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Changing Societies (Eastern Europe)
The challenges facing the Soviet Union and the Eastern European nations under its control were even more than those facing Western Europe. Joseph Stalin was determined to rebuild quickly, though. Under strict government controls, the country was producing goods at prewar levels by 1953. Nikita Khrushchev eventually became the leader of the Soviet Union and undertook an effort to “de-Stalinize” the Soviet Union. Khrushchev was still remained committed communist. -
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Changing Societies ( Western Europe)
Western Europe faced a challenging future after World War II. Western Europe seemed to be on the brink of chaos. Nevertheless, chaos did not come, thanks in large part to the Marshall Plan. W. Europe factories and farms were producing more than before. West Germany grew into a major economic power, and growth was strong in most other countries. Prosperity did not eliminate poverty, however. Western Europe struggled with new comers with the availability of new jobs attracting immigrants. -
The Postwar World (Yalta Conference)
In early 1945, the Allies were having difficulties agreeing on the plans for peace after the war. This disagreement was held at the Yalta Conference. The primary goal of the was to reach an agreement on what to do with postwar Europe. -
Potsdam Conference
In July 1945, Allied leaders met again, this time in the Germany city of Potsdam. The meeting had an ill will between the Soviet Union and the other Allies. The Allies discussed many issues concerning postwar Europe, but often had difficulty reaching agreement. -
The Relationship Worsens
The relationship between the Soviet Union and the Western nations continued to worsen after the war. Soon the U.S. and Soviet Union started showing tension and hostility, which became known as the Cold War. In February 1946 Stalin stated publicly that he believed war between the East and West was bound to happen in the future. -
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Cold War Confrontations (Crisis in Berlin)
The division of Germany and of Berlin was originally meant to be temporary. In 1947, however, Western leaders began planning for the creation of an independent German nation. In June 1948, the Soviets blocked off all land, rail, and water routes into West Berlin, hoping to force the West out of Germany. The West refused to give in. They organized the Berlin airlift, a massive effort to supply west berlin by air. -
Superpower Rivalries (The Arms Race Begins)
During the 1950s and early 1960s nuclear war seemed to draw ever closer as the Soviet Union and the United States raced to develop powerful new weapons. This rivalry between the world’s two superpowers became increasingly tense and dangerous. -
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Changing Societies (North America)
The postwar United States was a land of tremendous prosperity. At the same time, the country was undergoing rapid social change. During the 1950s, the booming U.S. economy helped raise the living standard of millions of Americans. So, too, did the so-called G.I. Bill of Rights. African Americans also made major advances to the society. -
Attempt at Arms Control
In 1955 President Eisenhower proposed a so-called open skies treaty with the Soviet Union. This agreement would allow each side to fly over the other’s territory and gather accurate information, Eisenhower argued, neither side would have to imagine the worst about their enemy. -
Changing Societies (Eastern Europe)
The changes in the Soviet Union after Stalin’s death led some in Eastern Europe to hope that the Soviets might end their domination of the region. The Soviets made it clear that the reforms were limited. Soviet troops put done revolts in Germany, Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Finally, during 1960s the Soviet economy was doing very well, but by the 1980s faced a crisis with central planning proved inefficient. Then Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union in 1985. -
Mikhail Gorbachev and After the Cold War
The fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Soviet-backed regimes in Eastern Europe showed the dramatic crumbling of Soviet power. Soon the Soviet Union itself was falling apart. Its 15 separate republics longed for their freedom before WWII. One after another stared declaring for freedom. In August 1991 hard-line Communist Party leaders sought to end Mikhail’s reforms and by taking the government over with a coup d’etat. Although it failed, Mikhail’s power was little to none.
