The origins of the Cold War (1941-58)
I can explain how the Cold War developed and then intensified between 1945 and 1958.
The origins of the Cold War (1941-58)
I can explain how the Cold War developed and then intensified between 1945 and 1958.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Ideological differences meant there were tensions between the USA and USSR even when they were allies during WW2.
- From 1945, the Soviet creation of satellite states and the US development of the atomic bomb increased tensions.
- Concerned about Soviet expansion, Truman committed the USA to a policy of containment in 1947.
- In 1948, the Berlin Crisis significantly increased Cold War tensions.
- The Cold War intensified during the 1950s due to the escalation of the arms race and the Soviet invasion of Hungary.
Keywords
Cold War - a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR
Ideology - a set of beliefs or ideas
Satellite state - a county that is dominated by another country
Arms race - when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength
Containment - using American influence and military resources to prevent the spread of communism into non-communist countries
Common misconception
Historians agree that the Cold War started in 1945 with the end of World War Two.
The breakdown of the wartime alliance and the emerging ideological rift between communism and capitalism unfolded over several years. The exact start date of the Cold War is often debated among historians.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The origins of the Cold War (1941-58), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The origins of the Cold War (1941-58), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
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