COLD FRONTSCOLD FRONTS

The Cold War across the The Cold War across the globeglobe

ORIGINSORIGINS

* ORTHODOX VIEW – CW forced upon US by * ORTHODOX VIEW – CW forced upon US by aggressive USSR bent on world dominationaggressive USSR bent on world domination

-Non-Aggression Pact ‘39; Stalin at Yalta ‘45; -Non-Aggression Pact ‘39; Stalin at Yalta ‘45; “inevitability of war” speech ’46; Berlin ‘48“inevitability of war” speech ’46; Berlin ‘48

* REVISIONIST VIEW – US economic interests see * REVISIONIST VIEW – US economic interests see USSR as obstacle to expansion and new marketsUSSR as obstacle to expansion and new markets

-intervention 1919; dropping A-bomb ’45; -intervention 1919; dropping A-bomb ’45; MacArthur at end of war; Marshall Plan ’47-’50MacArthur at end of war; Marshall Plan ’47-’50

* POST-REVISIONIST VIEW – both sides to blame; * POST-REVISIONIST VIEW – both sides to blame; fear, ignorance and internal issues drive CW fear, ignorance and internal issues drive CW conflictsconflicts

COLD WAR - EUROPECOLD WAR - EUROPE Yalta / PotsdamYalta / Potsdam

““Truman Doctrine” - Greece / Turkey Truman Doctrine” - Greece / Turkey 19471947

Marshall Plan 1947-1950: US economic Marshall Plan 1947-1950: US economic aid to alleviate conditions in Europeaid to alleviate conditions in Europe

BERLIN BERLIN AIRLIFTAIRLIFT

Stalin pissed about division of Stalin pissed about division of Berlin since PotsdamBerlin since Potsdam

100’s flood across city borders 100’s flood across city borders everyday into Westeveryday into West

Argument over currency sparks Argument over currency sparks blockade (starve them out)blockade (starve them out)

US flies in supplies; threatens US flies in supplies; threatens atomic retaliation for any atomic retaliation for any attacks; (90 nuclear bombers in attacks; (90 nuclear bombers in G.B.)G.B.)

After 10 months Stalin blinks After 10 months Stalin blinks

OPPOSING ALLIANCESOPPOSING ALLIANCES Close of 1940’s sees dual Close of 1940’s sees dual

alliance system in Europealliance system in Europe NATO under US direction NATO under US direction Warsaw Pact under USSRWarsaw Pact under USSR US rearms West Germany US rearms West Germany

in 1954 – under “atomic in 1954 – under “atomic umbrella” (Soviets freak!) umbrella” (Soviets freak!)

1949 – Soviets develop 1949 – Soviets develop atomic capability; CW atomic capability; CW moves into era of moves into era of “Brinkmanship” and focus “Brinkmanship” and focus moves from Europe to Asiamoves from Europe to Asia

COLD WAR IN ASIACOLD WAR IN ASIA US occupies Japan alone after war: US occupies Japan alone after war:

MacArthur reshapes Japanese gov’t MacArthur reshapes Japanese gov’t and nationand nation

““Containment” – 1947 outlines Containment” – 1947 outlines international policy goals of US (“all international policy goals of US (“all important points”)important points”)

Mao and CCP win in ’49; Chiang and Mao and CCP win in ’49; Chiang and Nationalists flee to TaiwanNationalists flee to Taiwan

COLD WAR COLD WAR IN ASIAIN ASIA

Joint US / USSR Joint US / USSR occupation of Korea in occupation of Korea in 1945 (381945 (38thth parallel) parallel)

USSR pulls out ’48; US out USSR pulls out ’48; US out in ’49; civil war followsin ’49; civil war follows

June 1950 – N. Korean June 1950 – N. Korean troops cross 38troops cross 38thth and push and push to Pusan Perimeter to Pusan Perimeter

US gets UN Security US gets UN Security Council to OK force in Council to OK force in defense of S. Korea (USSR defense of S. Korea (USSR absent over China)absent over China)

KOREAN WARKOREAN WAR By Oct 1950 Mac leads US/UN By Oct 1950 Mac leads US/UN

forces to 38forces to 38th th parallel parallel

By Nov. reach Chinese border; By Nov. reach Chinese border; see massive intervention by see massive intervention by Chinese forces (1 million +)Chinese forces (1 million +)

line back to 38line back to 38thth by late ‘50; by late ‘50; stays there in bloody stalemate stays there in bloody stalemate for duration of the warfor duration of the war

Stalin dies Mar ’53; L. Beria Stalin dies Mar ’53; L. Beria new leader of USSR and seeks new leader of USSR and seeks “thaw”; gets N. Koreans and “thaw”; gets N. Koreans and Chinese to dealChinese to deal

Ike goes to Korea; July ’53 war Ike goes to Korea; July ’53 war ends (division stays at 38ends (division stays at 38thth parallel; US troops still there)parallel; US troops still there)

The 50’s – Ike and The 50’s – Ike and “brinksmanship”“brinksmanship”

Ike becomes Pres. In 1953; he and Ike becomes Pres. In 1953; he and J.F. Dulles institute “massive J.F. Dulles institute “massive retaliation” policy (“M.A.D.”)retaliation” policy (“M.A.D.”)

Khrushchev takes power in 1953; Khrushchev takes power in 1953; bluff and bluster diplomacy; seeks bluff and bluster diplomacy; seeks to expand Soviet image of power to expand Soviet image of power and secure his own within Soviet and secure his own within Soviet gov’tgov’t

Limited interaction and little to no Limited interaction and little to no agreements – except on the Suez agreements – except on the Suez Crisis of 1956Crisis of 1956

Willy Brant attempts “Ostpolitik”; Willy Brant attempts “Ostpolitik”; Charles DeGaulle challenges US…Charles DeGaulle challenges US…

Hydrogen bombs ’54 / ’55; Sputnik Hydrogen bombs ’54 / ’55; Sputnik launched in 1957launched in 1957

U-2 affair in May 1960 increases U-2 affair in May 1960 increases tensionstensions

                               

Berlin Wall and Crisis of Berlin Wall and Crisis of 19611961

Berlin Airlift ends Stalin’s Berlin Airlift ends Stalin’s blockade in ’49 but issue not blockade in ’49 but issue not resolvedresolved

Nikita Khrushchev seeks to Nikita Khrushchev seeks to drive West out of Berlin - JFK drive West out of Berlin - JFK feels internal / external feels internal / external pressure to stand firmpressure to stand firm

1961 Vienna Summit – 1961 Vienna Summit – Khrushchev “bullies” JFK and Khrushchev “bullies” JFK and threatens unilateral action in threatens unilateral action in BerlinBerlin

Berlin Crisis ’61 (cont)Berlin Crisis ’61 (cont)

East German leaders get East German leaders get Khrushchev’s approval to wall-Khrushchev’s approval to wall-in West Berlinin West Berlin

Beefs at Checkpoint Charlie Beefs at Checkpoint Charlie turn into military confrontation turn into military confrontation – US and Soviet tanks stare – US and Soviet tanks stare each other downeach other down

US depends on atomic threat to US depends on atomic threat to defend W. Berlindefend W. Berlin

Khrushchev diffuses situation - Khrushchev diffuses situation - Issue still unresolvedIssue still unresolved

                                       

Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis 1959 sees Cuban revolution 1959 sees Cuban revolution

under Fidel Castrounder Fidel Castro Bay of Pigs invasion is Bay of Pigs invasion is

inherited by new President inherited by new President JFK; he hesitantly ok’s as JFK; he hesitantly ok’s as wellwell

is a failure; bad PR for US is a failure; bad PR for US and JFK and Khrushchev and JFK and Khrushchev senses weakness – Vienna senses weakness – Vienna Summit seems to confirm itSummit seems to confirm it

1962 – Khrushchev decides 1962 – Khrushchev decides to bring nuclear weapons to bring nuclear weapons into Cubainto Cuba

Missile Crisis (cont)Missile Crisis (cont) American U-2 flights in fall of American U-2 flights in fall of

1962 identify missile sites - 1962 identify missile sites - JFK and US freak and wonder JFK and US freak and wonder how to reacthow to react

Options advised to JFK:Options advised to JFK: * airstrike – problems here* airstrike – problems here * blockade – problems here * blockade – problems here

tootoo

JFK decides on blockade - JFK decides on blockade - ships and diplomats take their ships and diplomats take their places and crisis reaches a places and crisis reaches a peakpeak

Crisis (cont)Crisis (cont) Tensions rise as Tensions rise as

communication drags and communication drags and US/USSR ships meetUS/USSR ships meet

Downing of U-2 and plans for Downing of U-2 and plans for invasioninvasion

40,000 Soviet troops / 40,000 Soviet troops / multiple forms of active multiple forms of active nukes already present in nukes already present in CubaCuba

Khrushchev backs down – Khrushchev backs down – removes missilesremoves missiles

JFK agrees to remove missiles JFK agrees to remove missiles from Turkey / promise no from Turkey / promise no future invasions of Cuba future invasions of Cuba

JFK looks good / Khrushchev JFK looks good / Khrushchev in troublein trouble

TransitionTransition Cuban crisis ends direct Cuban crisis ends direct

confrontations b/w US and confrontations b/w US and USSR; thaw in relationsUSSR; thaw in relations

Khrushchev gone by ’64; Khrushchev gone by ’64; future Soviet leaders future Soviet leaders bankrupt USSR trying to bankrupt USSR trying to keep up with US missile / keep up with US missile / computer productioncomputer production

US focus turns to Vietnam US focus turns to Vietnam / USSR focus on / USSR focus on AfghanistanAfghanistan

Increasing role of China Increasing role of China and “tripolar” diplomacy and “tripolar” diplomacy

The Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War French gone after Dien Bien Phu French gone after Dien Bien Phu

in ’54 – US begins to create South in ’54 – US begins to create South Vietnam / Vietminh organize in Vietnam / Vietminh organize in NorthNorth

Geneva Accords – not for longGeneva Accords – not for long troubles in the South – troubles in the South –

advantages in the Northadvantages in the North Vietcong / Ho Chi Minh TrailVietcong / Ho Chi Minh Trail ““war without fronts”war without fronts” US ramps up engagement in 1965 US ramps up engagement in 1965

– reaches max in 1968– reaches max in 1968 Tet Offensive (ironic and Tet Offensive (ironic and

symbolic?)symbolic?) Expansion of the war under NixonExpansion of the war under Nixon Paris Peace Agreement in 1973 Paris Peace Agreement in 1973

(after unpleasantness in ’72)(after unpleasantness in ’72) peace plan won’t last – US won’t peace plan won’t last – US won’t

re-engage; communists overrun re-engage; communists overrun South by 1975 South by 1975

Mao’s ChinaMao’s China

““Great Leap Forward” fallsGreat Leap Forward” falls flat – “Cultural Revolution” flat – “Cultural Revolution”

strengthens his control strengthens his control Invasion / occupation of TibetInvasion / occupation of Tibet PRC and Taiwan; Hong KongPRC and Taiwan; Hong Kong Growing beef with Soviets sees Mao warm to Growing beef with Soviets sees Mao warm to

the USthe US Support for communist dictatorship in North Support for communist dictatorship in North

Korea Korea

Some cracks in the USSR Some cracks in the USSR begin to showbegin to show

““Brezhnev Doctrine” Brezhnev Doctrine” and crackdown on and crackdown on CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia

Economic troubles Economic troubles and costs of keeping and costs of keeping up with the USup with the US

Ethnic divisions and Ethnic divisions and Islamic revoltsIslamic revolts

Beefs with ChinaBeefs with China

Nixon and Detente • Cold War thaw with improved relations with USSR and recognition of Communist China

• Uses tense relations between USSR and CCP to apply pressure on each other

• Opens Chinese markets to US; establishes SALT I agreement with Brezhnev

Cold War and Middle East / Latin America / Africa

- Bandung Conference 1955 and efforts to keep the “3rd World” “nonaligned” during “1st World” / “2nd World” beefs… not so much…-US backs dictators in Iran / Guatemala- CIA and “covert diplomacy”- Soviets / Cuba support communist revolts in Angola / Bolivia- Egypt under Nasser / Sadat- Somalian civil war rages with US / USSR guns…- South Africa tries to paint defense of “apartheid” as anti-communist fight -US troops intervene into Haiti / Dominican Republic in 1960’s:-Salvadore Allende in Chile ’73-Nicaragua and “Contras” in 80’s

Cold War –80’s Style

• Ronald Reagan presides over greatest US peacetime military buildup in history

• USSR spends $1 Trillion + on missile systems

• Rise of Mikhail Gorbachev to power in USSR sees reform and political change throughout Communist bloc

• Reforms begun by Gorbachev will begin fall of Berlin Wall ’89 and of USSR in 1991

And the Wall comes crumbling And the Wall comes crumbling downdown

Gorbachev’s policies of Gorbachev’s policies of “perestroika” and “glasnost” “perestroika” and “glasnost” spark reforms both in the USSR spark reforms both in the USSR and thru Eastern Europe and thru Eastern Europe

Soviet pull out from Afghanistan Soviet pull out from Afghanistan begins turbulent year of 1989 begins turbulent year of 1989

Hungary opens the gatesHungary opens the gates East German govt’ (and wall) East German govt’ (and wall)

collapses under popular protest collapses under popular protest movements in 1989movements in 1989

German re-unification a fact by German re-unification a fact by 19901990

.. And so does the USSR.. And so does the USSR Gorbachev’s reforms begin Gorbachev’s reforms begin

democratic and nationalistic democratic and nationalistic movementsmovements

1991 – Soviet “hardline” coup 1991 – Soviet “hardline” coup tries to reassert powertries to reassert power

Yeltsin organizes resistance Yeltsin organizes resistance and coup failsand coup fails

Gorbie resigns in 1991 – and Gorbie resigns in 1991 – and USSR is no moreUSSR is no more

US economy and the PC(?) do US economy and the PC(?) do in the Soviet economy; Gorbie’s in the Soviet economy; Gorbie’s reforms help it to come apartreforms help it to come apart

After the Cold War????After the Cold War????

US sole superpower???US sole superpower??? ““New World Order” New World Order”

goals outlined by Pres. goals outlined by Pres. George H W BushGeorge H W Bush Combat aggression thru Combat aggression thru

international cooperationinternational cooperation Promote free tradePromote free trade Combat global terrorismCombat global terrorism aid Russia on post-Soviet aid Russia on post-Soviet

path (economic transition path (economic transition and “loose nukes”…and “loose nukes”…