Main events of the beginning of the Cold War from 1945 - 1949.

1. The Cold WarBegins 1945 - 1949

2. 1. WartimeConferences, 1945  2. Churchill’sIron Curtain Speech, 1946 3. The Truman Doctrine, 1947 4. The Marshall Plan, 1947 5. Czech-Coup, 1948 6. Berlin Blockade, 1948 7. NATO isestablished, 1949 East and West Germany iscreated, 1949

4. The « Iron Curtain » Speech ( March, 1946 ) A defining moment in the origins of the Cold War Was made as a result of the threat of communistpresence in Eastern Europe Hardened opinions on bothsides Stalinviewed the speech as racist and compared Churchill to Hitler Stalinsteps up anti-Western propaganda and introduces a new 5-year plan devoted to “self-strengthening”

6. The Truman Doctrine ( March, 1947) A speech made by President Truman in Congresswhichstatedthat the USA would « support free peoples who are resistingattempted subjugation by armedminorities or by outside pressures » A radical change in US foreignpolicywhichhadthus far been isolationist As a result, USA helpsdefendGreekmonarchyfromcommunistguerrilla forces Stalingsees the speech and actions as the US expandingitssphere of influence Marks a beginning to the US policy of « containment »

7. The Marshall Plan ( June, 1947) Immediateeconomic help to Europe Revive economies and ensurepolitical & social stability Safeguard future US economy Strict criteria to qualify for US aid US must bepermitted to examine financial records USSR wouldneveragree to this (and USA knowsthis)

8. Countries thataccepted US aid post-WWII

9. Soviet response: « dollar imperialism » Molotov Plan bilateraltradeagreements in EasternEuropean countries, tyingthem to USSR Cominform (Sept, 1947) Increased control of communist parties in Eastern Europe COMECON (Jan, 1949) Council for MutualEconomic Assistance Stimulate and control economicdevelopment in these areas Collectivization of agriculture & development of heavyindustry

10. The Czech Coup (February, 1948) Between 1945 – 47, Stalinwascreating a « satellite empire » Separate states but all tied to USSR through… Soviet Military Power (WarsawPact, 1955) Salami Tactics (pro-Soviet governmentsgetrewards) Use of State & Secret Police Comecon Breech of Yalta & Potsdam conferences Clearevidence of soviet expansion (according to West)

11. CZ = slower to respond to salami tactics and seen as movingtoward the West ie. Czechsinterested in receivingaidfrom Marshall Plan Stalin pressures CZ gov’t and 12 non-communistmembersresign Communist party leader demands formation of a communist-ledgov’t; presidentfeelspressured to agree Truman calledthis the « Czech Coup » Non-CommunistCzechforeignministerisfoundsuspiciouslydeadtwoweekslater Bloody purgest of non-loyal communists continues in 1948 in CZ and rest of E. Europe

12. Berlin Crisis, 1948 Key area of « weakness » in the heart of Stalin’ssphere of influence Background: Wartimeconferencesagreed to temporarily divide Germany into 4 zones, administered by Allied Control Council (ACC) Future of Germanwouldbeworked out at a future peaceconference Intention wasalways to treat Germany as 1 economic unit

13. Whydidunityfail? Germany’sstrategic position and the differingaims of the main powers. Increasedlack of trust between East and West as the Cold Wardeveloped. Specificdisputedbetween the post-warpowers w/in Germany itself. The Berlin Blockade, 1948

14. The Berlin Blockade & Airlift West Berlin relies on Western powers for food and energy supplies whichweredelivered by road , raid and air « corridors » March, 1948: Stalinputs transportation restrictions on West and leaves the ACC June 23, 1948: Stalinbegins total blockade of Berlin First crisis of the Cold Warwheremilitary confrontation wasimminently possible. The Berlin Airlift commences.

15. Americans and British fly more than 200,000 flights per day for 320 days, delivering supplies of food & coal. Whiletherewasalways a threat of Soviet intervention, Stalinends the blockade by May, 1949 realizingitsfailure. It leads to… Division of Germany Continuation of 4-power control of Berlin Formation of NATO

16. Berlin Airlift Original Footage

17. NATO North Atlantic TreatyOrganization Military alliance of W. Europe and N. America USA, Canada, the Brussels Pactpowers, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Italy and Portugal. 1954, W. Germany joins NATO Initiallylackedorganization and was more politicalthan military, but meantthat Europe wasnowofficially dividedmilitarily.

18. Germany Divided, 1949 -1989 West Germany Capital city: Bonn First Chancellor: Konrad Adenauer GermanDemocraticRepublic (GDR) Capital city: Berlin First President: Wilhelm Pieck