I. The Cold War (1947 – 1991) A. A state of political tension and military rivalry B. Between USA and USSR C. Why? 1- Soviets established communist regimes a) Eastern Bloc – Soviet Satellites in Eastern Europe 2- Churchill referred to an Iron Curtain (1946) a) Separation of Western/Eastern Europe 3- Truman (USA) offered aid to Turkey and Greece a) To prevent communist takeovers b) Truman Doctrine (Containment Policy) 1. ACTIVELY stop the spread of communism 2. Belief in Domino Theory: one falls/all fall 3. Marshall Plan – aid to rebuild Europe (1947) 4- USA formed NATO in 1949 a) North Atlantic Treaty Organization 5- USSR formed Warsaw Pact in 1955 6- Space Race – Soviet Sputnik – 1st satellite (1957) 7- 1948-1949: Soviet blockade of Berlin a) Germany divided after WWII b) West Germany – democratic c) East Germany – communist d) But Berlin in East Germany 1. Too historic thus city was divided 2. West Berlin – democratic 3. East Berlin – communist 4. Soviets surrounded roads to West Berlin a. To starve it into surrender 5. Americans and allies – Berlin Airlift a. Planes dropped needed supplies 6. Soviets lift blockade a) Then build Berlin Wall (1961) 8- 1949: China falls to Communism 9- 1950: North Korea invaded South Korea a) Korean peninsula divided after WWII b) North Korea: Communist c) South Korea: Non-Communist d) After war: restored to 38th parallel division 10- Ideological differences 11- Arms Race E. Cuba 1- 1959: Communist Revolution 2- 90 miles from Florida 3- Bay of Pigs (1961) a) USA aided Cuban exiles to invade island b) Failed – Castro knew 4- Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) a) Kennedy discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba b) Ordered blockade of island and missiles removed c) Soviets approached blockade but then stopped d) Soviets removed missiles e) USA: promised not to invade 1. USA removed missiles from Turkey 2. Trade embargo with Cuba F. Prague Spring (1968) 1- People of Czechoslovakia protested for freedom 2- Soviet troops entered a) Brezhnev Doctrine 1. USSR had right to intervene in Eastern Bloc G. Vietnam fell to communism in 1975 H. Cold War Surprises 1- USA/USSR accept nationalization of Suez Canal a) Egypt took canal away from British and French 2- Détente (1969 – 1979) a) Relaxation of tensions in Cold War 1. Until Soviets invaded Afghanistan 3- Fall of USSR a) 1991