Origins of the Cold WarOrigins of the Cold War

U.S. vs. Soviet UnionU.S. vs. Soviet Union““We may be likened to two scorpions in We may be likened to two scorpions in

a bottle, each capable of killing the a bottle, each capable of killing the other, but only at the risk of its own other, but only at the risk of its own

life.”life.”J. Robert OppenheimerJ. Robert Oppenheimer

Truman Becomes PresidentTruman Becomes President

• Truman was unprepared for national and Truman was unprepared for national and world leadership.world leadership.

• He had only met with FDR twice when he He had only met with FDR twice when he was vice-president.was vice-president.

• Truman did not know that the U.S. was Truman did not know that the U.S. was developing the A-bomb.developing the A-bomb.

• He would have to deal with world leaders He would have to deal with world leaders with more experience such as Churchill with more experience such as Churchill and Stalin.and Stalin.

Iron CurtainIron Curtain

HomefrontHomefront

Truman Meets StalinTruman Meets Stalin

• They meet at Potsdam, Germany in July They meet at Potsdam, Germany in July 1945.1945.

• Also, Churchill would be replaced because Also, Churchill would be replaced because the Labor Party won the national election.the Labor Party won the national election.

• Prior, Stalin would not allow Poland to Prior, Stalin would not allow Poland to have free open elections.have free open elections.

• Truman said that this was a violation of Truman said that this was a violation of those nation’s right to self determination.those nation’s right to self determination.

Satellite NationsSatellite Nations

• Stalin set up propped up communist Stalin set up propped up communist governments in Albania, Bulgaria, Czech, governments in Albania, Bulgaria, Czech, Hungary, Romania, and Poland.Hungary, Romania, and Poland.

• They depended on the Soviet Union.They depended on the Soviet Union.

• Due to this, the Americans responded with Due to this, the Americans responded with the policy of Containment, an effort to the policy of Containment, an effort to block the Soviets attempt to spread their block the Soviets attempt to spread their influences to weaker countries and by influences to weaker countries and by creating support to weaker countries.creating support to weaker countries.

Cold War In EuropeCold War In Europe

• Truman Doctrine: Financial and military aid to Truman Doctrine: Financial and military aid to Greece and Turkey so they wouldn’t fall to Greece and Turkey so they wouldn’t fall to communism.communism.

• Marshall Plan: 12.5 billion to aid countries in Marshall Plan: 12.5 billion to aid countries in Western Europe.Western Europe.

• Berlin Airlift: Russia Blockaded West Berlin Berlin Airlift: Russia Blockaded West Berlin which was in the Russian zone, we airlifted which was in the Russian zone, we airlifted food and supplies for 327 days, and this gave food and supplies for 327 days, and this gave a large boost to American prestige around the a large boost to American prestige around the world.world.

Other EventsOther Events

• NATO createdNATO created

• Civil War in ChinaCivil War in China

• Korean WarKorean War

Cold War at HomeCold War at Home

• Fear of Communist InfluenceFear of Communist Influence

• House Committee on Un-American House Committee on Un-American Activities had powerActivities had power

• Hollywood Ten and BlacklistsHollywood Ten and Blacklists

• Rosenberg's executedRosenberg's executed

• McCarthyismMcCarthyism

U.S. Aims Vs.Soviet Aims in U.S. Aims Vs.Soviet Aims in EuropeEurope

• Encourage Democracy Encourage Democracy in other countriesin other countries

• Gain access to raw Gain access to raw materials to improve materials to improve economieseconomies

• Rebuild European Rebuild European govts. To provide govts. To provide stabilitystability

• Reunite Germany, so Reunite Germany, so they would be less they would be less bitter about defeat.bitter about defeat.

• Encourage Communism Encourage Communism as part of the worldwide as part of the worldwide struggle between struggle between workers and wealthyworkers and wealthy

• Transfer industrial Transfer industrial equipment from Eastern equipment from Eastern Europe to Russia.Europe to Russia.

• Control Eastern EuropeControl Eastern Europe

• Keep Germany divided Keep Germany divided and weak.and weak.

Korean WarKorean War