Crash Course U.S. History: The Cold War

Introduction

• The Cold War: An era from 1945 to 1990 involving ideological and strategic tensions between the U.S. and the USSR.
• Known as "cold" because it did not escalate into direct armed conflict between the superpowers.
• Involved wars in other parts of the world (e.g., Korea, Afghanistan).

Cold War Context

• Post-WWII, the U.S. and the USSR emerged as superpowers.
  • U.S. had atomic weapons.
  • USSR suffered massive losses and was led by Joseph Stalin.
• U.S. economic interests: Needed a strong, free-market Europe and Asia for trade.
• Soviet concerns: Preventing another German invasion.

Soviet Expansion and U.S. Response

• Soviets encouraged pro-communist governments in Eastern Europe.
• U.S. policy of containment: Communism could remain, but should not spread (George F. Kennan’s Long Telegram).
• Containment led to real wars in Korea and Vietnam.

Truman Doctrine

• Announced in 1947, pledging U.S. support for countries resisting communism.
• Provided $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey.
• Framed U.S. ideology: Free America vs. Tyrannical Communism.

Creation of Security Apparatus

• Establishment of the National Security Council, CIA, and Atomic Energy Commission.
• Military buildup and arms race as key features of the Cold War.

The Marshall Plan

• Introduced by George Marshall in 1947 to combat economic instability in Europe.
• U.S. aid helped rebuild Western Europe and Japan, promoting capitalist economies.

The Berlin Crisis

• Post-war Germany divided into East and West.
• 1948: Stalin’s blockade of West Berlin led to an 11-month U.S. airlift.
• Berlin Wall built in 1961.

Cold War Ideologies

• National Security Council report NSC 68 framed Cold War as freedom vs. tyranny.
• U.S. interventions in many countries to prevent communism.

Cultural Impact

• Anti-communist sentiment influenced Hollywood and media.
• "Under God" added to Pledge of Allegiance as a stand against atheism.

Domestic Policy and Impact

• Anti-communism hindered Truman’s Fair Deal, extending New Deal policies.
• Cold War justified investments in education, technology, and infrastructure.

Espionage

• Soviet nuclear capability advanced by espionage (e.g., Klaus Fuchs, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg).

The Red Scare

• Loyalty Review System and the rise of McCarthyism.
• Fear of communism led to widespread accusations and paranoia.

Conclusion

• The Cold War reshaped American society, politics, and global role.
• Altered definitions of freedom and security.

Overall, the Cold War era was marked by geopolitical tensions, ideological confrontations, cultural influences, and significant changes in U.S domestic and foreign policy.