1.2 - Developing Tensions

Question 1

What tactics were involved in the Stalinisation of Eastern Europe?

Answer 1

• Coalition governments set up. Communists shared power with other political parties, communists took over media, civil service etc, opposition leaders fled or were arrested, rigged elections held in communists favour
• ‘Salami tactics’- gradually getting rid of opposition bit by bit

Question 2

List features of Soviet Satellite states

Answer 2

• Five Year Plans (heavy industry), secret police, censorship, show trials - like those imposed in the USSR
• Failed to hold free elections as agreed (tension)
• By the end of 1949 the majority of Eastern Europe had become Soviet satellite states (seen as aggressive, expansionist)

Question 3

What Communist party won independent of Soviet influence?

Answer 3

• Yugoslavia
• revolution under leader Tito
• supported the Greek communists during the Civil war

Question 4

Describe the features of the Long Telegram

Answer 4

• February 1946
• George Kennan, American diplomat
• 5,500 word message sent from Moscow embassy to State Department, Washington
• USSR would use all methods possible to gain power based on a ‘sense of insecurity’. ‘Health and vigour’ of US society important in combating soviet influence.
• No reason to panic: ‘Soviets are still by far the weaker force’ and if unprovoked the two powers could live in peace.

Question 5

Describe the features of the Iron Curtain Speech - ‘Sinews of Peace’

Answer 5

• March 1946
• Churchill (not PM at time) at Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri. Truman sat behind him - showed support.
• Mass media coverage.
• articulated ideological and metaphorical division of Europe
• West needed to treat USSR harshly before Iron Curtain blocked out all Western influence from Central and Eastern Europe
• Introduced the idea of a strong British-American alliance - criticised, undermined newly created UN

Question 6

Describe the response to the Iron Curtain Speech

Answer 6

• In his Pravda speech Stalin branded Churchill a warmonger, asserted USSR’s right to regimes in Eastern Europe and said the West were trying to deny USSR’s rewards after Nazi defeat
• Molotov ‘Equal Opportunity’ speech at October 1946 Paris Peace Conference

Question 7

Describe Cominform (Communist Information Bureau)

Answer 7

• Established 1947 in response to Marshall Aid
• coordinating body for communist parties in Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Italy and France (tasked with preventing implementation of Marshall Aid), Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia.
• Signalled USSR setting itself up again as the leader of Communist bloc nations (increasing control).
• Yugoslavia expelled in 1948 for its position in the Greek Civil war.
• Declined quickly as other communist parties left.

Question 8

Describe Comecon

Answer 8

• Established 1949
• To provide economic aid to Satellite states

Question 9

Describe the Greek Civil War

Answer 9

• 1946-9
• Between monarchists and Greek communists after Nazi liberation. British provided aid to monarchists.
• Yugoslavian communists openly giving aid to Greek communists.
• Stalin refused to help Greek communists to maintain good relations with US.
• Created rift between Tito and Stalin - public knowledge by 1948.

Question 10

What was the Truman Doctrine on Containment?

Answer 10

• March 1947
• Truman established US would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from authoritarian forces (didn’t mention USSR directly)