8.2 Cold War

Cold War Overview

• Definition: A period of geopolitical tension between the United States (capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communism) after WWII.
• Key Quote: "Let us not be deceived-we are today in the midst of a cold war." - Bernard Baruch, 1947

Essential Question

• Causes and Effects: Examine the ideological struggle of capitalism vs. communism and its global impact from 1947 to 1991.

Emergence of Superpowers

• Post-WWII, the U.S. and Soviet Union emerged as world leaders.
  • Expansion of territorial control and influence.
  • Recognition of rivalry at the Potsdam Conference (1945).

Cooperation Despite Conflict: The United Nations

• Establishment: Created in 1945 to promote peace and cooperation.
• Failures of League of Nations:
  • Lacked support from major powers, especially the U.S.
  • Failed to act quickly against rising conflicts.

Iron Curtain

• Symbol of Division: Churchill's 1946 speech introducing the term reflects the physical and ideological split between Eastern (communist) and Western (capitalist) Europe.

Economic Systems

Capitalism (U.S. & Allies)

• Ownership: Primarily private ownership of economic assets (farms, factories).
• Decision-Making: Economic choices driven by private interests; emphasis on individual freedoms.

Communism (Soviet Union & Satellites)

• Ownership: State ownership of economic assets.
• Goals: Focus on equality and collective welfare at the expense of individual freedoms.

Political Systems

Democratic (U.S.)

• Elections: Free elections and diverse political parties.
• Media: Independent press providing unbiased political information.

Authoritarian (Soviet Union)

• Elections: Non-competitive elections dominated by a single party.
• Media: Government-controlled press.

Critiques and Perceptions

• U.S. Critique of Soviet Union: Restriction of freedoms and economic inefficiencies.
• Soviet Critique of U.S.: Disparities in wealth and alleged discrimination issues.
• Similarities: Control of significant economic decisions by elites (governments or corporations) and the militarization of society.

International Affairs and Conflicts

Expansion of Influence

• Each superpower aimed to spread its ideological framework globally.
• USSR’s Control Over Eastern Europe: Pressured countries like Poland and Hungary into adopting communist regimes.

Policy of Containment

• George Kennan's Strategy: Proposed that communism must be prevented from spreading.
• Truman Doctrine (1947): U.S. pledged support to countries resisting communist influence (notably Greece and Turkey).

Economic Aid and Rivalries

Marshall Plan (1947)

• Aid Package: $12 billion for rebuilding European economies post-WWII, aimed at preventing communism's spread.
• Soviet Response: COMECON, a smaller scale aid plan for Eastern Europe, focused on trade rather than development.

Space Race and Arms Race

Space Race

• Sputnik Launch (1957): Initiated competition in space exploration between the two superpowers.

Nuclear Arms Race

• Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): Recognition that nuclear conflict would lead to catastrophic losses for both sides, promoting a precarious peace.

The Non-Aligned Movement

• Approach: Countries seeking to avoid alliance with either superpower.
• Bandung Conference (1955): Gathering promoting economic and political cooperation among newly independent states.
• Challenges: Struggles between collective strategy and individual national interests.

Key Figures in the Non-Aligned Movement

• Jawaharlal Nehru (India): Promoted peace and development in Asia.
• Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana): Fought for African unity and independence.
• Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt): Focused on Pan-Arabism and opposing imperialism.
• Sukarno (Indonesia): Hosted the Bandung Conference, criticized both the U.S. and USSR while accepting aid.

Key Themes and Terms

• Government: United Nations (UN), Iron Curtain, Satellite Countries, World Revolution, Containment, Truman Doctrine, Non-Aligned Movement.
• Technology: Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), Sputnik.
• Economics: Marshall Plan, COMECON.