The outcome of World War II and the desire for balance of power between the US and Soviet Union contributed to the start of the Cold War. Specifically, at the Yalta Conference the allied powers agreed to split Germany and hold free elections in Eastern Europe, but the Soviets instead spread communism in Eastern Europe behind an "Iron Curtain." This caused the US to pursue a policy of containment against the spread of communism through initiatives like the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan and led to the formation of military alliances like NATO and the Warsaw Pact, dividing Europe between the Western and Soviet blocs.

1. CAUSES OFTHE COLD WAR

2. OBJECTIVE
Summarize how the outcome
ofWWII contributed to the
development of the ColdWar.
•WHS 13A

3. OBJECTIVE
I can summarize how the concept of balance
of power between the “free” world and the
“communist bloc” led to the ColdWar and
was one outcome [effect] ofWorldWar II.
•WHS 13A

4. ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How does the desire for a balance
of power lead to the beginning of
the ColdWar? Cite specific
examples to support your thinking.

5. CREATETHISTABLE INYOUR NOTEBOOK
CAUSES OFTHE COLDWAR
Yalta Conference (1)
Superpowers (2)
Iron Curtain (1)
Containment (4)
Germany (2)

6. YALTA CONFERENCE
(1945)
Plan: Germany split
into 4 zones and free
elections in Eastern
Europe.

7. SUPERPOWERS
U.S.-largest economy
and nuclear weapons.
Fights the spread of
communism.

8. SUPERPOWERS
Soviet Union- the
largest military.
Wants control of
Eastern Europe to
prevent invasion.

9. IRON CURTAIN
Soviets spread
communism in
Eastern Europe.
Cut off trade with
West.

10. CONTAINMENT
Truman Doctrine
(1947): US would
support all free peoples
resisting communism.

11. CONTAINMENT
Marshall Plan: Billions
of dollars in aid given to
Western Europe to
rebuild.

12. CONTAINMENT
1948: Stalin closed
Berlin afterWest tried
to unite Germany.
Airlift of food and
supplies byWest
began.

13. CONTAINMENT
1949: U.S. and 11
nations form NATO
to combat
Communism.
1955: Soviets counter
withWarsaw Pact.

15. GERMANY
Germany and Berlin
split into 4 zones
controlled by U.S.,
Britain, France, and
USSR.

17. GERMANY
1949:Western zones
turned intoWest
Germany.
Soviet zone made into
East Germany.

18. From Stettin on the Baltic toTrieste on the Adriatic, an iron curtain has
descended across the continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of
the ancient states of central and eastern Europe.Warsaw, Berlin,
Prague,Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, and Sofia, all these
famous cities and the populations around them lie in the Soviet sphere
and all are subject, in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence
but to a very high and increasing measure of control from
Moscow....Police governments are prevailing in nearly every case, and
so far, except in Czechoslovakia, there is no true democracy.
• Winston Churchill: March 5, 1946
How does this speech mark the beginning of the ColdWar? Support your
answer with evidence from the selection.