Beginning of Cold War

The Beginning of Cold War

The Cold War
i) Lasted 45 years, from 1946-91 ii) A war without actual fighting between the United States and the Soviet Union
The Rise of the Superpowers:
USA and USSR
After WWII, Europe was in ruins.
USA and USSR emerged as the strongest powers.
During WWII, USA and USSR had been allies and fought on the same side.
However, after the war, there was growing distrust between them.
A. Britain and France i) Weakened by the Second World War ii) Lost their colonies in Asia and Africa iii) Lost their influence in world affairs
B. Germany, Japan and Italy
i) Lost their influence in world affairs ii) Germany and Japan were occupied by the Allied Powers. iii) Italy became a democratic nation after the fall of Fascism in 1943.
C. Asian and African Nations Got independence in the post-war period
D. Eastern European States
i) Set up Communist governments after the war ii) Became satellite states of the Soviet Union
E. The Soviet Union
i) Became a superpower after the war ii) Controlled the Communist states in Eastern Europe
F. The United States
i) Became a superpower after the war ii) Took over Britain’s and France’s position in world affairs
What was the Cold War about?
It was a fight over different political and economic ideas.
It was a clash between communism and capitalism.
It was the result of growing suspicion between capitalist USA and communist Soviet Union.
The fears of USA and USSR
USA’s fear: The Soviets would spread communism to the rest of Europe and Asia).
USSR’s fear: USA would attack them in order to destroy communism.
Between 1946 and 1991, these two sides did many things to oppose each other.
The Capitalist Bloc
The Communist Bloc
The United States and Western democratic nations
The Soviet Union and Communist States in Eastern Europe
US-Soviet Rivalry in Eastern Europe
The Soviet Union set up satellite states in Eastern Hungary
Hungary
Rumania
Poland
Czechoslovakia
Bulgaria
East Germany

Military Opposition
Formed two rival armed alliances: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the Warsaw Pact
They threatened each other: – especially in the nuclear arms race.
They supported small wars between their allies: (e.g. Korean and Vietnam Wars).
On April 4, 1949, twelve Atlantic nations formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The United States
Canada
Norway
Luxembourg
Britain
Portugal
The Netherlands
Denmark
Belgium
Iceland
Italy
France

In 1955, eight Communist nations set up the Warsaw Treaty Organization (Warsaw Pact) with its headquarters in Moscow.
The Soviet Union
Albania
Bulgaria
Czechoslovakia
East Germany
Hungary
Poland
Romania

Political Opposition
They were both members of the Security Council of the United Nations.
However, they often opposed each other using their individual power of veto.
Both the US and Soviet governments spread lies and half-truths about each other.

Why was it a ‘Cold’ War?
There was no actual fighting between the USA and USSR during this period.
All the two sides did was to make trouble for the other side.
The danger was that any mistake could turn the ‘cold’ war into a ‘hot’ (nuclear) war!

Methods of ‘fighting’ used
Use of propaganda (using mass media to spread rumours and half-truths about the other side)
Building up of armaments (especially nuclear ones)
Supporting wars between smaller countries (Korea and Vietnam Wars).

Origins of Capitalism and Communism
Capitalism
Grew as a result of the 19th Century Industrial Revolution in Europe.
It is a system in which private companies compete to sell goods and services.
The aim is to make profits for the owners.
The gap between rich owners and poor workers is always wide.
Communism
Came from ideas of Karl Marx.
He believed that workers should overthrow capitalism.
Industries should be state-owned and benefit everyone.
State should provide free education, health care and welfare for all.

A. Ideological differences
Capitalist bloc
Free economy free elections people own properties freely
Communist bloc
State owns all resources in the interests of society as a whole
Result: Mistrust between the two blocs

B. Economic Differences
CAPITALIST
Market economy
Competition keeps prices down and quality up
Wide range of goods for sale
COMMUNIST
Planned economy
Government controls both production and prices
Poor choice, supply and quality of goods

C. Social Differences
CAPITALIST
Greater freedom: if people worked hard, they could improve their lives.
Great inequality – many differences between rich and poor.
COMMUNIST
Limited freedom
Fairer society – fewer differences between rich and poor
State provides health care, education and welfare

D. Differences in Government
CAPITALIST
Multi-party or parliamentary system.
Government holds public discussion before carrying out its decisions.
People can change the government peacefully - by voting in elections.
COMMUNIST
One-party system: only communist party is allowed.
Strong government – no opposition or debate is allowed!
People can’t change the government peacefully if they don’t like its policies.

Our World Today:
Communist or Capitalist?
Most countries follow a mixture of some capitalist and communist ideas.
Communist countries (like China) have some private industries and markets.
Capitalist countries (like the USA) have some government-controlled services and industries.