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The Cold War
The Cold War was a state of political and military
tension after World War II between powers in the United States (and his allies) and powers in the Soviet Union (and its satellite states). The USA and the USSR were now the major superpowers in the world but they were very different, ideologically, economically and politically and this ended in a diplomatic conflict called the Cold War. -
Why was called Cold War
It was called the Cold War because there was no fighting, instead both sides tried to “win” by forming alliances and making
plans. Both sides had atomic weapons and were afraid of nuclear war. -
The USA was worried about the spread of communism.
President Truman was determined to stop the spread of Communism in two main ways:
1. He promised that the USA would support any nation threatened by a communist invasion (Truman doctrine).
2. He promised American aid to European countries to help rebuild their damaged economies. This aid was called the Marshall Plan. -
Berlin
The USSR and the West disagreed over Berlin:
The Western allies agreed to a single government in their zones. The Soviet Union was opposed to these moves and Stalin decided to blockade Berlin:
Berlin was in Eastern Germany (controlled by the USSR). Stalin ordered that all land communication between West Berlin and the outside world should be cut off.
In 1949 two new states were formed: the German Federal Republic (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic. -
Korea war
Korea was divided into North and South Korea.The North was communist and the South were anti-communist. Communist North Korea went to war with South Korea in order to reunite the country.The Western powers intervened to stop the spread of communism.China was afraid of a Western invasion so they attacked the UN forces. MacArthur wanted to attack China but Truman disagreed and he was dismissed.Truman looked for peace in 1953.Korea remained as it was before , but more than two million people died. -
Cuban missile crisis
In 1959,a rebel named Fidel Castro began a guerrilla war and overthrew the government.USA cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba.Kennedy authorized an invasion of Cuba,but they were defeated.After this Castro decided that Cuba needed protection: soviet missiles were shipped to Cuba.Kennedy ordered stop soviet ships. Finally Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba if the US promised not to place missiles in Turkey.Kennedy lifted the blockade and promised not to invade Cuba. -
Vietnam war
Vietnam was divideed into the communist North and the democratic South.Truman dictated that the USA would assist the South Vietnam.The USA was terrified that other countries might become communist and help the USSR(domino theory).Vietcong wanted join the South and the North.Johnson began a bombing campaign of North Vietnam(a lot of americans died)..American troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the US began bombing of North Vietnam.A ceasefire was arranged.In 1975 Vietcong captured Saigon -
The end of Cold War
The USSR and the USA agreed to limit their nuclear weapons(SALT1).Ronald Reagan was elected president of the USA.They developed nuclear missiles which could be launched from anywhere and use laser weapons to shoot down soviet missiles from space.The USSR couldn't afford the more militar spending.Mikhail Gorbachev came to power and changed things:
• The both sides agreed to remove nuclear missiles from Europe.
• Reduction of the weapons and the troops in the soviet army.
The Cold War was ending.
