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Beginning of the Cold War
WIth the war over, the Allies had to decide what to do with the shattered nations of Europe. This task caused a great strain on the alliance. -
Occupying Germany
In 1945 the Allies decide it was best to divide Germany into four zones of occupation. The Soviet Union would control one-third of the country and the remaining two-thirds would be divided. Divided between the United States, France, and Britain. This division allowed each zone to create its own form of government and systems and economy. This division would bring struggles in the future. -
The Struggle Begins
In 1946, Truman warned his secretary of state, "Another war is in the making." The East and the West had several disputes and disagreements. As a result, the following month Stalin made a public statement. He believed was between the East and the West was bound to happen in the future. Soon after, Churchill gave a speech in the U.S. about the sharp division between both nations. He stated the division caused by Soviet actions was a serious threat to peace. -
Truman Doctrine/ The Marshall Plan
In early 1947 Soviet-backed Communists were threatening the governments of Greece and Turkey. Truman believed if conditions grew worse, more Europeans would turn to communism. President Truman used the opportunity to launch what became known as the Truman Doctrine. It was a pledge to provide economic and military aid to oppose the spread of communism. Soon after, the Marshall plan was announced with the same purpose. -
Crisis in Berlin
The division of Germany and of Berlin was originally meant to be temporary. In 1947, however, Western leaders began planning for the creation of an independent democratic German nation, to be formed from the three western zones of occupation. A year later, the Soviets opposed the act by blocking off all land, rail, and water routes into West Berlin. Western leaders refused to give in. They organized the Berlin airlift in an effort to to supply the West by air.The Soviets gave up on 1949. -
New Nations and Alliances
The western zones of Germany formed the Federal Republic of Germany. The Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany. The United States, Canada, and most Western European countries joined together in a military alliance, NATO. This organization had the purpose to counter Soviet power on Europe. -
War in Korea
After WWll, Japan was divided in half. The Soviets established a communist government in the northern half. The united States supported non-communism in the Southern part. In 1950, the Northern side attacked the Southern side in an attempt both halves into one communist country. The UN provided military troops to prevent future attacks. After several years of fighting, the North side remained communist and the South became an ally of the West. -
More Alliances
In 1955, the Soviet Union and the Communist nations of Eastern Europe formed their own alliance, the Warsaw Pact. -
Another Crisis in Berlin/ The Berlin Wall
After Communist East Germany and democratic West Germany formed in 1949, thousands of people moved from the East side of Berlin to the West. Some wanted to live freely, a democratic nation, and other wanted a job. By 1961, many were making a daily trip from the East side to the West side back and forth. East Germany decided to end this trips by building a wall between the two halves, the Berlin Wall. The wall represented the brutality of communism. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
In 1959 rebels under the leadership of Fidel Castro overthrew Cuba's dictator and installed a communist government. His actions were viewed as a threat by the U.S. because they were taking place close to one of their regions. In 1961 came the Cuban missile crisis between the United States and Cuban ally, the Soviets. The Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, The U.S, viewed this action as a threat to peace. The Soviets agreed to remove the missiles and the U.S. not to attack Cuba.