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The Cold War, 1946-1953

The Cold War, 1946-1953. Libertyville HS. Cold War in Europe, 1948-53. Marshall Plan had “saved” Western Europe Contest shifted eastward Greeks won their civil war Italians defeated Communist party in elections, 1948 Soviet coup in Czechoslovakia, 1948 Berlin Blockade, 1948-49.

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The Cold War, 1946-1953

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  1. The Cold War, 1946-1953 Libertyville HS

  2. Cold War in Europe, 1948-53 • Marshall Plan had “saved” Western Europe • Contest shifted eastward • Greeks won their civil war • Italians defeated Communist party in elections, 1948 • Soviet coup in Czechoslovakia, 1948 • Berlin Blockade, 1948-49

  3. The Berlin Blockade • First major crisis of Cold War • Berlin made up of four sectors • Allies merged theirs into Western Berlin, started redeveloping area • Stalin instituted a 15 month blockade of food, materials, and supplies (1948-49) • US, RAF airlifted 2.3 million tons of food, supplies on 278,000 flights to Berlin 1 Flight Every 30 Seconds!!!

  4. Formation of NATO, Warsaw Pact • April 1949: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formed • Defense pact among western nations • Soviets formed “Warsaw Pact” in 1955, in reaction to West Germany joining NATO

  5. The Soviets Get The Bomb • Soviets had been working on atomic weapons since 1930s • Problem: getting enough uranium, inefficiency of leaders • Post WW2, Stalin gave program highest priority • Exploded first bomb in 1949 • Espionage helped Soviets avoid mistakes (Rosenbergs) First Soviet test explosion, 1949 Julius & Ethel Rosenberg, post-conviction

  6. Chinese Revolution and SEATO • 1949: Mao Tse-Tung defeated US backed government, est. Communist government • Soviets recognized new Chinese government • US formed Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) in response • Containment thus “Expanded” to include Latin America, Asia. Africa Founding members in purple

  7. Korean War (1950-53) • Korea divided at end of WWII • North communist (Kim Il-Sung) • South democratic (Syngman Rhee) • Each leader intent on bringing whole peninsula under their system • North Capitol: Pyongyang • South Capitol: Seoul

  8. Korean War • 6/25/50: North invaded across 38th parallel • UN condemned action • US promised military support • North advanced quickly; South military disintegrated • “Pusan Perimeter” • Douglas MacArthur appointed UN commander • Based in Japan • 19 nations contributed troops

  9. Korean War • Inchon Landing (9/15/50) • “End Run” around North • Surprise, successful – threatened to trap North’s army, in South • UN forces pursued North across 38th parallel • Captured Pyongyang • North’s army disintegrated

  10. Korean War • Chinese intervention • Chinese concerned about invasion by UN across Yalu River • 11/1/50: 250k Chinese “volunteers” attacked UN troops in North Korea • Pushed UN troops across 38th Parallel • Truman fired MacArthur!!! • 1951-53: Stalemate • July 27, 1953: armistice signed, ending war, after Stalin died – “DMZ”

  11. Nuclear Weapons, 1950s • Nuclear (fission) bomb (“Atomic bomb”) • Dropped on Hiroshima, Nagasaki • Least “technical” bomb to build • Yield = 500 kt (500,000 tons of TNT) • Hydrogen (fission + fusion) bomb • Thermonuclear device • Developed 1952 in US, 1955 USSR • Yield = sky’s the limit (largest detonated = 50 megatons, or 50 million tons of TNT)

  12. 1950s Cold War Nuclear Strategy • US strategy • Strategic in nature (massive response, against Soviet cities) • Based on jet propelled bomber fleet (until 1960s) • USSR strategy • Limited strategic use b/c of technical limitations (until ICBMs developed, in 1957) • Conventional war would follow • Anticipated use of tactical (battlefield) nuclear weapons against enemy troops in Europe Bomber tracks from USSR, 1951

  13. US Reaction to Nuclear Weapons • Public wanted to feel safe • Fallout shelters • Protection against “fallout” (radioactive debris) in case of nuclear attack • Usually built underground or of special materials (lead, etc) • Education of kids • Schools taught kids how to survive an attack • “Duck and Cover”

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