THE COLD WAR
GENERAL
1945 the beginning of the a long period of distrust and misunderstanding between
the USSR (east) and their former allies, the USA (west)
Cold war the struggle that developed between the USA and the USSR (known as
the 2 strongest countries after WW2). It was not a simple war between the two
countries and their allies, it was a clash between social and economic systems and
rival ideologies – communism VS capitalism.
“Cold war” – a state of hostility between 2 nations without actual fighting. The threat
of new and deadly weapons such as nuclear technology prevented outright open
warfare. Lasted for 40 years and caused political crises and military conflicts in many
parts of the world.
It was not fought on military battlefields (conventionally) – rather on the political and
economic fronts. Affected how USA saw the and themselves.
Brinkmanship – to bring the enemy to the brink of confrontation, then back off, make
them feel as it if an open declaration of war.
CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR
Mistrust between USSR and USA started in 1917 after communist government
came into power in USSR.
o From 1941 onwards, Soviets carried the main burden of fighting the Nazi’s,
amount of casualties rose – USA only stepped in 2 years later, Stalin saw this
delay as a deliberate attempt to weaken the USSR.
o USA stopped providing supplies to the soviet people.
o Atomic bomb was developed during the war, Stalin was only informed of its
existence after Nazi defeat.
Over the years, tensions and suspicions increased – however during WW2, they set
aside their differences because of Hitler and Nazi Germany.
, 1941 USSR, USA and Britain formed a grand alliance to defeat Germany – BUT it
was an uneasy alliance and beneath the surface, suspicions remained.
After WW2, Europe was completely destroyed – communism was appealing to the
people who did not have anything – USSR took advantage of this.
Hitler had taken over eastern Europe countries during WW2, Russia intervened and
freed them, set up communist governments.
America saw the USSR as a threat to their way of life – especially after the USSR
gained control over Eastern Europe, they feared their European allies would become
communist.
COMMUNISM
Advantages Disadvantages
Low unemployment – everyone has a No incentive to work harder
good job.
Good job security – the government does No incentive to innovate or come up with
not go out of business new ideas
Free healthcare No competition keeps quality of goods
poor
Equal incomes means no big gap Corrupt leaders
between people
Few Individual freedoms
CAPITALISM
Advantages Disadvantages
Competition to provide goods and Monopoly behaviour
services
Keeps prices low Waste of talent and class conflict
Rewards hard work Exploits people who cannot compete,
working class exploited
Provides choice and consumers regulate Uneven distribution of wealth, creates a
the market money oriented society
Improve quality of goods and efficient Inequality and fluctuation in the level of
control of production process employment
YALTA CONFERENCE
February 1945
Towards end of 1945 leaders of the Great Alliance (Roosevelt, Stalin and
Churchill) came together to decide what to do about Germany and the countries
under German control in Eastern Europe, once the war was over.
They agreed that Germany would be divided into 4 of occupation, each to be
administered by one of the Big Three Allied powers (+France) until they were
ready for independent governing.
Berlin would be divided into 4 zones of occupation.
No agreements were made on what German payment of reparations would be.
They agreed that the Eastern European countries should be allowed to hold free
elections to determine the type of government they wanted Stalin later broke
GENERAL
1945 the beginning of the a long period of distrust and misunderstanding between
the USSR (east) and their former allies, the USA (west)
Cold war the struggle that developed between the USA and the USSR (known as
the 2 strongest countries after WW2). It was not a simple war between the two
countries and their allies, it was a clash between social and economic systems and
rival ideologies – communism VS capitalism.
“Cold war” – a state of hostility between 2 nations without actual fighting. The threat
of new and deadly weapons such as nuclear technology prevented outright open
warfare. Lasted for 40 years and caused political crises and military conflicts in many
parts of the world.
It was not fought on military battlefields (conventionally) – rather on the political and
economic fronts. Affected how USA saw the and themselves.
Brinkmanship – to bring the enemy to the brink of confrontation, then back off, make
them feel as it if an open declaration of war.
CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR
Mistrust between USSR and USA started in 1917 after communist government
came into power in USSR.
o From 1941 onwards, Soviets carried the main burden of fighting the Nazi’s,
amount of casualties rose – USA only stepped in 2 years later, Stalin saw this
delay as a deliberate attempt to weaken the USSR.
o USA stopped providing supplies to the soviet people.
o Atomic bomb was developed during the war, Stalin was only informed of its
existence after Nazi defeat.
Over the years, tensions and suspicions increased – however during WW2, they set
aside their differences because of Hitler and Nazi Germany.
, 1941 USSR, USA and Britain formed a grand alliance to defeat Germany – BUT it
was an uneasy alliance and beneath the surface, suspicions remained.
After WW2, Europe was completely destroyed – communism was appealing to the
people who did not have anything – USSR took advantage of this.
Hitler had taken over eastern Europe countries during WW2, Russia intervened and
freed them, set up communist governments.
America saw the USSR as a threat to their way of life – especially after the USSR
gained control over Eastern Europe, they feared their European allies would become
communist.
COMMUNISM
Advantages Disadvantages
Low unemployment – everyone has a No incentive to work harder
good job.
Good job security – the government does No incentive to innovate or come up with
not go out of business new ideas
Free healthcare No competition keeps quality of goods
poor
Equal incomes means no big gap Corrupt leaders
between people
Few Individual freedoms
CAPITALISM
Advantages Disadvantages
Competition to provide goods and Monopoly behaviour
services
Keeps prices low Waste of talent and class conflict
Rewards hard work Exploits people who cannot compete,
working class exploited
Provides choice and consumers regulate Uneven distribution of wealth, creates a
the market money oriented society
Improve quality of goods and efficient Inequality and fluctuation in the level of
control of production process employment
YALTA CONFERENCE
February 1945
Towards end of 1945 leaders of the Great Alliance (Roosevelt, Stalin and
Churchill) came together to decide what to do about Germany and the countries
under German control in Eastern Europe, once the war was over.
They agreed that Germany would be divided into 4 of occupation, each to be
administered by one of the Big Three Allied powers (+France) until they were
ready for independent governing.
Berlin would be divided into 4 zones of occupation.
No agreements were made on what German payment of reparations would be.
They agreed that the Eastern European countries should be allowed to hold free
elections to determine the type of government they wanted Stalin later broke
