4.3 The Cold War at its peak

• History
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

4.3 The Cold War at its peak

Learning objectives 

1. What were the social and economic differences between East and West Germany 

2. Why did the Cuban Missile crisis almost lead to a third world war

3. How did the war in Vietnam progress. 

Wirtschaftswunder and command economy 

1949 - FRG west-Germany and GDR East-Germay

West - economic growth, prosperity and democractic 

East - no economic growth, prisons and concentration camps, secrect police

Berlin Wall

1953 Stalin died 

Strikes and revolts broke out in Germany, Poland and Hungary. 

These strikes were all suppresed by police and the army 

1961 Berlin Wall was built 

To stop people fleeing to West-Germany 

Arms race

Atomic and H bombs were built by Russia and the USA. 

M utally 

A ssured 

D estruction 

Cuban Missile Crisis 

America wanted to get rid of communism in Cuba. 

Cuba sought help from the Soviet Union. 

Missile launch spots were built on Cuba by SU.

The last pieces were on their way to Cuba but was blocked of by Kennedy. 

M.A.D. and a hotline between Moscow and Washington 

War in Vietnam 

The French colony defeated France in 1954. 

Vietnam was divided in a communist north and capatalist south. 

Domino theory 

Fiercest fighting between 1964 and 1969 

Guerrilla warfare 

US withdrew in 1973 and the whole of Vietnam became communist.