Post WWII: Worsening Relations between the USA and SU

• State of Europe

  
  

  Germany :

  • Defeated and divided

  by the victors of WWII

  
  

  USSR :

  • Won but lost a lot of men

  • Despite that, still maintained

  largest army in the world

  • Occupied former German held

  territory

  
  

  USA :

  • The main “victor”

  • Had the least losses

  • Had largest navy & air force

  • Possessed the superweapon: the Atomic Bomb

  
  

  West Europe :

  • Democratic governments restored

  • Devastated economy and infrastructure, needed US aid to rebuild

  • No longer able to maintain and defend their colonies
• After WW2

  ● Emergence of USA and SU as superpowers

  ● Dominant role in reconstructing post-war Europe, increase their political and economic influence

  ● Unfortunately, they had different visions

  of what post-war Europe should be like.

  ● With common enemy removed, USA and

  USSR no longer need to be allies
• End of Alliances, Competition for Influence


  Clashes between USA’s and USSR’s ideology and national interests arose after WWII

  
  

  USA :

  • Support post-war economic reconstruction, political self-determination of Europe

  USSR :

  • Refusal to be encircled by a capitalist Europe that threatens its own survival
• Establishment of Soviet Satellite States in Eastern Europe


  • Between 1945 – 1947, communist governments rose to power all over Eastern Europe.
  • They are also known as: Satellite States – officially independent countries but heavily influenced by another country (politically & economically)
  • Soviet Union’s Intent : Set up a ring of satellite states around Soviet Union, using Salami Tactics. Saw it as a defensive measure to strengthen security of Soviet Union and its sphere of influence