Potsdam- joint occupation of Germany. Beginning of tensions. Truman demanded immediate
free elections throughout Eastern Europe, Stalin refused. He believed that the only guarantee to
Soviet security was communist governments bordering the Soviet Union. Got his way.
Truman & Truman Doctrine- US responds to Stalin’s security goals and the iron curtain closes.
Cut off all aid to USSR. Declared it would never recognize a government established by force.
Emotional and moral denunciations of Stalin and communist Russia are part of American
political life.
Doctrine- policy of containment. Goal of containing communism to areas already occupied by
Soviets. It seemed Stalin was determined to export communism. The US would aid people
resisting attempted subjugation.
Marshall Plan- US aid package to Europe as an alternative to communism. Economic aid
offered to help Europe rebuild. Idea that stable conditions would allow democratic institutions to
survive. $13 billion in loans, food, services, equipment.
Division of Germany- 4 zones of occupation. France, Britain, US USSR. western occupiers
wanted West Germany to recover economically. The Soviets wanted revenge.
Berlin Blockade & Berlin Airlift- Berlin was located in Soviet zone, but the city itself was divided
by 4 powers. Western occupied zones introduced currency reform. Soviets responded by
blocking road, water, and rail access to the city.
Airlift- western allies flew planes filled with supplies. Dropped supplies for 11 months. Colonel
Gail Halvorsen, “the candy bomber.” Blockade failed, containment worked.
Berlin Wall- built to stop East Berliners from crossing over to West Berlin.
Arms Race- Soviets successfully test the A-bomb.
“Duck & Cover”- drills to tell people what to do if an A-bomb dropped. Effort to calm.
Space Race- Soviets put the first satellite into space, Sputnik 1. Also sent the 1st cosmonaut
into space to orbit Earth. Kennedy was embarrassed and committed to catching up.
Sputnik 1- first satellite into space, sent by Soviets.
Apollo 11- The US landed a crewed aircraft, Apollo 11, on the moon.
NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Organization. anti-Soviet military alliance of Western Governments.
Warsaw Pact- Soviet counterpart to NATO. united soviet union and communist regimes of
Eastern Europe.
free elections throughout Eastern Europe, Stalin refused. He believed that the only guarantee to
Soviet security was communist governments bordering the Soviet Union. Got his way.
Truman & Truman Doctrine- US responds to Stalin’s security goals and the iron curtain closes.
Cut off all aid to USSR. Declared it would never recognize a government established by force.
Emotional and moral denunciations of Stalin and communist Russia are part of American
political life.
Doctrine- policy of containment. Goal of containing communism to areas already occupied by
Soviets. It seemed Stalin was determined to export communism. The US would aid people
resisting attempted subjugation.
Marshall Plan- US aid package to Europe as an alternative to communism. Economic aid
offered to help Europe rebuild. Idea that stable conditions would allow democratic institutions to
survive. $13 billion in loans, food, services, equipment.
Division of Germany- 4 zones of occupation. France, Britain, US USSR. western occupiers
wanted West Germany to recover economically. The Soviets wanted revenge.
Berlin Blockade & Berlin Airlift- Berlin was located in Soviet zone, but the city itself was divided
by 4 powers. Western occupied zones introduced currency reform. Soviets responded by
blocking road, water, and rail access to the city.
Airlift- western allies flew planes filled with supplies. Dropped supplies for 11 months. Colonel
Gail Halvorsen, “the candy bomber.” Blockade failed, containment worked.
Berlin Wall- built to stop East Berliners from crossing over to West Berlin.
Arms Race- Soviets successfully test the A-bomb.
“Duck & Cover”- drills to tell people what to do if an A-bomb dropped. Effort to calm.
Space Race- Soviets put the first satellite into space, Sputnik 1. Also sent the 1st cosmonaut
into space to orbit Earth. Kennedy was embarrassed and committed to catching up.
Sputnik 1- first satellite into space, sent by Soviets.
Apollo 11- The US landed a crewed aircraft, Apollo 11, on the moon.
NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Organization. anti-Soviet military alliance of Western Governments.
Warsaw Pact- Soviet counterpart to NATO. united soviet union and communist regimes of
Eastern Europe.
