The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991. It involved periods of rivalry, conflicts through proxy wars, and efforts at diplomacy. Key events included the division of Germany and Berlin after WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, and decolonization movements supported by both superpowers to weaken European colonial powers. While never directly fighting each other, the US and USSR engaged in an arms race, ideological battles, and conflicts by backing opposing sides in regional wars throughout the world.

1. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

2. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
Cold War (1947-1991)
• Long period of rivalry
between USA and USSR
and their allies
• Several wars, but no direct
confrontation between
both superpowers

3. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
The end of the Alliance
• USA, Britain and USSR defeated
the Axis
• However, their alliance started to
crumble shortly, even before
defeating Hitler, differences
between them showed up
• By 1947, the Cold War had
started

4. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

5. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

6. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
The Cold war was fought
in different fronts
• Political  Democracy/Soviet
dictatorship (although Franco
was supported by the USA)
• Economic 
Capitalism/Centralized Soviet
economy
• Propaganda Two ways of life

7. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

8. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
The Cold war ended
with the collapse of
the USSR
• Inefficient economic
system
• Lack of freedoms

9. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

10. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

13.  Countries that sided with the US:
 France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain…
 CalledWestern countries
 Countries that sided with the USSR:
 Soviet Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria
 Yugoslavia and Albania
 Easter countries

14. BLOC IDEOLOGY ECONOMY ALLIANCES
AMERICAN
• Capitalism
• Liberal
democracies
• Marshall Plan
• OCDE
• Rearmament
• NATO
• SOVIET
• Socialism
• Controlled by
Communist
Party
• Planned
economy
(GOSPLAN).
• COMECON
• Rearmament.
• Warsaw Pact.

15. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

17. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

18.  The definitive division was
in 1947.
 TheTruman Doctrine 
Condemned the regimes in
Soviet-occupied countries
and proposed the
intervention of the US to
stop Soviet expansión.
 Any other communist
aggresion will be
contained by the US
 First interventions: Greece
andTurkey.

19. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

20.  The US:
 Created an economic plan (Marshall Plan) to
support Western European countries in post-war
reconstruction (except for Spain).
 They increased the number of military bases in
Western Europe.

21.  The world divided into two
blocs
 «Marshall Plan» 1947
 Economic aid to Europe
 Less poverty, less attraction
on Communism
 Recover European economy

23. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
Spain was excluded
because of Franco’s
Dictatorship

24.  I couldnt resist …
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZDqwX39w
bg
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuY93g2vJaY
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RkQjCXu7U
Y
 And the end:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34GNAEsClVI

25.  In 1949 The US and its allies formed a
military alliance called the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Mr. Dean Acheson (US Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATOTreaty

26.  The USSR:
 Developed the Zhdanov
Doctrine: denounced the
control of Europe by US;
offered to help countries
that didn’t want to side US.

27.  The Soviet Union and its allies formed their
own military alliance: theWarsaw Pact
(1955).
 Members:
 USSR
 Poland
 Romania
 Bulgaria
 Czecoslovakia
 Hungary
 Albania
 RDA (DRG)

30.  Germany and Berlin:
four occupation zones
(UK, US, Fr. & USSR).
 Cold war caused the
division of Germany and
Berlin
 FRG (Western
Germany) DRG
(Eastern Germany)
 Western Berlin
isolated within DRG

31. BERLÍN

32. BERLÍNBLOCKADE(24June1948–12May1949)
 In 1948, the countries of the
Western Bloc merged their
sectors.
 In response, the USSR closed off
its sector of Berlín, closing its
borders and isolating the
population from the Western
Berlin.
 The USA organised the Berlin
Airlift to bring supplies to West
Berlin.

33.  In 1961, the Soviets built a thick wall
to separate East andWest Berlín.
 1951-1958: More than 2 million left
GDR (Communist Germany), lots
of them through Berlin
 In 1961, the Soviets built a thick
wall to separate East andWest
Berlín.
 West Berlin got completely
isolated
 Symbol of the ColdWar
 http://educacion.practicopedia.lain
formacion.com/geografia-e-
historia/como-cayo-el-muro-de-
berlin-12178

34.  En mi lista de películas se me ha olvidado la
más divertida (¡Uno, dos, tres… BillyWilder!)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZCOyP
mYWMc
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpswUCi
HYyk
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIlRh6IH3
aU
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlvisNl_I
zE

36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7YE-N448fg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZvP5BxqZsw

39.  The rivalry between US and the USSR was a
period of tension between the two superpowers,
that NEVER led to war.
 There were several armed conflicts, far from
América and Soviet soil. The superpowers used
their allies when there was cause for
confrontation.

41. THE KOREAN WAR
 After theWWII, Korea got divided into two
countries (1949), divided by the parallel 38º
N.
 In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea.
 North Korea was supported by USSR and
China.
 The US (backed by the UN) defended South
Korea.
 The KoreanWar lasted 3 years.

43.  It finished in 1953, the Korean Armistice was
signed.
 Korea continued divided into two countries:
North and South Korea.

45.  In 1954, the communist coalition
Viet Minh declared Vietnam
independent from French
Indochina.
 A war began between the
communist guerrilla force
(backed by the Soviets) and the
French (backed by the US).
 Vietnam was divided into 2
territories:
 NorthVietnam, communist
 South Vietnam, US and anti-
communist allies.
Ho Chi Minh,
communist
president of North
Vietnam

46.  A la guerra contra la invasión francesa sucedió
la guerra contra la invasión de los Estados Unidos.
 Murieron más de cinco millones de vietnamitas y
tres millones de personas padecieron los efectos del
napalm agente naranja, un potente defoliante que
tenía como objetivo arrasar por completo la jungla
del país para aislar a los guerrilleros vietnamitas.
Durante la guerra Estados Unidos lanzó más de siete
millones de toneladas de bombas y 100.000
toneladas de sustancias químicas tóxicas, más
bombas que las arrojadas durante toda laSegunda
Guerra Mundial.

47.  A second war (The Vietnam
War) began.
 The United States provided
military support to South
Vietnam to avoid reunification
under communist rule.
 The war began in 1964 and
finished in 1973, when the
United States, withdrew its
troops.TheWar continued.
 In 1975, the North Vietnamese
Army occupied South Vietnam
and the newly unified country
came under communist
control.
Indochina, from 1954-56

48.  SouthVietnam was backed by United States.
 NorthVietnam army, was supported by the
Viet Cong (communist guerrilla led by Ho Chi
Ming), China and above all the Soviet Union.

49.  Between 1 million and 5
millionVietnamese
people died.
 More than 3 million
people suffered the
effects of napalm.
 The United States had
almost 60.000 dead
soldiers and more than
1700 disappears. Mujer vendada con una
etiqueta pegada a su brazo
que dice "VNC Female" que
significa civil vietnamita

51. ¿Por qué perdió la guerra
EE. UU.?
 El presidente Johnson arrastró a Vietnam del Sur
(partidarios de la reunificación) a la guerra para evitar el
comunismo.
 Estados Unidos no comprendió del todo el tipo de
guerra y el tipo de pueblo contra quien luchaba.
 Así aquel atacaba donde su enemigo podía encajar
mejor los golpes, en las bajas humanas, mientras se
desgastaba un poco más cada vez.
 Los militares estadounidenses se comportaban como
en cualquier guerra convencional, donde lo importante
son los datos del potencial enemigo, en lugar de una
guerra de guerrillas, donde lo vital es separar a los
guerrilleros del apoyo popular.

53.  La zona desmilitarizada que establecieron fue un
foco de infiltración comunista y de apoyo a la
guerrilla.
 El Triángulo de Hierro, una zona a 50 km de Saigón
repleta de túneles llenos de guerrilleros y soldados
del EVN, nunca fue conocida del todo ni
desmantelada.
 La jungla fue mortal para los soldados
estadounidenses.
 La opinión pública estadounidense se posicionó
contra la guerra.
 Laboriosidad sin desesperanza lo dieron los
habitantes de Vietnam del Norte tras los
bombardeos de napalm, fósforo blanco, minas
antipersona…

54. En los túneles grandes contingentes vietnamitas podían vivir y pelear. Muchos de ellos,
como este de Cu Chi transformado en museo y fotografiado en 1997, forman parte de la
industria turística vietnamita

55.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqtehtS
B0LI
http://www.taringa.net/posts/imagenes/18030279/50-anos-de-la-guerra-de-Vietnam-
Imagenes.html

56. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

58.  In 1959, Castro’s revolution succeded , they
expelled Fulgencio Batista (dictator
supported by US) and a communist regime
began in Cuba.

59.  Castro's government began a program of
nationalization and political consolidation that
transformed Cuba's economy and civil society
(75% of Cuba's best arable land was owned by
foreign individuals or foreign, mostly American,
companies at the time of the revolution).
 US began an embargo of Cuba, freezing all the
commercial relationships (up to this year!!!).
 Cuba accepted USSR economic support.

60. ASSAULT ON THE BAY OF PIGS
(BAHÍA COCHINOS)
 In 1961, the U.S. government backed an
armed assault on the Bay of Pigs with the aim of
ousting Castro. Fail attempt of invading Cuba.
 They counterrevolutionaries were defeated by the
Cuban military forces.

61. MISSILE CRISIS
 In 1962, in response to the failed Bay of Pigs
invasion, and the presence of Amerian missiles in
Italy andTurkey against the USSR.
 The Soviets placed nuclear missiles in Cuba,
threatening North American cities.
 After a tense 13-day stand-off , the Soviets
dismantled their missile bases  the US ended
the military blockade.
 Nikita Khrushchev was the Soviet president.
 John F. Kennedy was the US president.

62. Fidel Castro embracing Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, 1961

63. President Kennedy and Secretary of Defense McNamara
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_F_
Kennedy_Address_on_the_Buildup_of_Ar
ms_in_Cuba.ogg

65. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

68.  Period of relative peace
 At the end of the 51950s.
 Khrushchev and Kennery were
more tolerant and willing to
negotiate.
 Although conflicts continued.
 Both governments could
communicate via the “red
telephone”, a hotline that
connected theWhite House to
the Kremlin.
Kennedy and Khrushchev inVienna.
1961

69. At the first glimpse we see the clear contrast between the looks of the First Ladies. Jackie is
fashionable and sophisticated and Nina is provincial and shapeless. But mindful view
understands that the visible differences in appearance of two ladies are just that…
appearances.

70. Measures during peaceful
coexistence
 StrategicArms LimitationTalks  end to the
arms race.
 The United States opened dialogue with
communist China.
 The two Germanis recognised each other
officially.

71. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
The end of the Chinese-Soviet
Alliance, 1962
• Both communist powers
broke relations
• A long enemity started
• Ideological and strategic
differences
• Great news for the US and the
western bloc

72. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
Mao and Khruschev, the end of the friendship

73. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
The Détente, 1962-1975
• After being on the brink of
starting a war in Cuba, both
superpowers looked for a
détente
• Nuclear Non Proliferation
Treaty, 1968
• SALT I (Strategic Arms
Limitation Agreement), 1972

74. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
Nixon and Brezhnev after singing SALT I

75. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
The Détente, 1962-1975
• However, local wars continued
in which the USA and the USSR
intervened
• Middle East conflict (Israel with
USA support, Arab countries
with USSR’s)
• Vietnam war (Military
intervention of the USA)

76. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
Middle East conflict
• 1948, creation of Israel
• «Six DaysWar» 1967
• «Yom KippurWar» 1973
• Israel, backed up by USA, became
the most important country in the
area
• Israel occupied Palestinian
territories and a section of Syria

77. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

78. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

79. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

80. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

81. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

82. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

83. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)

84. THE COLD WAR (1947-1991)
Six Days War

87.  Process in which the old
colonies became
independent after theWWII.
 Some signed agreements
(i.e.Tunisia).
 Some after revolutions or
wars (i.e. Algeria)

88. CAUSES
 Desire for independence and get rid of
tyrannical governments.
 Nationalist movements.
 Decreased prestige of colonisers afterWWII.
 The UN defends the rights of people and
groups to have their own territory.
 Soviet and American support of decolonisation
 to weaken the old European powers.

90. THE DECOLONISATION PROCESS
 First phase  the Near East and Asia.
 Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, India and Indonesia.
 Second phase (1951-1962) North Africa
 Libia, Morocco,Tunisia and Algeria.
 South Africa (1961).
 Third phase
 Sub-Saharan Africa: Kenya, Nigeria, Guinea,
Mauritania, Congo.
 Fourth phase
 Southern Africa: Angola, Mozambique and Namibia.

92.  Neo-colonialism  economic dependence, but
political independence.
 Conference of Bandung ==>
 1955. Former colonies met.
 They wanted to promote economic independence and
end poverty.
 All countries  sovereign and equal.
 Rejected international intervention in internal affairs.

95.  Creation of a new group  the Non-Aligned
Movement
 Those countries who didn’t want to be an US
or an USSR satellite.

98.  The USSR was the second most powerful
country in the world. However:
 It had serious economic problems
 Its technology was antiquated.
 Very low living standards.
 Some revolutionary movements in Eastern
European countries.

100. GORBACHEV’S REFORMS
 Gorbachov began in 1985 the
perestroika.
 Perestroika  Several reforms to
revive the economy and increase
the production of consumer good.
Including some increase of
freedoms.
 He promoted glasnost
(transparency)  stopped
censorship and allowed more
political parties.
 Dialogue with US.

105.  In 1990, BorisYeltsin was elected in the first
free elections.
 The USSR got dissolved in 1991.
 AndYeltsin suppressed the communist
regime, dissolving the CPSU (PCUS).
 They recognised the independence of
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and
Belarus.
 The USSR was divided into 15 independent
republics.

110.  The communist regimes in the world
disappeared.
 The communist only maintained power in
Cuba, North Korea,Vietnam and China.

113. Uno de los más famosos
besos de la Historia es el
que tuvo lugar entre los
líderes
comunistas ErichHonec
ker, de la RDA,
y Leónidas Breznev, de
la URSS, en 1979. Pese a
la polémica y el ridículo
que desató en
Occidente, era
realmente un signo
común de solidaridad
socialista, muy usado
desde tiempos
de Jruschov.