Origins of the Cold War

Advanced Modern American History Freshman Year 2024-2025

cold war

• war where hot weapons are not used

• words, threats, and propaganda are used to promote their form of government + economy

four reasons the US mistrusts the Soviets

• Russian Revolution

• New Soviet gov’t not recognized by the US until 1933

• Nazi-Soviet nonaggression pact

• disagreement w/ battle plans during WWII

who was at the Yalta conference (February 1945)

Stalin, Churchill, and FDR

what happened at the Yalta conference

• Germany was divided into 4 zones: US, British, French, and Soviet

• Stalin negotiated for Poland to be communist

at the Yalta conference, Berlin was

also split into 4 zones (US, British, French, and Soviet)

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

Stalin, Churchill, Truman, and Attlee

what happened at the Potsdam conference

• Truman tells Stalin about the nuclear bomb

• attempted to intimidate Stalin

• Stalin was already informed from Soviet spies

what were the U.S.’ postwar goals

• an economically strong capitalist world (Europe)

• providing markets for American products $

• a politically free + democratic world

what were the Soviet Union’s postwar goals

• protect it’s western border by establishing communist governments in Eastern Europe

• satellite nations

• spread communism worldwide

satellite nations

nations dominated by the Soviet Union

the iron curtain

• Churchill’s description of Eastern Europe

• called for the aide of the US in halting communist expansion in Europe

containment

• restrict the spread of communism around the world

• basis for US foreign policy during the cold war 1945-1991

United Nations

• April, 1945

• created to settle differences peacefully and promote cooperation

• collective measures help to prevent + end wars