[TMJC] Theme I The Development of the Cold War ORIGINS

TMJC History / Updated Jan 2021. For Internal Circulation only 1 Lecture 1.1: Introduction At a glance: Content page Page 1. Key definitions of Cold War 2 2. Characteristics of Cold War 2-4 3. Historical interpretations of the roots of the Cold War 5-7 4. List of Key Players at this period 8-9 5. Roots of US-Soviet Mistrust: US-Soviet Relations 1917 – 1941 9-12 6. Conclusion 12-13 7. Check point questions for self-review 13 Cold War Imperialism and Fears1 1 Roberts, Priscilla, The Cold War, 2001

TMJC History / Updated Jan 2021. For Internal Circulation only 2 1. Key definitions Cold War (1945-1991) ▪ The term was first used in 20th century by British author George Orwell in 1945. It was then popularized by an American journalist Walter Lippman who defined the Cold War as being a hostile, acrimonious relationship in all areas through threat, pressure, propaganda and espionage in political and economic fronts, short of a direct conflict. ▪ During 1945 – 1991, the world was embroiled in a state of political, ideological, strategic and military rivalry between the ‘capitalist’ western bloc, led by the USA against the ‘communist’ eastern bloc, led by the USSR, which never erupted into an armed conflict or ‘hot war’. Communist China would later play an increasingly important role. Many 3rd world countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa soon was involved. ▪ As such, most historians agree that ‘Cold War’ dominated international relations in the 20th century. 2. Characteristics of the Cold War a. Bipolarity: Division of the world into 2 opposing blocs ▪ The end of the Second World War did not signal a return to normality; on the contrary, it resulted in a new conflict. The major European powers that had been at the forefront of the international stage in the 1930s were left exhausted and ruined by the war, setting the scene for the emergence of two new global superpowers. Two blocs developed around the Soviet Union and the United States , with other countries being forced to choose between the two camps. ▪ The division of Europe began in the fading days of WWII. Much of Eastern Europe was occupied by the Soviet Red Army after ‘liberated’ from German control. This led to the rise of socialist / communist governments who chose or were forced to align themselves with the Soviet Union. These were known as the Eastern European satellite states who took on a more totalitarian form of government. Western Europe was dominated by an American-led alliance and these countries favoured a liberal democratic political model and supported capitalism. Germany and its capital, Berlin itself was divided into West and East Germany. ▪ Outside of Europe, the Cold War also led to the division of Korea and Vietnam. Together with divided Germany, these places became