c4.1(2) the cold war 1945 – 1991 state of high tension between u.s. / u.s.s.r. (russia)

C4.1(2)

The Cold War• 1945 – 1991• State of high tension between U.S. / U.S.S.R. (Russia)

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•Origins• After WWII• USSR and U.S. two main powers• Capitalism / Democracy v. Communism

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•Capitalism• Private property• Private ownership• Personal freedom is widespread

•Communism• Gov’t own property• No private ownership• Personal freedom is severely limited

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•Conflict in the Cold War•Korean War (1950-1953)

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• Suez Crisis (1956)

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• The Vietnam War (1954 – 1973)

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•Cold War Foreign Policy• “détente” • An easing of strained relations

• “containment”• The Truman Doctrine (1947)• U.S. would aid all countries threatened by Communism • military• economic• political

• The Eisenhower Doctrine (1957)• Truman Doctrine + countries could ask for assistance

Cold War Ends•Mikhail Gorbachev• Soviet Union leader (1985 – 1991)• “glasnost”• restructuring

• “perestroika”• openness

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• Soviet Satellite Countries• Begin to demand political and economic change • Some threaten independence

•Ronald Reagan • U.S. President (1981 – 1989)• His theory: Soviet Union was a paper tiger (fake, weak)• Increased size and strength of military • Dare Soviets to keep up

• “Star Wars”• Military race goes to space

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• Soviet Union economy strained to breaking point•Berlin Wall comes down (1989)• Satellite countries declare independence

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•Post-Cold War World• Communism recedes as viable option • country v country conflict decreases• threats from terrorism / dictators increases• Are we safer?

SUMMARY QUESTIONS

1. What positives do you see with Capitalism? What negatives do you see?

2. What positives do you see with Communism? What negatives do you see?

3. Why do you think the Soviet Union disliked the Eisenhower and Truman Doctrines?

4. Explain why both Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev are considered two reasons the Cold War ended

5. The chances of war between the U.S. and Russia are small today. But there are other dangers for the U.S. in the post-Cold War world. What are some of those dangers?