NOTES:
Definition of the Cold War:
A political strategic and ideological struggle between the US and the Soviet Union. Spread throughout the world: Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin-America.
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 promis to allow free elections at the Yalta Conference
-American fear of a communist attack (Red Scare)
-USSR's fear of the atomic bomb, their actions in their German Zone, and their goal to spread communism around the world
-This feeling of suspicion lead to a mutual distrust and this did a great deal to deepen the Cold War
Yalta Conference (February 1945):
-The big three agreed to: the establishment of the United Nations, Germany to be divided into four zones, free elections in the states of Eastern Europe, and Russia promised to join the war against Japan.
POST WWII / COLD WAR GOALS FOR THE 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. Lost tens of millions of people in WWII and Stalin's purges. They feared a strong Germany.
-Establish defensible borders
-Encourage friendly governments on its borders
-Spread communism around the world
The Berlin Crisis:
-the three western controlled zones of Germany's (US, France, UK) were united and grew in prosperity due to Marshal Aid
-The west wanted the east to rejoin, but Stalin feared it would hurt Soviet security
-In June 1948, Stalin decided to try to gain control of West Berlin which was deep inside the eastern sector. He cut road, rail and canal links with West Berlin, hoping to starve them into submission.
-The west responded by airlifting the necessary supplies to help west Berlin to survive
-In May 1949, the Soviet Union admitted defeat and lifted the blockade.
Hydrogen Bomb:
1000 more powerful than the atomic bomb (just a fun fact)
Stalin dies
-in 1953
Nikita Khrushchev Takes Over
-Talks of peaceful co-existence and de-stalinization
USSR launches Sputnik
Space Race:
-USSR was the first to put a satellite/ space ship into space
-US was first to land on the moon on 1969
-USSR would also put animals into space
-Conspiracies?
Fidel Castro Overthrows Batistea
Berlin Wall built in 1961
-put up to divide Berlin, Germany
-East side was communistic
-West side was non-communistic (free)
Bay of Pigs Invasion:
-It was the US secret attempt to overthrow Castro
-JFK was the President at the time
-Failed miserably
-Arguably lead to Cuban Missle Crisis
Cuban Missle Crisis:
-USSR put missiles into Cuba
-They said it was for defensive purposes so that the US wouldn't invade communistic Cuba
-Most intense time of the Cold War
-The United States wanted the missles out of Cuba
-The resolution: take US's secret missile out of Turkey secretly in exchange for the missile in Cuba
Berlin Wall comes down in November 9, 1989
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