Communism v Democracy notes

THE COLD WAR

Communism v. Democracy “The Fight for the World”

SOCIETY AND CLASS SYSTEM Soviet Communism v. American Democracy 

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All people equal social and economic status One class society

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People can move betw. social and economic classes Lower, middle and upper classes, are, in theory, available to all

PROPERTY AND ECONOMICS Soviet Communism v. American Democracy 

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Socialism: in theory, property and business are owned by the community as a whole But in reality, the gov’t controls the economy, including all business and trade

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Capitalism: economy based on private ownership, of property and business Economy is controlled mainly by free market trade (supply and demand)

FREEDOM AND RIGHTS Soviet Communism v. American Democracy 

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Supposedly, all laws are for the good of society Gov’t demands loyalty to what the communist party dictates No freedom of expression, travel or elections

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People have right and liberties protected by Constitution from gov’t • Freedom of speech • Freedom of assembly • Freedom of press • Freedom of movement • Vote for leaders in free elections

GOALS IN THE COLD WAR Soviet Communism v. American Democracy 

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Spread communism all over the world Destroy enemies of communism Cause capitalism to collapse and make everyone “equal”

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Contain and stop the spread of communism Assist all other “enemies of communism” militarily or financially

COLD WAR ALLIANCES Soviet Communism v. American Democracy 

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Eastern Bloc countries forced to sign a military alliance: the “Warsaw Pact” Cuba, North Korea, China and other communist countries in Asia and Latin America

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Great western democracies joined NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Britain, France, West Germany and other anticommunist countries

Both sides feared attack from the other, so they created military alliance systems

World Alliances

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How could there be a “Cold” War with military alliances? Why were both NATO and the Warsaw Pact created? How did the Soviet Union respond to attempts by Eastern European countries to leave the Warsaw Pact or establish democracy?

NATO v. Warsaw Pact

WWI & the Cold War 

In what ways were the conditions at the beginning of the Cold War similar to the conditions before WWI? (Think back to those long-term MAIN factors.) • Competition for land and control of other countries (Sphere of influence – imperialism) • Military alliances and wartime armies ready to fight • Strong feelings of nationalism What “spark” triggered WWI?

If the world conditions during the Cold War were similar to those MAIN factors before WWI, what might happen?

AMERICA FIGHTS COMMUNISM

Truman Doctrine  

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Harry Truman – US Pres. (1946-1952) Doctrine: America’s foreign policy to stop the spread of communism (containment) and fight communism where it existed (roll it back) Led the United States to become involved in many world conflicts (ex: Korean and Vietnam Wars, Cuban Revolution)

Marshall Plan 

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George Marshall – US Sec. of State under Truman (deals w/ foreign policy) Plan: give $ assistance to struggling countries in Europe after WWII.. • So weakened nations would not turn to communism for answers or help

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1948-1951: US gave $13 billion in economic, agricultural and technical aid to help “free” Europe recover Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

“Red Scare”  

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Communists/Soviets called Reds During the 1950’s, many American feared a communist takeover in US People believed that there were communist spies secretly working in American government positions