocities
toward the Iraqi people
 An attempt to bring democracy to Iraq
 Hussein was captured, tried, and hanged
 Iraq established a democratic government
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War in Afghanistan
Pres. George W. Bush