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Name: _____________________
Western Europe vs. The Soviet Union
Democracy vs. Communism
After World War II two large
superpowers emerged in the world, the
United States and the Soviet Union.
These two countries quickly believed it
was their responsibility to spread their
political beliefs to the rest of the world.
The United States promoted democracy
across the globe, while the Soviet Union
promoted communism. Where the two
different political philosophies met in
Europe was called the Iron Curtain. The
thick dark black line on this map
represents a REAL line with barbed wire,
walls and armed lookout towers that
separate the democratic west and the
communist east. Because of this recent
split in the world, the United Nations has
been asked to step in and mediate in
regards to a few key controversies.
Event
Truman
Doctrine
Marshall
Plan
Berlin
Blockade
What is it?
Effect on the U.S. and USSR
relationship?
Name: _____________________
Section #1: Truman Doctrine
In 1947 President Truman asked for and received from the U.S. Congress $400 million
to provide help to support nations who wanted to fight back against attempted takeover
by communists. This was one way he tried to practice containment to prevent the
spread of communism to other countries. The U.S. was providing military and economic
assistance (money) to nations resisting communist takeovers. This became known as
the Truman Doctrine. The first nations to receive aid under the Truman Doctrine were
Greece and Turkey, both of which then successfully stopped communist takeovers.
1. What was Truman’s plan for “containment” of communism?
2. What do you already know about the treatment of citizens in communist nations like
the Soviet Union?
3. What potential negative consequences could occur based on the Truman Doctrine?
4. Big Question: Remember the goal of the United Nations is to protect its 50 members
from aggression. Should the United Nations allow the U.S. to continue with the
Truman Doctrine, aiding foreign countries with money and military support to
oppose communism?
A. Absolutely. The United States should be allowed to provide financial and
military support to combat communism.
B. The United States should only be allowed to provide financial support, but
not military support to combat communism.
C. The United States should NOT be allowed to provide financial OR military
support to foreign countries to combat communism.
5. Explain your answer to question #4 below. Did anyone change your mind?
Name: _____________________
Section #2: Marshall Plan
In 1947 U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall created a plan to rebuild a Europe
devastated by World War II. All European nations, including the Soviet Union, could
receive U.S. dollars to rebuild their devastated economies as long as the money was
spent on products made in the United States. In 1948 the U.S. Congress approved $17
billion in aid. Nations receiving Marshall Plan aid were Great Britain, France, Portugal,
Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany, Denmark, Norway,
Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece and Turkey. None of these countries were
communist nations.
1. In your own words, what is the Marshall Plan?
2. Should the U.S. be allowed to give money to other countries that can only be spent
on U.S. products? Explain why or why not.
3. How might the Soviet Union react to the Marshall Plan?
4. Big Question: Remember the goal of the United Nations is to protect its 50 members
from aggression. Should the United Nations allow the U.S. to continue with the
Marshall Plan?
A. Absolutely. The money belongs to the United States and should be
allowed to tell whoever they give their money to how to spend it.
B. The United States should be allowed to give money for recovery, but
cannot tell the country receiving aid to only buy U.S. products.
C. The United States should be allowed to give money, but needs to
distribute money equally to democratic and communist countries.
5. Explain your answer to question #4 below. Did anyone change your mind?
Name: _____________________
Section #3: Berlin Blockade
Following World War II, the Americans and the Soviet Union agreed to divide Germany
into 4 occupation zones to be controlled by the Americans, Soviets, British and French.
Berlin, the capital city of Germany that lay deep within the Soviet occupation zone would
itself be divided into four occupation zones held by the same powers. In 1948, when the
western nations agreed to create a currency for their occupation zones as the first step
in creating the new nation of West Germany, the Soviet Union decided to close off all
road and rail access to the western occupation zones in Berlin. This action, known as
the Berlin Blockade, created a crisis for the West. Over 2 million people in West Berlin
were left without electricity, food or fuel needed for survival. It seemed as if the Western
countries would either have to fight their way into Berlin to supply the people living there
or give up their zones of occupation.
1. What is the Berlin Blockade?
2. What might happen if the British, French, American try to supply resources to the
people of East Berlin?
3. What might happen if the British, French, American DO NOT try to supply resources
to the people of East Berlin?
4. Big Question: Remember the goal of the United Nations is to protect its 50 members
from aggression. How will you respond to the Berlin Blockade?
A. Ask the Soviets to lift the blockade and hope the people of West Berlin do
not starve to death in the process.
B. Give up control of the British, American and French zones of occupation,
leaving complete control to the Soviet Union.
C. Promote a battle between the Soviet Union and Western democracies to
break through the blockade to provide citizens with supplies.
D. Airlift supplies over the blockade 24 hours a day to keep from having to
give up your occupation zones, while still providing needed supplies.
5. Explain your answer to question #4 below. Did anyone change your mind?