Conflicts: Poland, Germany (Berlin), Greece/Turkey, Korea
Germany: occupied by USA, GB, France & Russia
Russia prevented Germany from recovery in its sphere of influence
Russia feared German reunification (could not trust a united Germany)
Churchill “iron curtain” = lines drawn, divided Europe, maybe Stalin saw (or wished for) a capitalist collapse in Western Europe
Truman Doctrine
Greece was leaning toward communism, GB influenced and made possible free elections
Russian (soviet) intervention had done the opposite in Poland
1947: GB hands the reigns of western imperialism to the US, no longer can GB control/influence events in the west
GB leaves Greece & Turkey, no longer able to provide military & economic assistance
This new role reversed the return to isolationism the US citizens wanted after the war
Containment is the policy
Marshall Plan
Offered economic aid to European nations, come together & plan jointly economic recovery
A non-military, unassertive form of containment
Russia is invited to participate, but refused – saw the plan as American Imperialism, using dollars to buy its way into European affairs
Russia came up with its own plan for the east
Berlin
Remembering the lessons of WWI, victors wanted German economic recovery
1948, introduced economic plans w/o Russian agreement
this cut Germany into two distinct sections (east / west)
East Germany is on the other side of the “Iron Curtain”
Each side had its own currency
Berlin (east) split into two sections w/ two currencies as well
Soviets stop traffic in/out of Berlin
The west flew in supplies (airlift) – food, medicine, fuel – 1000 aircraft a day
Stop us by force!
Lasted over a year
Korea
1945, Korea had been divided
industrial north – Russia / agricultural south – USA (38th parallel)
United Nations recognized the government of the south
North had its own government & invaded south Korea in 1950
Truman sent US forces to fight *acting on behalf of the UN
General MacArthur led a remarkable attack/strategy, but wanted to move all the way into China
China warned the US (UN)
After a few months the north Koreans were being overthrown, but as they neared Manchuria, China intervened and drove the UN forces back
MacArthur was removed / he spoke against Truman
Nuclear Weapons??? Used???
China could not defeat the UN forces – only support the North
54,000 US soldiers killed
1950, military budget was 1/3 of the US budget
