World Civ 4/22

Structure of the Final Exam

• Format: The final exam will consist of both multiple choice and essay questions.
• Coverage: Focuses on the second half of the course material.

Origins of the Cold War

• Historical Context: The Cold War's origins were not purely ideological; they included specific geopolitical events and decisions.
• Division of Germany: Post-WWII, Germany was divided into three occupation zones controlled by the US, UK, and France. The US ceded part of its southern zone to France.
• Iron Curtain Speech: Churchill's famous speech highlighted the ideological divide between Western democracies and Eastern communist states.

The Marshall Plan

• Purpose: To prevent the spread of communism by providing economic assistance for rebuilding European nations.
• Financial Overview: Approximately $17 billion allocated (initially $13 billion, later supplemented by an additional $5 billion).
• Impact: Funds primarily used to purchase US-made construction materials.
• Soviet Reaction: The Soviet Union labeled it a capitalist plot and initiated its own economic plan (COMECON).

Containment Policy

• Doctrine Introduction: Announced by President Truman, designed to provide military assistance to anti-communist governments.
• Key Examples:
  • Greece: US supported monarchists in the Greek civil war (1947).
  • Turkey: Military assistance due to communist threats.
• George F. Kennan’s Influence: Advocated for the strategy of firm and vigilant containment of Soviet expansion.

Key Cold War Events

• Soviet Expansion: Examples include the takeover of Czechoslovakia (1948) and the Berlin Blockade (1948-1949).
• Berlin Airlift: Western Allies supplied West Berlin post-blockade (June 1948 - May 1949). Over 2 million tons of supplies delivered via 270,000 flights.

Korean and Vietnam Wars

• Korea: Divided along the 38th parallel; significant US military engagement followed the invasion of South Korea by northern communist forces.
• Vietnam: Divided post-Geneva Accords (1954); US supported the South but did not participate in the original negotiations.
  • Dien Bien Phu: Key defeat of French forces; initiated US involvement.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

• Crisis Overview: Discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba led to a tense standoff.
• Outcomes:
  • Cuba received a US pledge not to invade.
  • US secured the removal of missiles from Cuba and agreed to withdraw its missiles from Turkey.

Détente and End of the Cold War

• Nixon’s Strategies: Established diplomatic relations with China; involved in disarmament discussions.
• Gorbachev’s Reforms: Implemented policies like glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) which weakened Soviet influence.
• Berlin Wall: Symbol of division fell in 1989, leading to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.
• Soviet Union Dissolution: Officially disbanded on December 26, 1991.

Conclusion of Cold War

• End of formal Cold War was marked by the end of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. The final significant event was Gorbachev's announcement of the dissolution on 12/26/1991.