Unit 2, Part 3

Unit 2, Part 3

The Cold War, the Cuban Revolution, and the Quebec Independence Movement

​WWII Ends and Germany is Divided

• ​After WWII the Soviet Union and the remaining Allied nations of the US, UK, and France occupied Germany in order to prevent them from gaining power again. They also divided Germany, and its capital of Berlin, was the best way to avoid conflict with each other.

• The Soviets controlled the eastern part of Germany and Berlin, while the US, UK, and France controlled the zones in the west.

• Because of this, life for German citizens was radically different depending on which zone they were in. In the Soviet zone citizens were under communist rule. Soviet leaders sought to punish Germans in this zone for their part in WWII. Rights and freedoms were few, and the region remained in ruins.

• In the western zones life was much better for the citizens there. The economy flourished. The US, UK, and France focused on rebuilding Germany and promoting democracy.

​BIG QUESTION: Why did the Soviet Union and the nations of the UK, US, and France decide to occupy and split Germany after WWII?

Multiple Choice

Why did the Allied nations occupy Germany after WWII?

• To prevent Germany from creating another future conflict.

• To secure and utilize Germany's rich natural resources.

• To punish Nazis for their war crimes during WWII.

• To capture strategic shipping ports along the North Sea.

Dropdown

After WWII ​

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was split into two countries in 1948 called ​

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. This was done in order to prevent ​

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between the ​

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and the ​

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nations of the United States, United Kingdom, and France. ​

The "Iron Curtain" and the Spread of Communism

• ​After WWII, former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, gave a speech in which he talked about the dangers of the spread of communism stating, "...An 'Iron Curtain' had descended upon Europe..."

• By this he meant there was an obvious divide in Europe, and the world, between communist countries in the east, and democratic countries in the west. The "Iron Curtain" was simply the dividing line.

• Communist nations began to pop up across eastern Europe and Asia. The goal of western countries like the US and Great Britain became to stop the spread of communism and promote democracy. Meanwhile, the focus of the Soviet Union was to spread communism.

​BIG QUESTION: What did the "Iron Curtain" represent during the Cold War?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is true regarding the "Iron Curtain"?

• The Iron Curtain was an imaginary boundary in the Caribbean Sea the Soviets could not cross during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

• The Iron Curtain was a physical wall built in 1961 to keep East Berliners from escaping to West Berlin.

• The Iron Curtain was a series of forts and embattlements placed along the German/Soviet border during the Cold War.

• The Iron Curtain was a metaphor describing the dividing line in Europe between communist eastern countries, and democratic western countries.

​The Cold War Begins

• ​There is no exact date for the beginning of the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union because the two nations never directly fought each other. This is also why it was referred to as the "Cold War".

• What the Cold War really was, was a 40-year standoff between the world's two major superpowers, the US and Soviet Union. Which roughly occurred from the late 1940s to the early 1990s.

• The two competed in everything such as science, education, military superiority, space advancements, and most dangerously, building bigger and more destructive nuclear weapons.

• Because of this competition, most of the world felt like it was only a matter of time before the two kicked off WWIII!

​BIG QUESTION #1: Why was the rivalry between the US and Soviet Union known as the "Cold War"?

BIG QUESTION #2: Why was the world fearful of the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union?

Multiple Select

Select the two major nations that competed with each other during the Cold War.

• The United States

• France

• Germany

• The Soviet Union

Multiple Choice

Why was the 40-year standoff between the Soviet Union and the US called the "Cold War"?

• It happened during winter in the Soviet Union shortly after the end of WWII.

• It was a competition/standoff between the two nations that never erupted into a full-scale war.

• The use of nuclear bombs created a nuclear winter in which temperatures plummeted during the war.

• The Cold War was the name given to the conflict by Soviet leader Mikhail Khrushchev, and the name stuck.

Multiple Choice

True or False?

The world was fearful about the Cold War because the believed the US and Soviet Union would start a full-scale nuclear war at any moment.

• True

• False

​The Berlin Wall

​BIG QUESTION: Why did the Soviet Union find it necessary to construct the Berlin Wall in 1961?

• ​By the 1960s the Soviets had full authority in their zones of Germany. Life there was brutal compared to the Allied Zones. Rights and freedoms were few, Soviets reacted violently to many Germans, the Soviet-controlled zones continued to lay in ruin, and food, and supply shortages were common. Many Germans simply started to flee to the Allied Zones for a better life.

• Then in the morning hours of August 13, 1961 the Berlin Wall was constructed. At first it was only barbed wire with checkpoints and guards, but a concrete wall was quickly installed all around the Soviet Zone in Berlin. Over night families and friends were split.

• The Soviets claimed the purpose of the wall was to keep West-Berliners out, when really it was designed to East-Berliners in.

• Those caught trying to escape to West-Berlin were usually imprisoned or killed. The Berlin Wall became a symbol of the Cold War throughout the world.

Multiple Choice

Why did the Soviet Union find it necessary to construct the Berlin Wall in 1961?

• To imprison Jews shortly before the Holocaust.

• To keep West-Berliners from entering East-Berlin.

• To keep East-Berliners from escaping to West-Berlin.

• To protect East-Berlin from possible US attacks.

​Meanwhile, in Cuba...

• ​While the Cold War was just getting kicked off between the US and USSR, another conflict was brewing in Cuba.

• Fulgencio Batista, the president-turned-dictator of Cuba, was losing the support of the people by the early 1950s. Batista became corrupt and cared more for enriching himself and looking out for the wealthy in Cuba.

• Then a young lawyer named Fidel Castro stepped up to try and challenge and overthrow Batista. Castro's goal was to form a new government in which common and poor citizens would have access to a better standard of living.

• During the decade of the 1950s, Castro tried and failed many times to overthrow Batista, very nearly getting killed on a few occasions. Finally in 1959, Castro was able to overthrow Batista and install a new government. Unfortunately, that government would be a communist one.

​BIG QUESTION: Why was Batista losing the support of the Cuban people and who stepped up to challenge him?

​Fidel Castro

​Fulgencio

Batista

Multiple Choice

Why were Cubans angry with Fulgencio Batista before the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s?

• He imprisoned people for simple crimes like speeding tickets and traffic violations.

• He allied himself with the communist Soviet Union causing riots and protests.

• He persecuted Jewish people and started rounding them up and sending them to areas called ghettoes.

• Batista cared little for the common and poor people and instead only wanted to enrich himself.

Dropdown

​

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was the president-turned-dictator during the ​

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of the 1950s. ​

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was a young lawyer that led a rebellion to try and overthrow the government. Castro failed many times to achieve his goal, but by ​

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, Castro overthrew Batista and took over Cuba. Installing a ​

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government.

​Cuba Under Castro's Rule

​BIG QUESTION: How were the people of Cuba treated under Castro's rule, compared to Fulgencio Batista?

• Castro embraced communism and allied himself with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. ​Unfortunately for most Cubans, this meant that Castro's new regime was not much better than Batista's.

• Castro seized businesses from middle class and wealthy Cubans. He took over the radio stations and newspapers. Castro made it illegal to protest or to speak out against the Castros or communism. This forced many Cubans to flee for the US by any means necessary. Today, many of them have resettled in Miami, Florida where there is a large Cuban population.

• For many poor Cubans however, Castro's government was an improvement to their lives, so they largely supported him. Castro provided healthcare and education to all citizens, something that few of them had ever had.

​Fidel Castro giving a speech shortly after gaining power in 1959.

Multiple Choice

True or False?

Under Castro's rule of Cuba in 1959 and beyond, the middle class and wealthy were happy with Castro, while poor Cubans mostly fled for the US in search of a better life.

• True

• False

​The Cuban Missile Crisis

​BIG QUESTION: Why was it a concern for the US for Cuba to ally themselves with the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

• ​When Castro took over Cuba and allied themselves with the Soviet Union in 1959, this was bad news for the United States. With Cuba being only 90 miles south of Florida, the US knew it was only a matter of time before the USSR would use this partnership with Cuba to their advantage in the Cold War.

• Almost immediately the Soviets began to install military and missile bases in Cuba. By 1962 the Soviets had plans to install nuclear missiles in Cuba, the US of course found out about this and planned a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent it. The Cuban Missile Crisis had begun.

• The two forces met in the Caribbean Sea just off of Cuba. The US would not allow the Soviet missile ships to pass which led to a 15-day standoff. One false move by either side would have meant all-out nuclear war, and likely the destruction of the entire planet.

• Meanwhile, President Kennedy and Soviet leader, Premier Khrushchev, discussed a peaceful solution in the background while Fidel Castro was not even included in the discussion. In the end, Kennedy agreed to remove US nuclear missiles from Turkey, if Khrushchev agreed to pull his missiles out of Cuba. The to agreed and the standoff came to an end. Nuclear war was avoided, but Fidel Castro felt used and scorned. His relationship was never the same with the US or the Soviets.

Multiple Choice

Why was it a concern for the US when Cuba became a communist nation and Allied themselves with the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

• Cuba was within easy striking distance of the US, making it a good location to build nuclear missile basis.

• Cuba had information that was embarrassing to the US. The US knew it was only a matter of time before Cuba leaked this to the Soviets.

• The Soviet Union now had access to a vast amount of natural resources in Cuba, giving them an edge in the Cold War.

• The US was concerned that too many refugees from Cuba would seek to enter the US, causing a massive immigration issue.

​The Great Arms Race

​BIG QUESTION: What was the policy of "MAD" the US and USSR both shared, and how was this dangerous for the world?

• ​Despite the US and Soviet Union never directly fighting each other during the Cold War, the two nations definitely prepared for war, spending billions of dollars each on improved military technologies.

• A center point of the Great Arms Race was the building of new and more powerful nuclear weapons. Both nations built stockpiles of these weapons in a policy that both countries shared called "Mutually Assured Destruction" or "MAD". This meant that both nations wanted to ensure that they would have enough nuclear bombs to completely destroy the other if a war ever arose between the two.

• Ironically, "MAD" probably prevented war between the two nations. Both the US and Soviets knew that an all-out nuclear war would have no winner, so the only move was not to play.

Multiple Choice

How did the policy of Mutually Assured Destruction, or "MAD", probably prevent a nuclear war between the US and Soviet Union?

• The Soviet Union knew that the US would completely destroy them in a nuclear war, so they never fought.

• Both sides understood that the policy of MAD would destroy most of their natural resources and economies.

• The United States secretly knew that if the Soviets used MAD, they would lose the Cold War. So they pretended they would use the same strategy.

• Both sides knew that a nuclear war using the strategy of MAD, had no winner. So the only move was not to play.

​The Space Race

• ​One of the key competitions between the US and Soviet Union was in Outer Space. Each nation wanted to be the first to do everything in space because they knew it would bring honor to their nations and put them on top in the eyes of the world.

• The Soviet Union got off to a hot start by putting the first satellite, animal, and man in space. However, many argue the US won the Space Race by getting astronauts safely to the moon and back.

• Although at the time most people viewed the Space Race as nothing more than a competition between the world's top superpowers, the Space Race led to many great inventions and technologies that would help everyone around the world. Such as portable water filters, scratch-resistant lenses, GPS systems, wireless headsets (Bluetooth), camera phones, air purifiers, memory foam, smoke detectors, laptop computers, LEDs, computer mouses, and more.

​BIG QUESTION: How was the Space Race between the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War actually benefitial for the world?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was NOT true about the Space Race between the USSR and US during the Cold War?

• It led to many new useful technologies and inventions we use today.

• The Soviet Union got off to a better start by putting the first animal, human, and satellite in space.

• The Space Race led to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and a near nuclear war.

• Many say the US "won" the Space Race by putting man on the moon in 1969.

​The Collapse of the USSR and the end of the Cold War

​BIG QUESTION: How did the Soviet Union collapse bringing an end to the Cold War?

​By 1991 the USSR had broken apart into 15 independent countries once more. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War can't be broken down into one reason. Instead like many historical events, there are many reasons why they occur. Here are some of the main ones below.

1. The Soviet Union spent too much money on the Space Race, the military, and their nuclear arsenal instead of looking out for its people's needs.

2. Communism further weakened the economy. Since the government had to plan and supply everything, there was no room for the people to innovate and create new products and jobs. In other words, the country offered few special products or inventions, so it made little money.

3. In 1986 the Chernobyl Nuclear Powerplant melted down and exploded. Before this, many viewed the Soviets at the top nation in nuclear power. This accident was disastrous for the environment and the reputation and economy of the Soviet Union.

4. In 1989, angry East-Germans began to tear down the Berlin Wall. The Soviets did nothing to stop it and East/West Berlin was reunited, followed soon by Germany.

Multiple Select

Select THREE (3) correct reasons why the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

• The Soviet Union spent too much money on the Space Race, the military, and their nuclear arsenal instead of looking out for its people's needs.

• Communism further weakened the economy. Since the government had to plan and supply everything, there was no room for the people to innovate and create new products and jobs. In other words, the country offered few special products or inventions, so it made little money.

• In 1986 the Chernobyl Nuclear Powerplant melted down and exploded. Before this, many viewed the Soviets at the top nation in nuclear power. This accident was disastrous for the environment and the reputation and economy of the Soviet Union.

• Many Soviets grew angry with the Soviet Union due to the demands that the Treaty of Versailles put on them. Many Soviets wanted to overthrow Czar Nicholas and return from a communist country to a democracy in 1991. This led to the USSR's collapse.

A Short History of Quebec and Canada

​BIG QUESTION: Why does the Canadian province of Quebec have a heavy French culture today?

• ​Quebec is a large province in eastern Canada that is unlike any other Canadian province. In Quebec, the citizens speak French instead of English and have a heavy French culture as well. This all started at Canada's beginning.

• What we now know as Canada used to be French colony in the 1700s called "New France". That is until the French were forced to surrender the colony to the British after losing the Seven Years War in 1763. In 1791, the British renamed the colony "Canada". However, most of the former French colonists stayed and settled in the area of Canada that is now the province of Quebec. These colonists held on to their French language and culture as the British continued to expand Canada.

• Today, Canada is its own nation that expands from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean. Despite every other province and territory having an English culture, Quebec remains heavily French. Not long ago, these differences almost caused Quebec to secede from Canada and form its own nation.

Multiple Choice

Why does the Canadian province of Quebec have a heavy French culture today, when all other provinces have and English culture?

• France set up the colony of Quebec in 1868 after Great Britain created Canada. Eventually, Canada absorbed Quebec and they became a province, while keeping their French culture.

• Quebec fought for independence from Great Britain when they took control of the colony, but the lost. Still, they hung on to their culture.

• Many French citizens immigrated to Quebec in the 1950s-1960s. Today most of Quebec has a heavy French culture because of these immigrants.

• Quebecers are descendants of New France. A colony from the 1700s that is what is now known as Canada. They've held on to their heritage ever since.

​Quebec Seeks Independence from Canada

​BIG QUESTION #1: Why did many citizens of Quebec want independence from Canada in the 1980s-1990s?

BIG QUESTION #2: What was the result of both referendums (votes) for Quebec to secede from Canada in 1980 and 1995?

• ​By the 1980s and 1990s the dominant culture of Canada was English, yet the province of Quebec had one that was French. Quebecers felt like second class citizens. Many in Quebec believed that they would never be accepted as "Canadian". They felt like they were Quebecers first and Canadians second.

• Movements started to spring up around Quebec promoting independence from Canada. People of this movement formed a political party called the "Parti Quebecois". This party convinced many in Quebec that they had a unique culture and a strong economy so they should secede (become independent).

• Rather than fighting a war for independence, Canada allowed Quebecers to vote in a referendum and agreed to honor the results of the vote. In 1980 and 1995 the vote was nearly 50/50, but in both referendums Quebecers voted to stay a province of Canada and not secede.

• In recent years Canada has done things to make Quebec feel more included, such as making French an official Canadian language and giving Quebec a national holiday in honor of their province.

Dropdown

​

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is a large province in eastern Canada with a heavy ​​

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culture. All other provinces in Canada have an ​

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culture. By the 1980s and 1990s, many Quebecers felt like second-class citizens compared to other Canadians and there was a large movement to ​

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Canada and have Quebec become its own independent nation. Canada allowed for ​

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, or public votes, twice to resolve the issue. Although both the votes were close, Quebecers voted to stay a part of Canada. Since then Canada has tried to include Quebec more by honoring their heritage and culture.