Disagreements over control of Europe and the development of
nuclear weapons caused the alliance between the U.S. and the Soviet
Union to fall apart. This began a period called the Cold War
(1946-1990)
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The USSR had endured two invasions by Germany in less than 30
years. They wanted to keep Germany weak and control Eastern
Europe.
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The Soviets believed that communism was a superior economic
system and that it would eventually replace capitalism throughout
the world.
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Many believed that the Depression had caused WWII. The U.S.
focused on how to solve economic problems to make nations more
stable * free trade * democracy
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Feb. 1945 The Big Three met at Yalta to finalize the war. They
had to compromise to allow a communist government to stay in place
in Poland. The Soviets insisted that Poland remain friendly toward
the USSR.
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Declaration of Liberated Europe people have the right to choose
the government under which they will live and to create democratic
institutions of their own choosing.
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At the end of World War II, Germany was divided into four zones
controlled by the Allies. Britain, France, and the U.S. controlled
West Germany, the U.S.S.R. controlled East Germany.
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As Germany was divided into four zones, so was Berlin.
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Disagreements over what to do with Germany after the war added
to Cold War tensions. Before the war was over, it was evident that
the Soviets were not going to allow democratic governments to be
established in Eastern Europe.
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Truman took a strong stand against communism and Stalin. He
felt that appeasement had not worked with Hitler and he was not
willing to try it with Stalin.
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Potsdam Conference Truman insisted on fewer industrial
reparations against Germany. He informed Stalin of the successful
test of an atomic bomb. Stalin had to agree to Allies wishes for
rebuilding the German economy.
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The Big Three
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Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe ensured that pro-Soviet
governments would be in place in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary
and Czechoslovakia. These nations became known as satellite nations
not part of USSR, but friendly to Soviet policies.
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Churchill made a speech in 1946 in which he said, ... an iron
curtain has descended across the continent. This separated Eastern
Europe (communist) from the western democracies of Europe.
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The Soviets believed that communism and capitalism would always
struggle against each other and that communism would eventually
take over as the superior system. This did not allow for much
cooperation between the US and USSR.
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The U.S. policy on Communism became containment keeping
communism within its present borders through diplomatic, economic
and military actions.
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Truman Doctrine the U.S. would aid free peoples who are
resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside
pressures. This addressed the immediate needs in Turkey and Greece,
but also committed the U.S. to fight communism worldwide.
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Marshall Plan gave American aid to rebuild the economies of
European nations. Economic prosperity and political stability made
communism less attractive.
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Disagreement over Germany and war reparations led Britain,
France and the U.S. to combine their sections of Germany to create
West Germany. The Soviets still controlled East Germany.
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The Soviets cut off all road and rail traffic to West Berlin.
This began a standoff between the Soviets and the U.S.
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1948 Truman ordered the Berlin Airlift. For 11 months, cargo
planes with food, medicine and coal supplied West Berlin. Over 2
million tons of supplies were sent to West Berlin until Stalin
finally ended the blockade on May 12, 1949.
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Americans and western allies were convinced that the Soviets
were bent on conquest. April 1949 an agreement for mutual defense
with western Europe led to NATO.
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NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These nations agreed
to defend each other if attacked. Six years later, the Soviets
organized a similar alliance with eastern European nations called
the Warsaw Pact.
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The world became split between The East and The West.