7+The+Cold+War

Causes-
 * The Soviet Union wanted to spread its ideology of communism worldwide, which alarmed the Americans who wanted democracy.
 * The acquisition of atomic weapons by America caused fear in the Soviets.
 * Both countries feared an attack from each other.
 * The Soviet Union’s action of taking control over Eastern Europe was a major factor for US suspicions.
 * The US President had a personal dislike of the Soviet leader Josef Stalin.
 * America was annoyed by the Soviet Union’s actions in the part of Germany it had occupied.
 * The Soviets feared that America would use Western Europe as a base to attack it.

Major Players- Nikita Khrushchev Joseph Stalin John F. Kennedy Richard M. Nixon Mikhail Gorbachev Fidel Castro Ruz Vladimir Lenin Russia USA Great Britain France China

Major Events- 1917- Communist Revolution in Russia. 1945- End of World War II

1945- German Splits

1949- Communist control China

1949- Soviets Test nuclear Technology

1954- Communist invade Vietnam

1955- Austrian State treaty

1957- Sputnik Satellite launched

End Of War-Throughout the 1980s, the Soviet Union fought a war in Afghanistan. At the same time, the Soviet economy faced the continuously escalating costs of the arms race. Frustration at home grew while the poor economy faltered under the burden of the war. Attempted reforms at home left the Soviet Union unwilling to keep its control in Eastern Europe. During 1989 and 1990, the Berlin Wall came down, borders opened, and free elections ousted Communist regimes everywhere in eastern Europe. In late 1991 the Soviet Union itself dissolved and was ended. With stunning speed, the Iron Curtain was lifted and the Cold War came to an end.

Outcome- Most of the countries in Europe that were controlled by the Soviets now have democratically-elected governments. Millions died in the wars fought in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. Untold wealth, which could have been put toward any number of social or humanitarian needs, was expended on military manpower and sophisticated weaponry. After the war, the U.S. budget for national security increased dramatically. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which was established in Western Europe, grew in power as well.

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