Download Section 1: The Cold War Unfolds - BHS-MsQ

WH Chapter 15 Section 1: The Cold War Unfolds
Focus Question: What were the military and political consequences of the
Cold War in the Soviet Union, Europe, and the United States?
I. Two Sides Face Off in Europe
The Cold War confrontation began in Europe where the United States and
the Soviet Union confronted each other. Both nations were known as
superpowers or nations stronger than other powerful nations. After World
War II, the Western Allies helped Western Germany to rebuild its
economy which caused the Soviets to strengthen their hold on East
Germany. The U.S.A. led the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO). The Soviet Union led the Warsaw Pact in Eastern Europe which
was dedicated to the security of communist nations in Europe. In Berlin,
floods of people were leaving East Berlin for the more prosperous West
Berlin, so a wall was built to keep the East Germans in. The wall became
known as the Iron Curtain. Many Eastern European countries revolted
against Soviet authority. In 1968, Czechoslovakia started to introduce
limited freedom known as the “Prague Spring.” The Soviet and the
Warsaw Pact launched a massive invasion and put an end to the freedoms.
II. Nuclear Weapons Threaten the World
The United States and the Soviet Union each developed nuclear weapons
to maintain a “balance of terror.” By 1953, both countries had developed
hydrogen bombs. Critics argued that a nuclear war would destroy both
sides. By 1969, both countries also participated in Strategic Arms
Limitation Talks (SALT) to keep the number of nuclear weapons down, as
well as the number of anti-ballistic missiles. These agreements led to the
American strategy of détente, which was to restrain the Soviets through
diplomatic agreements in the 1970s.
III. The Cold War Goes Global
The U.S. and the U.S.S.R formed more alliances in order to protect their
interests around the world. Unlike the Soviets, the U.S. established army,
navy, and air force bases around the globe creating encirclement around
the Soviets. They confronted each other indirectly by taking sides in local
conflicts—providing weapons, training, and other aid to opposing forces.
Cuba was home to the major Cold War conflict in the Western
Hemisphere, with a communist government retaining control. In 1959,
Fidel Castro led a rebellion that over through the Cuban government. He
turned to the Soviet Union for help in creating a communist government.
In 1961, the U.S. attempted to bring down the communist regime by
supporting an invasion led by U.S.-trained Cuban exiles. The Bay of Pigs
Invasion, known for the bay where the invaders came ashore in Cuba,
ended in failure. In 1962, the Soviet Union sent nuclear missiles to Cuba
and President Kennedy responded by imposing a naval blockade that
prevented any further shipments. The U.S. demanded the Soviet Union
remove its nuclear missiles in which they eventually agreed avoiding
nuclear war. The event was known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
IV. The Soviet Union in the Cold War
The Soviets wanted to spread their ideology and command economy to
other countries. Communists valued obedience, discipline and economic
security. They sought to spread their ideology or value system and belief
around the world.
Of Stalin’s successors, all maintained Communist party control, but
Nikita Khrushchev closed the prison camps that had held political enemies
and he also eased censorship. Under Leonid Brezhnev, government critics
again faced arrest.
V. The United States in the Cold War
America's basic policy towards communist countries and the spread of
communism was one of containment, or keeping it within its existing
boundaries and preventing further expansion. The American government
tried to keep communism from spreading, while individual Americans
tried to protect themselves from nuclear fallout by building shelters and
conducting air-raid drills. The fear of nuclear war led to a fear of all
communists or the "red scare", and Senator Joseph McCarthy led a
campaign to root out all American communists and communist
sympathizers. This became known as McCarthyism.
WH Chapter 15 Section 2: The Industrialized Democracies
Focus Question: How did the United States, Western Europe, and Japan
achieve economic prosperity and strengthen democracy during the Cold
War?
I. America Prospers and Changes
During the Cold War, the United States was a global political leader. The
headquarters of the newly formed League of Nations was built in New
York City and the U.S. was a global political and economic leader.
The United States played a central role in helping other nations to rebuild.
America experienced boom times in the 1950s and 1960s. The more
affluent Americans moved from cities to suburbs. The movement to
communities outside an urban core is known as suburbanization. Many
moved to the Sunbelt. In the 1970s, high oil prices brought on a recession.
II. Democracy Expands Opportunities
After World War II, the American promise of equality and opportunity
had not yet been fulfilled for ethnic minorities. Many states denied
equality to African American and other minority groups whom faced legal
segregation, or forced separation, in education and housing. Minorities
also suffered discrimination, unequal treatment or barriers in jobs and
voting. Many minorities began to demand equal rights. The U.S. Supreme
Court struck down segregation in schools with the landmark ruling in
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., led a civil rights movement that used
boycotts and peaceful marches to make its point. Other groups soon joined
in to demand equality. The U.S. Congress eventually outlawed public
segregation, protected voting rights, and required equal access to housing
and jobs. Programs for the poor and disadvantaged grew under
Democratic presidents Kennedy and Johnson and shrank under Republican
Reagan.
III. Western Europe Rebuilds
After the decline of Communism, German voters approved the
reunification of Germany. All Germans then benefited from the former
West Germany’s booming economy. Britain and other European colonial
powers struggled with rebuilding and gave their colonies independence.
Some countries extended the welfare state and were accused of drifting
towards socialism. During the 1980s and 1990s, some countries, such as
Britain, elected conservative leaders who had denounced the welfare state.
IV. Japan Is Transformed
After World War II, one of General MacArthur’s military government
goal was to guarantee a democratic government. Japan became a
parliamentary democracy. Japan quickly built modern factories and began
to export vast quantities of goods. Japan’s economic success during the
1950’s and 1960’s resulted in part because of American military
protection, which allowed Japan to spend more on economic development.
Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) climbed. At the same time it imposed
tariffs on imports, which angered Americans who were paying for U.S.
troops to defend Japan.
Chapter 15 Section 3: Communism Spreads in East Asia
China’s Communist Revolution
By the end of WWII, the Chinese Communist has gained control of much
of northern China. Chinese Communists defeated the Nationalists by
winning the support of the peasants. The Communists discouraged
religious practice and the ideas of Confucianism. Private properties were
seized. Opponents were persecuted. Mao Zedong created communes to
produce crops, steel, and other products. The products turned out to be of
low quality. In the Cultural Revolution, many young Chinese answered the
call to attack the bourgeois.
China, the Cold War’s “Wild Card”
China and the Soviet Union had a troubled history and a dispute over
ideology and never formed a strong alliance. The U.S. came to recognize
the People’s Republic of China and, under President Nixon, establish
formal diplomatic relations. Taiwan continued to assert its independence
from China.
War Comes to Korea
Korea was divided when Japan conquered it in the early twentieth century.
After Japan’s defeat in WWII, the U.S. and the Soviet Union agreed to
divide Korean along the 38th parallel of latitude. When each of the rulers
of North and South Korea wanted to rule the entire country, the two sides
went to war. The South was backed by the U.S. and the North by the
Soviets. When Mao Zedong sent troops to help the North Koreans, the war
turned into a stalemate. South Korea remained in the demilitarized zone
which is an area with no military forces. Both sides agreed to an armistice.
Two Koreas
After the armistice, South Korea flourished economically with a market
economy. Communist North Korea experienced economic stagnation.
They remain divided.