The Escalation of the Cold War

1945-1950

Roots
Ever since the Russian Revolution, there had been tensions btw. the US and the (eventual) Soviet Union
Interwar statements and policies did not help

During WWII, the alliance was shaky and full of mutual suspicion
Slow to open second front; Warsaw uprising

At the end of the war, the United States was concerned by Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe
Differing conceptions of security

B.A.R.E.

The End of WWII

At Yalta, the big three agree to the postwar division of Germany & Stalin promises elections for Poland
Allied forces race for Berlin (no trust)

FDRs death instability & inexperience At Potsdam, the division of Germany is made official
Truman defers to advisors
More aggressive

Enhanced by perception of weakness

1945

Satellite states
At the end of the war, the Soviets occupied parts of Eastern Europe

In these countries, friendly governments were established

Salami tactics Defensive perimeter two ways

US and GB complain that the promises made at Yalta were violated

Both sides subject to misperception
US sees aggression SU sees needed safety

1946 1945

The Iron Curtain Drops

Speech given at Westminster College Fulton, Missouri In response to est. of communist govts in E. Europe Winston Churchill points out the existence of an iron curtain dividing East from West Was the Iron Curtain real?
Was it reasonable?

1946 1945

1947

Containment goes from theory to practice

Postwar Europe looked at communism as a real alternative
In 46 Communists won 30% in France In 47 a civil war broke out in Greece, aided by Yugoslavia

Truman Doctrine announced in response

US would aid free peoples resisting communism

Application of Kennans Containment Theory

Advanced in Long Telegram (46) Marxism takes a long view apply firm pressure

The Post-WWII Conundrum

Problem
Truman was not an overwhelmingly popular President
Had no mandate

Solution
Convince the American public of the threat of communism
Scare the hell out of them Create the fear & provide the tools

Had little experience in foreign affairs

The American public had no desire to maintain a WWII level military

Also feared payment for reconstruction

Creation of COMINFORM fuels process

But. . .this may have worked TOO well

Marshall Plan
George Marshall = Trumans Secretary of State Plan announced June of 1947
Speech at Harvard

Over $13 billion spent btw. 1948 and 1951 to rebuild Europe
Solidifies two rival worlds Locks the US into continued mobilization

$ offered to Soviet Union, but they refuse

1947 1946

1948

1945

The Fall of Czechoslovakia

Congress resisted appropriating $ for Marshall plan

Opposition disappears in February of 1948 w/ Commie takeover of Czechoslovakia

Congress quickly appropriates $ Opposition to W. Germany dropped

Cmon Sam, its up to us again

Berlin Crisis
Soviets announced a blockade of Berlin in June of 1948 Western allies agree to resupply Berlin from the air The Berlin Airlift lasts from June until April of 1949

Important:
Showed power of allied democracies The Cold War stayed cold

1948 1947

1949

1946 1945

NATO
Western European nations were concerned about Soviet threat The US was brought into an already existing pact among the UK, Fr, Luxembourg, Belgium, & the Netherlands an attack on one is an attack on all
A focused but more effective CS institution

Started w/ 12now 28 nations

The Nuclear Arms Race Heats Up

Soviets detonate their own bomb in August of 1949 Truman pledges to continue research into advanced weapons The Soviet bomb increased fears of nuclear spies in America

China falls
Soon after the Soviets exploded Joe, China fell to the Communist forces of Mao Tse-Tung Communism seemed to be spreading around the globe The Truman administration was criticized for losing China

1949 1948

1950

1947 1946

The start of the Korean War

June 25th, 1950: Communist forces from the North invade Democratic South Korea The US was able to secure a vote in favor of using force by the UNSC
Political error by Soviet Union US forces were sent to Korea to participate in a POLICE ACTION

Causes of the CW in a Nutshell

Baggage of interwar years & WWII Soviet insecurity

Shift in international system

Atomic weapons Legitimate threat of Communist expansion
Development a dual system world

Mutual misperception