Aftermath of WW2Roots of the Cold War

Post-WW2 Realities• Devastation

– Europe, Japan, China, USSR destroyed– Refugees, orphans, homeless, hunger, sick

• Holocaust– Nazi inhumanity >> Nuremberg Trials– “Crimes Against Humanity” + “War Crimes”

• Occupation– USSR occupies Eastern part of Europe– US occupies Japan– US-GB-F occupy Western Germany + Austria

Occupation Zones

United Nations (UN)

• 4/45 created in SF >> NYC

• UN Charter sets up • Purpose:

– Maintain peace & collective security

– Promote co-operation– Protect human rights– Provide global

assistance

Security Council5 Permanent Members (Veto Power)

US-USSR-F-GB-China+

6 Rotating Members

General AssemblyEach nation has 1 Vote

Debate + Discussion

OrganizationsUNICEF-WHO-WTO

UNESCO-IMF-WORLD BANKAnd more…

USA-USSR Breakup: Why?• US & USSR emerge as “superpowers”

– US A-bomb ’45 >> USSR A-bomb ‘49• Different experiences = Mistrust:

– US unharmed + late counterattack in West + $$– USSR destroyed + high death rate + no $$

• Different goals:– US: Promote democracy, Free trade

• Strong Germany as ally– USSR: Promote communism, buffer zone, status

• Weak Germany, neutral

1940s Tensions >> Responses• USSR > initiates

communist revolt in Greece/Turkey

• USSR remains in Eastern Europe with no Free Elections as promised, strips G of resources

• Berlin Blockade ’48, cuts off Berlin

• NATO formed ‘49

• Truman Doctrine = US to “contain” communism > G/T aid

• W. Germany created + Marshall Plan = US aid to rebuild Europe, US biz ↑↑ $$

• Berlin Airlift ’48-’49 = Operation Vittles

• Warsaw Pact ‘55

Berlin Blockade >> Berlin Airlift

NATO ’49 vs. Warsaw Pact ‘55

The Result?• Cold War

– High tension between US – USSR 1945 - 1992– Global alignment & division

• Blocs: Economic & Political alliances• Non-Aligned nations: India

– No direct US – USSR war but…• Indirect War thru “proxy”:

– China, Korea, Vietnam, Middle East, Africa, Central America

• Indirect War thru “propaganda”– Film, Books, TV, Radio, Sports (Olympics)

• Indirect War thru espionage– CIA vs. KGB, “intelligence gathering”

A World Divided in Late 20th C.

China turns Communist in 1949 under Mao Zedong