The Origins of the Cold War

Remember

• The US and Soviet Union were on the same side in WW II

• After WW II, Europe was in ruins and former colonial empires were crumbling

• The scene was set for increased competition between the US and the USSR

Cont.

• The Soviet Red Army remained in Eastern Europe after the war which led to the Soviet Bloc

• At the same time the US developed policies of containment- in particular the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan

Cont.

• Yalta Conference- meeting between the US, England and Soviet Union in which they discussed re-establishing the war torn nations of Europe. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, PM Winston Churchill and Premier Joseph Stalin attended.

Truman Doctrine

• US policy of sending aid to any country trying to prevent a communist takeover

• Considered the start of the Cold War

• It became the basis of US Cold War Policy

Marshall Plan

• Program under which the US geve economic aid to help re-build postwar Europe

Berlin Blockade

• The Soviet Union tried to hold West Berlin hostage by refusing food and supplies to be brought in to the people

NATO

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization- The US, Canada and 10 other countries formed a defensive military alliance and agreed that an attack on one was an attack on all

Winston Churchill,“Iron Curtain Speech”

1946

Truman Doctrine, 1947

The Marshall Plan, 1947

NATO Treaty, 1949Warsaw Pact, 1955

Who was primarily responsible for the Cold War: the United States or the Soviet Union?

Definitions Document A

• Stettin- City in Poland once part of Germany

• Trieste- Seaport city in NE Italy

• Fifth Column- a group of people who undermine a larger group such as a nation from within

Definitions Document B

• Totalitarianism- system of gov’t that requires blind obedience

• Coercion- persuading someone to do something by using force

• Intimidation – frightening someone to do something

Iron Curtain Speech

1. Prime Minister of England and a brilliant military strategist- He was a close allay of the Americans

2. Power and to spread communism

Definitions Document C

• Imperialist- increasing a country’s power by gaining control over other areas

• Monopolistic- capitalistic system with monopolies in the hands of a few people

• Ensuring- making sure something happens

Definitions Document D

• Springboard- something that gives assistance to a particular action