The Cold War Era and a New Western World, 1945-1965
"It's quite clear- it's got to look democratic, but we must have everything in our control."
- Walter Ulbricht
"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind."
- John F. Kennedy
"It's quite clear- it's got to look democratic, but we must have everything in our control."
- Walter Ulbricht
"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind."
- John F. Kennedy
CHAPTER 28: THE COLD WAR ERA AND A NEW WESTERN WORLD, 1945-1965
The years that followed World War II were the start of a new world conflict between the Communist East and Democratic West. The Cold War, which lasted from 1945 to 1991, is perhaps one of the most defining events of the 20th century. With the Nazi and Fascist forces defeated in Europe and Japan's unconditional surrender, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two strongest super powers, and the conflict between these nations would drag them- and much of the world along with them- into various conflicts. Western powers realized they could no longer sustain empires any more, and as a result, this period is also known for mass decolonization: African nations, much of Asia and the Pacific Islands, and India would finally gain independence from European nations- often resulting in political and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union went through various phases of power after the death of Stalin, and with each successor, the Soviet Union showed its shifting principles while also forcefully maintaining power in its Eastern European buffer zone against the West. As Europe healed from its old wounds and dealt with new ones, its society faced shifting economies and social values as Europe left its old traditions even further behind.
The years that followed World War II were the start of a new world conflict between the Communist East and Democratic West. The Cold War, which lasted from 1945 to 1991, is perhaps one of the most defining events of the 20th century. With the Nazi and Fascist forces defeated in Europe and Japan's unconditional surrender, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two strongest super powers, and the conflict between these nations would drag them- and much of the world along with them- into various conflicts. Western powers realized they could no longer sustain empires any more, and as a result, this period is also known for mass decolonization: African nations, much of Asia and the Pacific Islands, and India would finally gain independence from European nations- often resulting in political and economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union went through various phases of power after the death of Stalin, and with each successor, the Soviet Union showed its shifting principles while also forcefully maintaining power in its Eastern European buffer zone against the West. As Europe healed from its old wounds and dealt with new ones, its society faced shifting economies and social values as Europe left its old traditions even further behind.
Click below for the Chapter 28 Lecture Slides from the Spielvogel book
ch_28_spielvogel_slides.pptx | |
File Size: | 10683 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Click below to download the IDs for Ch 28
ch_28_identifications.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Click below to download the Reading Packet for Chapters 28 and 29 (combined)
ch_28_and_29_reading_packet.pdf | |
File Size: | 2522 kb |
File Type: |
Chapter 28 - RCQ
ch28_reading_guide_rcq.docx | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Click below for the materials from Chapter 21 in Kagan's The Western Heritage
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The Wall: A World Divided is a great documentary on the building of the Berlin Wall. Click link below or watch the embedded video.
https://vimeo.com/110165265
https://vimeo.com/110165265