origins of the cold war
TRANSCRIPT
Origins of the Cold War
Is it cold in here?
Let’s Remember: Yalta, 1945
• Who were the “Big Three”?Joseph Stalin- Communist Dictator of
RussiaWinston Churchill- Democratic Prime
Minister from EnglandFranklin Roosevelt- Democratic
President from America
Yalta, continued
• What was the purpose of Yalta?Divide Europe and Germany after WWII- Who was
going to control what• What did Stalin promise?Free Elections in Soviet controlled territories after
WWII, specifically in Poland• How did the Yalta conference contribute to the
growing tensions between the US and USSR?It was obvious Stalin was not going to keep his word,
(1947 the election in Poland was likely rigged to favor a socialist government),the big three had a great deal of mistrust between them,
Stalin’s Reason to take Poland
“For the Russian people, the question of Poland is not only a question of honor but also a question of security. Throughout history, Poland has been the corridor through which the enemy has passed into Russia. Twice in the last thirty years our enemies, the Germans, have passed through this corridor. It is in Russia’s interest that Poland should be strong and powerful, in a position to shut the door of this corridor by her own force. . It is necessary that Poland should be free, independent in power. Therefore, it is not only a question of honor but of life and death for the Soviet state.”
Communism vs. Democracy, (Capitalism)
• What are three major parts of Communist Russia?
1. People have no say in government,2. Equal division of labor, wealth, and land 3. One party dictatorship
• What are three major parts of Democratic US?
1. People vote/ select their government officials; 2.competition among businesses to support economy; 3.Unequal distribution of wealth and land
Communism vs. Democracy, (Capitalism)
• Why do the differences between Communism and Democracy lead to tensions between Russia and US?
Conflicting ideals; Each think their government is the best form; Stalin wants to spread communism and openly states that it is his goal, US wants to preserve Capitalism and Democracy for the world
Neither side can trust each other
Satellite Countries
• What is a satellite country?A country which is formally independent,
but under heavy influence or control by another country
• Where were some of Stalin’s major satellite countries?
Poland, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary,
Satellite Countries
• What are two reasons why Stalin developed satellite nations?
1. Spread communism throughout the world
2. Have protection from invasions; have a sphere of influence
US. vs. USSR
• What is a super power?• A country with a leading position in the
international system and the ability to influence events and project power on a worldwide scale.
• How did the US and USSR emerge from WWII as super powers?
Europe was destroyed after the war. US and USSR still had territory and were looked to for aid and support
NATO
• What is NATO• Why was it
created?• Who created it?
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• 1949, organization created to defend each other from outside enemies. Democratic/ Non-Communist countries working together to prevent the spread of Communism
• France, UK, US, Italy, Canada were some of the original members
Warsaw Pact
• What is Warsaw• Why was it
created?• Who created it?
• was an organization of communist states in Central and Eastern Europe
• 1955, This treaty was in response to the NATO treaty
• Bulgaria, Hungry, USSR, Czech, Poland
US vs. USSR continued
• What area’s of the world supported democracy and which supported communism?
NATO v.s Warsaw Pact• After 1945, who lead the US and
USSR?Truman and Stalin
Germany
• How was Germany divided after WWII?France, England, US control Western Germany, USSR
controls Eastern Germany
• Why was Germany not able to complete it’s reunification in 1946?
Stalin wanted Germany to be Communist and US wanted Democracy
• In his speech, Churchill mentions an “Iron Curtain.” What was this Iron Curtain he speaks of?
Division of Communist vs. anti-communist nations. Specifically division in Germany
Berlin Blockade
• Soviet block Western allies from aiding Germany
• Meant to prevent Unification of Germany, 1948
• In June 1948 Soviet forces began a blockade of all rail, road, and water traffic through East Germany to West Berlin
• The USA and UK responded, however, by sending food and other vital supplies into the city by air.
Truman Doctrine/Marshall Plan
• What was the Truman Doctrine?Aide countries trying to resist communism
• What two countries did it specifically send aid too?
Greece and Turkey
• What is the domino theory? If one country falls to communism, the rest of the world will continue
to fall
• What is the Marshall Plan?Send aide to ALL countries resisting communism
• Describe containmentConfront all attempts to spread communism and contain
communism within original countries
Iron CurtainWhat was the Iron Curtain speech? A speech given in warning of the plausibility of the communist expansion
What was the intention of this speech? To warn anti-communist and neutral countries to be prepared and take action, while allowing Communist countries to know that we are aware
When and by whom was it given?March 1946, Winston Churchill
What area of the globe is the speaker calling the Iron Curtain? The barrier dividing the European Continent, between Eastern and Western territories, (Specifically Germany)What became the actual symbol of the Iron Curtain and the Cold war in General?Berlin Wall 1961
Churchill's "Iron Curtain" SpeechMarch 5, 1946 - Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri
Berlin Wall• Built- 1961 ordered by Soviet Primier Nikita Khrushchev• Built to keep unhappy East Berliners from escaping to
democratic West, (Official figures show that at least 136 people died trying to cross the border. People attempting to get from East to West were regarded as traitors and guards were instructed to shoot at them if they attempted to cross, although not to kill them)
• Economy in East was deplorable• Economy in West, thanks to Marshall Plan, was booming• Wall became symbol of Cold War and the division
between democracy and Communism • In certain regions, the “Iron Curtain” was nothing more
than a plain chain link fence, when in other places it was a highly guarded area which only people carrying special government permissions could approach.
