US 2
Chapter 4 – Cold War Geopolitics (1945–1960)
After World War II, the alliance between the U.S. and the Soviet Union broke down. The
Soviets, led by Joseph Stalin, wanted to control Eastern Europe and spread communism
globally. The U.S. aimed to promote democracy and capitalism, especially in war-torn regions.
With Europe and Asia weakened, the U.S. and the Soviet Union became the two main world
powers, competing in military strength, politics, and ideology. This rivalry became known as
the Cold War—a conflict without direct fighting between the two superpowers but involving
spying, propaganda, and nuclear arms buildup.
1. U.S. Foreign Policy Changes
Before World War II, the U.S. tried to stay out of global conflicts and focused more on its own
country. However, after World War II, the U.S. became more involved in world affairs.
President Truman (after WWII) disagreed with Stalin (leader of the Soviet Union) because
Stalin wanted to spread communism in Europe. Truman was also worried that if Germany was
punished too harshly after the war, it could lead to another conflict.
Cold War Tactics:
Spying and Surveillance:
Both sides spied on each other to gather information. They used espionage (spying) and
surveillance (watching each other’s movements) to stay ahead.
Political Pressure and Alliances:
They used political pressure to get other countries to support their system (capitalism
for the U.S. and communism for the USSR). They also created alliances: NATO (U.S.-led
group) vs. Warsaw Pact (Soviet-led group). Countries were forced to choose sides.
Arms Race:
The U.S. and USSR raced to build more powerful weapons, especially nuclear bombs.
Each side wanted to have the most powerful military to intimidate the other, creating
constant fear of a nuclear war.
2. Containment Strategy
In 1946, diplomat George Kennan proposed “containment”—stopping the spread of
communism where it already existed. This became the main U.S. strategy during the Cold War.
Tools of Containment:
National Security Act (1947):This law changed how the U.S. handled its military and
spying. It created the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) to gather secret information
(espionage). It also combined the Army, Navy, and Air Force into one big group called the
Department of Defense.
Truman Doctrine (1947):President Truman promised that the U.S. would help countries
that were fighting against communism. The U.S. gave money and support to Greece and
Turkey so they wouldn't become communist.
Marshall Plan (1948): The U.S. gave $13 billion to help rebuild countries in Western
Europe after WWII. The goal was to make these countries strong so they wouldn’t turn to
communism. The USSR refused the money and didn’t let Eastern Europe take it either.
3. Germany and Berlin Crisis
After World War II, the big countries (America, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union) each
controlled a part of Germany. America, Britain, and France decided to join their parts
together. They made a new country called West Germany. The Soviet Union (Russia) didn't
like that . In 1948, it blocked West Berlin (a city inside the Soviet zone). That means no food,
no fuel — nothing could enter by road or train.
In response, the U.S. and its allies started the Berlin Airlift, sending food and supplies by
planes for almost a year.
In 1949, the Soviets stopped the blockade. That same year, two big things happened:
1. America and other Western countries made a group called NATO to protect each other.
2. Germany officially became two countries: West Germany (with America and its allies) and
East Germany (with the Soviet Union).
4. Korean War (1950–1953)
After World War II, Korea was divided into two parts:
North Korea was helped by the Soviet Union (Russia).
South Korea was protected by the United States.
In 1950, North Korea attacked South Korea to take over the whole country.
The U.S. and the United Nations helped defend South Korea. A U.S. general named MacArthur
led the attack and even pushed into North Korea.
But then, China entered the war to help North Korea. MacArthur wanted to fight China too,
but President Truman disagreed. They argued, and Truman fired MacArthur.
The war lasted until 1953, when they signed a ceasefire (they stopped fighting, but no peace
treaty). Korea stayed divided into North and South. More than 5 million people died.
5. Eisenhower’s “New Look” Policy
When Eisenhower became U.S. president in 1952, he wanted to end the Korean War and spend
less money on regular soldiers. So, he made a new plan called the “New Look” policy, which
said the U.S. would use nuclear bombs to scare enemies instead of fighting with big armies.
This idea later became known as MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)—meaning if one side
used nuclear bombs, both sides would be destroyed.
Cold War Technology:
Massive investment in weapons and missiles
Development of early computers and radar
After the USSR launched Sputnik (1957), the U.S. invested heavily in science education
through the National Defense Education Act (1958)
Eisenhower's Foreign Policy:
Avoided sending troops to Vietnam and Hungary
He asked U.S. allies to stop fighting in conflicts like the Suez Crisis.
His main goal was to stop communism but avoid starting new wars.
the Marshall Plan
In June 1947, U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall gave a speech at Harvard University
that became the foundation of the Marshall Plan. In his speech, Marshall explained that
Europe was in a deep crisis after World War II—cities and factories were destroyed,
economies were broken, and people were starving. Farmers had no reason to grow food
because they couldn’t trade it for the goods they needed. Marshall argued that this economic
chaos could lead to political instability and the rise of communism, which would affect the
entire world. He said the U.S. must help Europe recover, not just for Europe’s sake, but also to
protect global peace and the American economy. He made it clear that U.S. aid was not
against any country but against poverty and desperation. His speech led to the creation of
the Marshall Plan, which gave over $13 billion in aid to Western European countries. It helped
rebuild economies, strengthened democracies, and stopped the spread of communism.
However, the Soviet Union rejected the plan and stopped Eastern Europe from accepting the
help.
