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The New World Order & the Cold War

EQ: How did circumstances in Europe lead to a competition for power and the Cold War?

Beginnings of the United Nations

Built from what started as the Atlantic charter.

Idea first proposed by Roosevelt at Tehran Conference in 1943.

August – October 1944 Representatives from

France, China, Britain, U.S., and Soviet Union meet to outline purpose of the United Nations

Purpose of the United Nations

Maintain international peace and security

Maintain economic and social cooperation

Intended to either prevent wars, or make wars obsolete.

The Founding of the U.N.

First meeting occurs on April 25, 1945 in San Francisco to discuss organization. 50 nations send

representatives U.N. Charter signed

on June 26. Charter officially

ratified on October 24th.

Organization of the U.N.

Permanent Security Council of five countries U.S., U.K., France,

China, Soviet Union Headquartered in New

York City at U.N. building.

Non-governmental organizations created in charge of everything from human rights to peacekeeping

Major Conferences

The Big Three:Leaders of United States,Britain & U.S.S.R.FDR/Truman, Churchill, &Stalin

War Strategies &Post-War Plans:Yalta Conference (Feb. 1945)Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945):

Agreed on the occupation of Germany

Axis Powers violated the 3rd Geneva Convention (1929), which was:An agreement governing the treatment of soldiers & POWsAxis Powers mistreated POWs in China, SE Asia

Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946):Trials against the Nazis for war crimesMany executed or given long prison terms

The Trial of Adolf Eichmann

Trial:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5ojhOzqNNUVerdict:http://www.youtube.com/w

atch?v=gvennk9Oyw4

Effects of WWII

GermanyDivided, communist in

the east, democratic inthe west

JapanOccupied by US,

governed by MacArthur

Eastern EuropeCommunist, under Stalin’s control

Post-War Superpowers:The US & the Soviet UnionBoth played decisive roles in defeated the Axis powers

Of the two, whom was strongest, and why?Arguably the US; booming economy after war, no major battle fought on US soil (except Pearl Harbor)

Division of Germany

After WWII Germany divided into democratic West Germany and Communist East Germany.

Berlin located in East Germany. Divided into Allied zone,

and Soviet zone. Berlin becomes last place

for emigration to the West.

The Marshall Plan Created by Secretary of

State, George C. Marshall in 1947

Purpose of the plan Rebuild Europe Strengthen U.S. allies Prevent the spread of

Communism

War Damage in Europe

Many of Europe’s largest cities completely destroyed by bombs.

Millions of people classified as “displaced persons.” People without homes, or

driven from their homes.

The Plan Communism only successful in countries with

economic problems. Plan provides $13 billion to European countries.

Soviet Union, and countries of Eastern Europe refuse to participate. Soviets believe Marshall Plan is an attempt to buy

support from Europe. 1947 – Split between Soviets and U.S.

U.S. adopts policy of containment Keep communism in current borders, don’t allow it to

spread.

A map showing how the plan’s $20B was

distributed by country

MacArthur’s Plan for Japan

MacArthur placed in charge of Japanese occupation in 1945.

First priority is to establish food distribution network.

Seeks approval of Emperor Hirohito in order to win approval of Japanese people

The Occupation Japan Disarmed

Only allowed a “self-defense force.” Liberal land policies introduced

Land taken from wealthy land owners, sold to peasants.

Democratization Democratic government introduced. Emperor removed from politics.

Purging of war criminals Many Japanese generals and officials arrested

and put on trial for war crimes.

Origins of the Cold War

Yalta conference gave FDR confidence he could work with Stalin for a new peace

“I would minimize the general Soviet problem as much as possible because these problems, in one form or another, seem to arise every day and most of them straighten out.” –FDR’s last cable to Churchill

FDR dies, Truman becomes president

The Postwar Balance of Power

GNP, 1950(billions)

Defense Spending,

1948(billions)

United States $381 $10.9

Soviet Union $126 $13.1

Britain $71 $3.4

Germany $48 $0

Source: Paul Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers.

Origins of the Cold War

Truman is unversed in foreign policy Truman allows anti-Soviet hard-liners to

dictate policy; moderates and old FDR advisors are cut out

Truman also delivers hard diplomacy (and uncompromising demands ) to Stalin; Stalin, being paranoid and defensive, starts to change tone with US

The Iron Curtain

Winston Churchill gave the Iron Curtain speech in 1946

Map of the Iron Curtain

USSR Expansion1945-1947

Problems arise First in Eastern Europe: The Yalta Conference

Soviets Want Sphere of Influence in Eastern Europe.

U.S. Wants Independent Democratic Governments in the Region

Soviets Have Military Advantage; Install Pro-Soviet Governments Throughout Region Between 1946-49

Origins of the Cold War

Churchill speech repositions Britain /US and USSR into adversarial roles

After speech, relations deteriorate Soviet troops during WWII occupied Iran. The

US, seeing Iran as having a lot of oil, starts to make threats that the USSR must leave the area or “We’re going to drop it on you” (US ambassador to USSR rep)-1946

Soviets withdraw, now policymakers believe aggressive force can work on Soviets.

The Truman Doctrine 1947

President Truman outlined the Truman Doctrine to a joint session

of Congress in March of 1947

From Allies to Enemies

“If we see that Germany is winning the war we ought to help Russia, and if Russia is winning we ought to help Germany and in that way let

them kill as many as possible.”

Harry S. Truman, 1941

The Cold War begins

Truman doctrine gave aid to Turkey and Greece in the hopes that this funding would keep their governments from falling into communism (policy criticized by most moderates at the time (Wallace, Marshall, etc.)

Truman accepts a policy of containment: Communism must not spread else it might start the domino effect

Containment theory originated with George Kennan (Soviet expert who quickly regretted his words and how they justified military expansion)

Ironically, the Soviets were looking for insulation from the Capitalist West.

Domino effect: One country falls to communism, more are to follow

COLD WAR BEGINS!

The Cold War The Cold War: The struggle between the US

and the Soviet Union for influence, military might, and political/economic control over the world. (1947-1991)

Cold War was largely fought between proxies; never directly militarily

Cold War will define the 2nd half of the 20th century

The Conflict Intensifies

1947-1949The United States

Truman Doctrine and Containment, March 12, 1947. Aid To Greece and Turkey Broader Strategic Agenda

The Marshall Plan, June 5, 1947. Foreign Aid to European Countries to

Assist Reconstruction and Prevent Communist Victories.

Marks the Beginning of the Partition of Europe.

The Soviet Union Responds The Berlin Blockade and Airlift, June 24,

1948 - May 12, 1949. Soviets Explode Atomic Bomb in 1949.

The United States Responds NSC-68 and The Militarization of the US-

Soviet Conflict.

Ordered by Truman in Early 1950 in Response to Soviet A-Bomb.

Evaluate Nature of Soviet Threat and US Policy Toward the Soviet Union.

NSC-68 Concludes That: USSR is Inherently Expansionist

Expansion Fuelled by Messianic Faith that was Antithetical to American Way of Life.

Containment would Require Global Offensive Against Soviet Bloc.

Advocated Substantial U.S. Rearmament

NSC-68The Containment Doctrine would

later be expanded in 1949 in NSC-68, which called for a dramatic increase in defense spending

From $13 billion to $50 billion a year, to be paid for with a large tax increase.

NSC-68 served as the framework for American policy over the next 20 years.

Impact of NSC-68

Immediate increase in defense spending

Demonstrated American commitment to win the Cold War

FY 1950: Defense budget $14.1 billion33% of national budget, 5% 0f GNP

FY 1951: Defense budget $33.6 billion 73% of national budget, 10% 0f GNP

Source

Berlin Blockade and AirliftJune 1948 - May 1949

What Caused the Blockade?

Europe was not recovering from the war as quickly as hoped

The United States came up with the idea of combining the three western zones into “Trizonia” to help Germany recover

The Soviet Union, opposed Germany unity and imposed a short, possible test, blockade in April 1948, preventing supplies from reaching Berlin

Factors Causing the Blockade

1. Marshall Plan2. Union of Western German (Bizonia) states

creating its own currency• Eastern European countries would buy Western

Germany currency which devalues the Eastern European currency

3. Differing aims for Germany• Russia wants it to crumble• US/ BR want to rebuild its economy

Therefore, Russia blocks off surface routes from Western Germany to West Berlin

Berlin Blockade1948- 49

Federal Republic of Germany

General Lucius Clay

Called for armed convoys to push through the blockade

Plan was never implemented

American ground forces in Europe were not strong enough to defeat the USSR

Berlin Airlift US decides not to start a war and decides to send

supplies to West Berlin by air (British proposal) Shows the resolve of the US to keep West Berlin

C-47: Used to carry supplies (3.5 tons each)

“Little Lift” Using the C-47s

in April 1948 (102 C-47s available)

Gatow and Tempelhof used as landing strips

Back in November 30, 1945, it was agreed in writing, that there would be three 20-mile wide air corridors providing access to the city

"Operation Vittles” "Operation Plane Fare" 3,475 tons of supplies were

needed daily to keep the over 2 million people alive 3475 ÷ 3.5 (capacity of C-47) =

approximately 1000 flights/day needed!!!

Coal was the largest necessity (industries)

Later in June, C-54’s were used (10 tons) – faster too

Spacing of 3 minutes, both types of planes were used

Airlift Facts The blockade lasted 318 days (11 months) In the winter of 1948–49 Berliners lived on dried potatoes, powdered eggs and cans of meat 4 hours of electricity/day 275,000 flights carried over 1½ million tons of supplies (2.3 million with Britain) On 16 April 1949, 1400 flights brought in 13,000 tons of supplies in one day Some pilots dropped chocolate and sweets

Significance May 1949 Soviets end the blockade

They did not want war either Airlift continues for a few more months to stock

Berlin in case of another blockade 2.5 million West Berliners saved without violence US would see the importance of air transport

and increases production of transport planes Template for Cold War conflicts – push to the

point of war but drawing back just before (“Brinkmanship”)

Leads to the creation of NATO

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Formed

in response to Berlin Crisis and to forge a new Western alliance

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization Truman Doctrine = political warning Marshal Plan = economic resistance NATO = military alliance

US, Canada, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Italy, Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

Significance Organized defence of the West European-American cooperation – total end

of isolationism First American peace time military alliance Soviets will respond with the Warsaw Pact

in 1955

NATO Treaty, 1949. Warsaw Pact, 1955.

President Truman Expands fed govt size and powerExecutive Order 9835

Barred members of the Communist Party from federal employment. Fascists too States started to do this too Loyalty oaths

Senator Joseph McCarthy

Wisconsin Republican facing defeat in election of 1950

Turns to a platform of anti-Communism

The List “I have here a list of 205 names that were

made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department.”

Definition of McCarthyism

The fear, suspicion, and scapegoating that surrounded McCarthy, his accusations and the general curtailment of civil rights during the Cold War era. It was a witch-hunt style campaign to silence critics of the Cold War.

House UnAmerican

Activities Committee

(HUAC) Subcommittee of the House of Representatives

Purpose: To root out “subversion” of the American system

The Question: “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?”

The McCarran Act Formal name: The Internal Security Act Requires communist organizations to register

with the Subversive Activities Control Board Authorizes the arrest of suspect persons

during national emergency Six concentration camps built for this purpose

The Immigration and Nationality Act

Another McCarran-authored law Barred people who were deemed

either “subversive” or “homosexual” from becoming citizens or even visiting the U.S.

Power to deport immigrants who were members of the Communist Party, even if they were citizens

In effect until 1973

Examples of McCarthyism

In NYC, citizens must take loyalty oath to receive a fishing license

FDR’s New Deal is re-evaluated as “a socialist conspiracy” and “20 years of treason”

Jonas Salk invents vaccine for Polio; a congressman suggests that it be distributed to all school-age children for free. Eisenhower’s Secretary of Health rejects the idea as an attempt to “socialize medicine through the backdoor.”

The Nuclear Arms Race

The beginning July 16, 1945 – Trinity

Test marks the beginning of the nuclear age. First atomic bomb

exploded by U.S. in New Mexico

Aug. 6. and 9 – Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by U.S.

The Soviet Reaction

Truman tells Stalin about the bomb at Potsdam, July 24th, 1945.

Stalin seems unconcerned.

Truman thinks Stalin doesn’t understand.

Espionage Soviet government

already knows about U.S. atomic bomb.

Manhattan project infiltrated by Soviet spies who send information back to Russia.

First Russian bomb will be an almost exact copy of American bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The Arms Race/Cold War Begins

Soviets detonate first atomic bomb on august 29th, 1949. U.S. had thought

Soviets were years away from bomb.

U.S. and Soviet Union begin competing to create more powerful weapons, and build larger arsenals of weapons.

The Hydrogen Bomb

U.S. begins working on hydrogen bomb during Manhattan Project.

Hydrogen bombs use a fission bomb to start a fusion reaction.

Much more powerful than a standard atomic fission bomb. Measured in megatons

instead of kilotons.

Hydrogen Bomb continued

First hydrogen bomb detonated by U.S. in 1952. 10.4 megatons Over 450 times

more powerful than bombs dropped on Japan.

U.S. research shifts to making warheads smaller and more reliable.

Soviet H-Bomb Soviets begin working

on fusion bomb in 1949. First successful

detonation in 1955. In October 1961 Soviets

detonate “Tsar Bomba” Designed as a

demonstration of Soviet capabilities.

50 megatons Largest nuclear weapon

ever detonated.

Nuclear Proliferation

As nuclear arms race continues other nations develop nuclear weapons.

Britain – 1952 France – 1960 China – 1964 India -1974 Pakistan – 1998 North Korea - 2006

M.A.D. Military strategists

develop the mutually assured destruction strategy. Build as many

nuclear weapons as possible.

If attacked, counter attack, thus assuring destruction of both sides.

Height of the Arms Race

Both United States and Soviet Union create thousands of nuclear weapons in 1960s.

Stockpiles grow larger and more powerful.

Fleets of bombers, submarines, and missiles increase dramatically.

Defending against Nuclear Weapons

Both United States and Russia build early warning radar sites throughout countries.

Spy satellites launched to watch over nuclear launch sites

Air forces and navies increase in size to combat bombers and submarines

Programs begun to attempt shooting down nuclear missiles in space.

The Consequences

By 1970 billions of dollars spent in both Russia and U.S. on development of nuclear weapons and defenses.

Becoming a strain on both governments’ finances.

Environmental damage caused by nuclear testing.

The S.A.L.T. Treaty

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

Negotiations begun in Helsinki in 1969.

Treaty signed in May 1972.

What did S.A.L.T. do?

Freezes the number of missile launchers at current levels.

Doesn’t allow new submarines to be built until missile launchers deactivated.

Allows only one site in the country to be protected by an anti-ballistic missile system.

The end of the arms race

Nuclear non-proliferation treaty – 1970 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty – 1991

After breakup of Soviet Union in 1991 both countries drastically reduce spending on Nuclear Weapons, arms race ends.