The Cold War
Spheres of intertest
Introduction to the war
How did the Cold War period shape international relations after the Second
World War?
Background and focus
After the Second World War, there was a struggle between two world powers. Why
was it called the ‘Cold’ War? The reason lies in the threat of new and even deadlier
weapons of nuclear technology that prevented outright open warfare. The Cold War
was characterised by conflict through proxy wars, the manipulation of more
vulnerable states through extensive military and financial aid, espionage,
propaganda, rivalry over technological, and space and nuclear races, and sport.
Besides periods of tense crisis in this bi-polar world, the Cold War deeply affected
the newly independent countries in Africa and the liberation struggles in southern
Africa from the 1960s until the 1990s, when the USSR was dismantled.
The origins of the Cold War (Overview; source-based questions; a broad
narrative)
This section includes:
• End of World War II (introduction) - why did a Cold War develop? Overview
• USSR and USA and the creation of spheres of interest: Overview
Installation of Soviet-friendly governments in satellite states; Overview
USA’s policy of containment: Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan; Overview
Opposing military alliances: NATO and Warsaw Pact (broadly); Overview
• Containment and brinkmanship: the Cuban crisis (as an example of
containment and brinkmanship)
Key points that will be covered in this topic:
• The USA and the USSR ended World War II as allies.
• The two wartime peace conferences at Yalta and Potsdam managed to
establish a framework for the post-war world.
• Historians disagree about when the Cold War stared. Some believe it was as
early as 1917 when the communists came to power in Russia.
• Most historians suggest that the creation of the Soviet empire in eastern
Europe by 1948, or division of Germany in 1949 marked the start of the
conflict.
• The future of Germany proved to be the most sensitive of the issues dividing
the two superpowers.
• Stalin attempted to solve the German problem by forcing the West out of West
Berlin in 1948.
, • The Berlin airlift followed by the creation of West and East Germany ensured
Germany would stay divided until its reunification in 1990.
• The western powers set up a military alliance to defend themselves against
the possibility of an attack from the communists in the east: NATO
• Powerful personalities, suggest that President Harry Truman and Stalin
Played a key role in the breakdown in relations between the USA and USSR.
• Why America became involved in Cuba
• American and Cuban relations
• The Cuban Missile Crisis.
Spheres of influence
Introduction to the Cold War:
In 1941, the last great empire of the last century joined forces with the emerging
empires of the new century. However, this alliance between Great Britain, the USA
and the USSR was not to last much beyond the defeat of Germany in May 1945.By
the end of 1949, Europe was divided into two blocs: those countries that were under
Soviet control and those who enjoyed close relations with the USA. Many of the
countries that were friendly with the USA were also members of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation (NATO), an armed alliance of the states. The division of Europe
was symbolised by the fate of Germany after World War Two. Initially carved into four
zones of occupation, which were to initially be administered by Britain, France, USA
and the USSR with Berlin in the Soviet zone but similarly divided up, the failure of
Stalin's plan to unite Berlin led to the unification of the three western zones and the
formal creation of West and East Germany.
,
Spheres of intertest
Introduction to the war
How did the Cold War period shape international relations after the Second
World War?
Background and focus
After the Second World War, there was a struggle between two world powers. Why
was it called the ‘Cold’ War? The reason lies in the threat of new and even deadlier
weapons of nuclear technology that prevented outright open warfare. The Cold War
was characterised by conflict through proxy wars, the manipulation of more
vulnerable states through extensive military and financial aid, espionage,
propaganda, rivalry over technological, and space and nuclear races, and sport.
Besides periods of tense crisis in this bi-polar world, the Cold War deeply affected
the newly independent countries in Africa and the liberation struggles in southern
Africa from the 1960s until the 1990s, when the USSR was dismantled.
The origins of the Cold War (Overview; source-based questions; a broad
narrative)
This section includes:
• End of World War II (introduction) - why did a Cold War develop? Overview
• USSR and USA and the creation of spheres of interest: Overview
Installation of Soviet-friendly governments in satellite states; Overview
USA’s policy of containment: Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan; Overview
Opposing military alliances: NATO and Warsaw Pact (broadly); Overview
• Containment and brinkmanship: the Cuban crisis (as an example of
containment and brinkmanship)
Key points that will be covered in this topic:
• The USA and the USSR ended World War II as allies.
• The two wartime peace conferences at Yalta and Potsdam managed to
establish a framework for the post-war world.
• Historians disagree about when the Cold War stared. Some believe it was as
early as 1917 when the communists came to power in Russia.
• Most historians suggest that the creation of the Soviet empire in eastern
Europe by 1948, or division of Germany in 1949 marked the start of the
conflict.
• The future of Germany proved to be the most sensitive of the issues dividing
the two superpowers.
• Stalin attempted to solve the German problem by forcing the West out of West
Berlin in 1948.
, • The Berlin airlift followed by the creation of West and East Germany ensured
Germany would stay divided until its reunification in 1990.
• The western powers set up a military alliance to defend themselves against
the possibility of an attack from the communists in the east: NATO
• Powerful personalities, suggest that President Harry Truman and Stalin
Played a key role in the breakdown in relations between the USA and USSR.
• Why America became involved in Cuba
• American and Cuban relations
• The Cuban Missile Crisis.
Spheres of influence
Introduction to the Cold War:
In 1941, the last great empire of the last century joined forces with the emerging
empires of the new century. However, this alliance between Great Britain, the USA
and the USSR was not to last much beyond the defeat of Germany in May 1945.By
the end of 1949, Europe was divided into two blocs: those countries that were under
Soviet control and those who enjoyed close relations with the USA. Many of the
countries that were friendly with the USA were also members of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation (NATO), an armed alliance of the states. The division of Europe
was symbolised by the fate of Germany after World War Two. Initially carved into four
zones of occupation, which were to initially be administered by Britain, France, USA
and the USSR with Berlin in the Soviet zone but similarly divided up, the failure of
Stalin's plan to unite Berlin led to the unification of the three western zones and the
formal creation of West and East Germany.
,
