Capitalism vs Communism

• Conflict arises from opposing interests, values, or actions
• Conflicts can be caused by competition for resources, differences in beliefs, and misunderstandings
• Conflict resolution can be achieved through communication, negotiation, and compromise

Ideologies of the Superpowers

• The Cold War (1947-1991) was a clash between the ideologies of capitalism (United States) and communism (Soviet Union)

Capitalism and Democracy (United States)

• Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of production, creation of goods/services for profit, individualism, free markets, competition, and economic growth
• Democracy is a political system where the government is elected by the people, and focuses on individual rights, freedoms, and rule of law

Communism and Authoritarianism (Soviet Union)

• Communism is an economic and political ideology advocating for a classless society with public ownership of property, where people work and are compensated based on their abilities and needs. It emphasizes collectivism and state control
• Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms
• The Soviet Union was governed by a single-party system with strict control over political and social life

Key Figures

• U.S. presidents during the Cold War included John F Kennedy, George Bush, Harry S. Truman, and Jimmy Carter
• Soviet leaders included Joseph Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev

Cold War Events

• Conflicting ideologies between the United States and the Soviet Union led to proxy wars, nuclear arms races, and geopolitical tensions
• The Berlin Blockade (1948-1949) was the Soviet Union attempting to cut off Allied access to West Berlin, prompting the U.S. and its allies to supply the city via airlift
• The Berlin Blockade violated human rights, broke families apart, and stopped food supplies
• The Korean War (1950-1953) was a result of North Korea's communist forces invading the South, backed by the USSR and China against the capitalist South controlled by the US, leading to a bloody stalemate
• The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war when the U.S. discovered Soviet missiles stationed in Cuba, leading to a 13-day standoff that ended with the USSR withdrawing the missiles

Cold War Conferences

• Key events include the Berlin Blockade, Airlift, Cuban Missile Crisis, and three conferences

Tehran Conference

• Date: Nov 28-Dec 1, 1943
• Location: Tehran, Iran
• Leaders: Franklin D. Roosevelt (United States), Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)
• Relevance: First meeting of “Big Three” during World War II
• Objectives: Coordination of military strategy against Nazi Germany
• Stalin urged Western Allies to open a second front in Western Europe to alleviate pressure on Soviet forces
• Discussion of post-war Europe order, including the fate of Germany and reestablishment of nations liberated from Nazi control, specifically the future of Poland
• Stalin agreed that the Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan after Germany’s defeat
• Impact: Turning point in WW2 strategy, coordinated Allied invasion of Western Europe
• Relieved Soviet forces, accelerated the downfall of Nazi Germany
• Highlighted emerging tensions among allies regarding the political future of Europe
• Stalin wanted Poland to have a pro-Soviet government and insisted on shifting its borders westward, taking land from eastern Poland and compensating it with German territory
• The Allies aimed for Poland to have a democratic government, free elections, and a rebuilt economy
• Perspectives: USA & UK wanted free elections, a democratic Poland, and a balance of power
• USSR wanted a pro-Soviet Poland, expanded communist influence, and a security buffer

Yalta Conference

• Date: Feb 4-11, 1945
• Location: Yalta, Crimea (Soviet Union)
• Relevance: Allies were nearing victory
• Focused on reorganization of post-war Europe, specifically Nazi liberated countries
• Promise of free elections in Europe which was later ignored by Stalin
• Tensions between the US and Soviet Union due to differing visions for post-war Europe
• Leaders: Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA), Winston Churchill (UK), Joseph Stalin (USSR)
• Objective: Divide Germany into 4 occupation zones (US, UK, USSR, France)
• Establishment of the UN for future conflict resolution to prevent another world war
• Free elections in Europe specifically in liberated countries under Nazi control & Poland
• Main objective: Decide what actions to take once Germany was defeated
• Impact: The USSR gained control over Eastern Europe, leading to tensions with the West
• Germany was divided into 4 occupation zones; Berlin was also divided into 4 separate occupation zones, leading to the Berlin crisis
• Trust between the US and USSR deteriorated due to differing ideologies
• Stalin wanted pro-soviet government in Poland, while the West wanted free elections, which was a major point of conflict
• Stalin agreed to enter war with Japan, 3 months post Germany’s defeat which was significant for the Pacific front
• Stalin pushed for heavy reparations from Germany; US & UK were hesitant
• The West accepted Soviet Influence under Eastern Europe in exchange for the promise of free elections, a promise that was later betrayed when Stalin installed communist governments
• Perspectives: USA & UK wanted free elections in Poland, to prevent Soviet expansion and economic recovery
• USSR wanted a pro-Soviet Polish government, influence over Eastern Europe, and heavy German reparations

Potsdam Conference

• Date: July 17- August 2, 1945
• Location: Potsdam, Germany
• Relevance: After Germany’s surrender but before Japan’s surrender. Last meeting of Allied leaders focused on ending the war
• Leaders changed and US-USSR tensions heightened due to the atomic bomb
• Leaders: Harry S. Truman (US), Joseph Stalin (USSR), Clement Atlee (Great Britain) - [Replaced Churchill- July 26]
• Objective: Finalize administration/occupation of Germany & Berlin into previously discussed zones
• Demilitarization of Germany
• Japan’s Surrender (Atomic Bomb) -Potsdam Declaration (refused by Japan, leading to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings)
• Address Soviet Influence and future governance of Eastern Europe
• Impact: Rising distrust b/w US and USSR due to disagreements over Eastern Europe
• Stalin wanted communist governments, while Truman pushed for free elections which Stalin refused
• The atomic bomb’s existence hinted at by the US, alarming Soviets & increasing tensions, laying the groundwork for the arms race and pushing Stalin to build nuclear weapons
• Laid groundwork for the Cold War as ideological divisions became clear between capitalism and communism
• Nazis were put on trial and Nazi officials were individually punished for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace
• Truman held a stronger stance against Stalin than Roosevelt
• Truman refused to recognize Soviet-controlled governments in Eastern Europe
• Stalin saw this as Western interference and tightened his grip on Eastern Bloc countries
• The Potsdam atomic bomb revelation kicked off the nuclear arms race
• Perspectives: USA & UK wanted to contain Soviet influence, ensure free elections, and develop a democratic Europe
• USSR wanted to expand communist control, create a Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe, and establish a security buffer

Berlin Blockade

• Date: June 1948
• Relevance: Berlin was divided into 4 separate zones, controlled by the Allied Control Commission (ACC)
• Western nations had very different views for Germany than the USSR (major conflict in the Yalta Conference)
• The US wanted to rebuild Germany's economy to make it a trading partner, while the Soviets, having suffered the most during WW2, wanted to use Germany’s raw materials to rebuild the USSR
• 1947: Britain and the US combined their zones creating Bizonia. In March 1948, France joined, creating Trizonia. They began to rebuild the economy and introduced a new currency: Deutschmark in June 1948
• Stalin saw this as the West "ganging up" on him because Trizonia is now a separate economic unit from the East
• In June 1948, he blocked the land access to Berlin between Trizonia and the USSR occupied zone
• Objective: Solidify soviet control over east germany, undermine western influence and contain capitalism
• Isolate West Berlin, cut off its supply lines, creating economic hardship and pressure the Western Allies to give up their control of West Berlin
• Expand Soviet influence and weaken Western power in Europe through a display of strength and a test of Western resolve
• Impact: Escalated global tensions, increased the fear of a wider conflict, and accelerated the arms race
• Solidified the division of Germany and Europe, further establishing the Iron Curtain and deepening ideological divisions
• People’s families were broken apart, and the supply of food and resources was also shut down
• Paved the way for international cooperation like the Berlin airlift
• The Berlin Blockade was a failure
• Perspectives: USA & UK thought the USSR was trying to starve Berlin into submission
• USSR thought the West was provoking Soviet security by strengthening West Germany because they made it a separate economic unit

The Berlin Airlift

• Date: 1948-1949
• Pivotal event that demonstrated the Western Allies’ commitment to Berlin, defying Soviet efforts to isolate the city
• Approx. 278,000 flights
• Objective: Supply Berlin with food, fuel, and essential goods, enabling the Western Allies to maintain their presence after the blockade to break it
• The allies wanted to demonstrate the West’s commitment to Berlin and its resistance to Soviet pressure
• Impact: Shift towards air power and logistics, shaped the future of military world
• Solidified ideological divide
• Highlighted the importance of international collaboration in resolving complex geopolitical issues
• By May 1949, Stalin lifted the blockade
• Led to the formation of NATO
• Long term division of Germany into the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
• Set the stage for the berlin wall
• Originally known as Operation Vittles (US) and Operation Plainfare (British)
• Perspectives: USA & UK took the airlift as at humanitarian response, proving the West’s commitment to Berlin
• USSR took the airlift as The Western provocation, reinforcing capitalist defiance

Cuban Missile Crisis

• Leaders: Fidel Castro (Cuba), John F Kennedy (USA), Nikita Krushchev (USSR)
• 13-day confrontation between US and USSR in October 1962
• The closest the world has ever come to a nuclear war
• Sparked by Soviet placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba, which JFK discovered through aerial surveillance.
• Perceived as a threat to USA, leading to heightened tensions of near nuclear war
• Soviet Objective: Deter potential US attacks on the Soviet Union, gain a strategic advantage in the Caribbean
• Establish Soviet Global Power, gain geopolitical leverage over the US, protect Cuba from the US after the Bay of Pigs invasion
• Impact: The world came closest to a Nuclear War
• Intensified the cold war rivalry and heightened suspicion and mistrust
• Renewed focus on nuclear non-proliferation efforts, treaties and agreements limiting spread of nuclear weapons (SALT)
• Realization of the need for International Cooperation, collaboration and communication to manage global security threats, heightened global security concerns
• Perspectives: USA: Saw missiles in Cuba as an immediate threat to national security
• USSR: Considered it a response to US nuclear presence in Turkey
• Cuba: Wanted protection from US aggression after failed Bay of Pigs invasion

Bay of Pigs Invasion

• 1961 April 17-19 (3 days)
• An invasion by the US to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist regime in Cuba
• Significant escalation of Cold War tensions
• Fidel Castro was the Prime minister of Cuba (National hero)
• John F Kennedy was the President of US
• Cuba was under Soviet Union, which brought embarrassment for US because it was closer to US
• Invaded by US' CIA
• The Soviet Union’s support for Cuba further inflamed tensions between the superpowers
• Objective: Overthrow Castro, reinstall US influence, contain communism, prevent Soviet expansion
• Impact: Military Defeat for the US
• International embarrassment for the US due to their failure
• Escalated the arms race
• Cuba remains communist till date. The event unified the people of Cuba, fostering national unity

Global World Dynamics

• NATO vs. Russia: NATO, originally formed against the USSR, still causes tensions with Russia (e.g., Ukraine conflict)
• US-China Rivalry: Trade disputes, military tensions, and cyber conflicts trace back to Cold War competition
• Nuclear Threat: The arms race left behind a world still under the threat of nuclear war
• Cyber Warfare: Modern cyberattacks have roots in Cold War-era espionage and tech competition
• Democracy vs. Authoritarianism: The East-West divide continues to shape global alliances and conflicts
• Nationalism & Populism: Many political movements today reflect Cold War-era ideological battles
• Globalization: Cold War competition fueled economic integration, shaping today’s global economy
• Human Rights Politics: Both superpowers used human rights as a political tool, influencing modern policies
• Media & Propaganda: Cold War propaganda shaped modern media strategies, influencing global narratives

UN Peacemaking

• Diplomatic efforts to end conflicts and create lasting peace agreements
• Negotiation & Mediation: UN acts as a neutral party to facilitate talks between conflicting sides
• Diplomatic Initiatives: UN engages in shuttle diplomacy and peace conferences to prevent escalation
• Focus: Ceasefires, power-sharing, disarmament, and human rights protections
• Success depends on financial, diplomatic, and logistical backing from countries
• Examples: Camp David Accords (1978): Helped establish peace between Egypt & Israel
• Dayton Agreement (1995): Ended war in Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Mediation in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nepal
• Crucial for preventing wars, resolving disputes, and ensuring global security & stability

UN Peacekeeping

• A UN initiative to help conflict-affected countries establish lasting peace through military, police, and civilian efforts
• UN Security Council authorizes missions with specific objectives
• Peacekeepers from volunteering member states wear distinctive blue helmets
• Functions: Conflict Prevention, Peacemaking, Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding
• Successes: Namibia, Cambodia
• Challenges: Complex conflicts, limited resources, and hostile environments
• Missions are deployed in the Central African Republic, Mali, South Sudan, Lebanon, etc
• Maintains global security but needs international cooperation to succeed

UN Peacebuilding

• Helps conflict-affected countries transition to lasting peace by addressing the root causes of violence and promoting sustainable development
• Mandate & Framework: Established in 2005, led by the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), supported by the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO)
• Political Support: Promotes inclusive and stable governance
• Economic Recovery: Encourages job creation, infrastructure, and local businesses
• Social Cohesion: Strengthens law, human rights, healthcare, and education
• Security Reform: Improves police, military, and law enforcement accountability
• Tailored to each country’s needs, in collaboration with governments, local communities, and international partners
• Challenges: Political instability, lack of resources, security threats
• Successes: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste resulted in stability and development
• Prevents conflict relapse, supports nation-building, and promotes long-term peace

Role of the UN

• The UN works to keep peace, build cooperation, solve global problems, and protect human rights through six key strategies: preventive diplomacy, enforcing peace, aiding negotiations, conflict recovery, economic sanctions, and punishing war crimes
• Preventive Diplomacy: Uses envoys and peace agreements to stop conflicts before they escalate (e.g., Camp David Accords, 1978)
• Enforcing Peace: Sends peacekeeping troops (Blue Helmets) to stabilize war zones (e.g., Sierra Leone, 1999-2005)
• Aiding Negotiations: Facilitates peace talks and treaties (e.g., Dayton Agreement, 1995)
• Conflict Recovery: Helps rebuild war-torn nations and prevent relapse (e.g., Liberia, Timor-Leste)
• Economic Sanctions: Uses financial and trade restrictions to deter aggression (e.g., North Korea, Iran)
• Punishing War Crimes: Holds criminals accountable through the ICC (International Criminal Court) and ICJ (International Court of Justice) (e.g., Yugoslavian trials)
• Despite successes, the UN faces challenges like Security Council deadlocks, weak enforcement, and peacekeeping failures (e.g., Rwanda Genocide, Syrian Civil War)
• While reforms are needed, it remains a vital force in global peacekeeping and conflict resolution

Human Rights Violations during the Cold War

• Korean War: Torture and attacks on civilians
• Suppression of Hungarian Revolution: Suppression of freedom of speech, political repression
• Vietnam War: Use of chemical weapons
• Soviets: Forced labor and torture

UN Failures

• Rwanda Genocide
• Iraq war
• Syria Civil War
• Israel-Palestine conflict