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Truman Doctrine
In the Truman Doctrine, president Truman got the U.S. to send $400 million to Greece and Turkey. They did this because these two countries had bad economies and were in danger of turning to Communism. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of economic because the U.S. was giving these countries financial aid. This was a very important step in the Cold War because it shows that America did not want Communism to spread. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was created by George Marshall and its purpose was to help Europe rebuild after WWII. However countries in eastern Europe refused this money because they were Communist and didn't want to be in debt to America or feel like they had to become Capitalist. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of political because these countries didn't agree with America's form of government. This furthered the war because it shows that Communist countries were against capitalism and didn't want it. -
Art in East and West Germany during the Cold War
Cold War art in East and West Germany often relates to their Communist & Democratic forms of government. Additionally art in both also brought back prewar traditions. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme artistic because many Germans during this time expressed how they felt about the country through their art. This furthered the Cold War because a lot of this art shows how East Germans felt upset about the government. The picture is "To the Victims of Fascism (Second Version)" by Hans Grundig. -
Creation of Comecon
In response to the Marshall Plan, the USSR created Comecon, which was an organization that provided Communist nations with money. They did this so these countries wouldn't take money from the U.S. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of economic because the USSR is giving these countries money to help them out. Although they did this to keep those countries communist, the USSR is still providing them with money. This showed that the USSR wanted to keep Capitalism out of these countries. -
TV becomes a massive form of media
During the Cold War in the 1950's Television became a more popular form of media. Before this, most people got their information about the world from radio and print sources like newspapers. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of intellectual because it shows how the newer technology of TV began to become more used in the world. This furthered the Cold War because TV brought a lot of news coverage about the war and programs that reflected current society. -
Korean War
The Korean War was caused by North Korea crossing the 38th Parallel, which was the border between North and South Korea. Communist Russia and China entered the war on North Korea's behalf, and the U.S. and UN forces aided South Korea. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of geographic and both Koreas are located on a divided peninsula, and after the war they still remained divided. This impacted the Cold War because it allowed the U.S. and USSR to fight each other with other countries. -
Cold War Propaganda in America
During the Cold War, the American government produced propaganda to make people believe they lived in the best society and to make them afraid of Communism. This caused fear and hysteria towards Communism and nuclear war. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of cultural because it changed many beliefs and views in American society, some of which are still present in some form today. This furthered the Cold War because it gave Americans reasons to hate and be afraid of Communism. -
Fidel Castro overthrows the Cuban Government
Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government and created a Communist regime. This was supported by the USSR. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of political because Cuba's new political system was supported by USSR and disliked by the U.S. This furthered the Cold War because it led U.S. to take military action against this regime with the Bay of Pigs Invasion in which the U.S. trained 1,000 Cuban exiled and attempted to overthrow the regime with them. The picture is of Fidel Castro. -
Khrushchev's Anti-Relgious Campaign
In 1959, Nikita Khrushchev began a campaign against the Russian Orthodox Church. He forced around 12,000 churches to close. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of religious because a leader is trying to get rid of a religion and the beliefs of the people of that religion, yet the people of the church still held onto their beliefs. It impacted the cold war by contributing to internal issues in the USSR. The picture is of the Church Cathedral of St. Basil in Moscow. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
In 1962, Soviet Russia sent nuclear missiles to Cuba, where they could easily be launched at the eastern U.S. The U.S. blockaded Cuba and president John F. Kennedy demanded the missiles to be removed, and Nikita Kruschev removed them. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of psychological because these people’s countries had come to close to nuclear war and it caused people to become afraid. This furthered the Cold War by creating more fear within these countries of nuclear war. -
1st Man on the Moon
As a part of the space race, America got a man on the moon before the USSR did. President John F. Kennedy promised to get a man on the moon before the 1960's, and they did. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of social because this as a historical and monumental event by society. This furthered the Cold War because it was seen as a huge victory for America. -
1972 Olympic Basketball Game
The U.S. lost to the USSR 51-50 in a basketball game in 1972 at the Olympics. The U.S. had not lost a basketball game since 1936. This outcome resulted in controversy and the U.S. did not believe it was fair and refused the silver medal. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of cultural because losing to the USSR like this might have cased more Americans to hate the USSR if they saw their victory as unfair, too. This furthered the Cold War because it upset the U.S. -
1980 U.S. Hockey Win
In 1980 at Lake Placid, NY, the U.S. hockey team beat the Soviets. This was surprising because the Soviet team was seen as nearly unbeatable, and the U.S.'s team was made up of all college players. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of social because this win was celebrated and seen as a great victory against the Soviets. This furthered the Cold War because there was a lot of competition in sports between the two countries, so the U.S. was very happy to beat them. -
Interview with my Dad about the Cold War
I chose to do an interview with my dad who is 47 years old about the Cold War because he alive for a good part of it and I felt like he'd give good insight. We talked about how news created fear and how he didn't think anything bad would actually happen. We also talked about how because he grew up in Las Vegas, where they were still testing nuclear bombs in the desert when he was really young, there was fear of a test going wrong. Overall, I enjoyed the interview and learned a lot. -
Current Event: Tensions between North Korea and America
A current event that relates to the Cold War is the current tensions between North Korea and America. This is because the situation is reminiscent of the Korean War because America was on the side against North Korea, who had started the war because they wanted to expand their territory into South Korea. This might explain part of why North Korea is upset with America. North Korea is also threatening the U.S. with nuclear weapons, which the Soviets did to the U.S. during the Cold War.
