CONTENT
What was the Cold War?
The Cold War was a series of mounting tensions between the two
super powers (USA and Russia) each representing differing
ideologies.
the USA symbolised a capitalist, democratic system and the
USSR stood for the principles of communism and a one-party
system of government
The struggles between the two sides, the East vs. the West, was
an indirect conflict and came at considerable risk to global peace.
At times, the Cold War became 'warm' and threatened to develop
into full scale, 'hot' war - but one of the two powers always
backed down at the last minute and thus the Cold War continued
for a lengthy period.
Origins of the Cold War
After World War II, the Allied Powers (USA, Britain and France) had
several conferences to discuss the future of Germany and the
reconstruction of Europe.
In February 1945, the Yalta Conference was held in the Soviet
Union and the following were decided upon by the Big Three (USSR,
USA and Britain);
That Germany be divided into four Zones of occupation - Russian,
American, British and French.
Berlin, the capital of Germany, which was situated in the Russian
Zone, be divided into four sections, one for each of the 4 major
powers.
Countries that were free from Nazi occupation be allowed to hold
free elections to decide what type of government they wanted.
Russia agreed to assist in defeating Japan once the war was over.
After Germany surrendered in May 1945, a second conference of
the Allied Powers was held in Potsdam near Berlin.
Although the relations between the West and the Soviet Union
had
become strained, the following agreements were reached at
Potsdam (July - August 1945):
The Four Zones of occupation in Germany would each have an army
and be ruled by a military governor. This would be done under a
joint Allied Control Council (ACC).
The ACC would ensure the co-ordination of economic issues.
Germany was to be demilitarized, disarmed and the ideology of
National Socialism be removed.
Although Germany was divided into Four Zones, it was agreed that
it would remain united.
, EXPANSION OF COMMUNIST CONTROL IN EASTERN EUROPE
During World War II, the USSR extended its influence and occupied
the Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
After the end of the war, while Europe concerned itself with
rehabilitation of the war-ravaged countries, the USSR made
important territorial advances in Eastern Europe.
Communist governments were established in Poland, Hungary,
Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, and East Germany.
Elections which were promised in these countries often did not
occur and when elections did take place, results that were
unfavourable to the communists, were ignored.
It was under these circumstances that British Prime Minister,
Winston Churchill made his infamous "Iron Curtain" speech at Fulton
- Missouri, USA.
Churchill's speech widened the gap between USSR and the West,
but did little to deter the USSR’s expansion in Europe.
The Western Allies (Britain, France and the USA) decided to unite
their respective sections of Germany to form the German Federal
Republic
USSR responded by establishing the German Democratic Republic in
October 1949. Hence, the chances of Germany re-unifying were
dashed because of the increased East-West tensions.
INVOLVEMENT OF THE USA, BRITAIN AND FRANCE IN EUROPE
During both World War I and II, America's foreign policy was one of
neutrality.
However, when her interests were threatened in the Pacific at Pearl
Harbour, she had to change her foreign policy to one of active
participation.
At Yalta and Potsdam, Britain and France, looked to the USA for
leadership. Furthermore, the Western Allies looked to the USA for
financial as well as military assistance.
TRUMAN DOCTRINE
Harry Truman who replaced Roosevelt as President in 1945,
introduced his first strategic plan, the Truman Doctrine, to combat
Communism and assist devastated European countries.
Truman announced his policy of containment: The Truman Doctrine.
‘The USA would support (by economic or military aid) free peoples
(meaning anti- communists) who were resisting armed minorities or
outside pressures (meaning the USSR).
What was the Cold War?
The Cold War was a series of mounting tensions between the two
super powers (USA and Russia) each representing differing
ideologies.
the USA symbolised a capitalist, democratic system and the
USSR stood for the principles of communism and a one-party
system of government
The struggles between the two sides, the East vs. the West, was
an indirect conflict and came at considerable risk to global peace.
At times, the Cold War became 'warm' and threatened to develop
into full scale, 'hot' war - but one of the two powers always
backed down at the last minute and thus the Cold War continued
for a lengthy period.
Origins of the Cold War
After World War II, the Allied Powers (USA, Britain and France) had
several conferences to discuss the future of Germany and the
reconstruction of Europe.
In February 1945, the Yalta Conference was held in the Soviet
Union and the following were decided upon by the Big Three (USSR,
USA and Britain);
That Germany be divided into four Zones of occupation - Russian,
American, British and French.
Berlin, the capital of Germany, which was situated in the Russian
Zone, be divided into four sections, one for each of the 4 major
powers.
Countries that were free from Nazi occupation be allowed to hold
free elections to decide what type of government they wanted.
Russia agreed to assist in defeating Japan once the war was over.
After Germany surrendered in May 1945, a second conference of
the Allied Powers was held in Potsdam near Berlin.
Although the relations between the West and the Soviet Union
had
become strained, the following agreements were reached at
Potsdam (July - August 1945):
The Four Zones of occupation in Germany would each have an army
and be ruled by a military governor. This would be done under a
joint Allied Control Council (ACC).
The ACC would ensure the co-ordination of economic issues.
Germany was to be demilitarized, disarmed and the ideology of
National Socialism be removed.
Although Germany was divided into Four Zones, it was agreed that
it would remain united.
, EXPANSION OF COMMUNIST CONTROL IN EASTERN EUROPE
During World War II, the USSR extended its influence and occupied
the Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
After the end of the war, while Europe concerned itself with
rehabilitation of the war-ravaged countries, the USSR made
important territorial advances in Eastern Europe.
Communist governments were established in Poland, Hungary,
Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, and East Germany.
Elections which were promised in these countries often did not
occur and when elections did take place, results that were
unfavourable to the communists, were ignored.
It was under these circumstances that British Prime Minister,
Winston Churchill made his infamous "Iron Curtain" speech at Fulton
- Missouri, USA.
Churchill's speech widened the gap between USSR and the West,
but did little to deter the USSR’s expansion in Europe.
The Western Allies (Britain, France and the USA) decided to unite
their respective sections of Germany to form the German Federal
Republic
USSR responded by establishing the German Democratic Republic in
October 1949. Hence, the chances of Germany re-unifying were
dashed because of the increased East-West tensions.
INVOLVEMENT OF THE USA, BRITAIN AND FRANCE IN EUROPE
During both World War I and II, America's foreign policy was one of
neutrality.
However, when her interests were threatened in the Pacific at Pearl
Harbour, she had to change her foreign policy to one of active
participation.
At Yalta and Potsdam, Britain and France, looked to the USA for
leadership. Furthermore, the Western Allies looked to the USA for
financial as well as military assistance.
TRUMAN DOCTRINE
Harry Truman who replaced Roosevelt as President in 1945,
introduced his first strategic plan, the Truman Doctrine, to combat
Communism and assist devastated European countries.
Truman announced his policy of containment: The Truman Doctrine.
‘The USA would support (by economic or military aid) free peoples
(meaning anti- communists) who were resisting armed minorities or
outside pressures (meaning the USSR).
