Cold War Notes Continued:Causes of Cold WarDifferent political systems = a. US is based on democracy, capitalism and freedomb. USSR is based on dictatorship, communism and controlBoth thought their system was better and distrusted the others intentions; Stalin despised captialism and believed that is was immoral because only approximately 1% of the population had all this money and others were scraping by.Stalin breaking his promise to allow free elections in Eastern Europe at the Yalta ConferenceAmerican fear of a communist attack (The Red Scare) and the USSR's fear of a US attack; this drove more distrust and dislike toward one anotherUSSR's fear of the atomic bombUSSR's actions in their German zone; this is called the first Berlin crisisUSSR's goal to spread communism around the world so, we (USA) had to stop that spreadThis feeling of souspicion leads to mutual distrust and this did a great deal to deepen the Cold War; this also involves lack of communication between the two countriesIt concerened us how the Soviets signed the non-aggression act with HitlerYalta Conference (Feb 1945)Before the end of WW2, Stalin, Churchill, and ROosevelt met at the Yalta to plan what should happen when the war ended. They agreed on many points like:1. The establishment of the United Nations2. Germany to be divided into four zones3. Free elections allowed in the states of eastern Europe4. Russia promised to join the war against JapanPost WW11/Cold War Goals for United StatesWanted to promote open markets for US goods to prevent another depressionPromote democracy throughout the world, especially in Asia and AfricaStope the spread of CommunismPost WW2/Cold War Goals for the USSRWanted to create greater security for itself (because they lost tens of millions of people in WW2 and Stalins purges and they feared a strong Germany)Establish defensible bordersEncourage friendly governements on its borders; having allies and communism governements surrounding themSpread communism around the world
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