Cold War, 194563

1
Why did the USA and USSR become rivals in the
period 1945 to 1949?
2
? starter activity
By the 1970s the US and the USSR each had enough
nuclear weapons to blow the world up several
times over. Can you explain this cartoonists
joke?
3
New Words Allies countries working
together. Communists believe that industry
should be state-owned. Soviet Union the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics the USSR i.e.
communist Russia. Dictator a ruler who has total
power. Stalin Capitalists believe that property
and industry should be privately
owned. Democracy where the people can elect
their own government. Truman Churchill
4
The main players in the Cold War.

• USSR (communist)
• Also known as
• The Soviet Union
• Communist Russia
• Russia
• CCCP

• USA (Capitalist)
• Also known as
• The United States
• America
• US

Vs
Communism and Capitalism were opposed to each
other
5
Characteristics of Cold War

• Suspicions between capitalists communists
• Propaganda
• Espionage
• Nuclear arms race
• Space race

6
World War II

• During the World War II the USSR and the USA were
  Allies. They were fighting on the same side
  against a common enemy. Nazi Germany.
• However, when Germany surrendered on the 8th May
  1945, the USSR and USA quickly became rivals.

7
Why did the wartime alliance breakdown?

• Background to the Cold War

8
Damage caused by WWII

• Houses, factories, shops entire cities
  destroyed by bombing
• By 1945, millions of sick, hungry homeless
  refugees across Europe
• Millions had lost their lives

Which country had suffered most? How did this
affect its relations with other countries after
the war?
9
Conflicting ideologies

• Before the war many countries could claim to be
  superpowers USA, USSR, Britain, Germany, Japan,
  France, Italy
• By 1945 only 2 clear superpowers US USSR
• Conflicting ideologies capitalism communism

What joke is this cartoonist saying about
relations between the Grand Alliance after 1945?
10
Remember USA was Capitalist Vs USSR was
Communist
11
Political changes in Europe

• Most European countries occupied by Germany run
  by governors
• With no German govt., who would govern Europe?
• Resistance movements communist, e.g. Greece
  Turkey or non-communist e.g. France?

12
Rise of US

• 1941, Germany invaded Russia
• Western allies delayed opening of 2nd front
• US developed atomic bomb independently
• US economic threat (50 global manufacture)
• US air naval supremacy
• Communism undemocratic

13
The chronology and narrative

• Major point The USSR lost around 20 million
  people in WW2
• Stalin was determined to make the USSR secure in
  the future
• By contrast GB lost around 370,000 and the USA
  lost 297,000 people.
• KEEP THIS IN MIND

14
The rise of the superpowers

• Before WW2 there were a number of countries which
  could have claimed to be superpowers USA,
  USSR,GB, France, Japan, Germany.
• The damage caused by the war to these countries
  left only two countries with the military
  strength and resources to be called
  superpowers.USA and USSR.

15
What they believed

• Dont forget USA was capitalist and USSR was
  communism
• They were complete opposites
• They had allied against Fascism .. Now the
  common enemy had been defeated the reason for
  co-operation was gone
• Differences soon emerged

16
Key events
Berlin Wall last days

• 1945, Yalta Potsdam conferences
• Soviet expansion in E. Europe
• 1946, Iron Curtain
• 1947, Truman Doctrine Marshall Plan
• 1949, NATO
• 1955, Warsaw Pact
• 1961, Berlin Wall
• 1962, Cuban Missile Crisis

Cuban Missile Crisis