AP World History: Unit 8 - The Cold War and Decolonization

Introduction

• Overview of Unit 8: Focus on the Cold War and decolonization movements in the 20th century.
• Cold War: A standoff between the US and the Soviet Union lasting about 40 years.
• Decolonization: Process by which empires were dismantled and former colonies gained independence.

Context

Meetings of the Big Three

1. Yalta Conference (1944)

   • Attendees: Franklin Roosevelt (US), Winston Churchill (UK), Joseph Stalin (USSR).
   • Roosevelt advocated for free elections in Eastern Europe.
   • Stalin wanted Eastern Europe under Soviet control (buffer zone against invasions).
   • Roosevelt realized he could not stop Stalin from occupying Eastern Europe.
   • Stalin gave vague promises for future free elections.

2. Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

   • Attendees: Truman (new US President after Roosevelt's death), Churchill, Stalin.
   • Truman insisted on free elections in Eastern Europe, but Stalin refused due to troop occupation of those regions.
   • This conflict deepened the rift between the US and the USSR.

Emergence of Superpowers

• United States:

  • Remained untouched during WWII except for Pearl Harbor.
  • Offered $12 billion in aid (Marshall Plan) for European rebuilding post-war.

• Soviet Union:

  • Suffered massive losses (15-20 million people) and damage during WWII.
  • Despite losses, had a large population and industrial capacity built up by Stalin.
  • Other potential superpowers were weakened after the war.

The Atomic Bomb

• The US dropped the atomic bomb without prior notice to the USSR, causing tension.
• The bomb became a significant factor in the Cold War dynamics.
• Definition of Cold War: Hostility without open warfare, characterized by threats, propaganda, and an arms race.

Decolonization

• By WWI, empire building peaked; countries held territories worldwide.
• Colonial soldiers fought in WWI hoping for independence.
• Woodrow Wilson advocated for self-determination post-WWI, but it largely failed between the wars.
• WWII shifted relationships between colonies and parent countries:
  • Financial strain on imperial nations made repression of independence movements difficult.
• Colonies began to gain support from the US and USSR for independence.
• Decolonization wave began post-WWII due to a combination of weakened imperial powers and global superpower interests.

Conclusion

• The stage is set for understanding both the Cold War and decolonization.
• Future videos will delve deeper into these topics.