What is the Cold War?

• United States v. Soviet Union

• Cold War: State of high tension between the two countries

• There is NO physical fighting

• Starts after WW2 when Stalin does not allow occupied countries in Eastern Europe free elections

Why a Cold War?

• The U.S. and Soviet Union are the opposite of each other both politically and economically

The United States

• Democracy: people have freedoms and the right to select leaders

• Capitalism: people can buy, sell, own their own businesses, without total government control

Soviet Union

• Totalitarian Rule: dictator, 1 political party, people are controlled by the government

• Communism: the government makes all decisions in the economy and people have very little choice