Cold War 1945-1989 Notes

Tensions at home and abroad The Cold War 1945-1989 The Cold war was a series of hostilities between the Soviet bloc countries and US-led western countries between 1945 and 1989 End of WWII ○ V-E day May 8,1945 Hitler commits suicide in an underground bunker...

Tensions at home and abroad The Cold War 1945-1989 The Cold war was a series of hostilities between the Soviet bloc countries and US-led western countries between 1945 and 1989 End of WWII ○ V-E day May 8,1945 Hitler commits suicide in an underground bunker Liberation of Europe: GB & US from the west; USSR from the east ○ V-J day August 15,1945 Development of the Cold War ○ Cold War (1945-1989) ○ United States Thought Soviet expansion would spread Saw Communism as a threat to Western democracy ○ USSR Sacrificed the most in WWII (25 million v 300,000) Deserved “spoils of war”- Land Wanted to economically raid Eastern Europe to recoup expenses Saw Western Democracy as a threat to Communism (esp. After atomic bomb) ○ Cold War Mobilization USSR takes over eastern Europe post WWII 1946- Winston Churchill gives “Iron Curtain” speech @ Fulton College, MO March 1947- “Truman Doctrine” ○ The Iron Curtain Dividing line between eastern (Communist) and western (Democratic) Europe Term coined by Winston Churchill (Former British PM) in 1946 ○ Truman Doctrine America is going to support democracies against authoritarian threats (ie Communism) Background Threatened by communist influence in Turkey and Greece Pledges economic aid to stay democratic Financial aid “to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation” Spent $400 million worth of war supplies to Greece and helped push out Communism  Marked a new level of American commitment to a Cold War ○ Containment Definition: By applying firm diplomatic, economic,and military counterpressure, the US could block Soviet aggression Way to stop Soviet expansion without having to go to war ○ The Marshall Plan (1947-1948) War damage and dislocation in Europe invited Communist influence Economic aid to all European countries offered in the European Recovery Program $17 billion to western Europe Not offered to Soviet states- blame for dividing Europe fell on the Soviet Union, not US Marshall Plan proved crucial to western Europe's economic recovery ○ Formation of west Germany 1946- France, GB, US decide to merge zones Form the Federal Republic of Germany (FGR) “West Germany” Self-rule, election, etc. under the supervision of allied forces ○ Formation of East Germany 1946- USSR response to West Germany “Germany Democratic Republic”- GDR Essentially Communist ○ Molotov Plan:1947 Soviet plan to provide economic aid to countries in eastern Europe Proposed by USSR’s Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov East Germany ○ Berlin Blockade 1948-1949 West Berlin- only three routes across the Soviet zone to supply West Berlin with food Stalin thought Americans would occupy Berlin temporarily 1948- fear that American, British, French presence would hurt East Germany election Stalin- “kick them out” Closed land and air corridors into west berlin ○ Berlin Wall 1961 ultimatum from Moscow: withdraw US troops from Berlin US refuses  Erection of Berlin Wall-1961 Official name: “Anti-Facist Protective Wall” ○ Checkpoint Charlie Single access point to East Berlin for foreigners and allied forces Site of many failed escape attempts from East Berlin Cold War in the Middle East Europe and Asia = core regions of Cold War competition Middle East = region of key strategic importance ○ Vast reserves of oil and gas ○ Crossroads of world trade (Suez Canal) ○ USSr’s souther border Both superpowers sought strategic parity in the region ○ Exacerbated regional conflict ○ Hindering efforts at fostering democracy Decolonization = Arab states sought independence ○ Initially, both US/USSR sought Arab support by opposing European colonisation ○ but the US limited because needed to support Western allies 1940’s ○ The Iran Crisis of 1946= first cold war crisis to affect the Middle east Tehran Agreement= USSR supposed to withdraw Soviet troops from Iran after WWII Refused, setting up pro-soviet people’s republics in Iran & coerced Iran into ceding oil rights in north ○ US protest at the UN President Trump pressured the UNSC to pass Resolution 2 on 30th of January Called for soviet troop to withdraw 1847, soviet actions have been contained ○ Turkish Straits Crisis Turkey= neutral nation in WWII USSR wanted control over strategic Turkish Straits ○ August 1946, Soviets sent note to Turkish foreign ministry Argued control of Straits should be reconsidered Soviet troops movements in Balkans increased Turkey appealed to US for aid ○ October, the US/UK publicly stated their support for Turkey Truman sent a naval task force to Turkey USSR backed down  Truman launched Truman Doctrine in 1947-> $100m USD in aid to Turkey Turkey joined NATO in 1952 ○ Huge turning point: Creation of state of Israel (1948) Since 1922, Palestine ruled by British as part of League of Nations 1917 Balfour Declaration: UK government will provide a “national home for the Jewish people in Palestine” Despite majority= Palestinian 1940’s Jewish migration to Palestine increased 1947 referred the future of Palestine to the UN 1947: UN proposed Partition of Palestine GB withdrew in 1948; Jewish people declared an independent state ○ Almost immediately, all states of Arab League declared war on Israel 1947-49 Palestine War, Israeli Defence Forces defeated the invading Arab armies of Egypt, Iraq and Syria Expelled over 700,000 Palestinian Arabs Both superpowers declared support for Israel, extending diplomatic recognition US Jewish population & voting lobby= pressures the US into supporting Israel Stalin support Israel believing it might become socialist, accelerated decline of British influence 1950’s ○ Egyptian Revolution of 1952 Free Officers Movement= Mohammad Magubi and Gamal Abdel Nasser Abolished monarchy Nasser’s Arab nationalist ideology= increasingly anti-imperialist ○ USSR to exploit Persuaded Nasser to accept $83 million USD arms deal in Sept 1955\ Shocked the western world and Israel Feared increasing Soviet influence in the region Both Israel and Britain began plotting against NAsser ○ Nasser= anti imperialist and anti israel Supported other Arab nationalists in the region (ex. Algerians fighting for independence against France 1954) US= Nasserism might lead to further destabilizing revolutions ○ US= supported any regime that opposed the Soviet influence 1953, Operation Ajax overthrow democratically elected Prime minister Mosaddegh of Iran (threatening to nationalize the oil industry)  ○ US also lobbied Arab states to join 1955 British led Baghand Pact of Middle East Treaty Organization Like Nato Sought to untie Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey in common defence against the USSR ○ Suez Crisis of 1956= led to increasing Soviet influence July, Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal UK, FRance and Israel launched invasion in Oct US & USSR= pressure on Britain and France to withdraw in ceasefire Egypt= Soviet-ally ○ 1958, Egypt and Syria merged into the pro-soviet United arab republic ○ Pro-soviet revolution Iraq 1960’s ○ Six Day war (June 1967) Nasser closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israel shipping Jordan and Iraq join with Egypt and Syria against Israel In response, israel launched a preemptive airstrike Destroyed the entire egyptian air force UN-backed ceasefire All agreed except syria Israel captured golan heights and syria surrenders Eisenhower Doctrine of 1957= combat Soviet power by extending the promise of US economic and military support to any nation that requested it 1970’s ○ Nasser replaced by Answer Sadat Reversed Nasser’s pro-soviet policy Expelled soviet troops in 1972 ○ Yom kippur war of 1973= most severe crisis of 1970’s Egypt and Syria launched surprise attack on Israel during Yom Kippur ○ Israel believed facing defeat Began to prepare nuclear missiles ○ USSR sent tactical nuclear missiles to Egypt in response ○ Learning this, US raised DEFCOn 3 ○ Nuclear war= real possibility ○ UN brokers a ceasefire ○ OPEC countries launched an oil embargo against western states that supported Israel Arab producers cut production  Caused a global economic crash that changed relations ○ 1978 Camp David Accords= Egypt and Israel meets US -> without the USSR No formal peace agreement BUT “framework” documents= principles for peace agreement Included formula for Palestinans self-gov’t Gaza and West Bank ○ 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran ○ Pro-US government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi overthrow Replaced by Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini -> theocracy hostile to US ○ Ame Year, USSR invaded Afghanistan Attempted to prop-up pro-soviet regimes US response- armed Islamic fighters -> 9 years insurgency against Soviet forces By the 1980’s, political Islam frustrating both superpowers in the region 1980’s ○ 1980-1988 Iran Iraq War Pro-soviet government of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq invaded Iran ○ War quickly descended into stalemate Gives “dual use” tech to Iraq Won’t give explicit aid because of terrorists Under the table aid to Iran Henry Kissinger: “it's a pity they both can’t lose” Ended with UN brokered ceasefire Iran-Contra Affair ○ Nicaragua- Sandinistans(Marxixt) vs Contras (right wing) ○ Regan administration secretly sold arms to Iran in 1985 Despite embargo Hoped to gain release of US hostages (does not work) ○ Diverted some of the money from illegal arms sales to support the Contras ○ Big scandal How did the cold war shape the middle east? ○ In many respects the US won Able to secure western oil supplies Contained soviet influence from expanding ○ But soviet arms/economic support prevented US hegemony in the region Support for israel prevented the US from dominating the region The Korean War 1950-1953 Korea pre-cold war  ○ After WWII, Korea (formerly Japanese) split in two USSR takes North US takes South ○ Neither the USSR or US wanted to give up influence ○ Split country at 38th Parallel North -> Democratic people’s republic of Korea Supported by USSR and Chinese Communist Party South -> Republic of Korea Supported US- a democracy Goal of Division ○ US hopes the division will keep peace Prevent the spread of communism Containment ○ goal= temporary split Neither side wants to give up control Beginning of the War ○ North korea crosses 38th parallel on June 25, 1950 Goal: Unite NOrth and South Korea under one government independent of foreigners North korea saw separation as fault of unwanted US interference ○ US focus had been on europe and MIddle East- not prepared for Asia ○ South korea army no match; North Korea swiftly advances Sending Troops ○ UNSC calls for ceasefire North korea continues to attack ○ US advisors want to take action (containment) ○ June 27,1950, UNSC calls on UN members to support south korea USSR ambassador wasn’t there US and 15 nations sent troops First time UN troops fight together in major conflict ○ General Douglas MacArthur= commander of UN forces in July 1950 Most of the troops from US and South korea Initial Fighting ○ By september 1950, North Korea everywhere but southeastern tip of Korea MacArthur and other leader launched surprise attack behind enemy lines ○ UN forces drove North Koreans out of South Korea In just over a month MacArthur captures capital of Pyongyang Soon UN forces and Korean-chinese border Chinese Fighting  ○ Chinese troops join the war and pour across the border UN forces pushback 38th parallel ○ MacArthur calls for air and ground troops to attack China Truman refuses MacArthur openly criticized Truman in a letter “there's no substitute for victory” Truman relieves MacArthur of command ○ UN forces push North Korea and Chinese troops back across the 38th parallel End of the war ○ By spring 1951, clear that neither side could win ○ Peace talks begin in July 1951 American public frustrated over lack of progress war= major topic in 1952 election Dwight D Eisenhower elected and travels to KOrea ○ Peace talks not fruitful ○ Eisenhower discusses using atomic weapons Peace Talks ○ Ceasefire signed on July 27,1953 Narrow demilitarized zone between two countries Soldiers still there today ○ Casualties 1.5 million North Korean/Chinese 854,000 South Korean 158,000 US 3 million North Korean and South Korean civilians Results ○ Armistice, but no treaty technically , NK and SK still at war “Frozen conflict” ○ NK economy struggling ○ SK ousted leader Supported US during Vietnam war and received $200 million USD in aid from US SK economy much stronger today Arms Race & Cuban Missile Crisis Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) ○ Cold war almost leads to nuclear war ○ US vs Soviet Union  After 13 day standoff the Soviet Union withdraws US pledges not to invade Cuba Test Ban Treaty ○ The Soviet Union, UK, and US sign a treaty to ban nuclear explosions in the atmosphere, space, and under water. It limits nuclear testing ○ France and China aren't part of the treaty but they will become the 5th nuclear power in the next year A nonproliferation victory (1968) ○ More states are starting to make nuclear weapons so a treaty needs to be discussed ○ Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT) Signed on July 1, 1968 by Soviet Union, UK, and US China and France later sign in 1992 Today 190 countries are part of the NPT Detente 1969-1979 ○ Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) Soviet Union & US discuss ○ The Anti-ballistic Missile treaty (ABM) Formed in 1972 Created to limit the amount of missiles launched SALT II and the Invasion Of Afghanistan (1979-1980) ○ June 1979 SALT II agreement Signed by US and Soviet Union Creates more limitations for nuclear weapons ○ December 1979 Soviet Union invaded afghanistan starting a nine year war President Jimmy Carter freezes SALT II agreement Pulls US out of Olympics in Moscow ‘Zero Option,’ START, and Pershing (1981-1983) ○ November Zero Option is presented by US to Soviet Union States the Soviet and US would uninstall intermediate range nuclear missiles ○ June Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) Looks for cuts in warhead counts and delivery vehicles ○ NATO Start deploying missiles in Western Europe that can hit Russia End of Cold War and START signed  ○ November 9, 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall ○ July 1991 Bush signed the START Timeline: ○ October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis- near nuclear war ○ August 1963 Test ban treaty ○ July 1968 NPT is created and signed by 3 major nuclear states ○ 1972 The Anti-ballistic Missile treaty created ○ December 1979 Soviet union starts a 9 year war and US freezes SALT II agreement ○ March 1983 SDI is announced by President Regan ○ November 9, 1989 Fall of the Berlin Wall ○ July 1991 START signed by President Bush The Space Race 1950’s ○ August 1955- US and USSR announce intention to launch a first satellite into space ○ October 1957- Sputnik 1 (USSR) first Earth orbiting satellite in history ○ November 1957- Sputnik 2 carries Laika (dog) into space (first living organism in orbit) ○ January 1958- Explorer 1, first US satellite ○ October 1958- creation of NASA ○ December 1958- Eisenhower’s christmas message broadcast from space ○ August 1959- Explorer 6, first weather satellite First pictures of earth from space ○ September 1959- Luna 2 (USSR) becomes first spacecraft to land on moon 1960’s ○ August 1960- Sputnik 5 returns first animals alive from space ○ January 1961- Ham (US Chimpanzee) = first hominid in space; survives landing ○ April 1961- Yuri Gagarin makes single orbit around the earth  First man in space In space for and hour and 48 min ○ May 1961- Mercury- Redstone (or freedom 7) sends Alan Shepard to space Did not orbit earth; went 116 miles up into space for 15 min ○ June 1961- Valentina Tereshkova= first civilian and woman in space Spends 3 days there; orbits earth 48 times ○ February 1962- John Glen= first American to orbit earth ○ March 1965- Alexis Leonov leaves Voskhod 2 for first ever spacewalk (12 min) ○ July 1965- Mariner 4= first spacecraft on mars w/ pictures of Martian surface ○ 1967- Deadliest year of space race Ed White, Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffe die when Apollo 1 catches fire on launchpad Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov dies when parachute on Soyuz capsule does not open on reentry into Earth's atmosphere ○ December 1968- Apollo 8 = first human crewed spacecraft to reach moon, orbit, and return ○ 20 July, 1969- Niel Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin = first men to walk on the moon Crewmate Michle Collins continues to orbit the moon aboard Apollo 11 Secured a victory for America in the space race Televised landing witnessed by 723 million people 1970’s ○ April 1970- Apollo 13= first explosion on board spacecraft where crew survived ○ April 1971- first space station -> remains become the ISS ○ July 1975- First cooperative Apollo- Soyuz mission Separate flights Dock in space Tom Stafford & Alexei Leonov exchange first international handshake Symbolically ends space race and paves way for joint missions The Vietnam War (1957-1975) Background ○ 1800’s- French established themselves an sen colonial power in Vietnam ○ WWII- Japanese occupied ○ In 1945, Ho Chi Minh, communist sympathizer declared independence from France ○ 9-year battle for control ○ French pull out after defeat in 1945 ○ Geneva Accords  Divided along 17th parallel lines North-Communist (Ho Chi Minh) South- Ngo Dinh Diem (US backed) Elections ○ Unification elections canceled by Diem (w? US support) Feared loss to Minh US feared spread of Communism ○ Domino theory- if one country falls, the others will too ○ Diem uses heavy-handed methods CIA-backed coup: Diem assassinated and overthrown Gulf of Tonkin incident ○ US military vessel “fired upon”- disputed ○ Gulf of Tonkin Resolution- use any action necessary to repel enemy attack ○ Regular bombing of North Vietnam by April 1965 Key events ○ Guerilla warfare by Vietcong ○ Tet Offensive (1968) Nationwide synchronized attack by the Vietcong Events captured by many US journalist Challenged public opinion of reasons for war ○ US troops levels reach half a million ○ Preliminary peace talks w/ North Mai Lai Massacre ○ Mai Lai shelled to make room for US helicopters ○ When US troops later marched through , they killed indiscriminately Even though no resistance ○ US army photographer documented events ○ Turned public support away from war Vietnamization ○ President Nixon’s policy of handing over fighting to native forces (w/ US support) ○ Gradual decline in troop levels ○ US begins bombing supply lines for Vietcong from Laos and Cambodia Home Front: Public Opinion ○ TV journalism from the front disproves the gov’t rhetoric that we are winning ○ Draft used for the war Many protests, esp. College campuses ○ Kent State University shooting (May 1970) Ohio National Guard fires into crowd Kills 4 and wound 9  Peace ○ Negotiations in 1973 US pulls out; north Vietnam takes control ○ War powers Act (1973) Reduces presidents control of military Congress assumes more control Must be informed within 48 hours Cannot stay overseas for 60(now 90) days without Congressional approval Congress can overrule president and force troops to return Impact of war ○ 58,000 American casualties ○ 2 million (estimated) Vietnamese casualties ○ $150 billion spent in losing effort ○ US public skeptical of Gov't ○ US questioned in role as international “Police officer” USSR: 1945-1991 ○ 1) Low industrialization In 1976 only ⅔ of Russians had a refrigerator Wait list for cars: 4-10 years ○ 2) Low Life expectancy Decreased in 1960’s and 1970’s 30x as much typhoid; 20x as much measles 15% population live in heavily polluted areas (10x normal levels) ○ 3) Poverty Over half population below poverty line ○ 4) Lack of freedoms KGB- secret police in USSR Lack of freedom of speech, lack of freedom of governance, lack of freedom of religion ○ Fall of the Berlin Wall Leaders of the USSR: Vladimir Lennin Josef Stalin Nikita Kurushchev(1954-1964) Lenid Brezhnev(1964-1982) Yuri Andropov(1982-1984) Mikhail Gorbachev(1985-1991) ○ Glasnost  Political policy instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev in 80’s Russian for “openness” Ostpolitik/detente Began the democratization of the USSR Permitted Criticism of government, free speech ○ November 1989 Rising protest in East Germany East German leaders- calm mounting protests by loosening borders Initial Plan: 1) Takes effect day after announcement 2) Apply for visa to border The Civil Rights Movement 1940’s ○ Executive order 9981 ends segregation in the armed forces ○ Signed by Truman 1950’s ○ Brown v Board of education (1945) Consolidation of 5 cases in 1 Ends racial segregation in schools Many still remain segregated ○ Emmett Till (1955) 14 year old murdered in Mississippi Murders acquitted; brings international attention to civil rights ○ Rosa Parks (1955) Refuses to give up seat to white man Prompts year-long Montgomery bus boycott ○ “Little Rock nine” (1957) Blocked from integrating into Little Rock Central High School Eisenhower sends federal troops to escort them Continue to be harassed ○ Civil rights act of 1957 Protect voter rights Allow federal prosecution for those who suppress right to vote 1960’s ○ Greensboro Sit-in (1960) Four black college students Refuse to leave Woolworth’s “whites only” lunch counter  Inspired by Gandhi Sparks similar sit-ins in other states ○ Ruby Bridges (1960) Six years old First student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans Escorted by 4 armed federal marshals ○ Freedom Riders (1961) Bus troops through the American South to protest segregated bus terminals Marked by horrific violence from white protesters Drew international attention to cause ○ Gov. George Wallace (AL) bars 2 black students registering at University of Alabama President JFK has to send national guard to campus ○ March on Washington (1963) for Jobs and freedom 250,000 people participate MLK’s “I have a dream” speech ○ Civil rights Act of 1964 Prevents employment discrimination due to race, color,sex,religion,national origin Title VII establishes the US equal employment opportunity commission (EEOC) ○ Malcolm X assassinated (1965) By the Nation of Islam (falling out) ○ Bloody Sunday (March 7,1965) 600 civil rights activists march from Selma to Montgomery, AL Protests of Black Voter suppression Brutal attacks Final reach Montgomery on March 25 ○ Voting Rights Act of 1965 Prevents the use of literacy test Allows federal examiners to review voter qualifications Allows federal observers to monitor polling places ○ MLK Assasination (1968) Shot on balcony of hotel in Memphis, TN By James Earl Ray (convicted in 1969)