Post WWII and The Cold War Era

Post WWII and The Cold War Era • USII.8abc

The United States & Soviet Union • Emerged as SUPERPOWERS after WWII

The United Nations • An international organization that debates world issues and tries to keep peace • Formed near the end of WWII to prevent future wars

After WWII Japan: • Adopted a democratic form of government • Resumed self-government • Became a strong ally of the United States

After WWII • The U.S. felt it was in its best interest to rebuild Europe to prevent political and economic instablililty

Containment • The policy or process of preventing the expansion of a hostile powers; a policy of blocking communist expansion.

Marshall Plan • U.S. plan to provide massive economic aid to Western Europe after WWII and to stop the spread of communism Named after George C. Marshall who made the announcement

Germany was partitioned into: West Germany- Became democratic Resumed self-government (after a few years of American, French, and British occupation) East Germany- Remained under domination of Soviet Union & did not adopt democratic institutions

Capitalism • An economic system based on private property and free enterprise • U.S.A. has this type of system

Converting from: Wartime to peacetime • Following WWII, Americans prospered due to an expanding economy stimulated by America’s involvement in the war

Reasons for rapid growth of American economy following WWII • With rationing over, business converted from production of war materials to consumer goods • Americans purchased goods on credit

Combat boots to tennis shoes Fighter jets to passenger airplanes Parachutes to nylon stockings Production of war vehicles to family automobiles automobiles Examples of businesses converting from the production of war materials to consumer goods:

More reasons for rapid growth of American economy following WWII: • Workforce went back to men • Women returned to family duties • Labor unions merged & became more powerful • Workers gained new benefits and higher salaries

A “Booming” economy: • As economic prosperity continued and technology boomed, the next generation of women re-entered the labor force in large numbers

The Cold War • Tension between the USA and the Soviet Union without actual fighting

Origins of Cold War • Differences in goals and ideologies between the U.S. and the Soviet Union • The U.S. : Capitalist and Democratic • The Soviet Union: Dictatorial and Communist

During the Cold War the Soviet Union controlled: • Eastern European countries

NATO • North Atlantic Treaty Organization • Stated that “an armed attack against one or more of (the member nation) shall be considered an attack against all” • Military allianceof Democratic nations formed to guard against Soviet/Communist attack

Warsaw Pact • Counterpart of NATO • Had military force that the Soviet Union controlled to guard against a NATO/Democratic attack

The Korean War • ended in a STALEMATE

China • Aided North Korea during the Korean War

Domino Theory • If one country is taken over by communism then all surrounding countries fall to communism • Coined by President Eisenhower referring to the spread of communism into SouthVietnam

The Vietnam War • Americans were divided over whether the U.S. should be involved in Vietnam. • The conflict ended in a cease-fire agreement in which U.S. troops withdrew

The Cuban Missile Crisis • An event during the Cold War that brought the USA and the Soviet Union close to a nuclear war • The Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba • The USA responded by a naval blockade & the Soviet Union turned back

The collapse of the Soviet Union and Communism in Europe • The destruction of the Berlin Wall • The break up of the Soviet Union into independent countries

America’s New Challenges AFTERthe Cold War • Role of U.S. military involvement • Environmental problems • Global trade and jobs • Diseases • Energy

FINALLY!!! You’re finished! • Go home and STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!

Post WWII and The Cold War Era