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The cold war. 1945-1990. The Cold War Declared. Cold War – a state of increased tension and hostility without armed conflict End of WWII saw this sate occurring between the two new superpowers the US and USSR
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The cold war 1945-1990
The Cold War Declared • Cold War – a state of increased tension and hostility without armed conflict • End of WWII saw this sate occurring between the two new superpowersthe US and USSR • At first confined to Europe, but during 1950’s and 60’s spread worldwide, especially in Asia • Had most of the features of a proper war • Two rival sides – East Vs. West or Capitalism Vs. Communism, or USA Vs. USSR • Spying and propaganda on both sides • Encouraged an arms race • But, in actual fact, the two sides never fought against each other
The “Speeches” “Two Hostile Camps”, February, 1946 The “Iron Curtain”, March, 1946 • Stalin gives speech in Moscow • Predicted two hostile camps (West and East) with war inevitable result • Churchill invited to Fulton, Missouri to speak to Americans about perceived Soviet threat • Declares that Europe was divided into two separate halves by soviet policy • In West, were “free” democratic states • In East, behind an “iron curtain” were countries dominated by communism • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvax5VUvjWQ
The Impact • Americans believed that “get tough” policy of Truman was right one • Interpreted Stalin’s speech as a threat • Based their new foreign policy (containment) around this threat. They believed that: • The Russians were determined to destroy American way of life • They were the greatest threat faced by America • The Soviets could be beaten and stopped • This could be done without going to war
The Impact (con’t) • The U.S. believed that if the US could contain Communism, the Soviet system would eventually crumble. • This was intended as a defensive policy. • These thoughts would form a report that would become the basis of the American policy of containment in the Truman Doctrine in March 1947.
Truman Doctrine, March 12, 1947 • American Ambassador to Moscow, George Keenan, believed that if US could “contain” Communism the Soviet system would eventually crumble. This policy of containment meant to be defensive • His report would form the basis of American foreign policy set forth in the Truman Doctrine - the American policy of fighting communism around the world • In 1947 and for 25 years to follow American foreign policy would be based on the fear of the spread of Communism around the world and in the US
Truman Doctrine Con’t • Foreign aid was extended to right wing dictatorships and a host of other regimes to block communist takeover • US committed money and lives and boldly interfered in the affaires of independent nations • Policy lost its defensive strategy and began to be replaced with an aggressive anticommunist policy that called for reducing Soviet influence around the world rather than containing it • Theory was that if one country fell to communism, all the countries around it would fall (domino theory) • Set a precedent for the principle of collective security – building up a network of allies and friendly states to which the US gave military aid free of charge
The Marshall Plan – Financial Aid • In 1947, American Secretary of State, George Marshall, went to Europe. • It was his opinion that every country in Europe was so poor, it was in danger of falling to Communism. • He worked out a detailed economic plan to provide assistance to Europe – The Marshall Plan. It would provide $17billion in aid to Europe and all countries devastated by war. • Had conditions attached: • Economic records had to be opened to US scrutiny • Financial needs were to be made publics • The receiving countries had to present a plan as to how they would use the funds
The Marshall Plan (con’t) • Reaction: • Britain was enthusiastic (aid would restore economic and political stability in Europe. It showed the US was taking the communism threat seriously) • Western Europe responded favorably • Eastern Europe saw the aid as a problem because it came hand in hand with the Truman Doctrine and would undermine Soviet Influence. • Soviets called the plan “Dollar imperialism” • The Truman administration proposed legislation. • The resulting Economic Cooperation Act of 1948 restored European agricultural and industrial productivity. • Credited with preventing famine and political chaos, the plan later earned General Marshall a Nobel Peace Prize.
The Marshall Plan – Soviet Reaction • The Soviets called the Marshall Plan “Dollar Imperialism” and after debate between the Eastern Bloc and the Soviets, the Soviets developed their own recovery plan: The Molotov Plan. • Also created the Cominform: the Communist Information Bureau to help consilindate the influence of the USSR in Europe and co-ordinate the work of the Communist parties across Europe.
The Marshall Plan (con’t) • At this point, nations of Europe were clearly aligned with one of the two camps. • From now on, each side would view the other as the aggressor. • The Cold War had officially begun…
Berlin Blockade • 24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949 • Germany was divided into 4 zones, as well, Berlin was divided into 4 zones with the whole city being in the Soviet Zone. • The West depended on Soviet goodwill to keep open routes to the British, French and American Zones. • By 1948, Western zones of Germany were recovering and the allies decided to join their zones together.
Berlin Blockade (con’t) • Stalin was worried by a resurgent and prosperous Germany. • His response in June 1948 was to close all roads, canals, and railways from the West to West Berlin. • The only road to Berlin was closed due to “Construction” • Stalin believed that the West Berliners would be starved into submission. • Truman’s options: • Give into Stalin; loose face; • Go to war over the Berlin Blockade; • Keep West Berliners supplied from the air
The Berlin Airlift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GoIL9gVonQ
The Berlin Airlift (con’t) • To maintain Berlin with supplies, over 4000 tons of supplies needed to come in each day. • By the spring of 1949, 8000 tons were being supplied daily. • Stalin realized that the allies would not give in. • He would not order supply planes to be shot down (act of war). • In May 1949, Stalin ended the blockade of West Berlin.
The Berlin Airlift (con’t) • The allies were now determined to build up West Berlin as a showcase for capitalism. • Many Germans from the Soviet side, crossed over to West Berlin. • Any hopes for a united Germany had ended. • 1949 – three western zones became the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany -> democratic, own government). The USSR responded by turning its zone into the German Democratic Republic (East Germany -> communist government).
NATO • NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was formed as a military alliance of most of the Western European countries and the USA. • All members agreed to go to war if any one of them was attacked.
