From World War to Cold War

 

As the allies celebrated victory, the costs of war began to come clear. The war killed as many as 75 million people. The soviet union had the most casualties, with more than 22 million dead. Cities were in ruins. Survivors faced hunger and disease. To keep the peace, 50 countries set up the United Nations (UN). The UN aimed to stop war, guard rights, and improve health and education.

After World War II, the United States and Soviet Union created the strongest military forces on earth. Many Eastern European countries and part of Germany came under Soviet domination. The Soviet leader Stalin wanted to spread communism and create a buffer zone to prevent attacks from the west. The United States and other democratic countries opposed Stalin's plan. Tensions between the two powers led to the Cold War, a state of conflict without armed battle. The "iron curtain" that separated Eastern Europe and free nations in the west became a symbol of the cold war.

The united States took steps to stop the spread of Communism. In 1949, the free nations of the west set up the north Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). To counter NATO, the soviet Union formed the Warsaw Pact, joining the Soviet Union and its satellite nations in Eastern Europe.

 

Cold War Efforts to Halt Communism

 

Truman Doctrine 1947

*U.S. programs to stop the spread of communism.

*Formed by U.S. President Harry Truman

*Offered to poor nations likely to fall to communism

*States that the U.S. would give military and economic aid to any country fighting communism.

*Aid given to Greece and Turkey.

 

Marshall Plan 1947

*Gave U.S. financial aid to rebuild Europe.

*Named after U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshallo

*Gave over $17 billion in aid, including food, machinery, and raw materials.

*Welcomed by all nations of Europe except the Soviet Union and its communist allies.

 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (1949)

*Joined the united States, Canada, Britain, France, Italy, and six smaller nations in a military alliance.

*Formed to stop communist takeovers in Europe.

*Maintained troops, military equipment, weapons.

*Considered an attack against one member an attack against all.

 

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