Origins of the Cold WarApril 28, 2014 Note Packet C

• At the Yalta Conference (Feb. 1945), FDR, Stalin & Churchill agreed to the creation of the United Nations (UN)

• The UN’s structure includes a General Assembly & Security Council• The Security Council includes 10 rotating member nations & 5

permanent members (US, Britain, Soviet Union, China & France) • The UN serves as a forum for world leaders to voice concerns

• Soviet Union allied with US due to Germany violating their nonaggression pact during WW2

• At the Potsdam Conference (July 1945), Truman, Stalin & Atlee met to discuss issues of Germany & Poland• Stalin wished for a Communist based Polish gov’t framework• Truman insisted on free elections in Poland

• Atomic bomb kept secret from Stalin• Main US postwar goal was to bring democracy & economic

opportunities to conquered in Europe & Asia• Main Soviet postwar goal was est. satellite nations & spread

communism

• US foreign policy post-WW2 was influenced by 2 factors:• Willingness of US to become involved in international peacekeeping

efforts• Determination to prevent spread of communism

• Policy of containment• Confine communism to area it already exists • Will be carried out through increased

presidential power

• Truman Doctrine • Truman asked Congress for economic & military aid to

Turkey & Greece• Containment strategy• Major step in foreign policy,

moving away from isolationism & neutrality

• The Marshall Plan became a main point in US foreign policy• Created by Truman’s Secretary of State, General George Marshall • Called for European nations to create economic recovery plans • US would provide financial aid • Reflected idea of strong democracies

& new markets for American goods