AP World Unit 8 - Cold War & Decolonization

• Cold War lasted from 1945 to early 90s: The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies. It began after World War II and lasted until the early 1990s. It was characterized by an ongoing political, strategic, and ideological struggle.

• US and Soviet Union tried to get the rest of the world to side with them: Both the US and the USSR sought to expand their influence globally, attempting to align other nations with their political ideologies and economic systems. This competition led to proxy wars and political maneuvering worldwide.

• An arms based race between - nuclear arsenals became large enough to wipe out the whole world: The Cold War spurred a massive arms race, particularly in nuclear weapons. Both sides accumulated vast arsenals capable of causing global destruction, leading to a state of constant fear and the concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD).

Power Grab

• Biggest conflict over future security - both wanted their worldview to dominate:

  • US: capitalism, democracy: The US promoted a worldview centered on capitalism, advocating for free markets and private enterprise, and democracy, emphasizing individual freedoms and representative government.

  • USSR: communism/totalitarianism: The USSR championed communism, advocating for state control of the economy and a classless society, and often implemented totalitarian political systems with centralized control and suppression of dissent.

• At conferences in Yalta and Potsdam in 1945, parts of Eastern Europe were divided among Allied forces - Soviet Union demanded control of its neighbouring states (Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria), which the US disagreed with: During these conferences, the division of post-war Europe was discussed. The USSR sought to establish a sphere of influence over Eastern European countries, which the US resisted, leading to the beginning of Cold War tensions.

• 1948: French, US, British sections of Germany merged into one, while Eastern Germany was under Soviet control - they cut of access to Berlin from Western side (Berlin Blockade):

  • Berlin Blockade: The Western Allies merged their zones in Germany, leading to Soviet opposition. The USSR blockaded West Berlin, cutting off supplies.

• US flew in resources to trapped Western side (Berlin Airlift) until Soviets relented and split Berlin in half - built a wall on their side (Berlin Wall):

  • Berlin Airlift: The US and its allies responded by airlifting supplies into West Berlin until the Soviets lifted the blockade. Eventually, Berlin was divided, with the Berlin Wall symbolizing the split between East and West.

East Vs. West

• Europe was clearly divided in East and West:

  • East: East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary = Soviet bloc: These countries were under the influence or control of the Soviet Union, often characterized by communist governments and close ties to the USSR.

  • West: Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, West Germany, Greece, Turkey = Western bloc: These countries aligned with the United States, typically embracing capitalist economies and democratic political systems.

• Truman Doctrine (1947) said US would aid countries threatened by communism (containment) - Western bloc formed military alliance NATO for this:

  • Truman Doctrine: This policy committed the US to supporting countries resisting communist aggression.

  • Containment: The strategy aimed to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing borders.

  • NATO: A military alliance formed to provide collective security against Soviet expansion.

• In response, Eastern bloc formed Warsaw Pact: The Warsaw Pact was the Eastern bloc's response to NATO, creating a military alliance among communist states.

• Two alliances became heavily weaponized - line between them was called the Iron Curtain: The Iron Curtain symbolized the ideological and physical division between the East and West, with heavy militarization on both sides.

• Many countries were part of nonalignment - accepted investments from US and USSR but didn’t side with either:

  • Helped many former colonies find cooperative economic relations: These countries sought to maintain neutrality during the Cold War, accepting aid and investment from both sides without formally aligning with either bloc.

  • Bandung Conference (1955): leaders from Africa and Asia meet to discuss these partnerships - Non-Aligned Movement: The Bandung Conference led to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement, promoting cooperation among countries not aligned with major power blocs.

China

• After fall of Manchu Dynasty in 1911, Sun Yat-sen led the Chinese Revolution of 1911 for China to become more Westernized and powerful:

  • Sun Yat-sen: A key figure in the revolution that aimed to modernize China.

  • Chinese Revolution of 1911: This revolution overthrew the Qing Dynasty and aimed to establish a modern, Western-style government in China.

• Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles of the People: nationalism, socialism, democracy: These principles were the foundation of Sun Yat-sen's political ideology, advocating for national unity, economic equality, and democratic governance.

• Established his own political party for his own goals - the Kuomintang (KMT): The KMT was the political party founded by Sun Yat-sen to implement his Three Principles and govern China.

• Chiang Kai-shek established KMT in 1920s while Japanese and Soviets also struggled to control China: Chiang Kai-shek rose to prominence within the KMT and led it during a period of internal conflict and external aggression.

• US helped drive Japan out, but communists and KMT continued to fight Chinese Civil War for next 4 years: After World War II, the KMT and the communists resumed their civil war to determine who would control China.

• Communists recruited millions of peasants under Mao Zedong to drive KMT out of China into Taiwan (where they established Republic of China):

  • Mao Zedong: The leader of the Chinese Communist Party who mobilized the peasantry and ultimately defeated the KMT.

  • Republic of China: The government established by the KMT in Taiwan after their defeat in the Chinese Civil War.

• Mainland China became People’s Republic of China and the largest communist nation in the world: The communist victory led to the establishment of the People's Republic of China, which became the world's most populous communist state.

• Taiwan and People’s Republic of China are still separated: The political division between mainland China and Taiwan persists to this day.

Mao Zedong

• At first was successful in increasing China’s productivity and agriculture: Initially, Mao's policies led to gains in agricultural and industrial output.

• Implemented Great Leap Forward by creating communes (local governments) to achieve a Marxist state - they couldn’t keep up with their agricultural quotas, so they lied about it causing starvation of over 30 million Chinese people:

  • Great Leap Forward: A disastrous economic and social campaign that aimed to rapidly transform China into a communist society through collectivization and industrialization, resulting in widespread famine.

• After withdraw of Soviet support, military became his focus and capitalism was implemented into economy - Mao didn’t like it: The withdrawal of Soviet aid led to a shift in priorities, with increased emphasis on military development and the introduction of some capitalist elements into the economy.

• Mao’s Cultural Revolution: got rid of all Western influences to prevent privileged classes - universities shut down and most worked as farmers from 1960s to 70s:

  • Cultural Revolution: A sociopolitical movement launched by Mao to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society, leading to widespread social and economic disruption.

Deng Xiaoping

• New leader - focused on restructuring economy, reimplemented education: Deng Xiaoping initiated reforms to modernize China's economy and educational system.

• Free-market capitalism elements, property ownership, foreign relations - but still largely communist: Deng's reforms introduced elements of market capitalism while maintaining the communist political system.

• Tiananmen Square Massacre: hundreds of protesters for democratic reform killed by government troops: The Tiananmen Square Massacre was a violent suppression of pro-democracy protests by the government.

Proxy Wars

• Definition: A war instigated by a major power that does not itself become involved

  • US and Soviet Union never directly fought each other, they rather supported different sides in smaller conflicts around the world

• Korean War (1950-1953):

  • After WWII, Korea was divided into North (communist) and South (non-communist)

  • North Korea, supported by USSR and China, invaded South Korea

  • US and UN forces intervened to support South Korea

  • Ended in a stalemate with Korea remaining divided

• Vietnam War (1955-1975):

  • Vietnam was divided into North (communist) and South (non-communist)

  • North Vietnam, supported by USSR and China, sought to unify the country under communism

  • US supported South Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism (Domino Theory)

  • US involvement increased, but eventually withdrew, leading to the fall of South Vietnam and reunification under communist rule

• Afghanistan (1979-1989):

  • Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support a communist government against the Mujahideen rebels

  • US supported the Mujahideen with funding, weapons, and training

  • Soviet Union eventually withdrew after a costly and prolonged conflict

Cuban Missile Crisis

• Fidel Castro led a communist revolution in Cuba in 1959, overthrowing the US backed government

  • Cuba became closely aligned with the Soviet Union

• In 1962, the US discovered that the Soviet Union was installing nuclear missiles in Cuba

  • US blockaded Cuba and demanded the removal of the missiles

  • The world was on the brink of nuclear war

• After tense negotiations, the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles, and the US pledged not to invade Cuba

  End of the Cold War

• The cold war ended due to:

  • Economic stagnation in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

    • The communist system was unable to provide the same standard of living as the west

  • Political reforms in the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev

    • Glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) loosened state control and allowed for more freedom

  • Dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the collapse of communist governments in Eastern Europe

    • The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, symbolizing the end of the division of Germany and Berlin

End of the Cold War

• The cold war ended due to:

  • Economic stagnation in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

  • The communist system was unable to provide the same standard of living as the west

  • Political reforms in the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev

  • Glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) loosened state control and allowed for more freedom

  • Dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the collapse of communist governments in Eastern Europe

  • The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the division of Germany