The Cold War developed between the United States and Soviet Union after WWII over differences in their political and economic ideologies of democracy and communism. It lasted from 1945-1991 and involved conflicts between communist and anti-communist states supported by the USSR and US, respectively. Both sides felt their national survival was at stake. Several key events in the early Cold War period that contributed to tensions included the alliance between the US and USSR in WWII, their differing goals for postwar Europe, economic and military alliances that divided Europe, communist rebellions in Greece and Turkey prompting US intervention, the nuclear arms race, the Berlin Crisis, the Korean War showing communism as a threat, and the Soviet invasion of Hungary increasing US fears of communism.
The Cold War developed between the United States and Soviet Union after WWII over differences in their political and economic ideologies of democracy and communism. It lasted from 1945-1991 and involved conflicts between communist and anti-communist states supported by the USSR and US, respectively. Both sides felt their national survival was at stake. Several key events in the early Cold War period that contributed to tensions included the alliance between the US and USSR in WWII, their differing goals for postwar Europe, economic and military alliances that divided Europe, communist rebellions in Greece and Turkey prompting US intervention, the nuclear arms race, the Berlin Crisis, the Korean War showing communism as a threat, and the Soviet invasion of Hungary increasing US fears of communism.
The Cold War developed between the United States and Soviet Union after WWII over differences in their political and economic ideologies of democracy and communism. It lasted from 1945-1991 and involved conflicts between communist and anti-communist states supported by the USSR and US, respectively. Both sides felt their national survival was at stake. Several key events in the early Cold War period that contributed to tensions included the alliance between the US and USSR in WWII, their differing goals for postwar Europe, economic and military alliances that divided Europe, communist rebellions in Greece and Turkey prompting US intervention, the nuclear arms race, the Berlin Crisis, the Korean War showing communism as a threat, and the Soviet invasion of Hungary increasing US fears of communism.
The Cold War developed between the United States and Soviet Union after WWII over differences in their political and economic ideologies of democracy and communism. It lasted from 1945-1991 and involved conflicts between communist and anti-communist states supported by the USSR and US, respectively. Both sides felt their national survival was at stake. Several key events in the early Cold War period that contributed to tensions included the alliance between the US and USSR in WWII, their differing goals for postwar Europe, economic and military alliances that divided Europe, communist rebellions in Greece and Turkey prompting US intervention, the nuclear arms race, the Berlin Crisis, the Korean War showing communism as a threat, and the Soviet invasion of Hungary increasing US fears of communism.
• Not a direct battle but a conflict that developed between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II. • This was a battle of democracy and communism. It lasted from 1945-1991. If the US & USSR never fought directly, why do we call it a war? • Many wars WERE fought between the Communists (supported by the USSR) and the anti-Communists (supported by the US) • Both will compete for power using their political, economic, and military clout in the war. • Both sides felt their national survival was at stake. How did the Cold War begin? • Today you will be reading about several events which contributed to the development of the Cold War. • In groups and in breakout rooms, you will be assigned one of the major events in the early Cold War period. With your group: – Read the description.
– Answer the following question:
• How did this event contribute to the
development of the Cold War? • Use details and examples from the reading to
support your response.
How did this event contribute to the development of the Cold War? Event A: The WWII Alliance Between the Soviet Union and the United States Event A: The WWII Alliance Between The Soviet Union and The United States • After WWII, conflict returned with these nations because of differences in beliefs. • Their ideologies are different and this made each nation suspicious of the other. • Each nation had different goals postwar for Eastern Europe. – The US wanted nations to be free. – The Soviet Union wanted to control them as a “buffer,” or protection. How did this event contribute to the development of the Cold War?
Event B: Economic and
Military Alliances After World War II Event B: Economic & Military Alliances After WWII Economic Alliances: Marshall vs Molotov Plans • The US believed financial aid was necessary to help Western Europe recover after the war It would also stop communism from spreading beyond the USSR’s border. • The Soviet Union believed that the plan only served US’ economic interests (capitalism) and it undermined their power in Europe. Military Alliances: NATO and Warsaw Pact introduce the establishment of defensive armies throughout Europe. How did this event contribute to the development of the Cold War? Event C: Communist Rebellions in Greece and Turkey Event C: Communist Rebellions in Greece and Turkey • The rebellion inspired the Truman Doctrine. • This justified the US intervening in regional conflicts in the name of stopping the spread of communism. • The rebellion of Greece and Turkey were one of the first indirect confrontations between the US and the Soviet Union. How did this event contribute to the development of the Cold War? Event D: The Development of Nuclear Weapons Event D: The Development of Nuclear Weapons • Both countries had nuclear weapons and this positioned them as “super powers” • Each country kept adding more and more weapons to keep the other “in check,” and this was known as an arms race. How did this event contribute to the development of the Cold War? Event E: The Berlin Crisis Event E: The Berlin Crisis • The Soviets set up a blockade of Berlin cutting off residents to all supplies including fuel, power, and food (June 1948). • By August, the US began flying supplies to Berlin in an attempt to aid West Berlin without starting an armed conflict with USSR. • Stalin reopened the city on May 12, 1949 to supplies but the city remained divided. The USSR built a wall by 1961 separating the city. How did this event contribute to the development of the Cold War? Event F: The Korean War Event F: The Korean War
• War confirmed American belief that the spread
of communism in Asia was a serious threat. • China was a communist country. • Korea was divided: North--Communist & South was democratic. • North Korea invaded South Korea. • United Nations troops intervened and the war ends in a stalemate. • The Cold War was now a global conflict. How did this event contribute to the development of the Cold War? Event G: The Soviet Invasion of Hungary Event G: The Soviet Invasion of Hungary • By ruling Eastern Europe through force and repression, the Soviet Union increased American belief that communism had to be stopped at all costs. • The Soviet Union’s brutal suppression of Hungarian uprisings confirmed Americans’ worst feats and increased the already substantial hostilities between the US and USSR. What was the United States Response to the Soviet Union during the Cold War? The Response of the United States • Containment: (Cornerstone of foreign policy) • American policy that sought to check the expansion of the USSR through diplomatic, economic, and military means.