Cold War
Cold War Map
Manhattan Project
“It maybe possible to set up a nuclear chain reaction in a large massive uranium. By which vast amount of power
and large quantities of new radiant like elements would be generated. However, this new phenomenon would
also lead to construction of the bomb. Extremely powerful bomb.”
- Albert Einstein's letter to F.D.R (1939 August, 2)
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Continuous threats of Germany and USSR led development of atomic bomb under the code name Manhattan Project. U.S. was able to develop the atomic bomb during 1940s due several advantages. This project declared beginning of nuclear age.
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“If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of
the mighty one.”
- Robert Oppenheimer quoting the Bhagavad Gita after the first test of the atomic bomb
“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”
- Robert Oppenheimer quoting the Bhagavad Gita after the first test of the atomic bomb
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Cairo, Yalta and Potsdam
Conferences in Cairo, Yalta and Potsdam were for treatment to vanquished and colonized nations. Result of conference promised independence, revival and reconstruction of imprisoned nations. Cairo was the first conference that guaranteed independence of Korea and in Potsdam as stated in provision, “in due course Korea shall become free and independent”, Korea’s independence was internationally assured.
Churchill Sinews of Peace (Iron Curtain)
March 5, 1946 in a commencement address entitled "The Sinews of Peace" delivered at Westminster College
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After cold war, U.S., Britain, France and Soviet Union split Germany as they discussed in Yalta conference. Soviet Union left communism in their trusteeship, causing iron curtain to descend across the continent. Churchill warns of an iron curtain. |
“From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.
Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague,
Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia, all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I
must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a
very high and, in some cases, increasing measure of control from Moscow.”
- Winston Churchill: Iron Curtain speech (1946)
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
“I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted
subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their
own destinies in their own way.”
- Harry S. Truman. Speech to Congress, March 12, 1947, laying out what became the Truman Doctrine
“Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine, but against hunger, poverty,
desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the
emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.”
- George C. Marshall. Speech at Harvard University, June 5, 1947
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Truman’s attempt to remove the iron curtain was desperate. Through Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, Truman hoped it would push communism out from Europe and give power to nations that fought against communism.
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“Communism is based on the belief that man is so weak and inadequate that he is unable to govern himself, and
therefore requires the rule of strong masters . . .Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and
intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and justice.”
- 33rd President of United States, Harry Shippe Truman. January 1949
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
“ The Russian blockade slashed transportation. The people walked. The Russian blockade cut gas supply.
The people got used to cooking slowly. The Russian blockade brought darkness to the city. The people
got used to candlelight.”
- The Berlin Blockade 1949
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USSR's attempt to widen their iron curtain to Berlin failed due to Berliner's refusal to panic and allied aircraft proved too much for the Russians. They couldn't crush West Berlin economically or win politically. This showed Communism was starting to collapse.
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“Even through storm and mists, the hazardous chain of supply went on. Night and day, week after week, it was case
of more planes, more foods, and more raw materials.”
- Berlin Airlift - The Story Of A Great Achievement (1949)
Chinese Revolution and Truman
The Chinese Communist Party leaders
“The Chinese people had stood up!”
- Communist Chinese Leader Mao Zedong, September 21, 1949
Mao declaring the establishment of People's Republic of China (Communism) |
 News on Mao's declaration |
“In 1949, China declared independence, an event known in Western discourse as “the loss of China”
– in the US, with bitter recriminations and conflict over who was responsible for that loss. The terminology is
revealing. It is only possible to lose something that one owns. The tacit assumption was that the U.S. owned China, by
right, along with most of the rest of the world, much as postwar planners assumed. The “loss of China” was the first
major step in “America's decline.” It had major policy consequences.”
- Noam Chomsky
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On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. It was a terrible loss of another powerful nation from the U.S. Truman was blamed for not intervening in the turning of China to communism. |
