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The Cold War
Introduction
The tension and rivalry between the USA and the USSR was described as the Cold War (1945-1990).
There was never a real war between the two sides between 1945 and 1990, but they were often very close to war (Hotspots).
Both sides got involved in other conflicts in the world to either stop the spread of communism (USA) or help the spread (USSR).
Cold War Characteristics
Political, strategic and ideological struggle between the US and the USSR that spread throughout the world
Struggle that contained everything short of war
Competing social and economic ideologies
Germany - Divided
Germany, which had been ruled by the Hitler and the Nazis until their defeat in 1945, was split in two.
The Allies divided up control over Germany after the War.
The western side became West Germany and the eastern side became East Germany.
East Germany became another communist country.
After WWII the Cold War Began & Caused Tension Throughout the World
The USA and the USSR (Soviet Union) were the two world Superpowers.
The USA was a capitalist society with a democracy.
The USSR was a communist country with a dictatorship.
Both wanted to be the most powerful nation in the world.
Post WWII/Cold War Goals For United States
Promote open markets for US goods to prevent another depression
Promote democracy throughout the world, especially in Asia and Africa
Stop the spread of communism
“Domino Effect”
The Domino Effect
The USSR had a lot of influence over many of the new communist countries (especially those in Europe).
The USA was very worried that the USSR’s influence over these countries was making the USSR and communism more powerful.
The USA did not want communism to spread any further – they were worried about the domino effect (one country becomes communist, then another, then another etc)
Post WWII/Cold War Goals For USSR
Create greater security for itself
lost tens of millions of people in WWII and Stalin’s purges
feared a strong Germany
Establish defensible borders
Encourage friendly governments on its borders
Spread communism around the world
The Cold War
Introduction
The tension and rivalry between the USA and the USSR was described as the Cold War (1945-1990).
There was never a real war between the two sides between 1945 and 1990, but they were often very close to war (Hotspots).
Both sides got involved in other conflicts in the world to either stop the spread of communism (USA) or help the spread (USSR).
Cold War Characteristics
Political, strategic and ideological struggle between the US and the USSR that spread throughout the world
Struggle that contained everything short of war
Competing social and economic ideologies
Germany - Divided
Germany, which had been ruled by the Hitler and the Nazis until their defeat in 1945, was split in two.
The Allies divided up control over Germany after the War.
The western side became West Germany and the eastern side became East Germany.
East Germany became another communist country.
After WWII the Cold War Began & Caused Tension Throughout the World
The USA and the USSR (Soviet Union) were the two world Superpowers.
The USA was a capitalist society with a democracy.
The USSR was a communist country with a dictatorship.
Both wanted to be the most powerful nation in the world.
Post WWII/Cold War Goals For United States
Promote open markets for US goods to prevent another depression
Promote democracy throughout the world, especially in Asia and Africa
Stop the spread of communism
“Domino Effect”
The Domino Effect
The USSR had a lot of influence over many of the new communist countries (especially those in Europe).
The USA was very worried that the USSR’s influence over these countries was making the USSR and communism more powerful.
The USA did not want communism to spread any further – they were worried about the domino effect (one country becomes communist, then another, then another etc)
Post WWII/Cold War Goals For USSR
Create greater security for itself
lost tens of millions of people in WWII and Stalin’s purges
feared a strong Germany
Establish defensible borders
Encourage friendly governments on its borders
Spread communism around the world
