Definition of the Cold War:
A political, strategic and ideological struggle between the US and the Soviet Union.
Spread throughout the world- Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Communism vs. Democracy
Communism- can not make fun of the president, very strict.
Democracy- you can make fun of the President.
Socialism vs. Capitalism
Capitalism- the people own the businesses
Socialism- people can't own the businesses
Causes of the Cold War
Different political systems
-US is based on democracy, capitalism and freedom
-USSR is based on dictatorship, communism and control
Both thought their system was better and distrusted the others intentions
Stalin despised capitalism
Stalin breaking his promise to allow free elections at the Yalta Conference
American fear of a communist attack (Red Scare) and the USSR's fear of a US attack
USSR's fear of the atomic bomb
USSR's actions in their German zone
USSR's goal to spread communism around the world
This 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
Promote democracy throughout the world, especially in Asia and Africa
Stop the spread of communism
Wanted to create greater security for itself
-lost tens of millions of people in WWII and Stalin's purges
-feared a strong Germany
Establish defensible borders
Encourage friendly governments on its borders
Spread communism around the world
Yalta Conference Feb 1945
Before the end of the World War II, Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt met at Yalta to plan what should happen when teh war ended. They agreed on many points:
1. The establishment of the United Nations.
2. Germany to be divided into four zones.
3. Free elections allowed in the states of eastern Europe.
4. Russia promised to join the war against Japan.
Key Terms:
Iron Curtain Speech- Winston Churchill
Domino Theory (Effect)- If one country becomes comunist then another country is going to become communist.
Policy of Containment- 1946, George Canon, it was the US policy to prevent the spread of communism. It was the goal of the united states.
Truman Doctrine- Was Truman's doctrine, 1947, president truman gave a speech provided money and military supplies.
Marshal Plan- Mainly to stop the domino effect. George C. Marshal
Brinkmanship- talking tough, acting tough, and going to the brink of war, but not actually going into war.
Massive retaliation/Mutual Deterrence/ Mutual Assured Destruction- Military doctrine or strategy, they wont fire any weapons toward another side because then they would strike back.
NATO- 1949, basically protects the North Atlantic, US, Canada. vs. Warsaw Pact- A military alliance of communist nations in eastern Europe. 1955 in answer to NATO, the Warsaw Pact included Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union (leader)
CIA- Central Intelligent Agency, gathered information on Russia(1947) vs. KGB- Main Russian agency 1954 no longer here today.
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