THE COLD W 22AR 2 Disagreements after World War II
● The Soviet Union took over control of countries in Eastern Europe, such as Poland and Hungary, to create a buffer (or defensive) zone with the West.
● These became Soviet satellite states which Churchill said, in a famous speech, were behind an ‘iron curtain’.
3 The Truman Doctrine
The US President, Truman, stated his view in the Truman Doctrine that the US would help any governments threatened by communism.
4 The Marshall Plan The USA developed the Marshall Plan to help European recovery after the war by providing aid to the economies shattered by the world war. ● Stalin looked on the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan as threats against the Soviet Union.
Assessing Your Learning
1. What were the superpowers? 2. Explain international relations. 3. Define the Cold War. 4. List three of the causes of the Cold War. 5. Explain the difference between the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine.
Why Was the Cold War Important?
Recognise the importance of the Cold War
Key Words Nuclear war Arms race
Recognising the
importance of the
Cold War 1 Danger of nuclear war
The Cold War was important because of the danger of nuclear war. The USA and the Soviet Union (USSR) competed in an arms race as each side built hydrogen bombs (H-bombs) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).