Unit 8: Setting the Stage for the Cold War and Decolonization

Post-WWII World Order

• WWII (1939-1945) left Europe and Asia devastated, creating a power vacuum.
• Emergence of the US and USSR as rival superpowers with opposing ideologies.
• Creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 to promote global peace and security.
• Weakened European colonial powers accelerated demands for independence.

Ending WWII Conferences

• Tehran Conference:
  • Held in Iran (Nov 1943) with FDR, Churchill, and Stalin.
  • Agreements on military focus: USSR on Eastern Europe, US and GB on Western Europe.
• Yalta Conference (Feb 1945):
  • Focus on defeating Japan and rebuilding Europe.
  • FDR's desire for USSR to support war with Japan and allow free elections in Eastern Europe.
  • Stalin's interest in controlling Eastern Europe and demands for territorial gains.
• Potsdam Conference (July 1945):
  • New leaders: Harry Truman and Clement Attlee.
  • Call for free elections in Poland and Eastern Europe, which did not occur due to Soviet intervention.
  • Decision to divide Germany into four zones, later consolidated into two.

Post-War Europe

• Massive destruction and loss of life (40-60 million dead).
• Significant migrations away from Europe.
• USSR, Poland, and Germany suffered the most losses in population.
• Western Europe recovered faster through democracy and strong economic foundations.
• US emerged as a dominant world power.

US vs. USSR - Ideological Divide

• US advocated for democracy, capitalism, and free markets.
• USSR promoted communism, state-controlled economies, and a one-party system.
• Both superpowers sought to spread their ideologies, leading to global tensions.

Cold War (1945-1991)

• Period of political tension, military rivalry, and competition for global influence.
• Characterized by ideological conflict, proxy wars, nuclear arms race, space race, and espionage.
• Important Events and Features:
  • Proxy Wars: Korean War, Vietnam War, Soviet-Afghan War.
  • Nuclear Arms Race: Policy of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).
  • Space Race: Notable events include Sputnik launch (1957) and US moon landing (1969).
  • Cold War Alliances: NATO and Warsaw Pact.
  • End of the Cold War: Marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and dissolution of the USSR (1991).

United Nations Updates

• General Assembly to represent member nations.
• Security Council with 15 members including permanent seats for US, GB, Fr, China, and USSR.
• Creation of the Atomic Energy Commission and the World Bank.

Marshall Plan (1948-1952)

• US initiative to aid in the recovery of Western Europe post-WWII.
• Provided economic assistance to prevent the spread of communism and strengthen US-European relations.

Satellite Nations

• Stalin's control over Eastern Europe and puppet elections.
• Communist dictators established in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.

Containment Policy

• Adopted by Truman in 1947 to limit Soviet aggression.
• Spearheaded by George Kennan.
• Basis of US foreign policy during the Cold War.

Truman Doctrine (March 1947)

• US response to threats in Greece and Turkey.
• Provided $400 million in aid to resist communism and military assistance.

Space Race

• Symbolized the ideological battle between capitalism and communism.
• Key milestones include Sputnik, Yuri Gagarin's spaceflight, and Apollo 11.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

• Doctrine ensuring total destruction of both attacker and defender in nuclear conflict.

Berlin Airlift (June 1948 - May 1949)

• Response to the Soviet blockade of Berlin.
• US airlifted supplies to West Berlin, defeating Stalin's plan.
• Led to the division of Germany into East and West.

NATO and Warsaw Pact

• Formation of NATO in 1949 as a permanent alliance for national security.
• Soviet response with the Warsaw Pact.

Proxy Wars

• Indirect conflicts during geopolitical tensions, backed by superpowers.
• Examples include Korean War, Vietnam War, and Soviet-Afghan War.

Korean War (1950-1953)

• Division of Korea post-WWII along the 38th parallel.
• North Korea backed by USSR and China, South Korea by US and UN.
• Conflict ended with an armistice and establishment of the DMZ.

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

• Part of Cold War containment policy.
• Significant events: Gulf of Tonkin Incident, Tet Offensive, US Anti-War Movement.
• Ended with the unification of Vietnam under communism.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

• Failed CIA operation to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba.
• Embarrassed the US and led to increased aid from USSR to Cuba.

Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962)

• Aerial photos revealed Soviet missiles in Cuba.
• US naval blockade led to a tense standoff.
• Resolution involved removing missiles from both Cuba and Turkey.

Angola and Nicaragua

• Cold War influence on conflicts in the developing world.

Communism in China

• Post-WWII civil war led to communist victory and establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
• CCP strengths and KMT weaknesses contributed to victory.
• Impact included heightened Cold War tensions.

Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution

• Great Leap Forward: Failed economic policy leading to famine.
• Cultural Revolution: Mao's campaign to reinforce communism, resulting in chaos and persecution.

Iranian Revolution

• Overthrow of the Shah and establishment of a theocratic government in 1979.
• Western interests affected due to changes in leadership.

Venezuela

• Example of land reform in Latin America.
• Political effects due to differing opinions on land redistribution.

End of Communism

• Economic and moral failures led to collapse.
• China's shift under Deng Xiaoping towards political stability and economic reforms.