The Cold War: Crash Course US History #37

In which John Green teaches you about the Cold War, the decades-long conflict between the USA and the USSR. The Cold War was called cold because of the lack of actual fighting, but this is inaccurate. There was plenty of fighting, from Korea to Viet Nam to Afghanistan, but we'll get into that stuff next week. This week we'll talk about how the Cold War started. In short, it grew out of World War II. Basically, the Soviets occupied Eastern Europe and the US-supported western Europe. This setup would spill across the world, with client states on both sides. It's all in the video. You should just watch it.

President Kennedy also oversaw Cuba's emergence as a Cold War rival of the United States:

Want to learn more about the Cold War? Check out these other videos from Crash Course:
USA vs USSR Fight! The Cold War: Crash Course World History #39:

The Cold War in Asia: Crash Course US History #38:

George HW Bush and the End of the Cold War: Crash Course US History #44:

The Cold War and Consumerism: Crash Course Computer Science #24:

Post-War Rebuilding and the Cold War: Crash Course European History #41:

Chapters:
Introduction: The Cold War Era 00:00
The Aftermath of WWII 1:57
USSR Expansion & Containment 2:38
The Truman Doctrine 3:34
The Marshall Plan 5:01
The Berlin Crisis 6:18
Mystery Document 7:19
Consensus on Cold War Policies 8:28
Impact of the Cold War on Domestic Policy 10:03
Espionage, McCarthyism, and the Red Scare 10:53
Credits 12:49
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[veroniqueprice]

Does he even breathe?
Thats the real question

[argella]

Let's not forget one of my favorite stories from the Berlin Airlift, The Candy Bomber. Basically this guy, Gail Halvorsen, started giving treats to German kids hanging out around one of the airbases, and he promised he'd drop off more candy the next day. So the kids could identify him in the air, he would wiggle his wings and then drop the candy. Eventually, his higher ups heard about what he was doing and thought it was adorable/an awesome idea and expanded the operation into Operation Little Vittles and publicized it. Eventually it got to the point where they were dropping off 850 lbs of candy every day, much of it donated.  

[krombopulos_michael]

There's something incredibly ironic about disliking Soviet Communism so much that you start arresting anyone who doesn't completely agree.

[munnymatt]

im supposed to write a whole essay on this tomorrow and I watched this whole video and still have no idea what the cold war was

[amingallardo]

1:15
John Green: The cold war gave us one of the evilest mustaches in history.
Hitler: Am I a joke to you

[rachelmilio]

Dear John Green,

I have my AP US History final today and Crash Course is saving my life. Keep doing you.

[coffeelaffdip]

"The central lesson in world history: DO NOT invade Russia, unless you're the Mongols" lol!

[angela]

My history teacher shows us these videos

[mdstarfaith]

Ok... My last multiple choice APUSH test is tomorrow, and it's covering the rest of the book- which is the Cold War to today. And the AP exam is this Friday, 3 days from now.

Time to binge watch this (plus Jocz Productions).

You've helped me since day 1 of this school year, John. It's time to finish this.

[Snakebloke]

This has to be your best video yet, entirely because of the manner in which you commented o - and criticized - both sides of the _Cold War_ very fairly.

First time I've seen that from a North American 'Historian'...bravo!

[ButterTrollGOD]

The fear of Communism is still very much alive in my opinion. If we look at american voters, even if a policy is universally a good idea, such as socialized medicine, the work "socialized" just makes people throw everything out the window and refuse to have it.

[VedonSnitchel]

CrashCourse:Our greatest threat is our selves

Me: I don't know crocodiles are pretty scary man.

[Ash_]

Nothing like some good old Crash Course for last minute study... anyone else in 2019 atm?

[Bubbles]

Actually, I calculated that you were shocked 42.86% of the time from episodes 1-37 (there was no mystery document in episodes 19 and 34) instead of 55% of the time. So you're actually doing significantly better than you say, John. :)

[thenekom]

I knew "under god" was added to the pledge in the 50s, but I never made the connection that it was done because of the red scare.

[chrissycannon]

Hi, I'm a Biology teacher and I'm usually watching the other guy who does the science videos.  However, I'm grading papers and thought I should learn more about the Cold War.   You are a fantastic speaker and I like the part where you put in your commencement speech at Butler.   Thanks for posting these great videos for free :)

[Trinitylynn_]

So I mean who's here in 2020 for a class??

[bucca]

And only now, have I realized:

YOU GREENED OUT ALASKA.

[makeupyourworld]

you are my hero for making these videos thank you so much when i don't feel like studying (which is everyday) but i know i have to i watch your videos to get me to pay attention. in school today my friend and i were talking about how much we like the cartoon people you use and the thought bubble and the theme music it is all brilliant have a good day

[serenajorif]

The team over at Thought Cafe is amazing. The subtle references in their animations are genius. That DBZ parody and the one a few videos back with Wolverine waving the Canadian flag were just beautiful.