The Cold War
Created By: Morgan Satkowski
What was the Cold War?
The Cold War was an era of distrust between both the United States and the U.S.S.S.R. The Cold War began in shortly after WWII. During this time of "war," nuclear war was used as a threat to both of these world powers because of their different ideological beliefs. The United States feared the growth of Tolitarian Communism because they believed that the most successful type of government was to have democracy within its government. However, this war is considered an indirect war due to the fact that the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. never actually went to war. In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, lifting the Berlin Blockade. This was suppose to mark the end of the war, but the war was not done. Nuclear proliferation began to spur countries to build up their own stockade of nuclear weapons. The Cold War didn't officially end until Decemeber 8,1991. (This is provided in my Cold War notes from Mr. Dickey's powerpoint lectures.)
Iron Curtain
This picture represent the figurative line that was drawn between the pro-communist and the anti-communist.
Nuclear Threat
A cartoon of the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. shooting arrows at one another while these big nuclear weapons are just sitting there because each nation was afraid of their opponent's retaliation.
Events
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine states that the US will provide military assistance to the countries in fear of the spread of communism within their country.In 1947, Truman made his apearence in front of Congress and mad his case. He stated, "The world has faced a choice in the years to come. Nations could adopt a way of life based upon the will of the majority and governmentd that have provided guarantees of individual liberty or they could face a new way of life based upon the will of a minority, forcibly imposed upon the majority. This latter regime relied upon terror and opression. The foreign policy and the national security of this country, were involved in the situations confronting Greece and Turkey. Greece, was threatened by the terrorist activities of several thousand armed men led by communist. It was incumbent upon the United States to support Greece so that it could become a self-supporting and self-respecting democracy. The freedom-loving people of Turkey also needed the U.S. to aid, which was necessary for the maintenance of its national integrity. It must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resiting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." Two months later Congress approved of his case and passed the Truman Doctrine. This was provided by the History Channel. Citation is below.
Citation- Unknown. "Truman Doctrine Is Announced." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Paln was an economic plan to aid billions of dollars to countries located in Western and Southern Europe to help oppose the spread of communism. The European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan), received over $13 billion to help fiance an economic recovery. The Marshall Plan met its goal of restoring the European people's confidence in the future of the economy and Europe's economy.
Citation- Unknown. "Marshall Plan." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
Korean War
After China fell to communism the U.S. and U.S.S.R. showdown, in Asia, finally came to Korea. After WWII Korea was divided along the 38 degree. The U.S.S.R. supported North Korea while the U.S. supported the South. The Soviet Union trained North Korea to attack anyone coming across the 38 degree. This then led North Korea to invade South Korea in 1950. The United Nations disapproved of the actions of North Korea and decided to send U.S. troops to help South Korea fight against communism. However, during the Korean War President Truman was unable to end it while Eisenhower was making the Korean War his campaign issue in 1952. United States general MacArthur hoped to unify Korea again, but President Truman feared another world war. In 1953, the 38 degree was restored under President Eisenhower. However, Truman achieved his original goal to defend South Korea and the U.S. showed it's declaration to fight in the war against communism. (This is provided in my Cold War notes from Mr. Dickey's powerpoint lectures)
The Beginning of Vietnam
The Vietnam War was an indirect war that occurred between the anti-communist(U.S.) and the procommunist(U.S.S.R.). This war takes in Southeast Asia, located in the country Vietnam. This indirect war occurred between 1954-1975. President Eisenhower feared that if Southeast Asia fell to the spread of communism than other nations would soon follow. This theory was known as the Dominio Theory and this theory is the reason why the U.S. went to Vietnam. Before the war began anonther parallel was created called the 17th parallel. This was establish to separate South Vietnam(US supported) and North Vietnam (USSR supported). When the U.S.S. Maddox was attacked by three North Vietnamese torpedoes in the Gulf of Tonkin, many people saw this as an act of war. On August 5, 1964 U.S. planes retaliate by using bombs. Two days later Congress passes Gulf of Tonkin resolution allowing President Johnson to continue operations in Vietnam. (This is provided in my Vietnam notes from Mr. Dickey's powerpoint lectures)
In the United States
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created in 1949. This military alliance was established due to the fear of Soviet aggression. NATO would provide collective security for the U.S., Western Europe, Greece, Canada, and Turkey. This became the United States official departure from isolationism, however, in 1955, the Warsaw Pact was established in retaliation to NATO. Below is a picture of NATO's symbol.
A Man on the Moon
In 1969, at the Kennedy Space Center, the United States sent three men to the moon for the first time in history. This will be the first time that a man has landed on the moon successfully. The moon shot became a major accomplishment for the U.S. because U.S.S.R. was working towards the same goal especially because in 1957, the U.S.S.R. released the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into space. This then created fear among many Americans because if they were successful at releasing an artificial satellite in space then they could send a nuclear missile into space, too. Thus causing the space race, but after many loosing turns in space advancement America set their eyes on even a bigger goal. A man on the moon! On July 20,1969 three men boarded Apollo 11and were sent to outer space with the goal of landing on the moon. The day after the U.S.S.R. released their own landing craft, but failed four times before they eventually gave up. This became a major win for the United States.
Video Link-http://www.history.com/topics/space-race
Around the World
Khrushchev-1956
Khrushchev became the leader of the U.S.S.R. after Stalin had died. During 1956, he promoted reform, but criticized Stalin for his methods of arresting and deporting his opponents for elevating himself above the party and for not showing the necessary skills to do something properly and successfully as a wartime leader. He did this because he wanted to de-stalinize Russia. He blamed Stalin for the failures of the Soviet Union agriculture, having numerous and heavy mistakes, causing terror, and German occupation of areas where pro-communism was big. Below lies a picture of Nikita Khrushchev.
The Rise of the Berlin Wall
In 1948, the U.S.S.R. responded to the U.S. containment plan by stopping all traffic to Berlin from East Germany. The U.S.S.R. wanted to use the Berlin Blockade to force western allies to vacate their areas that were controlled by them in the city. At first the wall consisted mostly of barbed wire and concrete, but over time the wall stood 12 feet, thick, and was made of mostly concrete, now, sealing it's borders off for good. This stopped the flood of refugees from fleeing from East Berlin to West.
Video Link-http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall