Unit 8_ Cold War (WHAP) - ppt

AP World History Unit 8: The Cold War

Introduction to the Cold War

  • Quote by Winston Churchill: "From Stettin in the Baltic, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent."

Do Now: Map of Cold War Europe (Day 1)

  1. Observations: Record 2–3 significant observations about the Cold War map.
  2. Knowledge: Note down 3 facts you already KNOW regarding the Cold War.
  3. Learning Objectives: Write down 3 things you WANT TO LEARN about the Cold War.

Setting the Stage for the Cold War

  • Unfulfilled Hopes for Self-Determination: Following WWI, the population hoped for greater self-government, which remained largely unfulfilled.
  • Rising Anti-Imperialist Sentiment: Post-WWII, anti-imperialism increased, leading to the dissolution of empires and the formation of new states.

Buildup of Tensions

  • The Capitalistic USA and the authoritarian USSR contributed to the defeat of Axis powers in WWII but were ideologically opposed, paving the way for the Cold War.

Formation of Military Alliances

  • NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established in response to Soviet threats, formally uniting Western allies.
  • Warsaw Pact: Established in 1955, the USSR formed its military alliance with its satellite states in Eastern Europe.

Cold War Characteristics

  • Cold War as a Bipolar Balance of Power: Characterized by a division of power between the USA and the USSR.
  • Non-Aligned Movement: Certain states chose to remain neutral, seeking alternatives to the dominant power structure. Notable leaders were Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana) and Sukarno (Indonesia).

Key Cold War Quote and Concepts

  • Iron Curtain: Refers to the division of Europe after WWII, where countries under Soviet influence were seen as being 'behind' the Iron Curtain.
  • George Marshall: U.S. Secretary of State who proposed the Marshall Plan, a massive aid program aimed to rebuild Europe after WWII.
  • Marshall Plan Details: Funded with $13 billion (1948 – 1952) to rejuvenate war-torn European economies.

U.S. Foreign Policy and Cold War Strategies

  • Truman Doctrine: Request for $400 million in aid to aid countries resisting communism, stating containment was essential for U.S. foreign policy.
  • Domino Theory: Concept suggesting that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would likely follow suit, necessitating American intervention.

Proxy Wars and Nuclear Proliferation

  • The Cold War resulted in a series of proxy wars within postcolonial states across Latin America, Africa, and Asia and led to an increased arms race and nuclear proliferation.

The Big Three Conferences

  • Tehran Conference (1943): Discussions among the leaders of the USA, UK, and USSR focusing on military strategy