Intro to The Cold War 1945-1990. US vs Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. A political, strategic and ideological struggle between the US and the soviet union. We had the best of both worlds.
Political: Communism vs. Democracy
Economical: Socialism vs. Capitalism
Causes: Different political systems. US based on democracy, capitalism and freedom. USSR based on dictatorship, communism and control. Both thought their system was better and distrusted the others intentions. Stalin breaking his promise to allow free elections at the Yalta Conference. American fear of a communist attack (Red Scare). USSR's fear of the atomic bomb, actions in their German zone, goal to spread communism around the world. The feeling of suspicion lead to mutual distrust and this did a great deal to deepen the Cold War.
Post WWII/Cold War Goals for US: Wanted to promote open markets for US goods to prevent another depression. Promote democracy throughout the world, especially in Asia and Africa. STOP THE SPREAD OF COMMUNISM.
Post WWII/Cold War Goals for the USSR: Wanted to create greater security for itself. Establish defensible borders. Encourage friendly governments on its borders. Spread communism around the world.
Notes courtesy of Megan!!!
Yalta Conference Feb. 1945: The establishment of the United States. German was split into four zones. Soviet Germany was East Germany. France, Britain and US Germany was West Germany. Free elections allowed in the states of eastern Europe Stalin thought he obeyed but there was only one party-communist
Key Terms:
Iron Curtain Speech- Churchill gave this speech. This speech talked about an iron curtain across Europe He meant that Europe was split into two sides 1946
Domino Theory (Effect)- Foreign policy 1950's-1980's if an area came under an influence of communism, the countries around it would also fall to communism
Policy of Containment- 1946 The US policy to prevent the spread of communism overall US goal
Truman Doctrine- United States would provide military (no troops), political and economic help to democratic countries under threat Britain refused to help Greece against Greek Communists Tried to keep Greece and Turkey out of the Soviet Sphere 1947
Marshall Plan- to aid Europe after WWII to prevent the spread of communism, we gave money and military supplies to countries late 40's George Marshall
Brinkmanship- pushing dangerous events to the brink of destruction to get the best outcome threatening nuclear weapons, hoping that they will back down
Massive retaliation/Mutual Deterrence/Mutual Assured Destruction- If someone attacked, you would attack back We have weapons so they will not fire back we are all going to die if we fire these weapons, so we make these weapons so we won't be stupid and fire them
NATO vs. Warsaw Pact- North Atlantic Treaty Organization 1949 organization where they (28 nations) discuss policies aimed at stopping Communism Alliance with Western Europe Warsaw- 1955 military all nations behind the iron curtain If there had been a war, it would have been NATO vs. Warsaw countries
CIA and KGB- Gather information on other countries aimed at Soviet Union 1947 Main Russian security agency spy organization
Peaceful Coexistence- 1954 After Stalin died Soviet Union could get along with Capital countries, not like but not go to war with each other
De-Stalinization- maybe Russia should stop killing people got rid of things that helped Stalin
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 1963- Assigned by US, Soviet Union for a ban on testing of nuclear weapons
Nuclear Non-Oroliferation treaty 1968- Prevent spread of nuclear weapons
Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty 1972- banned systems to detect missiles and destroy them
Strategic arms limitations talk- armament control. lead to anti ballistic missile treaty. amount of nuclear weapons each country can have.
Detente
Perestrokia- economical openness
Glasnost-Increasing openness in government institutions, political movement of reformation of communist party
United Nations- council to resolve issues between countries
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