Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

128

Cold War 128-

Soviet Union

East

West Germany

Germany

SPIES IN THE SKY
The Americans flew U-2 planes
over the Iron Curtain to spy
on the Soviets. These planes
could fly at high altitudes
while photographing
military and strategic sites
on the ground. On May 1,
1960, a U-2 reconnaissance
plane was shot down over
the Soviet Union.
The pilot, Gary
Powers, was
captured and jailed,
reviving Cold War tensions
between the superpowers.

IN THE AFTERMATH OF WORLD WAR II, the United States and

the Soviet Union emerged as the world’s most powerful countries,

or “superpowers.” Over the next 40 years, the two superpowers and

their allies were locked in conflict and competition in what became

known as the Cold War. Each tried to extend its influence by

stockpiling weapons, making alliances with other countries, and

developing the technology to launch people—and weapons—into

space. The rival blocs expressed hostility by backing different

sides in conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Cold War tensions continued until 1989, when a wave of political

change exploded across the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe,

bringing the Cold War to a close.

NATO

In 1949, the United States and its

European allies formed the North

Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO). A military alliance, its aim

was to prevent a Soviet invasion of Europe.

In response, the Soviets formed an alliance

of communist states called the Warsaw Pact.

COLD WARRIORS

In 1945, British prime minister Winston Churchill, US

president Harry Truman, and Soviet premier Joseph

Stalin met at Potsdam in Germany (left). The

three leaders hoped to decide the future of

postwar Europe. Stalin promised that the

Eastern European countries occupied by

the Soviets would be free to elect their own

governments and that the people would

keep their civil liberties. Instead, politicians

loyal to the Soviet Union—and backed by

the Russian military—gained power, and

the secret police rounded up and jailed

opponents of Stalin. The battle between

two new world powers had begun.

IRON CURTAIN DESCENDS
After World War II, the Soviets seized control
of Eastern Europe. In a famous speech in 1946,
British leader Winston Churchill said, “an iron
curtain has descended across the continent.”

KGB emblem

Britain

France

INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

The Cold War was also fought in

the shadows, as thousands of spies

risked their lives to gather and pass

on the secrets of the superpowers.

The CIA (Central Intelligence

Agency) led espionage (spying)

and counterespionage for the

United States. Soviet espionage

was conducted by the KGB

(Committee of State Security).

Winston Churchill, prime

minister of Britain from

1940-45

Harry Truman,

president of the United

States from 1945-53

Joseph Stalin, leader

of the Soviet Union

from 1922-53

CIA emblem

NATO

logo

BERLIN AIRLIFT

In 1945, Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union

occupied Germany and divided Berlin among themselves.

During a confrontation in 1948, Stalin blocked roads from

Soviet-occupied East Germany to allied-occupied West Berlin,

cutting off food supplies. However, the Western allies forced

Stalin to end his blockade when they flew in supplies.