The Cold War Begins US Policy in Europe, 1945-55

The Cold War Begins

US Policy in Europe, 1945-55US Policy in Europe, 1945-55

Truman Doctrine (1947)

Spark: Greek civil war

US would assist Greece and Turkey

Containment

Start of Cold War

Critical Thinking

Why did Truman focus on economic measures over military?

Containment Policy

George F. Kennan: American Diplomat “Long Telegram”

Let Soviet Union defeat itself (or mellow)

Basis of Truman Doctrine

Marshall Plan (1947)

George Marshall, Secretary of State

European Recovery Program US gives aid to Europe to help stave off

appeal of communism Even offered to Soviet bloc countries if

they would make political reforms

US spent about $13 billion

Kennan on Containment

1. US must keep communism where it isa. Don’t remove it by forceb. But don’t let it spread!

2. US must remain united; demonstrate resolve

3. Western Allies must stay united

Berlin Airlift (1948)

Soviets decide to cut off access to Berlin by land

Truman orders airlift to Berlin; lasts over a year At height of airlift, one plane lands

every minute

Soviets end blockade in May, 1949

The New Germanys (1949) US, British and

French areas become Federal Republic of Germany (BRD)

Soviet area becomes German Democratic Republic (DDR)

NATO (1949)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Collective security

West Germany joins in 1955

Warsaw Pact (1955)

Soviet answer to NATO Soviet Union Poland East Germany Bulgaria Hungary Romania Albania

Critical Thinking

Do you think it would be possible to countries in Europe to resist taking sides in the Cold War?