THE COLD WAR
YEAR 11 - UNIT 2
The Cold War would be remembered as a conflict that had the world on the edge of their seats, which would last for over four decades. Inspired from differing ideological beliefs, the Cold War would become the opportunity for the United States and Soviet Union to prove their superiority on the global stage.
The Cold War would be remembered as a conflict that had the world on the edge of their seats, which would last for over four decades. Inspired from differing ideological beliefs, the Cold War would become the opportunity for the United States and Soviet Union to prove their superiority on the global stage.
In Unit 2 students explore the nature and impact of the Cold War and challenges and changes to existing political, economic and social arrangements in the second half of the twentieth century. The establishment of the United Nations in 1945 was intended to take an internationalist approach to avoiding warfare, resolving political tensions and addressing threats to human life and safety. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 was the first global expression of human rights. Despite internationalist moves, the second half of the twentieth century was dominated by the competing ideologies of democracy and communism, setting the backdrop for the Cold War. The period also saw challenge and change to the established order in many countries. The continuation of moves towards decolonization led to independence movements in former colonies in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. New countries were created and independence was achieved through both military and diplomatic means. Old conflicts also continued and terrorism became increasingly global. The second half of the twentieth century also saw the rise of social movements that challenged existing values and traditions, such as the civil rights movement, feminism and environmental movements.
In Unit 2 students explore the nature and impact of the Cold War and challenges and changes to existing political, economic and social arrangements in the second half of the twentieth century. The establishment of the United Nations in 1945 was intended to take an internationalist approach to avoiding warfare, resolving political tensions and addressing threats to human life and safety. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 was the first global expression of human rights. Despite internationalist moves, the second half of the twentieth century was dominated by the competing ideologies of democracy and communism, setting the backdrop for the Cold War. The period also saw challenge and change to the established order in many countries. The continuation of moves towards decolonization led to independence movements in former colonies in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. New countries were created and independence was achieved through both military and diplomatic means. Old conflicts also continued and terrorism became increasingly global. The second half of the twentieth century also saw the rise of social movements that challenged existing values and traditions, such as the civil rights movement, feminism and environmental movements.
>> |
|
1945-49 |
|
PROLOGUE TO THE COLD WAR
World War II has ended, but a new tension has begun between the victorious superpowers, the USSR and USA. Post War discussions are underway, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin would lead the decision making, with the ultimate goal at preserving the peace for years to come., but indifference between ideologies would restrict this from happening. The Yalta Conference and Potsdam Conference would shortly follow the end of World War II, and would attempt to establish procedures moving into the future. Berlin Blockade would become the first escalation of events during the Cold War, followed by the formation of NATO in 1949. This timeline covers:
1945/ Yalta Conference - Death of Roosevelt - War in Europe Ends - Potsdam Conference - War in the Pacific Ends - The United Nations 1946/ Iron Curtain Speech - Stalin's Response 1947/ Truman Doctrine - Marshall Plan - Cominform 1948/ Czechoslovakia Coup - Berlin Blockade 1949/ Formation of NATO - End of the Blockade - USSR goes Nuclear - Chinese Revolution - German Democratic Republic Key Inquiry Questions:
/ What was the purpose of the post-war treaties? Did it achieve this? / How did the European Front of World War II end? / How did the Pacific Front of World War II end? / What inspired the formation of the United Nations? / How did the 'Iron Curtain' speech raise awareness of the Communist movement? / What was the purpose of both the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan? / What was Cominform? Who was involved? / What was achieved as result of the Czechoslovakia Coup? / How was the Berlin Blockade an important event and catalyst in the beginning of the Cold War? / What was the purpose of NATO? / Why was the fight for nuclear superiority of such high importance? / What was the Chinese Revolution? What did it result in? So USSR has entered the Atomic Arms Race, this created a stalemate between them and the US. Both nations having the ability to severely damage each other through nuclear war, and being proactive to the others attack. A victory to the US as result of the Berlin Blockade would assert their dominance leading into the beginning of the Cold War. The formation of NATO would signify a presence of countries whose aim was to slow and eventually stop communism.
|
|
>> |
|
1950-57 |
|
KOREAN WAR & BEYOND
With a full-scale war being a severe conclusion, both nations would find other ways of ‘fighting’ each other, such as ‘Proxy Wars’. These would mostly be civil wars, where the combatants would represent either Capitalism or Communism, and their corresponding superpower supporting them in their fight. The first example of this would be when Korea was occupied by the USSR and USA after World War II. Both the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan created further tension between the superpowers, the inevitability of the Cold War would come to fruition and would become inevitable by 1949. With negotiations and attempts to prevent the spread of Communism failing in the years preceding World War II, USA and USSR would fall into a 40 year conflict. Both superpowers had begun recruiting other nations to support their regimes, this would prove to be a powerful tool for the years to come. This timeline covers:
1950/ Sino-Soviet Pact - NSC68 - Korean War 1951/ Anzus Treaty 1952/ USSR Proposal for Germany 1953/ Dwight Eisenhower - Death of Stalin - East Germany Uprising - Nikita Krushchev 1954/ Western Force 1955/ Support for the Middle-East - West Germany joins NATO - Warsaw Pact - From Korea to Vietnam 1956/ De-Stalinization - Suez Crisis - Soviet's Aid Syria 1957/ Support for the Middle-East Pt. II - Space Race - Shooting Match Key Inquiry Questions:
/ Why was the Sino-Soviet Pact a notable event? / How did the Korean War begin? / What was the Anzus Treaty? What did it signify? / What was the USSR's proposal for Germany? / What was the uprising in East Germany in relation to? / What inspired the formation of SEATO? / What was planned for West Germany when they joined NATO? Why was this important? / What was the Warsaw Pact? What was its aim? / What was De-Stalinization? Who introduced it? / How did the Suez Crisis become resolved? / What were attempts made by NATO forces to assist the Middle-East? Why was this of such importance to them? / What was the Space Race an example of? / The Eisenhower Doctrine would be implemented in 1957, it would allow the USA to become involved in any Communist threats throughout the Middle East. This would not be a coincidence, with pressure in the Middle-East from Communism, these countries would rely on aide from the USA if they needed support. The Space Race had well and truly began, and both sides were adamant on proving to the world their supremacy. De-Stalinization would slowly remove the image that Stalin created throughout the Soviet Union. This era would signify the end of a proxy war, and slowly moving towards the beginning of another, and both superpowers recruiting other nations to join in their objective. The Space Race would open up a whole new opportunity for both the USSR and the USA, this would decide who would be the first to land on the moon, and claim bragging rights.
|
|
>> |
|
1958-63 |
|
ESCALATION OF CUBA & BERLIN
The Vietnam War has begun, with North Vietnam invading South Vietnam in an attempt to overthrow and implement a Communist rule. Cold War relations were problematic with incidents occurring across the world, and would continue to build tension between the superpowers. The USSR had experienced a great amount on confidence in recent times, and continued this in the years to come, including a bold request. This timeline covers:
1958/ Cold War Tension 1959/ Cuban Revolution - Problems in Iraq - Kitchen Debate - Project Mercury 1960/ France goes Nuclear - U2 Incident - Sino Soviet Split 1961/ Cuban Ties - John F. Kennedy - Bay of Pigs Invasion - Berlin Wall - Checkpoint Charlie 1962/ The Exchange - Cuban Missile Crisis 1963/ Hot Line - Ich Bin Ein Berliner - Partial Test Ban Treaty - Assassination of JFK - Lyndon B. Johnson Key Inquiry Questions:
/ Cold The Berlin Wall has been constructed, tensions would once again be tested between the East and West. Cuba would become an awkward scenario for all involved after the USSR were found to be constructing military bases only 90km from US soil. “Ich bin ein Berliner” would strengthen relations between Berlin and the US. JFK is assassinated, allowing for Johnson to take over the reins as President. Krushchev is replaced by Brezhnev for leader of the USSR. With the Cold War continuing to escalate, Vietnam, Cuba and Germany were the countries experiencing the standoff between the USA and USSR.
|
|
>> |
|
1964-69 |
|
VIETNAM WAR & BEYOND
Further incidents in Vietnam would lead the US to join the war on foreign land, and the war would have devastating costs to both sides. The difficulties facing soldiers fighting in Vietnam would unravel as the war progressed, and finally in 1969, President Nixon would push for US to remove all influence. The support for the Vietnam War back in the United States started to slow, and protests were becoming a nation-wide approach to show their distaste towards the war on foreign soil. This timeline covers:
1964/ Escalation of Vietnam War - Leonid Brezhnev - China goes Nuclear 1965/ America goes to War - Battle of Ia Drang 1966/ Mu Gia Pass 1967/ Outer Space Treaty - Exchange of Letters - ASEAN - Flexible Response 1968/ Prague Spring - Tet Offensive - My Lai Massacre - Prague Spring 2 - Vietnam War Protests - Brezhnev Doctrine 1969/ Richard Nixon - Man on the Moon - Death of Ho Chi Minh - Vietnamization This timeline covers:
1962/ The Exchange - Cuban Missile Crisis 1963/ Hot Line - Ich Bin Ein Berliner - Partial Test Ban Treaty - Assassination of JFK This era would end with Richard Nixon becoming President of US, with fanatic support across the US based on his aims for the Vietnam War, and removing US influence in the war efforts. A victory in the Space Race with Apollo 11 piloted by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, would help spark enthusiasm and patriotism throughout the US. This boost in morale assisted President Nixon, with his announcement of Vietnamization, the beginning of the withdrawal of US troops, and ultimately declaring a defeat in war.
|
|
>> |
|
1970-75 |
|
DETENTE PERIOD
The beginning of the ‘détente’, which would include establishing relations between East and West Berlin, as well as improving those between the USA and USSR. Vietnam War and the recent ‘Vietnamization’ of US troops would leave the South Vietnamese to fight the war alone. This timeline covers:
1970/ Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - Khmer Rouge - USSR & West Germany 1971/ Four Power Agreement - Resolution 2758 1972/ Nixon Goes to China - Strategic Arms Limitation - Summit Series - Farewell Gift to Vietnam - East & West Germany 1973/ Paris Peace Accords - Leaving Vietnam 1974/ Nixon to Ford - Relations with Brezhnev 1975/ Khmer Rouge 2 - Communist Victory - End of the Space Race - Helsinki Final Act This timeline covers:
1970/ Detente (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Four Power Agreement, USSR relations with West Germany, SALT I) 1971/ Death of Krushchev The end of this era would usher in an awkward time for both superpowers, even with relations becoming friendly, foreign regimes proved to be difficult in both Vietnam and Cambodia. Gerald Ford would replace Nixon after he resigned, and the final blow in Vietnam would damage morale back on US soil, Vietnam War would become the first war they had lost.
|
|
>> |
|
1976-84 |
|
THE SOVIET SITUATION
We once again witness another communist regime taking power in a foreign land, but also the death of a powerful communist leader. US and USSR leaders would change throughout this time, and implement strategies to move forward. Olympics were an opportunity for countries to show their distaste towards others, displayed on the world stage. This timeline covers:
1976/ Socialist Republic of Vietnam - Death of Mao Zedong 1977/ Jimmy Carter - End of SEATO 1978/ Vietnam Veterans - War in Afghanistan 1979/ Khmer Rouge 3 - Strategic Arms Limitation 2 - Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan 1980/ The Soviet Spotlight 1981/ Ronald Reagan - Poland Problems 1982/ Caribbean Basin Initiative - Death of Brezhnev - Yuri Andropov 1983/ Reagan's Star Wars - Poland Resolution - Korean Flight 007 - Averting Nuclear War 1984/ Death of Andropov - Konstantin Chernenko - The Spotlight Moves - Sound Check Key Inquiry Questions:
/ Jim This era would re-establish the firm power of the US, and the recent overthrows of governments by the communists would help create this. Boycotting would once again prove the strengths of both sides, and Reagan would shed light on the errors in the Soviet Union’s methods. The deaths of three leaders within 3 years would convince the Soviet Union to find a long term leader.
|
|
>> |
|
1985-91 |
|
THIS IS THE END
As the Soviet Union suffered the deaths of previous leaders due to their older ages, they would look upon a younger face to take them forward. Gorbachev would eventually implement policies such as ‘Perestroika’ and ‘Glasnost’, these would assist in what would not only become the end of the Cold War, but the Soviet Union combined. This timeline covers:
1985/ Death of Chernenko - Mikhail Gorbachev - Geneva Summit 1986/ Chernobyl - Relations with Gorbachev (Geneva and Reykjavic Summit) 1987/ Tear Down this Wall - Gorbachev's Policies (Glasnost & Perestroika) - Tear Down this Wall 1988/ Soviet's Withdraw from Afghanistan - More Relations with Gorbachev (Washington and Moscow) - George W. Bush 1989/ Soviet's Withdrawal from Hungary - Protests in China (Tuananmen Square) - Tadeusz Mazowiecki - Fall of the Berlin Wall - Era of Peace (Malta Summit) 1990/ Soviet's Withdrawal from Czechoslovakia - Boris Yeltsin - End of the Cold War (Latvia and Lithuania, Washington Summit, NATO LONDON SUMMIT, Joint Condemnation of Iraq invading Kuwait, German Unification as Federal Republic of Germany, Gorbachev Nobel Peace Prize) 1991/ Soviet Extremists (SEIZE BUILDINGS IN LITHUANIA AND LATVIA, condemned by Bush and Gorbachev) - Warsaw Pact Dissolved - Operation Desert Storm (UN remove Iraq forces from Kuwait) - Russian Federation - Looking Forward (START I Treaty, - End of the USSR (COMM COUP, INDEPENDENCE OF GEORGIA, ESTONIA, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, UKRAINE AND BYELORUSSIA (WHICH APPLY AT UN), Soviet's Withdrawal of Cuba, AND HAMMER AND SICKLE LOWERED OVER KREMLIN) TKey Inquiry Questions:
1985/ Death of Chernenko - Mikhail Gorbachev - Geneva Summit 1986/ Chernobyl - Relations with Gorbachev (Geneva and Reykjavic Summit) As the Hammer and Sickle were lowered over the Kremlin on Christmas Day, 1991, it would signify the end of a war that would cover four decades. The Russian Federation (which it is still known as today) would take the reigns as leaders of their nation and instantly implement reforms such as privatization and free trade. The Russian population would take some time adjusting to these new reforms, with the country suffering in the early years of the new political system.
|
|
