Main Idea of the Cold War

1945-1989

The Cold War 1945-1989: Main Ideas

The Cold War began at the end of World War II with the division of Germany. 

Germany and its capital city of Berlin were divided between the democratic West and the communist East. 

It was a war of words, one-upmanship, a space race, and an arms race between the two superpowers of the USA and USSR.   No actual fighting was done between the super powers,

but thousands died in wars fought in other nations.

The Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. 

Truman Doctrine

Truman Doctrine

President Truman issued his Truman Doctrine stating:

"The USA would support free democratic nations

and prevent them from being overthrown by 'armed minorities' or by an 'outside takeover'". 

It said we would go to war to stop the USSR

from spreading communism!

Marshall Plan

Marshall Plan

Much of the war had been fought in Europe. 

Many of the nations were destroyed by the war and needed help of all kinds.

To keep nations from becoming friendly with the Russians, the USA gave money, food, and aid

to keep them free of communism.

The Division of Germany 

during the Cold War

The Division of Germany during the Cold War

After World War II ended the nation of Germany was divided into a West Germany and an East Germany. 

West Germany was controlled by the USA, England, and France.  It was a free and democratic nation. 

East Germany was run by the USSR as a communist society.

The city of Berlin was also divided into a West Berlin and an East Berlin. The major problem was that the city of Berlin was located inside of communist East Germany.

Berlin Blockade and Berlin Airlift

Berlin Blockade and Berlin Airlift

In 1948 the Russians tired of allowing the USA access to West Berlin and they began the Berlin Blockade.

The USA began the Berlin Airlift so that we could continue to get supplies to West Berlin.

Berlin Wall

Berlin Wall - 1961

The Russians tired of East Germans leaving communist controlled East Berlin and moving to the democratic west.

The USSR began building a wall, not to stop people from entering into East Berlin, but to stop them from leaving. 

The Berlin Wall was the symbol for the Iron Curtain.

Those trying to escape from East Berlin were shot or put in prison.

Tumble of the Berlin Wall 

Berlin Wall Tumbles - 1989

The Berlin Wall was torn down and

East Germans were allowed to leave East Berlin

and move to West Berlin. 

The fall of the Berlin Wall signaled

the end of the Cold War.

Korean War

Korean War

In 1945 Korea was divided along the 38th parallel. North Korea was controlled by communist USSR and South Korea supported by a democratic USA.

In 1950 the North invaded the South and the Korean War began.

In 1953 the war ended, the border between the communist North and the democratic South remained the same.

3.8 million Americans served while over 54,000 were killed in action.

Vietnam War

Vietnam War

At the end of World War II, in 1945, the nation of Vietnam was also divided into two nations along the 17th parallel. The North was under the communist Chinese and

the South was democratic under English rule.

Vietnam was a war to stop the spread of Communism, from the first American death in 1959, until the USA's withdrawal in 1973. 

Vietnam divided America like no other war had ever before. Riots and protests across America, especially on college campuses became common. Those

supporting the war were called Doves, and those against the war were called Hawks.

Vietnam caused Americans to develop a mistrust of their government like never before.

Sputnik

Sputnik

In 1957 the Russians launched Sputnik,

the world's first artificial satellite. 

The USA was unsure of what it could do, but it scared the USA into a space race with the Russians.

Because of Sputnik

we put a larger emphasis on Math & Science.

Red Scare and McCarthyism

Red Scare and McCarthyism

During the 1950s America's fear of communism 

HUAC: House Un-American Activities Committee; created to investigate communist organizations in the USA.

Joseph McCarthy was a Wisconsin Senator; 

McCarthy used the fear Americans had at the time and began a witch hunt for communists in America. McCarthy used rumors, unfounded accusations, and the fear of communism to ruin the lives of people he suspected of being communist.

Using unfounded fears became known as McCarthyism.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Cuban Missile Crisis - 1962

The Russians began putting nuclear weapons on the island of Cuba, just 90 miles from the tip of Florida.

American spy planes photographed the nukes.

President John F. Kennedy told the Russians to remove the nukes

or the USA would drop one on them. 

After several tense days the USSR removed the nukes

and the world avoided a nuclear war!