AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Origins of the Cold War (Day 253/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about Origins of the Cold War as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Soviet Russia, New York History

The origins of the Cold War can be traced back to the aftermath of World War II, characterized by increasing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. 

Atomic Bombing of Japan, Wikimedia Commons

The use of the atomic bomb by the United States in 1945 not only hastened Japan's surrender but also served as a demonstration of American military might, raising concerns and suspicions within the Soviet leadership. 

The Big Three at Yalta, Wikimedia Commons

The Yalta Conference in February 1945, where Allied leaders discussed post-war Europe, laid the groundwork for the division of Germany and the establishment of spheres of influence in Eastern Europe, contributing to Soviet distrust of Western intentions. 

Map used during the Potsdam Conference, Wikimedia Commons

Similarly, the Potsdam Conference in the summer of 1945 further exacerbated tensions, as disagreements arose over issues such as reparations, the treatment of Germany, and the division of Eastern Europe. 

Several events in 1945 highlighted differences between the capitalist West and the communist East, setting the stage for the struggle that defined the Cold War era.

Join me tomorrow as I explain Ideological Foundations of the Cold War in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!