Day 9

SS.912.A.6.10 Examine causes, course, and consequences of the early years of the Cold War (Truman Doctrine, Marshall

Plan, NATO, Warsaw Pact).

Roots of the Cold War U.S. point of view

U.S. wanted democracy spread throughout the world with a strong international organization to maintain global peace (United Nations)

Soviet Union ignored this and began to take over countries.

Winston Churchill’s "Iron Curtain" Speech warned Americans of Soviet expansion (March 1946 in Fulton, Missouri)

Students will recognize the significance of events or actions of

the early years of the Cold War (1945–50) that influenced government

policy and social interactions.

United Nations

UN Charter created a General Assembly composed of all member nations which would act as the ultimate policy-making body.

Security Council composed of U.S., USSR, China, Britain, and France (+ 10 additional nations elected by the General Assembly for 2 year terms)

Responsible for settling disputes among UN member nations.

Early Years of Cold War

Policy of "Containment" Containment policy was where the United States made a

commitment to stop, hold or contain the spread of Communism anywhere in the world

In 1947, US Ambassador to Russia, George Kennan, warned Truman that the Soviet Union sought to expand its empire.

Soviet leaders had the Soviet Union military invade and control many countries of Eastern Europe and East Germany and turned them Communist.

The countries in Europe that fell to Communism appeared to topple like dominoes. So falling to Communism in this manner was called the domino theory.

Early Years of Cold War

Truman Doctrine -- Defined US foreign policy

for next 20 years. "It must be the policy of the US to support free

peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.“

Truman Doctrine initiated a policy of "containment": prevent the spread of communism.

Containment

Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program) (1947) France, Italy and Germany were still suffering from economic

chaos after WWII. U.S. feared Communist parties could exploit these hardships

and take control. Secretary of State George C. Marshall invited Europeans to

create a joint plan for economic recovery. U.S. would provide financial assistance.

The plan allocated $12.5 billion over four years in 16 cooperating countries to keep the free part of Europe free.

Within a few years, most recipients of the plan's aid were exceeding prewar output; seen as "economic miracle." Communism lost ground in Italy and France

Marshall Plan

Berlin Blockade and Berlin Airlift (1948-49) Berlin, deep inside East Germany, was cut off

from the west by Soviet forces in 1948. Russian response to the creation of the

Federal Republic of German (West Germany) US, French, and British zones in Berlin became

an "island" inside East Germany Soviets also shut off electric power 2 million West Berliners became hostages Berlin became a symbolic issue for both sides.

Berlin Blockade

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Created April 4, 1949 by 12 nations including

the U.S., France, Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Iceland, and Canada. In 1953, Turkey and Greece joined. West Germany joined in 1954

Collective security organization that essentially warned Moscow that a threat to any of the signatories would be met with force.

NATO

The Hydrogen Bomb U.S. exploded H-bomb in 1952

Many scientists felt H-bomb had become an instrument of genocide.

In 1953, Soviets successfully exploded an H-bomb; nuclear arms race continued.

For the first time in history, humankind had the ability to end civilization.

Bombs!!

“The Forgotten War” North Korea (communist) attempted to take

over South Korea North Korea captures almost all of South Korea

before American involvement NK pushed back followed by creation of a

“demilitarized zone” or DMZ that still exists today

Panmunjom- City on in the DMZ where the North and South meet

Korean War (1950-53)

McCarthyism- Joseph McCarthy headed the

House Un-American Activities Committee Rooted out “communists” in the government Led to people turning in their neighbors and

friends for any un-American actions Ended with a humiliating interview in which

McCarthy tried to accuse the reporter of being communist on TV

Red Scare