UNIT 7: WORLD WAR II & THE COLD WAR:

THE COLD WAR

DO NOW: Use the quote to answer the following questions:

“We look forward to a world founded upon four essential freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression…the second is freedom of every person to worship in his own way…The third is freedom from want (need)…The fourth is freedom from fear”

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

• To what 4 freedoms does Roosevelt refer?

• How does US involvement in World War II further the freedoms?

• What role does the Soviet Union play in limiting these freedoms?

1945 – A Critical Year

• Yalta Conference: Meeting of big 3 leaders to discuss post-war world– Stalin promised to allow elections in Poland– Poland would continue to strain relations

• Potsdam Conference: Truman announced that the atomic bomb had been tested

Aftermath to Cold War

Conflicting Post-war Goals

American View• Bring democracy &

economic development to Europe & Asia

• An economically strong world market would provide the US with new markets for its products

Soviet View• Satellite Nations:

countries subject to Soviet domination

• Nations would be loyal to communist goals

• USSR gained control over almost all Eastern European nations & installed Communism

UNITED NATIONS

• International peacekeeping organization similar to the League of Nations

• Unlike the League, the US Congress pledged its support

• Composed of 2 main bodies– General Assembly: all members nations– Security Council: 5 permanent nations and 6

rotating members that serve 2-year terms

New American Foreign Policy

• Containment: prevent Communism from spreading beyond where it already existed– Some criticized the policy as too moderate

and called for action to end Communism

• Truman Doctrine: President Truman urged the US to take a leadership role in the world– Congress approved $400 million in aid to

Greece & Turkey to strengthen the nations against Communism

Cause & Effect : The Cold War

Causes:• US & USSR clash over post-war Poland• USSR’s totalitarian government at odds with

western ideals• Britain’s Churchill urges west to oppose the

Soviet UnionEffects:• US adopts containment policy• Truman doctrine offers aid to nations to oppose

Communism• Fear of Communism leads to suspicion in

American Culture