Cold War

• The Cold War was a period of direct tension between the US and USSR, though no direct fighting occurred between the two
• Causes of the Cold War: 1) capitalism vs communism, 2) the iron curtain
• The Iron Curtain: The division of Europe into two separate zones, with the Soviet Union on one side and the United States on the other. The USSR established pre-communist government in countries it occupied, these were called “satellite states”. America was afraid of the spread of these states
• Truman Doctrine: US would provide military aid to countries threatened by communism or to all democratic nations
• Marshall aid: America gave money to European countries, and for West Germany, even introducing a new currency to stimulate their economy
• The Cuban Missile Crisis: Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba and he was pro-communism. Khrushchev imported sugar (Cubas main export), in return Casto allowed the Russians to install missiles on the island. America wasn’t innocent either though, they had missiles in Italy and Turkey. John F Kennedy ordered a blockade on Cuba, blocking any Soviet ships from Cuba. Both sides were afraid of a full blown war, Kennedy sent his brother to have talks with Khrushchev and both agreed to take their missiles out and that America would not attack
• Bay of Pigs: at the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis, USA tried to rid Cuba of communism, and funded a revolution. However, it failed and drove Castro into the hands of the USSR
• Consequences: A hotline was set up between the White House and the Kremlin to improve communication, both agreed to stop testing nuclear weapons on land or sea