Heimler's History: Cold War and Non-Aligned Movement

Introduction

• Continuation from the previous video on Unit 8 of AP World History.
• Focus on the Cold War and decolonization in the 20th century.

The Cold War: Overview

• Definition: Hostility between two countries without open warfare.
• Main players: United States (US) and Soviet Union (USSR).
• Duration: Over 40 years.

Reasons for Tension

1. Economic Systems
   • United States: Capitalism
     • Private ownership of capital goods.
   • Soviet Union: Communism
     • Government ownership of capital goods.
     • Historical form as practiced in the USSR.
2. Government Styles
   • United States: Democracy
     • Free elections.
   • Soviet Union: Authoritarian
     • Single political party, strong leader.
3. Ideological Expansion
   • Both capitalism and communism sought to spread globally.

Methods of Conflict Without Fighting

1. Economic Dependence
   • Soviet Union: Soviet Bloc in Eastern Europe (e.g., Bulgaria, East Germany).
     • Implemented Five Year Plans, collectivization.
   • United States: Marshall Plan in Western Europe.
     • Provided aid to prevent the spread of communism.
   • Policy of Containment
     • Introduced by George Kennan; aimed to prevent communism spread.
     • Truman Doctrine: Provided military aid to threatened countries (e.g., Greece, Turkey).
2. Arms Race
   • Development of atomic and hydrogen bombs.
   • Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) prevented actual use of nuclear weapons.
3. Space Race
   • 1957: Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
   • 1961: First man in space (Yuri Gagarin, USSR).
   • 1969: Americans landed on the moon.

Non-Aligned Movement

• Emerged in response to US-Soviet conflict.
• Consisted of Asian and African nations recently independent from colonial rule.
• 1961: Formally established to represent developing nations.

Notable Leaders

• Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)
  • Led independence from Britain, created Organization of African Unity.
• Sukarno (Indonesia)
  • First president, organized Bandung Conference (1955).

Conclusion

• Understanding of the key dynamics in Cold War history and the Non-Aligned Movement.
• Encouragement to subscribe for more educational videos.