The Cold War

1. The Cold War

2. The Bomb The Cold War dominated the world from 1947 until the 1990s. It was a struggle for world dominance between the Communist World -led by the USSR (Russia) and the free world,�led by the USA and Western Europe. The A(tom) bomb had been developed by the USA in World War II and used to destroy the cities of Horishima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. By 1953 the US had developed the H(ydrogen) bomb a weapon with enough potential to destroy the world

3. The Iron Curtain The USA and USA had been allies against Germany� in World War II - This friendship did not last. In 1947 the Russian Communists built a huge barrier across the whole of Europe to cut off Communist Countries from the West. This was quickly named the "Iron Curtain" by the British leader Winston Churchill. The Cold War was on. The Soviets built bombs from stolen information.

4. M.A.D. The destructive potential of Nuclear weapons prevented either side from using them. This MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) meant that all out war was too risky. The response- using Media, Movies, Rock and Roll , even Art to win the hearts and mind of the people , and Proxy wars in small countries where either side was involved�either supplying equipment or even sending troops. Proxy wars were fought in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, Angola, Afghanistan,�Latin America and elsewhere. � Australia was an active participant in these wars in South East Asia.

5. Communism Communism was developed by Karl Marx, a German writer in the 19th century. It pushed the idea that everyone should be equal and share equally in the wealth of society. It also demanded a violent revolution from the working classes to overthrow the rich, destroy the Banks and big Corporations. Many people in the west were attracted. However in the countries where Communist parties were successful , dictatorships developed ,removed freedoms and enslaved millions. The leaders of the USSR and China - the major Communist Powers supported the spread of Communism and the violent end of Western Capitalism.

6. The Domino Effect Countries seemed to be falling to Communism like Dominoes 1919 Russia 1945 Eastern Europe 1949 China 1950 Korea 1954 Vietnam 1959 Cuba 1960? Indonesia ???? Australia

7. The Red and Blue Worlds 1959

8. NATO and SEATO NATO was formed to defend Europe against Communism It is still going today SEATO was its counterpart in the Asia /Pacific. It was never an effective organistion as it included the colonial powers Britain and France

9. ANZUS Since 1951 ANZUS has been the cornerstone of Australian foreign policy. A mutual defence pact between Australia the USA and New Zealand. Vietnam was an ANZUS operation

10. Forward Defence Australia supported military action in Asia to stop Communism Troops served in Korea 1950-1953 Malaya 1948 -1960 Indonesia 1962 -1966 Vietnam 1962 - 1973