Overview
This lecture covers the origins, key events, and conclusion of the Cold War, highlighting the rivalry between the USA and USSR and their global influence from 1943 to 1991.
Post-World War II Foundations
- Allies agree to divide Germany and plan for post-war occupation.
- The United States promotes creation of international institutions, including the United Nations (UN).
- Churchill and Stalin negotiate spheres of influence in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
- The Yalta Conference formalizes UN creation and post-war arrangements, including dividing Germany and Austria into occupation zones.
- The Potsdam Conference exposes tensions over German administration and reparations.
- The US demonstrates atomic power by bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Early Cold War Divisions
- Europe is physically and ideologically divided (the "Iron Curtain" speech).
- USSR establishes pro-communist governments in Eastern Europe.
- Communist and anti-communist conflicts erupt in Greece and China.
- The Truman Doctrine marks US commitment to containing communism globally.
- The Marshall Plan promotes Western European recovery and US influence.
Escalation and Alliances
- The USSR creates Cominform; the US creates the CIA.
- Czechoslovakia falls to communism after a supported coup.
- NATO is founded as a Western military alliance; the USSR responds with the Warsaw Pact.
- Germany is officially split into East and West; the Berlin Blockade and Airlift intensify divisions.
- China becomes communist; Korea is divided and war breaks out along the 38th parallel.
- The US supports anti-communist governments worldwide; atomic arms race intensifies.
Globalization of the Cold War
- CIA-backed coups occur in Iran and Guatemala.
- Non-Aligned Movement emerges as newly independent countries declare neutrality.
- Suez Crisis marks end of British and French colonial dominance.
- Space Race begins with USSR's launch of Sputnik.
- US-Soviet competition spreads to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Crises and Confrontations
- Berlin Wall constructed to stop East Germans fleeing to the West.
- Cuban Missile Crisis nearly leads to nuclear war; resolved by mutual concessions.
- US deepens involvement in Vietnam War; conflict intensifies global tensions.
- Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia ends with Soviet invasion.
DĂ©tente and the Endgame
- US and China open diplomatic relations; arms limitation agreements signed with USSR.
- US withdraws from Vietnam; communist victories follow in Southeast Asia.
- Soviet intervention in Afghanistan reignites tensions; US supports Mujahideen.
- Reagan arms anti-communist groups without direct US troop involvement.
Collapse of the Eastern Bloc and USSR
- Gorbachev's policies promote openness and reform but weaken Soviet control.
- Eastern European communist regimes fall; Berlin Wall collapses in 1989.
- Warsaw Pact dissolves; USSR breaks up in 1991 marking end of the Cold War.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Iron Curtain — Imaginary line dividing communist East and capitalist West Europe.
- Truman Doctrine — US policy to contain communism worldwide.
- Marshall Plan — US aid program to rebuild Western European economies.
- NATO — North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a Western military alliance.
- Warsaw Pact — Eastern Bloc military alliance led by the USSR.
- Berlin Blockade/Airlift — Soviet attempt to cut off West Berlin, countered by Western supply airlift.
- Detente — Period of eased Cold War tensions and arms limitations.
- Non-Aligned Movement — Group of countries rejecting alignment with either superpower.
- Mujahideen — Afghan rebels supported by the US against Soviet occupation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the timeline of key Cold War events for chronological understanding.
- Prepare for discussion on the global impacts of Cold War alliances and conflicts.