Origins of the Cold War

1. Origins of the Cold War 1945-1962

2. Opposing Perspectives • Alliance of Britain and U.S. with Soviet Union was pragmatic: need to defeat Germany • Lack of trust of Stalin. Neither Churchill nor FDR told Stalin about the atomic bomb • Many Allied leaders hoped USSR could be persuaded to join a new, stronger League of Nations organization

3. Opposing Perspectives cont. • Communist leaders feared capitalist nations • Expected European and then world domination by communism. • Hoped for collapse of capitalist economies and societies • Both countries seeking hegemony

4. Problems with USSR • United Nations Troubles • Free elections promised in Poland by Stalin following the war • Communist government formed with no elections • Border nations pressured into establishing communist governments • Churchill responded with "Iron Curtain" speech in March 1946, • USSR's intentions were to control Eastern Europe and expand power throughout the world

5. Problems with USSR cont. • American diplomat George Kennan proposed a "containment" policy to prevent spread of communist ideology. • Truman Doctrine--Truman asked for major economic aid to Greece and Turkey to oppose communism • Marshall Plan--Western Europeans nations provided $12 billion to rebuild economies and resist Soviet pressures • NSC 68

6. European Crises:Berlin Blockade and Airlift • Partition of Germany among Allies had resulted in Berlin being a divided city within the Soviet sector. • In June 1948, Soviets blockaded West Berlin and halted all traffic into the city. • Allies responded by airlifting massive amounts of food, coal, and other supplies to keep West Berlin open. • Soviets backed down and allowed traffic to resume

7. European Crises cont. • Formation of NATO • Twelve nations (10 European nations plus Canada and the U.S.) • created in April 1949 • attempt to establish collective security and resist Warsaw Pact (formed in 1955) nations expansion • The number of pacts mushrooms over the next decade

8. Cold War Spreads to Asia • China becomes communist--1949 • Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai Shek • Mao Tse Tung assumes control • US refuses to recognize the new government • Korean conflict • Korea split at 38th parallel • North Korea enters South Korea • UN and US fought in a police action • Push the North back to the 38th • MacArthur wants to expand the war into China • 1953 the conflict ends

9. Eisenhower’s Foreign Policy • Continues efforts to contain communism • Global concerns • John Foster Dulles—Secretary of State • The “New Look” Policy • Massive retaliation—“More bang for the buck” • Brinksmanship • Nuclear Arms Race • Use of the CIA to intervene • Guatemala • Iran

10. Kennedy’s Foreign Policy • Develops the policy of “Flexible Response” • Alliance for Progress (1961) • Berlin Wall (1961)—Symbolized growing tension between US and USSR • Execution of the Bay of Pigs • Embarrassment for the US • Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) • Missile silos being constructed in Cuba • Tense negotiations. . .both countries move missiles

11. Vietnam—Cold War Intervention? • 1870’s French Indo China • Stayed this way until World War II • Hitler takes France in 1940 • Vietnam is handed to the Japanese • Pro-Independence movement emerges • After the War France wants it back • 1946--fighting between the Vietnamese and the French

12. 1946-1954 • French do the fighting, the US does the funding • Many French casualties • SEATO develops • 1954--Dienbienphu • Capture the high ground • Viet Minh win • Geneva Accords • French want out • Domino Theory

13. Impact of the Cold War at Home • Anti-Communist foreign policy causes fear at home • McCarren Internal Security Act • Federal Loyalty Program • HUAC • Spy trials • Alger Hiss • Rosenberg's Trial • Joseph McCarthy

14. 1954--Geneva Accords • French want out--establish peace • Geneva Accords--1954-1960 • Divide Vietnam in 2--North and South • In 2 years an election was to establish a unified Vietnam • Eisenhower fears communist victory—domino theory • Open borders so everyone can move where they want • Viet Minh becomes the Viet Cong • Diem put in power

15. Anti-Communist Fears • Government promotes “civil defense” • “Duck and cover” drills in schools • Federal Loyalty Program • Reviewed “loyalty” of federal employees • By 1952 200 had been dismissed and 2000 resigned • Colleges and schools want to root out communist sympathizers.

16. The “Red” Scare • HUAC • Created by FDR in 1938 • 1947—Republicans investigate to link Democrats with subversion • Film industry is investigated • The Hollywood Ten

17. Spying and the Red Scare • Alger Hiss—former State department employee who was accused of spying. • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg • Convicted of atomic espionage • Evidence is controversial • Makes infiltration of communists seem real

18. Joseph McCarthy • Republican Senator from Wisconsin • 1950 speech he claimed to have a list of 250 known communists • Attacked Truman and Eisenhower for allowing communists to hold government positions • Never produced evidence • Eisenhower remained silent on the subject • Army McCarthy Hearings