The Cold War Case Study - Vietnam PDF

THE COLD WAR CASE STUDY VIETNAM THE COLD WAR By 1948, a new form of international tension had emerged. The Cold War between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies.  TERMINOLOGY Superpower...

THE COLD WAR CASE STUDY VIETNAM THE COLD WAR By 1948, a new form of international tension had emerged. The Cold War between the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies.  TERMINOLOGY Superpower: a country such as the USA that dominates world affairs. Cold war: was a contest for supremacy between the USA and the USSR. It was largely and ideological conflict- capitalism vs communism. Reparations: payment for damages caused during a war. Civil War: a war between citizens of the same country. Proxy War:A proxy war is an armed conflict between nations which act at on behalf of other parties that are not directly involved in the hostilities. Containment: foreign policy of the USA after the Second World War to contain the spread of communism. Brinkmanship: an approach in which a country pushes a situation extremely close to a dangerous point.  TERMINOLOGY Propaganda: information especially of a biased or misleading nature used to promote a political cause or point of view. Indoctrination: repeated exposure to the same information/ (message). Guerilla warfare: fighting a war using undercover methods and “hit and run” tactics. Arms race:a competition between nations for superiority in the development and accumulation of weapons. Space race: the competition between nations regarding achievements in the field of space exploration. Coup: a sudden, violent seizure of power from a government. Satellite: a state under the strong influence of another country.  THE IMPACT OF WORLD WAR II ON THE GRAND ALLIANCE Grand Alliance (World War II), an alliance of the US, UK, and Soviet Union against Nazi Germany during World War II. The Grand Alliance did break apart soon after the war ended because of the inability of its members to agree on a desired postwar order.  INCREASING TENSION BETWEEN THE ALLIES AFTER WORLD WAR II IN EUROPE Once Germany surrendered in 1945, tensions between them increased and the alliance broke up. The basic disagreement between the USSR and the USA was that they believed in completely different political and economic systems. The Soviets and its allies believed in communism while the USA and its allies believed in capitalism.  ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR At the same time, Russia thought that America was trying to dominate Europe. This was because America gave economic aid to the European countries via the Marshall Plan, which the Russians thought was a way of promoting capitalism and Stalin accused America of ‘dollar diplomacy’.  ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR In 1917 there was revolution in Russia. A communist government took control and after this, suspicion and fear developed between the West and Russia. For a short time during World War Two they became allies, so that they could fight Nazi Germany together. But once the war was over, the tension became even worse. The West thought that Russia was trying to spread communism all over the world. The West was determined to stop this and adopted a foreign policy of containment.  CAPITALISM vs COMMUNISM Summary CAPITALISM COMMUNISM Wealthy people (capitalists) invest There is a classless society with no their money in land and industry. individual profit making. They employ workers and keep all the Land and industry are owned by the profits that are made. state and profits used for the good of A democratic system is followed with all. ????? a number of political parties. There is only one political party - no individual rights and freedoms - Often one-party dictatorships COMMUNISM AREAS OF CONFLICT AND COMPETITION BETWEEN THE SUPERPOWERS IN THE COLD WAR GERMANY The USSR was to receive most of the reparation payments from Germany to compensate for the country's losses. However, Stalin wanted to destroy the German economy to ensure that Germany could never rise again. On the other hand, the Western Allies wanted Germany to be strong enough so that it could contribute to world trade. AREAS OF CONFLICT AND COMPETITION BETWEEN THE SUPERPOWERS IN THE COLD WAR EASTERN EUROPE The West was very worried about Soviet actions after World War Two. Russia took over parts of Eastern Europe and made sure that communist governments came to power in most of eastern Europe. These countries became known as Soviet ‘satellites.’ The dividing line between communist eastern Europe and democratic and capitalist western Europe became known as the ‘Iron Curtain’. What was the Iron Curtain? - YouTube This cartoon was published in the UK Daily Mail after Winston Churchill gave his historic ‘Iron Curtain’ speech. It depicts Churchill attempting to lift the ‘Iron Curtain’ to view what is taking place within the Eastern Europe. By British cartoonist Leslie Illingworth [6 Feb 1946] This cartoon depicts Stalin’s attempts to extend Soviet control beyond Eastern Europe, reflecting the concerns over the growing ideological threat that necessitates an urgent response by USA. Pay attention to the use of ‘question marks (?)’ , which hints at his intentions in Western Europe By British cartoonist Leslie Illingworth [June 1947] HOW DID THE USA AND USSR CREATE ‘SPHERES OF INFLUENCE’ IN EUROPE? HOW DID THE USA CREATE A ‘SPHERE OF INFLUENCE’ IN EUROPE BY 1945? The USA had adopted a policy of ‘containment’ , which meant that they would support nations in danger of a communist takeover and that the USSR would not be allowed to spread their influence beyond the territories she had occupied in 1945. This support would be in the form of economic and military aid. Truman outlined his policy in a speech he made in March 1947. This intervention became known as the Truman Doctrine of Containment. The Truman Doctrine Britain had asked the USA to help the Greek government which was engaged in a fight against communist rebels – Britain could not afford the expense and were worried that if they pulled out of Greece a vacuum would be created which would be filled by the Soviets quickly Stalin was also threatening to occupy Turkey Truman had been horrified at the pre- war Allied policy of appeasement and was determined to stand up to any Soviet intimidation Truman made his policy of the containment of communism clear when he addressed Congress in March 1947 His policy offered ‘assistance from a distance’: Money, military equipment & advice to any country threatened by a communist take-over The Marshall Plan Truman’s advisors realised that in order to prevent the rest of Europe from falling to Communism massive economic help would have to be given In June 1947, George Marshall (US Secretary of State) announced what would become known as Marshall Aid USA offered huge sums to enable the war- shattered economies to rebuild and, by generating prosperity, to reject the appeal of Communism Open to all countries but USSR refused any of its satellites from taking advantage of its benefits (eg. Czechoslovakia) except Yugoslavia Many in Congress objected but a communist coup in Czechoslovakia in Feb 1948 ended all doubts regarding the necessity of the plan Congress voted on $17 billion over 5 years By 1952, the economies of western Europe were prospering Reflected the strength of the US economy HOW DID THE USSR CREATE A ‘SPHERE OF INFLUENCE’ IN EUROPE BY 1949? Cominform and Comecon Stalin, who could not afford to offer this type of aid to the nations he controlled, saw the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan as threats and denounced them as part of an ‘imperialist’ plot by the USA to dominate Europe. The Soviets were concerned about the impact Marshall Aid would have on their Eastern satellite states. The USSR accused the Americans of “dollar diplomacy” or “dollar imperialism”, implying that the Americans were using the plan for their own selfish monetary interests. Soviet Satellites were forbidden from accepting Marshall Aid. Comecon As a counter measure to the Marshall Plan, Stalin set up Cominform in 1947. In addition the USSR introduced the Molotov Plan, named after Russia’s foreign minister, in 1949. This plan similar to the Truman Doctrine, created the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon), to assist the Russian satellite states economically. Comecon enabled Eastern Europe to be formed into a single economic bloc under the leadership of Stalin The Soviet system was as much dependent upon creating a self- contained economic bloc as it was in maintaining a repressive political system  WHY GERMANY AND BERLIN BECAME A FLASHPOINT? At the end of the Second World War, Germany was divided into four zones of occupation under the control of the United States, Britain, France and the Soviet Union. Berlin, although located within the Soviet zone, was also split amongst the four powers. The Berlin Crises 1 2 3 4 The Berlin The Krushchev The Blockade Berlin Demands Berlin 1948 - 49 Uprisings Berlin Wall 1953 1958 1961  Background to The Berlin Blockade Germany had proved to be a stumbling block in relations between the USSR and the USA. The west were to exchange industrial equipment for food supplies from the east. Stalin’s refusal to allow communist countries to apply for Marshall Aid had a significant effect on events in Germany. After the Second World War, Germany’s economy was in ruins. The western powers did not want to restore Germany’s military power, but the only way to end poverty and suffering in the country was to rebuild its industries and restore the economy. Faced with food shortages & economic chaos, Western zones decided to join, reform the currency and include the western part of Germany in the Marshall Plan.  What caused the Berlin Blockade? Cold War - was just getting started (e.g.Czechoslovakia , March 1948) Aims- Stalin wanted to destroy Germany Britain and the USA wanted to rebuild Germany Bizonia- The Soviets were taking German machinery back to the USSR (reparations) In January 1947, Britain and the USA joined their two zones together to try to get German industry going. They called the new zone Bi-zonia (‘two zones’). American Aid - Congress voted for Marshall Aid on 31 March 1948 Immediately, the Soviets started searching all road and rail traffic into Berlin New Currency - On 1 June, America and France announced that they wanted to create the new country of West Germany. On 23 June they introduced a new currency into ‘Bizonia’ and western Berlin  The Berlin Blockade The idea of a strong and wealthy western Germany alongside a poor, Soviet controlled east Germany alarmed Stalin – felt they had broken the terms of Yalta. The next day the Soviets responded by blockading West Berlin (150km in the Soviet zone) by cutting off all road, rail and canal routes/ traffic into Berlin.  The Berlin Blockade Stalin claimed he was defending the east German economy against the new currency, which was ruining it. Resulted in 2 million Berliners requiring more than 4000 tons of food & fuel per day being cut off from the outside world. Western powers said he was trying to force them out of Berlin. The Berlin Airlift Truman’s options: - hand over West Berlin to Stalin - use force to supply the city Truman feared that if he chose the latter, a war would break out A third option emerged: - food, fuel & medicine could be flown into West Berlin Over the following 11 months, US & British pilots flew over 277000 missions to West Berlin, landing approx. 8000 tons of supplies per day The blockade hastened the creation of a single state from the British, American and French zones  Airlift Facts The blockade lasted 318 days (11 months) In the winter of 1948–49 Berliners lived on dried potatoes, powdered eggs and cans of meat Berliners only had 4 hours of electricity a day 277,000 flights carried in 1½ million tons of supplies A plane landed every 3 minutes On 16 April 1949, 1400 flights brought in 13,000 tons of supplies in one day – Berlin only needed 6,000 tons a day to survive Some pilots dropped chocolate and sweets for the children The American airmen were regarded as heroes  What were the Results of the Berlin Blockade? 1. Cold War got worse - It almost started an all-out war 2. East and West Germany - Germany split up - In May 1949: America, Britain & France united their zones into the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) - In October 1949, Stalin set up the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) 3. NATO and the Warsaw Pact - In 1949, the western Allies set up NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) as a defensive alliance against the USSR - NATO countries surrounded Russia - In 1955, the Soviet Union set up the Warsaw Pact – an alliance of Communist states 4. Arms Race - After Berlin, the USA and the USSR realised that they were in a competition for world domination - They began to build up their armies, weapons & technology NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation established in April 1949 Truman believed that it was necessary to counteract the ‘Soviet threat’ Established as a defensive military alliance for mutual protection of western countries Members included: Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, USA, Canada, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Norway & Denmark USSR viewed NATO as another step in the spread of US militarism, imperialism & democracy Warsaw Pact USSR response to the formation of NATO Established in May 1955 Military alliance in the Eastern bloc Member countries: USSR, Romania, Albania, Poland, Czechoslovakia and the German Democratic Republic Joint command structure controlled by USSR Member states were expected to support each other if attacked USSR maintained the right to station Soviet troops in member countries – able to strengthen hold on satellite states  Spheres of Influence West Berlin, as an outpost of Western democracy and economic success deep within the Communist zone, was both a nest of spies for both sides and a constant challenge to the Soviets The Berlin Blockade was an attempt to starve the city into submission and the Allied airlift signalled the West’s determination to use all resources to defend Berlin Thereafter, it was accepted by both sides that Berlin would act as the trigger for general war Any Soviet invasion would be followed by conflict with the considerable Allied forces camped permanently on the plain of West Germany Finding Europe too dangerous a site for confrontation, both sides began looking elsewhere to compete  THE SECOND BERLIN CRISIS/BERLIN UPRISING 1953 Demonstrations in East Berlin & East Germany Different working & living conditions between East & West With the death of Stalin, workers in East Berlin started demonstrations: - demanded greater political & economic freedom - union with West Berlin - end of Communism - withdrawal of Soviet troops Demonstrations spread to East Germany Uprisings harshly suppressed by USSR – over 600 executed under martial law Many fled from East to West Berlin Nikita Khrushchev Emerged as the leader of the USSR after a power struggle following Stalin’s death Appalled by Stalin’s ‘reign of terror’ & condemned his purges A ‘thaw’ occurred in the Cold War as Khrushchev proposed ‘peaceful co-existence’ with the West Khrushchev's Foreign Policy Criticism of Stalin resulted in expectations of change in Eastern Europe Reduced Soviet expenditure on arms & used the funds to improve the lives of ordinary citizens in both the USSR & the Soviet satellites Despite this, did not grant more independence to the satellites Signed the Warsaw Pact (1955) Opposition to Soviet control resulted in uprisings in many states eg. Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia  THIRD BERLIN CRISIS 1958 East Germans fled to West Germany via West Berlin. Khrushchev demanded that West Berlin be handed over to East Germany. When this failed, he demanded that the West recognize the GDR. The West refused and Khrushchev did nothing to enforce his demands. Not a major crisis – but indicated that Berlin would continue to be a source of conflict between East and West.  The Paris Summit 1960 Due to the increasing tension between the two superpowers, a summit meeting was arranged in Paris to try to resolve the various issues: - USSR furious that many East Germans were fleeing to West Germany through West Berlin - Arms race - both sides accepted the need for some kind of Nuclear Test Ban treaty - Spread of Communism – Korea, Cuba & China - No discussion about the problem of Berlin - which, ultimately, led to the building of the Berlin Wall  The Paris Summit Shortly before the summit was due to take place a US spy plane was shot down over the USSR and the summit collapsed when Khrushchev walked out No Test Ban treaty was passed (disarmament) The Cold War had just become substantially more dangerous The incident was seen as a defeat for the US - so they elected John F Kennedy as president because he promised to get tougher with the USSR  The U2 Crisis Peaceful co-existence between US & USSR since the death of Stalin U2 plane developed as a US spy File:Francis-Gary-Powers trial cia.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Francis_Gary_Powers_U2_at_Moscow.jpg/180px-Francis_Gary_Powers_U2_at_Moscow.jpg plane Able to fly 6000km at high altitudes Could take photos of Soviet bomber bases and missile sites U2 plane shot down over Soviet territory by a Soviet missile in May 1960 US denied that the plane was spying USSR threatened to put the U2 pilot Gary Powers on trial for spying  The U2 Crisis Eisenhower forced to admit that the plane was spying Khrushchev demanded an apology & cancelling of all U2 flights U2 flights cancelled but no apology given Khrushchev walked out of Paris summit Hopes of disarmament abandoned Powers sentenced to 10 years - swapped for Soviet spy after 17 months East-West relations strained further, and mistrust increased & Cold War attitudes harden  FOURTH BERLIN CRISIS 1961 The building of the Berlin Wall West Berlin thrived and thousands of East Germans continued to cross into West Berlin. 1961 Khrushchev again demanded that the West withdraw from West Berlin. Kennedy refused. In August 1961, the Soviets built a wall to divide Berlin. The aim was to prevent East Berliners from escaping to the West. The wall remained a concrete symbol of divide between West (capitalism) and East (communism) until it was pulled down in 1989. All of West Berlin encircled apart from access points AREAS OF CONFLICT AND COMPETITION BETWEEN THE SUPERPOWERS IN THE COLD WAR The superpowers competed in two main areas, namely weapons and space exploration. This competition is known as the ‘arms race’ and ‘space race’ Arms Race - Cold War - YouTube The next global arms race? | The Economist - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJFIW_WaGIQ Cold War: The Arms Race - History GCSE - YouTube  WHAT WAS THE ARMS RACE? At the end of World War II only the USA had developed the atom bomb. This made the Russians feel insecure when the cold war started. So, they developed one as well. This was the start of the arms race. Soon both sides were working to develop an even more destructive bomb – the hydrogen bomb ( which was a hundred times more powerful than the atom bomb).  WHAT WAS THE SPACE RACE? During the Cold War the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a competition to see who had the best technology in space. This included such events as who could put the first manned spacecraft into orbit and who would be the first to walk on the Moon. Who won the space race? - Jeff Steers – YouTube  The Vietnam War [