Download Section 1: Origins of the Cold War

Chapter 26 . The Cold War
Why it matters…
After World War II, an intense rivalry developed between the United States and the Soviet Union
– two superpowers with very different political and economic systems. This rivalry, known as the
Cold War, led to a massive build up of military weapons on both sides. The determination of
American leaders to contain communism also let to the Korean War, in which over 36,500
Americans died.
The Impact Today…
The effects of Cold War events are still evident today:
*NATO alliance works to guarantee the security of many democratic countries.
*Math and science training that was important to the space race remains an educational
priority.
Section 1:
Origins of the Cold War
 Objectives:
1. Explain the growing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union at the
end of World War II.
2. Identify the goals of Stalin’s foreign policy immediately after the war.
I. A Clash of Interests
 Between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (SU)
 Beginnings of the Cold War
 The SU concerned with security and the US concerned with economics.
A. Soviet Security Concerns
1. Wanted to keep Germany weak.
2. Wanted a buffer zone between Germany and the Soviet Union.
3. Believed communism a superior economic system.
4. Believed Lenin’s theory that capitalist nations would try
to destroy communist nations.
B. American Economic Concerns
1. Believed the Depression had caused WW II.
a. Hitler came to power*
b. Japan expanded its empire*
c. Economic isolation causes nations to go to war to get resources
they need.
2. Economic Growth Key to World Peace
a. Promote economic growth by increasing world trade.
b. Promote democracy and free enterprise as means to
make countries more stable and therefore more peaceful.
II. The Yalta Conference
 In February 1945, The United States, Soviet Union, and Britain met at Yalta on the
Black Sea.
 Conference lasted from Feb. 4th – 11th, 1945

Several of the agreements reached at the Yalta Conference contributed to Cold War
tensions.
A. Poland
1. Pre-Yalta Conference:
a. Invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union during WWII.
b. Taken over by Germany when Germany broke alliance with the Soviet
Union.
c. After German defeat, Poland “liberated” by the Soviet Union.
d. Original government fled to Britain when Germany and the
Soviet Union initially invaded.
e. After Soviet liberation, Polish communists were encouraged to
form their own government.
f. 2 governments existed, each claiming the right to govern.
2. During the conference:
a. Stalin wanted Poland to be friendly towards the
Soviet Union.
b. Churchill and Roosevelt wanted Poland to choose its own
government.
3. Post-Conference:
a. Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to recognize the government
established by the Soviets in Poland.
b. Stalin agreed to include members of the original Polish gov’t
and hold free elections as soon as was possible.
B. Declaration of Liberated Europe
1. Agreed to by Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt.
2. Included many freedoms promised the people of Europe:
a. Asserted “the right of all people to choose the form of
government under which they will all live.”
b. Promised that the people of Europe be able to create
democratic institutions.
c. Promised to create temporary governments that were
representative of the people.
d. Promised elections to be held as soon as possible.
C.
Dividing Germany
 Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin agreed to divide Germany into 4 zones.
 Great Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union would each control
one zone.
 Berlin is also divided into 4 zones of control.
1. Stalin’s Objectives
a. Demanded heavy reparations for destruction caused by WWII.
b. Wanted to weaken Germany economically.
2. Roosevelt’s Objectives
a. Wanted to secure Germany economically
b. Wanted Germany to recover so that the rest of Europe could recover as
well.
3. Stalin and Roosevelt Agreed that:
a. Reparations be paid in goods and products.
b. Remove industrial machinery, railroad cars and other equipment from
Germany as reparations payment.
4. Stalin and Roosevelt did not agree:
a. On an acceptable level of reparations from Germany
b. Economic policy that would govern Germany
*When did Germany pay off its World War I Reparations Debt?
Answer:
Last payment of $94 million paid on October 3, 2010.
The first reparation demands were 266 gold marks, which amounted to roughly $63 billion then (close to
$768 billion today), although this was later reduced to $33 billion (about $402 billion today).
*When did Germany pay off its World War II Reparations Debt?
Answer:
Has not. On track for 2034.
D. Tensions begin to Rise:
Yalta Conference: February 4th – 11th 1945.
1. Romania
a. Within 2 weeks of the Yalta C. ending the Soviet Union pressured the
King to appoint a communist government.
2. Poland
a. Only 3 non-communists were permitted to serve in the 18 member
Polish government.
b. No free elections were to be held in Poland.
As a result, the United States accused the Soviet Union of violating the Declaration of
Liberated Europe. Roosevelt informed the Soviet Union that their actions were not
acceptable.
_____________________________________________________________________
On April 12th 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died and Harry S. Truman replaced
him. This marked a shift in Soviet/American Relations.
III. Truman Takes Control
 Strongly Anti-communist
 Suspicious of Stalin
 Would not appease Stalin as Britain had attempted to appease Hitler.
A. Potsdam Conference
Conference set to work out a deal on Post-War Germany.
1. Stalin
a. Convinced they needed reparations from Germany
1. War had devastated Soviet economy
2. Wanted more than the Soviet zone of Germany could offer.*
2. Truman
a. Convinced German industry was critical
1. Afraid Germany would become Communist
2. Europe needed German economy
B. The Iron Curtain Descends
1. Stalin and Truman Agree To:
 German/Polish Border
 Splitting Up of Germany in zones
 War Reparations
 Zones of occupation
2. Stalin and Truman don’t agree to:
 Soviet Union would not commit to upholding the Declaration of
Liberated Europe.
 The level of war reparations that Germany was required to pay.
 The Soviet Union kept it’s military in:
• Romania
• Poland
• Bulgaria
• Hungary
• Czechoslovakia
Homework:
Page 782
1, 2, 4, and 7.