Name____________________________________________ Date______________________________

DBQ 13: Start of the Cold War

(Adapted from Document-Based Assessment for Global History, Walch Education)

Historical Context:

  Between 1945 and 1950, the wartime alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union
broke down and the Cold War began. For the next 40 years, relations between the two superpowers
swung between confrontation and détente. Each tried to increase its worldwide influence and spread its
competing economic and political systems. At times during this period the competitors were at the brink
of war. How was the Cold War fought?

• Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying documents in Part A. As you
analyze the documents, take into account both the source of the document and the author’s point of
view. Be sure to:

1. Carefully read the document-based question. Consider what you already know about this topic.
How would you answer the question if you had no documents to examine?

2. Now, read each document carefully, underlining key phrases and words that address the
document-based question. You may also wish to use the margin to make brief notes. Answer the
questions which follow each document.

3. Based on your own knowledge and on the information found in the documents, formulate a thesis
that directly answers the question.

4. Organize supportive and relevant information into a brief outline.

5. Write a well-organized essay proving your thesis. The essay should be logically presented and
should include information both from the documents and from your own knowledge outside of
the documents.

Question: How did the Cold War begin and what “weapons” were used to fight this war?

Part A:--The following documents provide information about the Cold War. Examine the documents
carefully, and answer the questions that follow.

Document 1

This is an excerpt from Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, March 5, 1946

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. . . . All these
famous cities and the populations around them lie in the Soviet sphere and all are subject in one form or
another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and increasing measure of control from Moscow.

How is the “iron curtain” a dividing line?___________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
 (continued)

122
Name__________________________________________ Date_________________________________

DBQ 22: The Cold War Begins (continued)

Document 2

This is an excerpt from President Truman’s speech to Congress, March 12, 1947.

I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted
subjugation [domination] by armed minorities or by outside pressure. Should we fail to aid Greece and
Turkey in this fateful hour, the effect will be far-reaching to the West. The seeds of totalitarian regimes
are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. The reach
their full growth when the hope of a people for a better life has died. Therefore, I propose giving Greece
and Turkey $400 million in aid.

Explain the policy President Truman suggested in this speech.___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Document 3

This is an excerpt from Secretary of State Marshall’s speech explaining his plan for European recovery,
June 5, 1947

I need to say that the world situation is very serious. . . . Europe must have a great deal of additional help,
or face heavy economic, social, and political damage. This would have a harmful effect on the world at
large. There are also possibilities of disturbances because of the desperation of the people concerned.
The effect on the economy of the United States should be clear to all. So the United States should do
whatever it can to help restore normal economic health to the world. Without this there can be no
political stability or peace. Our policy is directed . . . against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos
[disorder]. Its purpose is to revive a working economy in the world.

Why did Secretary of State Marshall suggest this plan for European recovery?______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Document 4

This is an excerpt from the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed by the United States, Canada, and ten
nations of Western Europe in 1948.

The parties agree than an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or in North America shall
be considered as an attack against them all. They agree that if such an armed attack occurs, each of them
will assist the party or parties so attacked. Each will immediately take whatever action it considers
necessary to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area. It will, if necessary, use armed
force.

What is the purpose of NATO?____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(continued)
 123

Name_____________________________________________ Data______________________________

DBQ 22: The Cold War Begins (continued)

Document 5

The Soviet Union responded to NATO by creating its alliance, the Warsaw Pact.

NATO Members: Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Republic of

Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece

Warsaw Pact Members: German Democratic Republic, Poland, Czechoslovakia,

Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Soviet Union

Other Communist Nations: Yugoslavia

How do these “satellites” in the Warsaw Pact provide a buffer for the Soviet Union?_________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Document 6

This is an excerpt from a speech by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1956 in which he explains his
point of view on U.S. actions.

The inspirers of the “cold war” began to establish military blocs—the North Atlantic bloc, SEATO, and
the Baghdad pact. [They claim] they have united for defense against the “communist threat.” But this is
sheer hypocrisy! We know from history that when planning a re-division of the world, the imperialist
powers have always lined up military blocs. Today the “anti-communism” slogan is being used as a
smoke screen to cover up the claims of one power for world domination. The United States wants, by
means of blocs and pacts, to secure a dominant position in the capitalist world. The inspirers of the
“position of strength” policy assert that it makes another way impossible because it ensures a “balance of
power” in the world. [They] offer the arms race as their main recipe for the preservation of peace! It is
perfectly obvious that when nations compete to increase their military might, the danger of war becomes
greater, not lesser. Capitalism will find its grave in another world war, should it unleash it.

(continued)
 124

Name______________________________________________ Date_____________________________

DBQ 22: The Cold War Begins (continued)

What is Khrushchev’s view of U.S. actions? According to Khrushchev what will happen?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Document 7

The arms race was an important part of the Cold War. Both superpowers developed technology and used
their nuclear power to build as many weapons as possible. This nuclear buildup led to a “balance of
terror,” which some saw as a deterrent to war. But others feared the use of these weapons. These charts
show the build up of ICBM’s and long-range bombers between 1966 and 1974.

Submarine-launched ICBM’s
(intercontinental ballistic missiles) Long-range bombers

U.S.A.

U.S.A.

U.S. S.R.
U.S. S.R.

1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974

Land-launched ICBM’s (intercontinental ballistic missiles)

U.S.A.

U.S. S.R.

1966 1968 1970 1972 1974

What impact did this arms race have on the world?____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
(continued)

125

Name_____________________________________________ Date_____________________________

DBQ 22: The Cold War Begins (continued)

Document 8

The threat of nuclear was obvious in the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. This excerpt, from President John
F. Kennedy’s speech to the American people, explains the U.S. position.

. . . We have unmistakable evidence that a series of offensive missile sites is now being built on that
island. . . . Cuba has been made into an important strategic base by the presence of these long-range
offensive weapons of sudden mass destruction. This is an open threat to the peace and security of all of
the Americas. Our objective must be to prevent the use of these missiles against this or any other country.
We must secure their withdrawal from the Western Hemisphere. . . . I call upon Chairman Khrushchev to
halt and eliminate this secret and reckless threat to world peace.

What is the basis for President Kernnedy’s demand that the missiles be removed from Cuba?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Document 9

After Kennedy ordered a quarantine of all offensive military equipment being sent into Cuba,
Premier Khrushchev responded with this message.

Mr. President, the Soviet government decided to help Cuba with means of defense against outside attack.
These weapons were only meant for defensive purposes. We have supplied them to prevent aggression
against Cuba. . . . With respect and confidence I accept the statement set forth in your message of October
27, 1962. You said then that Cuba will not be attacked or invaded by any country of the Western
Hemisphere. . . . We have given the order to discontinue building the installations. We shall dismantle
Document 3them and withdraw them to the Soviet Union.

How does Khrushchev explain why missiles were placed in Cuba and why they could now be removed?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Part B—Essay

How did the Cold War begin and what “weapons” were used to fight this war?
 126

Grading Key Teacher Guide Page

Document 1
Winston Churchill stated that an “iron curtain” or a great division exists between Eastern and
Western Europe. The East European governments adopted a communist system and fell under the control
of the U.S.S.R.

Document 2
President Truman proposed that the U.S. give $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to allow
them to resist domination by outside pressure (Communists). This financial aid would remove the
poverty and misery which plagued the countries after the war. As a result they would have hope for a
better life and they would not turn to communism.

Document 3
In order to protect her interest and to restore “economic health” to the world, the U.S. needed to
help rebuild Europe recover from the destruction suffered during the war. With U.S. aid the Europeans
would not turn to communism and the U.S. would have trading partners.

Document 4
The North Atlantic Treaty joined the U.S., Canada, and ten European countries in a mutual
defense pact. They would all be protected from Communist aggression. An armed attack on one would
be considered as an armed attack on all.

Document 5
The U.S.S.R. responded with its defensive alliance for Eastern Europe. The Warsaw Pact
countries, which were under Soviet control, served as a buffer between the U.S.S.R. and Western Europe.

Document 6
Khrushchev said the U.S. was setting up military blocs so that it could gain a dominant position
in the capitalist world—not out of a fear of communism, as the U.S. had said. In addition, the arms race
was supposed to result in a balance of power. But according to Khrushchev, it could easily lead to war.
Capitalism will end in “another world war” if it follows that path.

Document 7
The illustrations show the rapid build-up of ICBM’s and long-range bombers. The lead in
ICBM’s was held by the U.S.S.R. in 1974. In contrast, the U.S. has more long-range bombers. The fear
that either country might use these destructive nuclear weapons led to a balance of terror. This arms race
led to dangerous competition between the two superpowers, which could have led to a nuclear war.

Document 8
In this speech, President Kennedy told the world about the nuclear threat that existed in Cuba.
The offensive missiles could destroy most cities in the Western Hemisphere. Consequently, he demanded
that the Soviet Union remove these missiles from Cuba and “end this dangerous arms race.”

Document 9
Premier Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles because he said they were only put there to defend and
protect Cuba from an attack. Since the U.S. had promised that Cuba will not be attacked by any country
in the Western Hemisphere, the missiles were no longer needed. The threat of nuclear was lifted and the
world stepped back from the brink of war.
 127

Additional Information Beyond the Documents Teacher Guide Page

The documents provide students with only fragments of evidence. Answers should include
relevant information from beyond the documents—information that students have learned from their
classroom study. The following list suggests some of the information that students might include in their
essays from outside learning.

Competing ideological systems

Alliance systems
Arms race
Regional conflicts—Latin America, Vietnam, Korea, Berlin
Use of propaganda, economic and military aid to gain influence around the world
Containment, détente, and other policies of the U.S. and U.S.S.R.
128