4/8/2014. Other Clashes Loss of Trust: The Fate of Eastern European Nations

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1 The Cold War The war that wasn t really a war at all. The American Presidents Part 1- The Origins Review: The Yalta Conference February 1945 Players: FDR/Churchill/Stalin USSR pledges to enter war against Japan 90 days after Germany s defeat Providing that the Russians gain territory/key control of RXR out of it Selling out China? Necessary? Germany to be disarmed and divided into 4 areas of occupation Became West Germany (England, France, US) and East Germany (USSR) USSR pledges to hold free elections in Eastern Europe He would later break this pledge Review: Justification for the use of the Atomic Bomb Some historians claim that the war against Japan was won by the Spring of 1945 Why use such force, then? Show off atomic weapons to Stalin and the USSR? Information about the Manhattan Project was officially kept from Stalin (though he was aware) What do these observations say about the relationship between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., despite cooperation during WWII? Other Clashes Capitalism Communism Ideologically opposite Economically (private vs. state-owned) Politically (voting and elections vs. one-party totalitarianism) Both trying to win over the minds of others- draws a clear line between pro-capitalist and pro-communist countries Other Clashes Resentment over the War Operation Barbarossa was launched in 41 Allies didn t launch major attack against Hitler until June 1944 Stalin: Why the delay? Soviets suffered massive losses in the meantime 8 Other Clashes Loss of Trust: The Fate of Eastern European Nations - At Yalta, Stalin promised to allow elections in Poland - At Potsdam, it became clear he would not - Potsdam was Truman s first conference w/ Stalin 1

2 The United Nations (Created June 45) USSR and the U.S. were both members of the Security Council Nonetheless, the UN would serve as a forum for competition U.S. vs. Soviet Aims in Europe Stalin s Satellite Nations Communist governments installed in: Albania Bulgaria Czechoslovakia Hungary Romania Poland **Notice Germany U.S. Policy of Containment Proposed by George F. Kennan (U.S. Diplomat in Moscow) U.S. Pledges to prevent spread of communist rule by creating alliances/aiding others Will stop the Soviets from achieving the goal of World Revolution. Communism will crumble from within. Sources of Soviet Conduct - Kennan Why could there be no hope for a peaceful existence between the US and USSR? According to each party, the opposing ideology was evil - needed to cease to exist Had to be treated as rivals, according to Kennan What policy did Kennan recommend and why? Firm policy of containment Would eventually crumble from within Use counter-force where USSR encroached upon peace and freedom, according to Kennan Churchill s Words to the U.S. March 1946, Missouri A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by Allied victory an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe.. All these famous cities and the populations around them lie in the Soviet sphere, and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and. Increasing measure of control from Moscow. The Iron Curtain 2

3 Satellite states and buffer zones protect the USSR from the West Objective How were Kennan s policies carried out by the United States government in the late 1940s and early 1950s? The Truman Doctrine Greece and Turkey facing threat of Communist takeover- Why? Britain sending economic/military aid Impact of war made them unable to afford this U.S. takes over financial assistance Truman Doctrine- It must be the policy of the US to support free peoples who are resisting subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. (aka?) $400 million in aid to these countries The Marshall Plan Secretary of State proposed that the US should provide $$ aid to Europeans nations Not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. $13 billion to 16 countries Who is missing? George Marshall s Speech Harvard, Mass. In considering the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe, the physical loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines and railroads was correctly estimated but it has become obvious during recent months that this visible destruction was probably less serious than the dislocation of the entire fabric of European economy. The truth of the matter is that Europe's requirements for the next three or four years of foreign food and other essential products - principally from America - are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character. The remedy lies in breaking the vicious circle and restoring the confidence of the European people in the economic future of their own countries and of Europe as a whole A Test: The Conflict in Germany Recall: Germany split after WWII US, France, GB (Western Germany) had agreed to unite Berlin was in Eastern Germany (Soviets) Stalin held West Berlin hostage! ( ) closed off all highways to takeover Berlin No food or fuel would reach city Starve out western presence What are the options for W. powers? Top Secret Telegrams: The Lift 3

4 June 28, 1948 What are the main points in the telegram? What propaganda is at stake in this situation? What is this conflict symbolic of? What consequences would withdrawal have? What were the Soviets communicating to other communists in Europe? What plan was Stalin trying to attack? How does this relate to your political cartoon? Berlin Airlift To break blockade, US and British planes flew food and supplies to West Berlin for 327 days 2.3 million tons over 227,000 flights Food, fuel, medicine, Christmas presents Soviets lifted blockade Results for US? Spotlight: The Candy Bomber West vs. East Germany Two nations had been created by 1949: West Germany, aka Federal Republic of Germany Included West Berlin East Germany, aka German Democratic Republic Included East Berlin NATO (The West) April 4, 1949 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Defensive Military Alliance- Ike as S.A.C. 12 members (including U.S.) pledged military support in the case that one was attacked What former foreign policy did this end for the U.S.? Warsaw Pact (The East) 1955 USSR military alliance w/e. European satellite nations under control- USSR granted power over military Review What was the intention of the Truman Doctrine? The Marshall Plan? Why would financial aid enable Western countries to resist Communism? How did the Berlin Blockade serve as a symbolic clash? What did it test? What organizations were formed that polarized the world? The Cold War *Heats Up* The Conflicts with North Korea and China 4

5 Communism takes hold in China Chiang Kai-shek (supported by US) and the Nationalists fought against communists for two decades US had provided $3 billion to aid resistance between 45 and 49 Some Americans, however, saw the gov t as inefficient and hopeless Used secret police against citizens Mao Zedong and the Communists Were gaining support through recruiting peasants Encouraged them to read, helped improve food production By 45, much of North was red The Rivals Renewed Civil War After WWII, Japan left China Cooperation b/w Nationalists/Communists ceased- WHY? U.S. sided with Nationalists, despite failing gov t- WHY? U.S. tried to play peacemaker - never fully committed to supporting Nationalists w/ troops despite sending military supplies Chiang s gov t failed- fled to Taiwan ( Republic of China ) People s Republic of China Communist Regime led by Mao Zedong Established October 1949 U.S. refused to accept as China s true gov t America s Reaction Failure to contain Communism led to widespread fear: Failure of US government? Not enough aid vs. more aid = war? Failure of Chinese government? Chiang couldn t maintain control Ultimate fear: Commies existed in US government and supported Communist takeover? Communist Conflict #2: Korea Japan ruled Korea from August 1945 Upon surrender: North Korea (above 38 th parallel) surrendered to USSR South Korea surrendered to U.S. Much like what happened in Germany, two nations developed North= communist South= democratic Korea is Split North Korea (aka Democratic People s Republic of Korea ): Communist Led by Kim Il Jong Capital: Pyongyang Backed by the USSR South Korea (aka Republic of Korea ): 5

6 Led by Syngman Rhee Capital: Seoul Minimally backed by the United States The Korean War Begins June 25, 1950: North Korea launches surprise attack on South Korea South Korea calls on UN to stop invasion Soviets were boycotting council (Recall: Taiwan was there as Nationalist China ) Vote passes to aid S. Korea against attack The World comes to S. Korea s Aid The Role of the UN 16 countries sent 520,000 troops: 90% were American S. Korea added 590,000 Combined forces under leadership of General MacArthur Truman also orders American fleet into waters b/w China and Taiwan Reading: Death boats and Lifeboats The Progression of War Is the armistice line much different from the original dividing line? What was the point? MacArthur Fired Publicly criticized Truman Wanted to make use of nuclear weapons against Chinese cities (who became the main opponent in this war) General Bradley (chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff): Conflict w/ China would set off WWIII and would be the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy. Reading: The General and the Senator The General and the Senator MacArthur received a ticker tape parade; was well loved by public for war heroism (WWII) Congressional committee investigated his dismissal- sided w/ Truman Results of the War July 1953 armistice achieved at Panmunjom Originally suggested by Soviet Union I 51 At this point, Eisenhower is the President Koreas still divided at the 38 th parallel 6

7 46 Long-Lasting Effects? Americans feared Communist aggression Prompted hunt in the U.S. When else did we see this happen? 54,000 U.S. lives; $67 billion Americans reject Democratic candidate in 1952 and elect Eisenhower Atomic weapon was avoided, but Korea still in two 7