University:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Course:
HIST 1160 | U.S. History to 1865
Academic year:

2024
Views:

226

Pages:

3
Author:

Harsh P.

Lecture Notes: The Cold War I. Introduction ● ● Definition of the Cold War ● A period of political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. Historical context ● After World War II, two superpowers emerged: the United States and the Soviet Union. ● Different ideologies and conflicting interests led to a prolonged standoff. II. Origins of the Cold War A. Yalta Conference (1945) ● Key decisions ● Division of Germany into four zones of occupation. ● Creation of the United Nations. ● Free elections in Eastern European countries. B. Ideological Differences ● ● Capitalism vs. Communism ● The U.S. promoted capitalism and democracy. ● The Soviet Union advocated communism and one-party rule. Clash of worldviews ● Mutual distrust and suspicion. III. The Truman Doctrine (1947) ● ● ● President Truman's speech to Congress ● Support for countries threatened by communism. Marshall Plan (1948) ● Economic aid to rebuild Western Europe. Containment policy ● Efforts to contain the spread of communism. IV. The Berlin Blockade and Airlift (1948-1949) ● Soviet blockade of West Berlin ● ● ● Aimed to gain control of the entire city. The Berlin Airlift ● Massive Western airlift of supplies to West Berlin. Symbol of Western determination to resist Soviet expansion. V. The Korean War (1950-1953) ● ● ● ● North Korean invasion of South Korea U.S. and UN intervention Stalemate and the armistice agreement Division of Korea along the 38th parallel VI. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) ● ● ● Background ● Soviet placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba. U.S. response ● Naval blockade and ultimatum. Resolution ● Removal of missiles in exchange for U.S. assurances not to invade Cuba. VII. Arms Race and Space Race ● ● ● Development of nuclear weapons ● Hydrogen bombs, ICBMs, and the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). Sputnik and the start of the Space Race (1957) Competition in space exploration and technology. VIII. Proxy Wars ● ● ● Indirect conflicts in other regions ● Vietnam War, Afghan War, Korean War. Superpowers supported opposing sides. Ideological and strategic battlegrounds. IX. Détente (1960s-1970s) ● ● Easing of Cold War tensions ● Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). ● Nixon's visit to China. ● Helsinki Accords. Temporary thaw in relations. X. The Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991) ● ● ● Economic challenges and internal dissent ● Gorbachev's reforms (glasnost and perestroika). The fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) Dissolution of the USSR (1991) XI. Conclusion ● Legacy of the Cold War ● Shaping of post-World War II world order. ● End of bipolarity. ● Ongoing global implications.