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History Notes

The document provides Grade 12 History Term 1 notes on the Cold War, detailing its definition, ideological differences between the USA and USSR, and key events such as the Truman Doctrine and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It also discusses the Vietnam War and the eventual end of the Cold War, highlighting the impact on South Africa. The notes are structured according to the CAPS curriculum and cover essential aspects of the Cold War from 1945 to 1991.

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69 views4 pages

History Notes

The document provides Grade 12 History Term 1 notes on the Cold War, detailing its definition, ideological differences between the USA and USSR, and key events such as the Truman Doctrine and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It also discusses the Vietnam War and the eventual end of the Cold War, highlighting the impact on South Africa. The notes are structured according to the CAPS curriculum and cover essential aspects of the Cold War from 1945 to 1991.

Uploaded by

thandananintshingila2106
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Here are Grade 12 History Term 1 Notes based on the CAPS curriculum. This
section focuses on Cold War, a core topic for Term 1:

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GRADE 12 HISTORY NOTES – TERM 1

TOPIC 1: THE COLD WAR

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1. What is the Cold War?

A state of political tension and military rivalry between the USA (Capitalist) and the
USSR (Communist) from 1945–1991.

"Cold" = No direct warfare between USA and USSR, but proxy wars occurred.

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2. Ideological Differences

USA (Capitalism) USSR (Communism)

Free market economy State-controlled economy


Multi-party democracy One-party state (Communist Party)
Individual rights Collective good

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3. Origins of the Cold War

Yalta and Potsdam Conferences (1945): Disagreements over post-war Europe.

Iron Curtain Speech (1946) by Winston Churchill.

USSR took control of Eastern Europe → seen as expansion of Communism.

USA responded with containment policies.

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4. Key Events of the Cold War

a) Truman Doctrine (1947)

USA promised support to any country threatened by Communism.

b) Marshall Plan (1948)

Financial aid to rebuild Europe and prevent Communist influence.

c) Berlin Crisis (1948–49)

USSR blockaded West Berlin.

USA responded with the Berlin Airlift.

d) Formation of Alliances

NATO (1949) – Western military alliance.


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Warsaw Pact (1955) – Soviet response with Eastern bloc countries.

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5. Case Study: Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

USSR placed nuclear missiles in Cuba.

USA imposed a naval blockade.

13-day standoff → USSR agreed to remove missiles in exchange for USA removing
missiles from Turkey.

Closest point to nuclear war during the Cold War.

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6. Vietnam War (1955–1975)

USA supported South Vietnam against Communist North Vietnam.

Guerrilla warfare and anti-war movements.

USA withdrew → Communist victory in 1975.

Showed limits of USA’s containment policy.

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7. End of the Cold War (1991)

Economic problems in the USSR.

Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms:

Glasnost (openness)

Perestroika (restructuring)

Fall of Berlin Wall (1989).

USSR dissolved in 1991.

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8. Impact of the Cold War on South Africa

SA supported by the West because of anti-Communist stance.

Cold War justified apartheid policies.

ANC and other liberation movements seen as Communist

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