Cold War 1945-1991

1. Nuremberg Trials

  • Took place 1945–1946 after WWII

  • Nazi leaders were put on trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide

  • Established that individuals (not just countries) can be held responsible

  • Introduced the idea that “following orders” is not a valid defense

  • Led to executions, prison sentences, and some acquittals

Berlin Division & Wall (Map Topic)

  • Germany divided into East (Communist, USSR) and West (Democratic, U.S./Allies)

  • Berlin split the same way—even though it was inside East Germany

  • West Berlin = democratic “island” inside Communist territory

  • Berlin Wall built in 1961 to stop people escaping East → West

  • Families were separated; escape attempts were common early on

2. NATO

  • Formed in 1949 by U.S. + Western allies

  • Purpose: defend against Communist expansion

  • Collective defense: attack on one = attack on all

3. Warsaw Pact

  • Formed in 1955 by USSR + Eastern European countries

  • Communist response to NATO

  • Created two opposing military blocs in Europe

Map Conclusions (Europe – NATO vs Warsaw Pact)

  1. Europe was split into two opposing sides (East vs West)

  2. The USSR controlled most of Eastern Europe

  3. Western Europe aligned with the U.S.

  4. Germany was divided, symbolizing Cold War tension

  5. The division increased the risk of conflict but prevented direct war

Global Map Conclusions (Cold War Influence)

  1. The Cold War affected countries worldwide, not just Europe

  2. Many nations chose sides or were influenced by either U.S. or USSR

  3. Proxy wars occurred in Asia, Africa, and Latin America

  4. Some countries remained neutral (Non-Aligned Movement)

  5. Superpowers competed for global influence

4. United Nations

  • Founded in 1945 to promote peace and cooperation

  • Security Council has 5 permanent members (U.S., UK, France, USSR/Russia, China)

  • Works on global issues like conflict, poverty, and human rights

  • Played a major role during Cold War tensions

5. Cuban Missile Crisis

  • 1962 standoff between U.S. and USSR over nuclear missiles in Cuba

  • Closest the world came to nuclear war

  • Ended with compromise: USSR removed missiles, U.S. promised not to invade Cuba

  • Led to better communication (hotline) between superpowers

6. Domino Theory

  • Idea that if one country becomes Communist, nearby countries will follow

  • Used to justify U.S. involvement in Vietnam

7. Tet Offensive

  • Surprise attack by North Vietnam in 1968

  • Military loss for North, but psychological win

  • Turned U.S. public opinion against the war

  • Major turning point

8. My Lai Massacre

  • 1968: U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians

  • Shocked Americans when revealed

  • Increased anti-war sentiment

9. Kent State shootings

  • National Guard shot student protesters in Ohio

  • 4 students killed

  • Highlighted deep division in the U.S. over the war

10. Hawks

  • People who supported the Vietnam War

  • Believed in stopping Communism and winning militarily

11. Doves

  • People who opposed the Vietnam War

  • Wanted peace and withdrawal of U.S. troops

Fall of South Vietnam (1975)

  • North Vietnam captured Saigon

  • Vietnam became fully Communist

  • Marked the end of the Vietnam War

#1 – Potsdam Conference & United Nations (1945)

  • Potsdam Conference (1945): Last meeting of the Big Three (U.S., Britain, Soviet Union) near the end of WWII.

  • President Truman represented the U.S. (pictured in the middle).

  • Focus: Deciding how to handle postwar Europe, especially Germany.

  • United Nations (UN) created in 1945 to promote peace and prevent future wars.

  • UN Headquarters located in New York City.

#2 – Truman Doctrine

  • Policy stating the U.S. would support democratic nations threatened by authoritarian (especially communist) forces.

  • Included political, military, and economic aid.

  • Shows U.S. fear of communism spreading quickly and violently into capitalist countries.

  • Marked the beginning of U.S. containment policy during the Cold War.

#3 – Berlin Airlift & Korean War

Berlin Airlift (1948–1949):

  • Soviet Union blocked access to West Berlin.

  • U.S. and Britain responded by airlifting food and supplies.

  • Demonstrated commitment to stopping communist expansion without direct war.

Korean War (1950–1953):

  • Conflict between North Korea (communist) and South Korea (democratic).

Phases:

  1. Phase I (June–Sept 1950): North Korea invades South → pushed to Pusan Perimeter.

  2. Phase II (Sept–Oct 1950): UN/U.S. counterattack at Incheon → pushes North back.

  3. Phase III (Nov 1950–Jan 1951): China enters war → pushes UN forces south.

  4. Phase IV (Jan–June 1951): UN pushes back to 38th Parallel.

  5. Stalemate (1951–1953): Fighting slows → ends with armistice, Korea remains divided.

What happened overall:

  • War ended in a stalemate, with Korea still split at the 38th Parallel (same as before the war).

Appeasement

  • Policy of giving in to aggressive powers to avoid conflict

  • Used by European countries toward Hitler in the 1930s

  • Failed because it encouraged further aggression

Containment

  • U.S. strategy to stop the spread of communism

  • Involved economic aid, alliances, and military force if needed

  • Guided U.S. foreign policy throughout the Cold War

Truman Doctrine

  • U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism

  • Provided economic and military aid (first applied to Greece & Turkey)

  • Marked the start of active U.S. involvement in stopping communism

Marshall Plan

  • U.S. program giving financial aid to rebuild Western Europe after WWII

  • Aimed to prevent economic collapse and spread of communism

  • Strengthened European economies and U.S. influence

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

  • Military alliance formed in 1949

  • U.S., Canada, and Western European nations

  • Members agree to defend each other if attacked

Cold War

  • Period of tension between U.S. and Soviet Union (1945–1991)

  • No direct full-scale war between the two superpowers

  • Included proxy wars, arms race, and ideological conflict