Origins of the Cold War and the 1950s

Organizing Principle

At the conclusion of World War II, the celebratory shouts of Americans could be heard around the globe. However, the Great Depression was not too far removed, and questions of economic stability were in the forefront of American minds. The cheers began to fade entirely when the Soviet threat reared its ugly head and Americans gripped for another international conflict. The Cold War did not result in direct conflict with the Soviet Union; however, it did lead to anxiety at home and proxy wars abroad.

Yalta Conference The Big Three meet in Feb. 1945

▪ Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin Discuss postwar fates

Pre A-bomb testing Occupation zones▪ Germany , Eastern Europe, and Far East▪ Military sprawl

Concessions▪ Roosevelt to Stalin

Reparations from Germany▪ Stalin to Roosevelt

Promises free elections Germany surrenders in May

U.S.—Soviet Relations Problems

▪ Political and economic philosophies▪ Capitalist systems vs. communism

▪ Delayed U.S. diplomatic recognition (1933) of Soviet Union▪ Soviet-Germany Non-Aggression Pact▪ Delay of sending troops to the Eastern front▪ Soviets left out of the atomic secrets of other allies▪ Terminated Lend-Lease—denied loans▪ Called ships back

Visions▪ Stalin wanted buffer states “satellites” ▪ Roosevelt—”open world”▪ Both isolationists prior to WWII▪ Missionary diplomacy

Potsdam Conference The Big Three meet in July

1945▪ Truman, Churchill/Attlee, Stalin

Tensions rise:▪ Stalin reneges on free elections

in Poland▪ Truman reneges on reparations

for Russia outside of occupation zones

▪ Eastern Europe?▪ Capitalism and U.S. markets?▪ Soviet buffer?

▪ A-bomb announced

Shaping the Postwar World

International Organizations International Monetary Fund (IMF)▪ Regulates currency exchange rate

World Bank▪ Promotes economic growth

United Nations▪ Security Council and Assembly▪ Promoted “great power” cooperation

Phases of the Cold War

Cold War timeline: 1945—1991 1. Europe

Turkey, Greece, and Eastern Bloc2. The Far East

China, Korea, and Vietnam3. Latin America/Caribbean

Guatemala, Cuba, Nicaragua (many more)

Note: phases overlap

The Cold War Congeals “Iron Curtain” Speech

▪ Winston Churchill The Middle East

▪ Stalin wants Iranian oil—uses troops The Truman Doctrine (1947)

▪ Containment▪ Greece and Turkey▪ $ 400 million in military aid

Positions harden globally The Marshall Plan (1948-1952)

▪ Rebuild Europe with American aid▪ $13 billion—4 years

▪ Russia rejects offer▪ “economic imperialism”

Creation of Israel

America Rearms National Security Act (1947)

▪ Creates Department of Defense▪ Secretary of Defense▪ Joint Chiefs of Staff

National Security Council (NSC)▪ Advise president on military policy

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)▪ Fact gathering +

Selective Service reinstated

The Problem of Germany Justice?

Nuremburg Trials (1945-46)▪ Nazi war crimes—22 to be tried

—12 hanged Visions of Germany—differ

▪ Economic health vital to all Germany divided

▪ Allies get slices of Germany▪ Question of unification▪ Soviets—NO!

▪ 1948—Berlin Blockade Berlin Airlift▪ June 1948—May 1949

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Established 1949▪ U.S. foreign

policy?▪ Departure

▪ Military alliance▪ Defensive!!!!!!!

The Far East Japanese reconstruction

General MacArthur▪ Democratizes Japan and prosecutes war criminals

Successful in aims China Falls to communism

▪ Civil war renewed▪ Nationalists v. Communists

Chiang Kai-shek—leader of Nationals—corrupt! Mao Zedong—leader of Communists—peasant support Containment fails—Chiang forced off mainland China

Truman Doctrine=$3 billion to Nationals China goes commie in 1949

The Korean Volcano Erupts

Korea Divided at the 38th parallel▪ Commie North—Democratic South

N. Korea invades S. Korea (25 June 1950)▪ NSC-68▪ Orders massive American military build up

United Nations declares a police action▪ Soviets absent—no veto▪ Protest over China

▪ Truman orders MacArthur to take command

Stalemate in Korea Military see-saw

Chinese join war effort MacArthur suggests retaliation on

China▪ Openly criticizes Truman—MacArthur is

fired Armistice

▪ Korea remains divided—demilitarized zone▪ President Eisenhower

Costs 54,000 men die ▪ 36,000 Americans

$67 billion