The Origins of the Cold War课件.pptVIP

* The Origins of the Cold War End of World War II Yalta Conference, February 1945 Potsdam Conference, July 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki Korean War The Atomic Bomb Historical debates on whether it was worth it Atomic Bomb in postwar culture The Strategy of Containment George Kennan’s Article Popular version End of War American and Russian Troops, 1945 End of War Why did Roosevelt compromise with Stalin at the Yalta Conference? Roosevelt wanted Russian participation in the war, particularly on the Pacific front Russia occupies half of Europe and will not move Russian fear of invasion from the West Russian sacrifices in WW II - they bore the brunt of German attacks Stalin makes promises of democracy (quickly reneges) Atomic Bomb President Harry Truman announces the Hiroshima bombing Announcer: Good evening from the White House in Washington. Ladies and gentlemen the President of the United States. Harry S. Truman: My fellow Americans, the British, Chinese and United States governments have given the Japanese people adequate warning of what is in store for them. The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a military base. If Japan does not surrender, bombs will have to be dropped on her war industries and unfortunately thousands of civilian lives will be lost. I urge Japanese civilians to leave industrial cities immediately and save themselves from destruction. Atomic Bomb Was it necessary? Yes: necessary to force Japanese surrender saved millions of American lives No: Japanese may have been ready to surrender anyway Truman didn’t wait for the Russians to enter the fight which would have ended the fighting Truman true purpose was to intimidate the Russians Too horrific; destroyed thousands of civilian Japanese lives The Strategy of Containment George Kennan Its main concern is to make sure that it has filled every nook and cranny available to it in the basin of world power. These consideratio