The document outlines the rise of the US and USSR as superpowers following World War II, detailing the ideological conflict between democracy and communism that led to the Cold War. It covers key events, such as the division of Germany, the policy of containment, proxy wars like the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the space race. The Cold War effectively ended with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, resulting in the emergence of 15 independent states.

2. o September 2, 1945
The Allied Powers
had defeated the Axis Powers.
US
UK USSR
Germany Japan

3. o Two countries emerged from WWII as international powers.
US USSR
WHY? HOW?
Both had:
o independent economies
o strong militaries
o capability to produce
nuclear weapons
o remained largely
undamaged from the
destruction of war

4. o The former allies became engaged in a 45 year long conflict lasting
from 1945-1991.
o Each country had severe distrust of the other.
US USSR
o worried about Soviet
communism spreading
o concerned about leader Joseph
Stalin’s tyrannical rule of his
country
o resented the US delay in
entering WWII, which resulted
in the deaths of tens of
millions of Soviets
Joseph Stalin
Communism is a political and
economic system in which the
government owns all production
resources such as businesses and
farms. The government then
distributes the resources and wealth
according to individual need.
o upset the US would not
recognize the USSR as a
legitimate part of the
international community

5. Germany was divided into 4 zones.
o Each of the Allies occupied, or
controlled, one zone.
o The capital of Berlin was deep in USSR
controlled territory.
o But it was still divided into 4 zones,
with the Allies each occupying one
zone.
o Germany was devastated by WWII and lacked a stable
government.
o The Allies knew Germany needed help.

6. o After WWII, the US and USSR knew that Europe would struggle to
rebuild itself.
o But US President Harry Truman and Soviet dictator Stalin
disagreed on how to help Europe.
The US favored democracy.
The USSR favored communism.
o Western European countries,
including West Germany & West
Berlin, had democratic
governments.
o The communist countries,
including East Germany & East
Berlin, became the Eastern Bloc.
o The democratic countries,
including the US, became the
Western Bloc.
o The USSR instilled communist
governments in these countries.
o The USSR occupied several east
European countries after WWII.

7. o The leaders of the Western Bloc were
fearful that communism would spread.
o They wanted to contain, or prevent the
spread, of communism.
o Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred to the line
that divided the Western and Eastern Blocs as the Iron Curtain.
o Tensions increased between the US and
USSR.
o By the start of 1946, Stalin placed the Eastern Bloc under tight
restrictions.
o Citizens could no longer move or travel freely.
o Stalin did not want Soviet controlled
countries to have open contact with the
West and non-Soviet controlled
countries.

8. o The US used the policy of containment to prevent the spread of
communism.
o offer aid and troops to
countries that were in danger
of falling to communism
The US did: The US did NOT:
o fight communism where it
already existed
Both the US and USSR competed to
be the stronger country and expand
global influence.
e Race
Sputnik I
Arms
Race
US nuclear missile rising
from the ocean.
Proxy Wars
US troops in Vietnam.

9. o The US and USSR wanted to increase their stockpile of nuclear
weapons.
o They wanted to outdo the other.
However, neither country wanted to use its nuclear weapons.
o They knew a direct war with nuclear weapons could destroy the
earth.
o Both countries detonated nuclear weapons to show the other its
strength.
Instead, they fought each other
through proxy wars.

10. o The US and USSR battled each other indirectly.
o Each supported an opposing side involved in a war.
o They provided aid and troops.
o The US and USSR wanted to further their own agenda.
Korean War
o The US supported South
Korea, while the USSR
supported North Korea
and instilled a
communist government.
Vietnam War
o The US supported non-
communist South
Vietnam, while the USSR
supported communist

11. o Not only did the US and USSR compete with one another for the
most powerful nuclear weapons, they also competed for the best
space exploration and technology.
o The Space Race began in 1955.
o The Soviets put the first man-made satellite into
orbit in 1957.
Sputnik I was
launched on Oct. 4,
1957.
o The Soviets
put the first
man in space
in 1961.
Yuri Gagarin was the
first man in space on
April 12, 1961.
o The Americans landed the first man on the moon in
Neil Armstrong was
the first man on the
moon, landing on July
20, 1969.

12. o The Cold War came to an end on December, 24, 1991, when the
USSR dissolved.
o Its economy and government were struggling, and its people were
unhappy.
o 15 independent and separate countries emerged, with Russia
being the largest.
With the collapse of the USSR, the Cold War
came to an end.

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