The Cold War: IntroMr. Dodson

At the end of WWII, conflicting goals for the future of Europe led to growing hostility between the U.S. & the Soviet Union.

What is the “Cold War”?

• The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union for world influence came to be known as the Cold War.

• The Cold War was marked by political & economic conflict and military tension, - the U.S. and U.S.S.R never fight directly.

• Instead, U.S. military will fight other nations to stop the spread of Communism.

• The Cold War would last from 1946 to 1991.

A War of Ideas• Communism - USSR– complete government

ownership of land & property, single-party control of gov’t, lack of individual rights, and call for worldwide revolution (to spread communism to other countries.

• Capitalism/Democracy – US- an economic system in which the land & property are privately owned, the government has little control over businesses.

• a political system in which the people govern the nation. Lot’s of Individual rights and freedoms.

The Cold War can be seen as a struggle between Communism and Capitalism.

COMMUNISM•Economy owned by Gov’t

•Gov’t controls all business

•All people should cooperate and have an equal share

•Gov’t control will end poverty, hunger, unemployment

•Gov’t determines job placement

•Stability & security is more important than personal freedoms

CAPITALISM•Gov’t should NOT control economy

•Competition is good for economy

•Through hard work, people can lift themselves out of poverty

•People become wealthy because they have something to offer

•Everyone has an opportunity to succeed

•People can choose their own careers

•Freedom is more important than security and stability

The Iron Curtain

Winston Churchill coined the phrase iron curtain to describe the geographic and political divisions between Communist and capitalist nations in Europe

Containment

• As the Eastern Europe fell to communism, the U.S. adopted the policy of Containment.

• The American policy of containment sought to prevent Communist governments from forming elsewhere in the world.

Choosing Sides

• The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in April 1949 from the U.S., Canada, and ten Western European nations.

• In response, the Soviet Union created the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance between the Soviet Union and its satellite nations.

Arms & Space Race

• After the Soviet Union gains nuclear weapons, we would race to produce larger, more destructive nuclear weapons.

• When the Soviets are the first to launch a satellite – Sputnik – the competition for conquest of outer space begins.

Results

• Berlin Wall would be built• Two major wars (Korea & Vietnam)• Hundreds of smaller wars• Millions of lives would be lost throughout

the world.• Distrust, fear and paranoia in the U.S.• Several near-nuclear wars• Lots of money spent