Cold War Around the World

Fighting Over Third World

• After WWII, nations were considered to be First World, Second World, or Third World.– Third World nations were poor, politically unstable,

and lacked industrialization and education. – Why were they Third World? Imperialism.– Third World countries were targets for Soviet

Union (communism) and USA (capitalism).• Nonaligned nations: India & Indonesia tried to

stay neutral during Cold War.

Latin America

• American businesses dominated Latin America.– Often supported dictators to protect U.S. interests.

• Latin American people suffered under harsh rulers for years.– Inspired revolutions: sometimes communist.– U.S. supported anti-communist rulers.

Latin America

• Cuba:– U.S. supported dictator

Fulgencia Batista.– Jan. 1959 Batista

overthrown by communist Fidel Castro.

– Castro suspended elections, jailed or killed opponents, and censored the press.

Latin America

• Castro nationalized (govt. owned) American sugar companies.

• Pres. Eisenhower place embargo on trade w/Cuba.• Castro tuned to the Soviet Union for help. • Bay of Pigs invasion:– CIA planned invasion of Cuba.– Anti-Castro Cubans trained for attack.– Pres. Kennedy refused to send air support.– Castro defeated invasion force.– United States humiliated.

Latin America

• Cuban Missile Crisis: Oct 1962

• Khrushchev (USSR leader) began building missile sites in Cuba.

• U.S. found out – Demanded removal of

missiles– Imposed blockade of Cuba

• Castro upset about Cuba being a “tool” for the Cold War.

Latin America

• Possible WWIII: U.S. troops assembled in Florida and the world prepared for nuclear war.

• After 13 days Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles, only if U.S. never invades Cuba.– Missile Crisis Over!

• Cuba became dependent on Soviet support.

Middle East• Iran: Embraced western ideas after WWII– Iranians upset about foreign alliances.– Prime Minister Mossaddeq took power– overthrown with U.S. support• U.S. feared Mossaddeq would turn to communism.

• Western ideas vs. Islamic ideas– Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini: led religious opposition.– West corrupting Iran– Muslim leaders began rioting and drove shah out– Islamic law now legal code

Middle East• Iran’s policies become

very anti-U.S.• 1979: Islamic extremists

take over U.S. Embassy in Tehran.– 60 American hostages– Released Jan. 1981

• Iraq vs. Iran– Iraqis = Sunni– Iranians = Shi’a– Iran Muslim state, Iraq

secular state.– Fought for 8 years.

Middle East

• Afghanistan: Became communist in 1978.• Afghans revolted– Soviets invaded Dec. 1979 to stop the rebellion.

• Parallel wars: Soviets stuck in Afghanistan like U.S. stuck in Vietnam.– Mujahideen fought Soviets with U.S. supplied weapons.

• Soviet troops left in Feb. 1989.– Civil unrest & distrust of foreigners would last in the

region.

Boycott of 1980 Olympics

• Summer Olympic Games to be held in Moscow.

• After Soviets invaded Afghanistan, U.S. warned USSR by placing embargo on grain and boycotting Olympics.

• 62 nations joined U.S. • Future games to be held in

neutral nations during wartime.