The Cold WarCauses and Consequences

What is the Cold War?• Lasts from 1946 – 1991• A period of tension and hostility

between the USA and its Allies versus the USSR and its Allies.

• During this period, the USA and USSR never fought directly against each other.

• However, they were violent conflicts involving other Nations (Korean War, Vietnam War, Afghan War)

• Both side engaged in espionage (spying) and a massive arms race developed

Long Term Causes• The North America and Western

Europe have been opposed to Communist rule in Russia since the beginning

• The USSR was treated like and outcast (denied entry in the League of Nations)

• Communism calls for violent revolution (the USSR was accused of sending agents to other countries during the depression to destroy western governments)

• Clearly before WWII, the USA (along with Canada and Europe) and USSR were enemies

Short Term Causes• During WWII, the USA and USSR were

allies of convenience• However, when the war ended, both

sides had very different ideas on how Europe should be re-built

• The USSR wanted to destroy Germany completely, take territory, and protect itself from future attacks by creating a “buffer zone” (Basically, they wanted communist governments in countries along their border)

• The USA wanted “Free Elections” in liberated countries, rebuild Europe and help Germany become a prosperous and responsible country

• At first, both sides argued but soon communication stopped completely

Igor Gouzenko• Clerk working in the Soviet Embassy in

Ottawa• Called home after the war• However, wanted to stay in Canada• Went to RCMP with secret documents

proving the Soviets were spying on their war-time Allies (in exchange for asylum in Canada)

• Gouzenko exposed several “sleeper agents” across North America that were trying to steal Nuclear Secrets and other technology.

• 18 people (including a Member of Parliament) were convicted in Canada

• Gouzenko proved that Canada was at war with the USSR whether we liked it or not

The Iron Curtain• After WWII, the Soviet Union took control

of the countries in Eastern Europe (Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Romania etc)

• Communist governments were installed in these countries and their people could not leave or communicate with the outside world

• The line between the free nations of Western Europe and the communists of Eastern Europe was named the “Iron Curtain” because of the lack of communication between both sides and the massive opposing armies that faced each other

The Importance of the Cold War• The Cold War was the most important political situation of

the last 60 years.• In some way, the cold war involved in most of the conflicts

around the world• Thousands were killed and governments around the world

rose and fell because of the interference of the two great powers

• However, the greatest importance of the cold war was the fear it generated

• The Nuclear Arms race between the USA and USSR produced enough weapons to kill everything on the planet 7 times

Sputnik 1 and M.A.D.• The worlds first man-made satellite (launched by the Soviets• Basically just a small radio transmitter• However, it was launched into space by a very powerful rocket• This rocket was powerful enough to reach anywhere around the globe at

a speed so great, it would be impossible to stop• These rockets were used to create nuclear tipped Intercontinental

Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) • There was no defense against this weapon• Therefore, the USA built their own and aimed them at the USSR• The world was kept peaceful because of Mutually Assured Destruction

(M.A.D.)• Basically, if one country launched its ICBMs, everybody dies

Key Points•The Cold war was caused because of the distrust

between the Western World and the Communists as well as the conditions after WWII

• Igor Gouzenko exposed a Soviet spy ring•The Iron Curtain separated communist countries from

Western Europe•The launch of Sputnik led to peace through Mutually

Assured Destruction (M.A.D.)•The Cold War dominated world politics from the

1940s to the 1990s