Cold War Overview

I. Introduction

• Post-WWII tensions rise between the US and the Soviet Union (SU).
• George Kennan's Long Telegram asserts that the SU must be contained.
• Churchill's Iron Curtain speech emphasizes the division in Europe.
• Cold War is a political, ideological struggle between capitalism (US) and communism (SU).
• Periods: First Cold War (mid-1940s-mid-1960s), détente (mid-1960s-1979), Second Cold War (1979-1989).

II. Political, Economic, and Military Dimensions

• Failure to establish a postwar order led to Cold War.
• Yalta and Potsdam Conferences couldn't resolve tensions.
• US refused to recognize SU post-Bolshevik revolution.
• Truman Doctrine (1947) aimed to contain communism.
• Marshall Plan (1948-1952) supports European reconstruction to prevent communist influence.
• Berlin Blockade (1948) leads to Berlin Airlift.
• NATO (1949) formed as a mutual defense pact; Warsaw Pact (1955) by SU.

III. The Arms Buildup, the Space Race, and Technological Advancement

• Atomic bombings of Japan (1945) lead to nuclear arms race.
• US and SU develop hydrogen bombs (1952-1953).
• Concepts of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) arise.
• Space Race begins with Soviet's Sputnik (1957); US establishes NASA (1958).
• Development of ballistic missiles, computing technologies.

IV. The Cold War Red Scare, McCarthyism, and Liberal Anti-Communism

• McCarthyism (1950s) fuels anticommunist hysteria in the US.
• Truman's loyalty order (1947) demands loyalty checks for federal employees.
• HUAC investigates alleged communist influences.
• Notable cases: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, Alger Hiss.
• Cultural impact: Hollywood blacklist, second Red Scare.
• Anticommunism intertwined with American nationalism and religion.

V. Decolonization and the Global Reach of the American Century

• US emerges as a global power post-WWII.
• Fears of communism spur US interventions globally, justified by the Domino Theory.
• Military-industrial complex grows; Eisenhower warns against it.
• US strategy balances support for decolonization with containment of communism.
• Cold War impacts American domestic and foreign policy.

VI. Conclusion

• Cold War ends with the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and dissolution of the SU (1991).
• Cold War had lasting impacts on American politics, culture, and global role.

VII. Primary Sources

• Collection of documents and speeches from the Cold War.

VIII. Reference Material

• List of contributors and recommended readings for further study.