The origins of the Cold War can be traced back to tensions that emerged between the Western allies (US, UK) and the Soviet Union at the Yalta Conference in 1945. At this conference, Stalin promised free elections in Soviet-controlled territories after WWII but did not keep this promise, straining relations. The ideological differences between communist USSR and democratic Western nations also led to conflict over the postwar order in Europe and the control of Eastern European countries. These tensions escalated over the following decades through events like the Berlin Blockade, formation of opposing military alliances like NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and the building of the Berlin Wall, cementing Europe's division between East and West.

1. Origins of the Cold War
Is it cold in here?

2. Let’s Remember: Yalta, 1945
• Who were the “Big Three”?
Joseph Stalin- Communist Dictator of
Russia
Winston Churchill- Democratic Prime
Minister from England
Franklin Roosevelt- Democratic
President from America

3. Yalta, continued
• What was the purpose of Yalta?
Divide Europe and Germany after WWII- Who was
going to control what
• What did Stalin promise?
Free Elections in Soviet controlled territories after
WWII, specifically in Poland
• How did the Yalta conference contribute to the
growing tensions between the US and USSR?
It was obvious Stalin was not going to keep his word,
(1947 the election in Poland was likely rigged to
favor a socialist government),the big three had a
great deal of mistrust between them,

4. Stalin’s Reason to take
Poland
“For the Russian people, the question of Poland is not
only a question of honor but also a question of security.
Throughout history, Poland has been the corridor
through which the enemy has passed into Russia. Twice
in the last thirty years our enemies, the Germans, have
passed through this corridor. It is in Russia’s interest
that Poland should be strong and powerful, in a position
to shut the door of this corridor by her own force. . It
is necessary that Poland should be free, independent in
power. Therefore, it is not only a question of honor but
of life and death for the Soviet state.”

5. Communism vs. Democracy,
(Capitalism)
• What are three major parts of
Communist Russia?
1. People have no say in government,2. Equal
division of labor, wealth, and land 3. One
party dictatorship
• What are three major parts of
Democratic US?
1. People vote/ select their government
officials; 2.competition among businesses
to support economy; 3.Unequal
distribution of wealth and land

6. Communism vs. Democracy,
(Capitalism)
• Why do the differences between
Communism and Democracy lead to tensions
between Russia and US?
Conflicting ideals; Each think their
government is the best form; Stalin wants
to spread communism and openly states
that it is his goal, US wants to preserve
Capitalism and Democracy for the world
Neither side can trust each other

7. Satellite Countries
• What is a satellite country?
A country which is formally independent, but
under heavy influence or control by
another country
• Where were some of Stalin’s major
satellite countries?
Poland, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary,

8. Satellite Countries
• What are two reasons why Stalin
developed satellite nations?
1. Spread communism throughout the
world
2. Have protection from invasions;
have a sphere of influence

9. US. vs. USSR
• What is a super power?
• A country with a leading position in the
international system and the ability to influence
events and project power on a worldwide scale.
• How did the US and USSR emerge from
WWII as super powers?
Europe was destroyed after the war. US and USSR
still had territory and were looked to for aid and
support

11. NATO
• What is NATO • North Atlantic Treaty
Organization
• Why was it • 1949, organization created to
created? defend each other from
outside enemies. Democratic/
• Who created it? Non-Communist countries
working together to prevent
the spread of Communism
• France, UK, US, Italy, Canada
were some of the original
members

12. Warsaw Pact
• What is Warsaw • was an organization of
communist states in
• Why was it Central and Eastern
created? Europe
• Who created it? • 1955, This treaty was
in response to the
NATO treaty
• Bulgaria, Hungry,
USSR, Czech, Poland

13. US vs. USSR continued
• What area’s of the world supported
democracy and which supported
communism?
NATO v.s Warsaw Pact
• After 1945, who lead the US and
USSR?
Truman and Stalin

14. Germany
• How was Germany divided after WWII?
France, England, US control Western Germany, USSR controls
Eastern Germany
• Why was Germany not able to complete it’s
reunification in 1946?
Stalin wanted Germany to be Communist and US wanted
Democracy
• In his speech, Churchill mentions an “Iron
Curtain.” What was this Iron Curtain he
speaks of?
Division of Communist vs. anti-communist nations. Specifically
division in Germany

16. Berlin Blockade
• Soviet block Western allies from aiding
Germany
• Meant to prevent Unification of Germany,
1948
• In June 1948 Soviet forces began a
blockade of all rail, road, and water traffic
through East Germany to West Berlin
• The USA and UK responded, however, by
sending food and other vital supplies into
the city by air.

18. Truman Doctrine/Marshall
Plan
• What was the Truman Doctrine?
Aide countries trying to resist communism
• What two countries did it specifically send
aid too?
Greece and Turkey
• What is the domino theory?
If one country falls to communism, the rest of the world will
continue to fall
• What is the Marshall Plan?
Send aide to ALL countries resisting communism
• Describe containment
Confront all attempts to spread communism and contain

19. Iron Curtain
What was the Iron Curtain speech? A speech
given in warning of the plausibility of the communist
expansion
What was the intention of this speech? To
warn anti-communist and neutral countries to be
prepared and take action, while allowing Communist
countries to know that we are aware
When and by whom was it given?
March 1946, Winston Churchill
What area of the globe is the speaker calling
the Iron Curtain? The barrier dividing the
European Continent, between Eastern and Western
territories, (Specifically Germany)
What became the actual symbol of the Iron
Curtain and the Cold war in General?Berlin Wall
1961

20. Churchill's "Iron Curtain" Speech
March 5, 1946 - Westminster College,
Fulton, Missouri

21. Berlin Wall
• Built- 1961 ordered by Soviet Primier Nikita
Khrushchev
• Built to keep unhappy East Berliners from escaping
to democratic West, (Official figures show that at least 136
people died trying to cross the border. People attempting to get
from East to West were regarded as traitors and guards were
instructed to shoot at them if they attempted to cross, although
not to kill them)
• Economy in East was deplorable
• Economy in West, thanks to Marshall Plan, was
booming
• Wall became symbol of Cold War and the division
between democracy and Communism
• In certain regions, the “Iron Curtain” was nothing
more than a plain chain link fence, when in other
places it was a highly guarded area which only
people carrying special government permissions
could approach.