Chapter 8: Cold War, Fall of the Wall, Collapse of Soviet Block (1945-present)
Overview: In the years after World War II, much of Europe was too domestically focused trying to rebuild its own country to focus on international politics. As a result, international politics were dominated with the world superpowers that had emerged from World War II, the US and the USSR. These two countries waged the Cold War for years over political ideology and mistrust. The leadership of the USSR, from Stalin to Putin, is of great focus and is firmly controlled by the Communist party. Eastern Europe and Asia were the battleground for these super powers, as they clashed in places such as Berlin, resulting in the Berlin Wall. Alliances were formed between the Western powers, NATO, and the Eastern Communists, the Eastern Bloc, resulting in an imaginary 'iron curtain' to pulled across Europe dividing the two. In the decline of the Cold War, the Age of Globalization was ushered in as new bonds between countries were created by the increasing technological advances.
Top 10 People:
1. Charles De Gaulle
French WWI General
1890-1970
Set up the government in secret and used Guerilla Tactics to fight off the Germans, founded the Free French Forces during WWII. One of the leaders of resistance against the Nazis.
2. Nikita Khrushchev
Soviet Leader during the Cold War.
1953-1964
Erected the Berlin War, involved Russia in Cuba and sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis. Engaged in De-Stalinization, and supported the space program.
3. Leonid Brezhnev
Leader of the Soviet Union after Khrushchev.
1964-1982
Politically corrupt, tried to help the economic troubles, took over Czechoslovakia. Increased US and Soviet tension.
4. Aleksander Dubcek
Slovakian politician and temporary leader of Czechoslovakia. Made attempts to reform communism and integrate capitalism into the policies of leftism.
1921-1992
Ultimately unsuccessful.
5. Helmut Kohl
Chancellor of West Germany founder of the 10 point plan and helped to unify Germany. Helped found the European Union, helped rejuvenate the economy.
1930-1998
6. Simone De Beauvoir
French writer and existentialist. Published "The Second Sex" in which she analyses the oppression of women.
1908-1986
Helped to inspire women.
7. Vaclav Havel
Czech playwright and politician. Last President of Czechoslovakia and first President of the Czech Republic
1936-2011
Wrote more than 20 plays and many non-fiction pieces.
8. Lech Walesa
Polish politician. Elected first President of Poland.
1948-Today
Helped to bring an end to Communism in Poland.
9. Mikhail Gorbachev
Leader of the USSR
1988-1991
Attempted reform at various summit conferences with America. Also, helped to bring an end to the Cold War and opened Russia to foreigners.
10. Margaret Thatcher
First female British Prime Minister also known as the "Iron Lady"
1978-1990
Helped secure free Trade. reduced government regulation of Business. Wasn't afraid to use military power. Helped to spawn economic activity.
Top 10 Events/Ideas
1. Cold War
A "war" fought between the USSR and America without direct conflict over technological and social superiority.
1945-1989
Marked by ideological conflict, containment, and the space race.
2. Cuban Missile Crisis
Thirteen day conflict between Cuba and the USSR on one side and America on the other.
1969
Came closest to actual nuclear war.
3. The Berlin Wall
Barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic which separated east and west berlin.
1961-1989
Sparked intense hatred among Berliners. Served to prevent migration. Became known as the "Iron curtain" which symbolized the divisions of the period. Fell in 1989 and the two sides were reunited.
4. NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. An intergovernmental alliance which requires military aid in the event it becomes necessary.
1949
The USSR responded with the "Warsaw Pact." Represents the paranoia that surrounds the era.
6. The Marshall Plan
A plan for aid after World War Two. The United States promised to provided European nations with money to rebuilt after the damaging aftermath of the war.
1948
Was an extension of the containment policy
7. European Union
An organization made up of European nations with the hope of ending frequent and bloody wars.
1945- Today
One of the first governments to span international borders. Intended to inspire a more peaceful international community.
8. Warsaw Pact
Mutual defense treaty between the eight communist nations of eastern and central Europe. Similar to NATO.
1955
A military reaction to the integration of West Germany, also a result of a Soviet desire to maintain control of central and eastern military operations.
9. The Euro
Currency used by the European Union.
1998
United the economies of European nations.
10. Sputnik 1.
The first artificial Earth satellite launched into orbit by the Russians.
1957.
Inspired the Americans to put resources towards their space program and initiated the space race.
Top Dog Analysis:
Top Dog Person: Nikita Khrushchev
Khrushchev was the leader of the USSR from 1953-1964. During that time, Khrushchev led communist policy and directed the mighty USSR, and by extension, the Eastern Bloc in the Warsaw Pact. Khrushchev was, relatively to Stalin, not as conservative or communist. He put the USSR through the process of de-Stalinization. This allowed some lessening of communist restrictions. Khrushchev dominated the politics of the communist countries, and although he upheld communist ideologies, as in his repression of the Hungarian Revolution, his policies were not as oppressive as Stalin. In relations with the US, there was some improvement. Despite the occurrence of the Cuban Missile Crisis, political talks became more open. The famed ‘kitchen talks’ improved relations between the two powers well. However, Khrushchev’s policies scared many of the hard-line party communists, and the economic instability in Russia caused much anti-Khrushchev sentiment. In 1968, Khrushchev was removed from office.
Top Dog Event/Idea: Cold War
The politics of the post-World War Two era were defined by the ideas of the “Cold war.” That is, they were defined by a paranoia and a desire to develop weapons and a society superior to those of your enemy. The primary example of this conflict was the battle for dominance fought consistently between the USSR and the United States. The United States sought to contain communism and the USSR desired to expand their influence, which spawned tensions on an international level. These tensions heightened fear, which wasn’t alleviated by an increase in production of nuclear weapons on both sides. Perhaps the climax of these tensions was the Cuban Missile Crisis, a stand-off which marked the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war. Overall, the Cold War was a constant aspect of post-World War Two society around which the foreign and domestic policies of most major countries revolved.
Timeline:
1945: The yalta conference begins
1945: Potsdam conference begins
1945: Nuremberg trials start
1947: The truman doctrine and the marshall are both proposed within this year.
1948: The berlin airlift helps deliver supplies to the west berliners.
1949: NATO is formed
1955: Khrushchev takes over russia after stalin dies and starts de-stalinization
1955: The warsaw pact comes together
1961: The Berlin wall is built
1964: The US declares war on vietnam
1979: USSR invades afghanistan
1987: US and Soviets sign an arms reduction pact
Images:
Top 10 People:
1. Charles De Gaulle
French WWI General
1890-1970
Set up the government in secret and used Guerilla Tactics to fight off the Germans, founded the Free French Forces during WWII. One of the leaders of resistance against the Nazis.
2. Nikita Khrushchev
Soviet Leader during the Cold War.
1953-1964
Erected the Berlin War, involved Russia in Cuba and sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis. Engaged in De-Stalinization, and supported the space program.
3. Leonid Brezhnev
Leader of the Soviet Union after Khrushchev.
1964-1982
Politically corrupt, tried to help the economic troubles, took over Czechoslovakia. Increased US and Soviet tension.
4. Aleksander Dubcek
Slovakian politician and temporary leader of Czechoslovakia. Made attempts to reform communism and integrate capitalism into the policies of leftism.
1921-1992
Ultimately unsuccessful.
5. Helmut Kohl
Chancellor of West Germany founder of the 10 point plan and helped to unify Germany. Helped found the European Union, helped rejuvenate the economy.
1930-1998
6. Simone De Beauvoir
French writer and existentialist. Published "The Second Sex" in which she analyses the oppression of women.
1908-1986
Helped to inspire women.
7. Vaclav Havel
Czech playwright and politician. Last President of Czechoslovakia and first President of the Czech Republic
1936-2011
Wrote more than 20 plays and many non-fiction pieces.
8. Lech Walesa
Polish politician. Elected first President of Poland.
1948-Today
Helped to bring an end to Communism in Poland.
9. Mikhail Gorbachev
Leader of the USSR
1988-1991
Attempted reform at various summit conferences with America. Also, helped to bring an end to the Cold War and opened Russia to foreigners.
10. Margaret Thatcher
First female British Prime Minister also known as the "Iron Lady"
1978-1990
Helped secure free Trade. reduced government regulation of Business. Wasn't afraid to use military power. Helped to spawn economic activity.
Top 10 Events/Ideas
1. Cold War
A "war" fought between the USSR and America without direct conflict over technological and social superiority.
1945-1989
Marked by ideological conflict, containment, and the space race.
2. Cuban Missile Crisis
Thirteen day conflict between Cuba and the USSR on one side and America on the other.
1969
Came closest to actual nuclear war.
3. The Berlin Wall
Barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic which separated east and west berlin.
1961-1989
Sparked intense hatred among Berliners. Served to prevent migration. Became known as the "Iron curtain" which symbolized the divisions of the period. Fell in 1989 and the two sides were reunited.
4. NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. An intergovernmental alliance which requires military aid in the event it becomes necessary.
1949
The USSR responded with the "Warsaw Pact." Represents the paranoia that surrounds the era.
6. The Marshall Plan
A plan for aid after World War Two. The United States promised to provided European nations with money to rebuilt after the damaging aftermath of the war.
1948
Was an extension of the containment policy
7. European Union
An organization made up of European nations with the hope of ending frequent and bloody wars.
1945- Today
One of the first governments to span international borders. Intended to inspire a more peaceful international community.
8. Warsaw Pact
Mutual defense treaty between the eight communist nations of eastern and central Europe. Similar to NATO.
1955
A military reaction to the integration of West Germany, also a result of a Soviet desire to maintain control of central and eastern military operations.
9. The Euro
Currency used by the European Union.
1998
United the economies of European nations.
10. Sputnik 1.
The first artificial Earth satellite launched into orbit by the Russians.
1957.
Inspired the Americans to put resources towards their space program and initiated the space race.
Top Dog Analysis:
Top Dog Person: Nikita Khrushchev
Khrushchev was the leader of the USSR from 1953-1964. During that time, Khrushchev led communist policy and directed the mighty USSR, and by extension, the Eastern Bloc in the Warsaw Pact. Khrushchev was, relatively to Stalin, not as conservative or communist. He put the USSR through the process of de-Stalinization. This allowed some lessening of communist restrictions. Khrushchev dominated the politics of the communist countries, and although he upheld communist ideologies, as in his repression of the Hungarian Revolution, his policies were not as oppressive as Stalin. In relations with the US, there was some improvement. Despite the occurrence of the Cuban Missile Crisis, political talks became more open. The famed ‘kitchen talks’ improved relations between the two powers well. However, Khrushchev’s policies scared many of the hard-line party communists, and the economic instability in Russia caused much anti-Khrushchev sentiment. In 1968, Khrushchev was removed from office.
Top Dog Event/Idea: Cold War
The politics of the post-World War Two era were defined by the ideas of the “Cold war.” That is, they were defined by a paranoia and a desire to develop weapons and a society superior to those of your enemy. The primary example of this conflict was the battle for dominance fought consistently between the USSR and the United States. The United States sought to contain communism and the USSR desired to expand their influence, which spawned tensions on an international level. These tensions heightened fear, which wasn’t alleviated by an increase in production of nuclear weapons on both sides. Perhaps the climax of these tensions was the Cuban Missile Crisis, a stand-off which marked the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war. Overall, the Cold War was a constant aspect of post-World War Two society around which the foreign and domestic policies of most major countries revolved.
Timeline:
1945: The yalta conference begins
1945: Potsdam conference begins
1945: Nuremberg trials start
1947: The truman doctrine and the marshall are both proposed within this year.
1948: The berlin airlift helps deliver supplies to the west berliners.
1949: NATO is formed
1955: Khrushchev takes over russia after stalin dies and starts de-stalinization
1955: The warsaw pact comes together
1961: The Berlin wall is built
1964: The US declares war on vietnam
1979: USSR invades afghanistan
1987: US and Soviets sign an arms reduction pact
Images: