Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Social Science
History
What is the big picture of the origins of the Cold War? What impact did the origins of the Cold War have?

What is the big picture of the origins of the Cold War? What impact did the origins of the Cold War have?

icon
Related questions
Question
100%
What is the big picture of the origins of the Cold War? What impact did the origins of the Cold War have?
During World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union had joined forces to fight against the Germans. The Soviet army marched west; the Americans marched east. When the Allied soldiers met at the Elbe River in Germany in 1945, they embraced each other warmly because they had defeated the Nazis. Their leaders, however, regarded each other much more coolly. This animosity caused by competing political philosophies (Communism vs. Capitalism) would lead to a nearly half-century of conflict called the Cold War. Beginning in 1945, the superpowers, the USA and Soviet Union, used spying, propaganda, diplomacy, and secret operations in their dealings with each other. Much of the world allied with one side or the other. In fact, until the Soviet Union finally broke up in 1991, the Cold War dictated not only U.S. and Soviet foreign policy but influenced world alliances as well. ic a Creation of the United Nations: In June 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union temporarily set aside their differences. They joined 48 other countries in forming the United Nations (UN). This international organization was intended to protect the members against aggression and maintain peaceful relations. It was to be based in New York. The charter for the new peacekeeping organization established a large body called the General Assembly. There, each UN member nation could cast its vote on a broad range of issues. An 11-member body called the Security Council had the real power to investigate and settle disputes, though. Its five permanent members were Britain, China, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Each could veto any Security Council action. This provision was intended to prevent any members of the Council from voting as a bloc to override the others. Differing U.S. and Soviet Goals: Despite agreement at Yalta and their presence on the Security Council, the United States and the Soviet Union split sharply after the war. The war had affected them very differently. The United States, the world's richest and most powerful country, suffered 400,000 deaths. But its cities and factories remamed intact. The Soviet Union had at least 50 times as many fatalities. One in four Soviets was wounded or killed. Also, many Soviet cities were demolished. These contrasting situations, as well as political and economic differences, affected the two countries' postwar goals. Soviets Build a Buffer: A major goal of the Soviet Union was to shield itself from another invasion from the west. Centuries of history had taught the Soviets to fear invasion. Because it lacked natural western borders, Russia fell victim to each of its neighbors in turn. In the 17th century, the Poles captured the Kremlin. During the next century, the Swedes attacked. Napoleon overran Moscow in 1812. The Germans invaded Russia during World Wars I and II. As World War Il drew to a close, the Soviet troops pushed the Nazis back across Eastern
Transcribed Image Text:During World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union had joined forces to fight against the Germans. The Soviet army marched west; the Americans marched east. When the Allied soldiers met at the Elbe River in Germany in 1945, they embraced each other warmly because they had defeated the Nazis. Their leaders, however, regarded each other much more coolly. This animosity caused by competing political philosophies (Communism vs. Capitalism) would lead to a nearly half-century of conflict called the Cold War. Beginning in 1945, the superpowers, the USA and Soviet Union, used spying, propaganda, diplomacy, and secret operations in their dealings with each other. Much of the world allied with one side or the other. In fact, until the Soviet Union finally broke up in 1991, the Cold War dictated not only U.S. and Soviet foreign policy but influenced world alliances as well. ic a Creation of the United Nations: In June 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union temporarily set aside their differences. They joined 48 other countries in forming the United Nations (UN). This international organization was intended to protect the members against aggression and maintain peaceful relations. It was to be based in New York. The charter for the new peacekeeping organization established a large body called the General Assembly. There, each UN member nation could cast its vote on a broad range of issues. An 11-member body called the Security Council had the real power to investigate and settle disputes, though. Its five permanent members were Britain, China, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Each could veto any Security Council action. This provision was intended to prevent any members of the Council from voting as a bloc to override the others. Differing U.S. and Soviet Goals: Despite agreement at Yalta and their presence on the Security Council, the United States and the Soviet Union split sharply after the war. The war had affected them very differently. The United States, the world's richest and most powerful country, suffered 400,000 deaths. But its cities and factories remamed intact. The Soviet Union had at least 50 times as many fatalities. One in four Soviets was wounded or killed. Also, many Soviet cities were demolished. These contrasting situations, as well as political and economic differences, affected the two countries' postwar goals. Soviets Build a Buffer: A major goal of the Soviet Union was to shield itself from another invasion from the west. Centuries of history had taught the Soviets to fear invasion. Because it lacked natural western borders, Russia fell victim to each of its neighbors in turn. In the 17th century, the Poles captured the Kremlin. During the next century, the Swedes attacked. Napoleon overran Moscow in 1812. The Germans invaded Russia during World Wars I and II. As World War Il drew to a close, the Soviet troops pushed the Nazis back across Eastern
protection. woously, the Soviet Union had promised that newly freed eastern Europe countries who were under Nazi rule would have free elections to decide their fate. However, by the end of 1345, the U.S' President Truman saw Stalin's reluctance to allow free elections in Eastern European nations was a clear violation of those countries' rights. Truman, Stalin, and Churchill met at Potsdam, Germany, in July 1945. There, Truman pressed Stalin to permit free elections in Eastern Europe, The Soviet leader refused. Superpower Aims in Europe Interpre charts: INTERACTIVE - Cammannt eau 1948 1. WE United States • Encourage democracy in other countries to help prevent the rise of Communist govemments Nan Commnt tri IH - ron curtain se FINLAND Ur NORWAY • Gain access to raw materials and markets to fuel booming industries SWEDEN Eu 2. Rebuild European governments to promote stability and create new markets for U.S. goods • Reunite Germany to stabilize it and increase the security of Europe LED Lltrt ai Nath DENMAR Sea Sen Babie Sen CC SOVIET UNION GREAT BAITAIN IRELAND METH GER POLAND Soviet Union WEST RELO GERMANY CHOEDVA LUX • Encourage communism in other countries as part of a worldwide workers' revolution AUSTRIA SUNGARY ATLANTIC FRANCE SWITZ • Rebuild its war-ravaged economy using Eastern Europe's industrial equipment and raw materials OMANIA OCEAN FIGOSLAVMA Alack • Control Easterm Europe to protect Soviet borders and balance the US influence in Westem Europe Sea ITALY SPAIN • Keep Germany divided to prevent its waging war again GREECE TURKEY Mediterranaan Sea Thin An Iron Curtain Divides East and West: Europe now lay divided between East and West. Germany had been split into two sections (E. Germany and W. Germany). The Soviets controlled the eastern part, including half of the capital, Berlin. Under a Communist government, East Germany was named the German Democratic Republic. The western zones became the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949. The phrase, "iron curtain" came to represent Europe's division into mostly democratic Western Europe and Communist Eastern is th- di i idec Colc Europe. Thi The Marshall Plan: An early indication of the United States' intention to exercise global leadership took shape in its efforts to rebuild and reshape shattered European economies. Much of Western Europe lay in ruins after WWII. There was also economic turmoil-a scarcity of jobs and food. In 1947, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall proposed that the United States give aid to needy European countries. This assistance program, called the Marshall Plan, would provide $12 billion in food, machinery, and other materials to help rebuild Western Europe. The plan was motivated by some combination of genuine humanitarian concern, a desire to prevent a new depression by creating overseas customers for American industrial goods, and an interest in undermining the growing appeal of European communist parties. This economic recovery plan was successful beyond anyone's expectations. Between 1948 and the early 1970s, Western European economies grew rapidly, generating a widespread prosperity and improving living standards; at the same time, wa suc she Th th cr to e Countries Aided by the Marshall Plan, 1948–1951 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 561 547 S15 500 257 27 1 E 10 Mllans ol Dolln
Transcribed Image Text:protection. woously, the Soviet Union had promised that newly freed eastern Europe countries who were under Nazi rule would have free elections to decide their fate. However, by the end of 1345, the U.S' President Truman saw Stalin's reluctance to allow free elections in Eastern European nations was a clear violation of those countries' rights. Truman, Stalin, and Churchill met at Potsdam, Germany, in July 1945. There, Truman pressed Stalin to permit free elections in Eastern Europe, The Soviet leader refused. Superpower Aims in Europe Interpre charts: INTERACTIVE - Cammannt eau 1948 1. WE United States • Encourage democracy in other countries to help prevent the rise of Communist govemments Nan Commnt tri IH - ron curtain se FINLAND Ur NORWAY • Gain access to raw materials and markets to fuel booming industries SWEDEN Eu 2. Rebuild European governments to promote stability and create new markets for U.S. goods • Reunite Germany to stabilize it and increase the security of Europe LED Lltrt ai Nath DENMAR Sea Sen Babie Sen CC SOVIET UNION GREAT BAITAIN IRELAND METH GER POLAND Soviet Union WEST RELO GERMANY CHOEDVA LUX • Encourage communism in other countries as part of a worldwide workers' revolution AUSTRIA SUNGARY ATLANTIC FRANCE SWITZ • Rebuild its war-ravaged economy using Eastern Europe's industrial equipment and raw materials OMANIA OCEAN FIGOSLAVMA Alack • Control Easterm Europe to protect Soviet borders and balance the US influence in Westem Europe Sea ITALY SPAIN • Keep Germany divided to prevent its waging war again GREECE TURKEY Mediterranaan Sea Thin An Iron Curtain Divides East and West: Europe now lay divided between East and West. Germany had been split into two sections (E. Germany and W. Germany). The Soviets controlled the eastern part, including half of the capital, Berlin. Under a Communist government, East Germany was named the German Democratic Republic. The western zones became the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949. The phrase, "iron curtain" came to represent Europe's division into mostly democratic Western Europe and Communist Eastern is th- di i idec Colc Europe. Thi The Marshall Plan: An early indication of the United States' intention to exercise global leadership took shape in its efforts to rebuild and reshape shattered European economies. Much of Western Europe lay in ruins after WWII. There was also economic turmoil-a scarcity of jobs and food. In 1947, U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall proposed that the United States give aid to needy European countries. This assistance program, called the Marshall Plan, would provide $12 billion in food, machinery, and other materials to help rebuild Western Europe. The plan was motivated by some combination of genuine humanitarian concern, a desire to prevent a new depression by creating overseas customers for American industrial goods, and an interest in undermining the growing appeal of European communist parties. This economic recovery plan was successful beyond anyone's expectations. Between 1948 and the early 1970s, Western European economies grew rapidly, generating a widespread prosperity and improving living standards; at the same time, wa suc she Th th cr to e Countries Aided by the Marshall Plan, 1948–1951 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 561 547 S15 500 257 27 1 E 10 Mllans ol Dolln
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer