Chapter 37A: The Bipolar War

Chapter 37A: The Bipolar War

Key Concept 6.1 Science and the Environment Rapid advances in science altered the understanding of the universe and the natural world and led to the development of new technologies. These changes enabled unprecedented population growth, which altered how humans interacted with the environment and threatened delicate ecological balances at local, regional, and global levels.

Key Concept 6.2 Global Conflicts and Their Consequences At the beginning of the twentieth century, a European-dominated global political order existed, which also included the United States, Russia, and Japan. Over the course of the century, peoples and states around the world challenged this order in ways that sought to redistribute power within the existing order and to restructure empires, while those peoples and states in power attempted to maintain the status quo. Other peoples and states sought to overturn the political order itself. These challenges to, and the attempts to maintain, the political order manifested themselves in an unprecedented level of conflict with high human casualties. In the context of these conflicts, many regimes in both older and newer states struggled with maintaining political stability and were challenged by internal and external factors, including ethnic and religious conflicts, secessionist movements, territorial partitions, economic dependency, and the legacies of colonialism.

Key Concept 6.3 New Conceptualizations of Global Economy, Society, and Culture The twentieth century witnessed a great deal of warfare and the collapse of the global economy in the 1930s. In response to these challenges, the role of state in the domestic economy fluctuated, and new institutions of global governance emerged and continued to develop throughout the century. Scientific breakthroughs, new technologies, increasing levels of integration, changing relationships between humans and the environment, and the frequency of political conflict all contributed to global developments in which people crafted new understandings of society, culture, and historical interpretations. These new understandings often manifested themselves in, and were reinforced by, new forms of cultural production. Institutions of global governance both shaped and adapted to these social conditions.

The global balance of economic and political power shifted after the end of World War II and rapidly evolved into the Cold War. The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers, which led to ideological struggles between capitalism and communism throughout the globe.

How the End of WWII Helped Start the COLD WAR 2 Super Powers USSR largest military USA most productive economy and weaponry Ideological Differences: US sought to spread CAPITALISM USSR wanted to spread COMMUNISM Soviet Fears: Germany invaded Russia in 1941. USSR wanted Eastern Europe to serve as a buffer zone so they would not be invaded again. US Leaders Avoid Isolation & Appeasement: The US no longer followed either policy learning from their mistakes and the mistakes of the French and British New Weapons: The atomic bomb made both sides cautious and avoid direct confrontation The Rise of Communism in Asia: Communist leaders in China assumed power.

Nations that tried to remain unaligned with either the U.S. (1 st World) or the Soviet Union (2 nd World) were collectively called the Third World. The super powers often attempted to use these nations (many of which were former colonies and were newly independent) as pawns in the greater Cold War struggle.

The United Nations New international organizations formed to maintain world peace and to facilitate international cooperation. Founded after WW II Purpose: maintain peace in the world and venue for face-to-face debate between the two sides in the Cold War Security Council: leading nations that are responsible for ensuring peace and deterring aggression General Assembly: all member nations How effective has the UN been in recent years?

Capitalism & Communism Political System Individual Rights Economic System Western Democracies (Capitalism) Citizens elected representatives and national leaders. People had the right to form their own political parties Citizens had rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of religion. CAPITALISM - International monetary system: supply and demand, system of exchange rates, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. Prospered. AP KC 6.3.IIB: New economic institutions sought to spread the principles and practices associated with free market economics throughout the world. Soviet Communism The Soviet union was a dictatorship controlled by Communist Party leaders. The Communist Party was the only political party permitted to operate. Ordinary citizens had few rights. The government controlled radio, television, and newspapers. Secret police arrested all critics of the government. The practice of religion was discouraged. COMMUNISM - Closed monetary system: state allocated goods and set prices for itself and for the communist states of eastern Europe. Eventually, unable to match those of the west in the production of consumer goods, housing, and food.

The Cold War Begins in Europe The Allies divide Germany into 4 separate zones of occupation after WWII. The Soviet army occupied much of eastern Europe and made these countries satellites of Russia. Winston Churchill said in a speech that an iron curtain had descended on Eastern Europe. Western leaders feared Stalin was another Hitler. The U.S. was the only country strong enough to oppose the USSR. TRUMAN DOCTRINE DOMINO THEORY: If one country falls to communism, others will follow. CONTAINMENT: US policy to help countries stop the spread of communism in their countries. MARSHALL PLAN: plan to give Western Europe money to rebuild their countries in order to become trading partners with the US and help resist Communism.

Berlin Airlift & Division of Germany In 1948 the Western powers began to merge their sections of Germany into one country. Stalin refused to give up East Germany. Stalin closed all access to Berlin. BERLIN AIRLIFT: The Western powers began airlifting supplies to West Berlin in stop this blockade. Stalin gave this up after a year. In 1949 the three western zones of Germany became the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). What is unusual about the name given to East Germany?

Formation of NATO & the Warsaw Pact The Cold War produced new military alliances, including NATO and the Warsaw Pact. In 1949 the US, Canada, and Western Europe formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to protect Western Europe from Soviet aggression. The US pledged to help Europe if attacked by the Soviet Union (USSR). In 1955 the USSR created the Warsaw Pact in response to NATO.

Krushchev and Eastern Europe After Stalin s death (1953), Nikita Krushchev assumed leadership of the USSR He condemned Stalin s atrocities He freed many political prisoners And tried to introduce changes in the Soviet Union. This triggered unrest & protests in Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia). Protests quashed by the USSR. Khrushchev with President John F. Kennedy, 1962 1961: BERLIN WALL constructed dividing Communist East Germany & Democratic West Germany The 1959 Kitchen Debate, Khrushchev v. VP Nixon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpsk9qhlpme

Improved military technology and new tactics led to increased levels of wartime casualties.

The Nuclear Arms Race 1945 US invents atomic bomb 1949 USSR tests their first atomic bomb US and USSR begin building more powerful hydrogen bombs and missiles to deliver them. 1957 USSR launches Sputnik, 1 st man made satellite. US and USSR realize that these weapons are so destructive that they are deterrents to war. (MAD Mutually Assured Destruction) Instead of fighting each other they help other countries fight limited PROXY WARS (Korea, Vietnam). Do we still live under the threat of nuclear war today? Duck and Cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikqxu-5jw60

People s Republic of China (PRC) Under Mao Elimination of the Capitalist Class Landowners, factory-owners, village leaders, and better-off peasants were considered to be the capitalist class. The Communists said these exploited others. At least 1 million of these so-called capitalists were killed. Reeducation Communist beliefs became required learning in all universities and schools. Newspapers and books were brought under the control of the government and had to promote Communism. Even art and music came under the direct supervision of the government. The Family Family authority was replaced by the authority of the Communist Party. Children were taught to obey the state, not their parents. Ancestor worship was forbidden, which had once promoted family tradition. This prohibition further weakened the father s traditional role as the family leader.

The Great Leap Forward In the Communist states of the Soviet Union and China, governments controlled their national economies. In 1956 Mao forced peasants into cooperative farms where families worked together and shared the crops sending the vast majority of the crops to the cities. In 1958 He introduced his 5 Year Plan THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD to make China an industrial power. (dams, roads, factories) Card issued to celebrate the Great Leap Forward Failed due to poor planning and high costs. 30-50 million people died of starvation.

The Cultural Revolution In 1962 Mao introduced the Cultural Revolution to bring China towards the ideal Communist community. Reasons for the Revolution: Border disputes and Mao s condemnation of the USSR led to open disagreements between the two. Loss of enthusiasm for communism in the Communist Party Wanted to cover up his mistakes in the Great Leap Forward Mao s sayings in his Little Red Book served as the blueprint for the program The Red Detachment of Women Chinese Ballet/Opera, 1962

The Red Guards In 1966, Mao closed China s universities and schools. He invited 11 million students to Beijing as Red Guards. The Red Guards went throughout China attacking the nation s professional for not embracing communist ideals. They forced these educated men and women to work in the fields. Many were tortured and killed. Mao had to use the army to control the Red Guards. This led to a shortage of food and goods. Eventually he sent the Red Guard back to the countryside to help with the farming.

Nixon in China 1950s: allied to (and received aid from) the Soviet Union. 1956: The People s Republic of China (PRC) and the Soviet Union began to diverge. 1970s: The rift between the PRC and the Soviet Union opened so wide that President Richard Nixon was able to establish a cooperative relationship between the United States and China in the early 1970s. Mao died in 1976.

The Korean War (1950-1953) The Cold War promoted proxy wars in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In 1950 Communist North Korea invaded Democratic South Korea. The United Nations, led by the US, sent troops to aid South Korea. When the UN forces pushed the North Koreans to the Chinese border China intervened on behalf of North Korea. In 1953 a TRUCE was signed ending the fighting. The TRUCE left North and South Korea divided at the 38 th Parallel, the most heavily defended border in the world.

The War in Vietnam (1964-1975) The Cold War promoted proxy wars in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Communist North Vietnam launched a guerrilla war against democratic South Vietnam. In 1964 the US began sending troops to aid South Vietnam in an attempt to stop the spread of communism but were unsuccessful. In 1968 the Tet Offensive showed how strong the Viet Cong could be. In 1973 US troops withdrew from Vietnam. In 1975 South Vietnam fell to North Vietnam and became communist. Many South Vietnamese fled the country, many to the USA. TODAY, Vietnam is a communist state.

Groups and individuals challenged the many wars of the century. Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc protest of Vietnam War by selfimmolation (1963)

Cambodia & Genocide The proliferation of conflicts led to various forms of ethnic violence. The withdrawal of US troops in Vietnam led to the collapse of the Cambodian government. Cambodian Communists, Khmer Rouge, took over. Their leader, Pol Pot carried out a policy of genocide on city dwellers and his opponents. Between 1975 and 1978 four million people were killed. Vietnam finally stepped in and overthrew the Cambodian Communists.

Communism Comes to Latin America The Cold War promoted proxy wars in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. 1959 Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba establishing a communist state (w/ussr support). The US broke off relations with Cuba. Cuban Missile Crisis: 1962 a US spy plane discovered that Cuba planned to house nuclear missiles on the island. The US blockaded Cuba to stop the USSR from delivering the missiles. The USSR backed down and the US promised not to invade Cuba. NOTE: The USA & Cuba resumed diplomatic & trade relations in 2015.

Billy Joel s Leningrad & We Didn t Start the Fire : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgd_-drzpgs & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eftlkww542g

USSR in Afghanistan SOVIET UNION & AFGHANISTAN: 1978: Soviet Union sent its army into Afghanistan in support a newly established communist regime fighting against a hodgepodge of local, religiously inspired guerilla bands that controlled much of the countryside. 1989: Soviet Union s struggle against the American-backed guerillas was $$$$ Soviet leaders withdrew their troops. (Beginning of the end for the Soviet Union) Left the rebel groups to fight with each other for control of Afghanistan. (Taliban wins)

Crisis (Stagnation) in the Soviet Union Soviet Union couldn t keep up with military spending of the USA during the presidency of Ronald Reagan (1981-1989). [spaced-based missile protection system, Star Wars ]. The communist economy was unable to keep up with the capitalist economy of the West. The standard of living dropped. Alcoholism and corruption increased. Soviet citizens were imprisoned when they questioned the government. Natan Sharansky was imprisoned for 9 years after demanding human rights. The Soviet Union fought a war in Afghanistan that was long and drawn out that resulted in many losses Soviet troops had to be sent in when countries began to question but few gains. Communism. Soviet workers had no incentive to work. Farms failed to produce enough food. Factory made goods were of poor quality

The Gorbachev Years (1985-1991) GLASNOST: a more open USSR -free speech -free press -dissidents were released from prison -Soviet Jews were allowed to emigrate -Citizens elected their own government PERESTROIKA: an economic reform -moved away from central planning -allowed more individual initiative -people could form small businesses -factory managers were given greater control of production -foreign countries were invited to invest in the USSR Foreign Policy: Withdrew troops from Afghanistan Entered into talks with the US to reduce nuclear weapons Allowed Eastern European countries self government. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgm14d1jhuw

The Iron Curtain Falls in Eastern Europe The Collapse of the Socialist Bloc The dissolution of the Soviet Union effectively ended the Cold War. 1978: Polish Cardinal becomes Pope John Paul II that inspired Lech Walesa to create an independent trade union in Poland, Solidarity. In 1989 Walesa led a strike at the Gdansk shipyard. Gorbachev did not allow the use of force. Poland became the 1 st Soviet controlled country to elect a non-communist government. Other Eastern European countries soon followed Poland. (Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus) 1989: Berlin Wall was torn down and East and West Germany reunified with capital in Berlin. September 1991: weakness of the central government & the rise of nationalism led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union & formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which other former Soviet states also joined to work together. Boris Yeltsin elected president.

Comparative Perspectives Cold War Tactics of the United States and Soviet Union 1. Both countries attempted to influence new governments formerly occupied by Axis powers. Both tried to establish military alliances against the other. 2. Each side saw their conflict coming from irreconcilable differences in social and economic systems. Each also emphasized the corruption, injustice, and unfairness of the other. 3. Real combat between the United States and the Soviet Union did not materialize, but it was played out in distant civil wars and regional conflicts, with support provided by the superpowers. Cold War Era Nationalism 1. Nationalism played a major role after World War II in the desire of colonized peoples to gain independence, obscuring the contest between the main opponents of the Cold War. 2. Some long-time colonial peoples such as India gained their independence, while similar sentiments in China led to the overthrow of an elite government seen as weak in relations with western powers. 3. Many of the independence movements in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean operated as traditional struggles for sovereignty. In Latin America, where nations had already achieved independence, the desire was for economic independence and an end to foreign intervention. 4. Independence movements in Korea and Vietnam arose at the end of Japanese control. The Soviet Union and communist China supported communist forces in those regions, while the United States committed large military forces to protect anticommunist forces.

Cold War http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9hjvhzfcui

Decolonization (6:46 to end) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_sgtspaf4y

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. How did the Cold War affect the economies and the environments of the superpowers and of the European nations? 2. How did the Cold War affect Asian, African, and Latin American countries? 3. What were the major challenges facing the newly emerging nations in the postwar period? How did different nations respond to those challenges? 4. How and why did the process of decolonization and nation building vary within Africa? 5. Analyze the causes and the possible solutions to the political and economic problems of the Middle East. 6. Was the postwar era good or bad for the majority of the world s people?