Lecture Notes: Key Events of the Early Cold War

Introduction

• Face Reveal and Merch Promotion
  • New minimalist and Cold War merch available
  • Limited edition Churchill character pin launched
  • Links in the video description

World War I Context

• 1917 Eastern Front
  • Russia and Germany on the brink of collapse
  • Lenin's return to Russia facilitated by Germany
  • Resulting internal crisis and overthrow of government

Lenin's Influence

• Impact of Lenin's Rule
  • Withdrew from WWI
  • Made Russia Communist
  • Initiated a civil war, economic breakdown, famine
  • Warned against Stalin on his deathbed

Rise of Stalin

• Stalin’s Ascendancy
  • Terror and elimination of opponents
  • Implementation of Five-Year Plans transforming the economy
  • Reign of terror with work camps for dissenters
  • WWII: Allies with the West against Nazi Germany

Post-WWII Transition

• Conferences and New World Order
  • Allies (US, UK, USSR) discuss post-war plans
  • Disagreements and tension surface

Early Cold War Tensions

• Breakdown of Alliances
  • Establishment of Soviet puppet states in Eastern Europe
  • Churchill’s