12.1_2 Flashcards
Q: What territories did Germany lose after WWII?
A: East Prussia, territories to Poland, and Soviet annexations.
Q: What did the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact lead to by the end of WWII?
A: Soviet annexation of Polish and German territories.
Q: How did post-WWII Soviet expansion affect Eastern Europe?
A: It became part of the Soviet bloc.
Q: What were the post-WWII zones of control in Germany?
A: Soviet, American, British, French zones.
Q: How was Berlin divided post-WWII?
A: Into four zones; East Berlin under Soviet control, West Berlin under Allied control.
Q: What did Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech signify?
A: The division between Soviet-controlled East and the West.
Q: Why was there mistrust between the Allies and the Soviet Union during WWII?
A: U.S. support for Mensheviks, Soviet non-aggression pact with Germany, and secrecy around the atomic bomb.
Q: How did the U.S. and Soviet views on post-war Europe differ?
A: U.S. focused on economic aid; USSR sought buffer zones.
Q: What was the Truman Doctrine’s purpose?
A: To contain communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey.
Q: What impact did the Marshall Plan have on Europe?
A: It provided economic aid for Western Europe’s recovery.
Q: What led to the Berlin Airlift, and its outcome?
A: Stalin’s blockade; airlift ended it without conflict.
Q: Describe NATO and the Warsaw Pact’s formation reasons.
A: To oppose each other; NATO against Soviet aggression, Warsaw Pact against NATO.
Q: What was the significance of the U.S. supporting the Mensheviks?
A: It fueled Soviet mistrust.
Q: How did the atomic bomb secrecy impact Soviet-American relations?
A: It deepened mistrust and led to an arms race.
Q: What was the effect of the U.S. not informing the USSR about the atomic bomb?
A: Increased Soviet suspicions and Cold War tensions.
Q: How did Stalin’s perception of the Allied invasion delay affect relations?
A: It contributed to Soviet mistrust and post-war tensions.
Q: What role did the UN play during the early Cold War?
A: A forum for U.S. and Soviet influence on smaller nations.
Q: Why was Truman considered unprepared for the presidency?
A: Roosevelt didn’t prepare him for post-war challenges.
Q: How did Roosevelt’s and Churchill’s health affect Yalta Conference decisions?
A: Possibly led to weaker Western positions and concessions.
Q: What was Stalin’s goal in creating a buffer zone in Eastern Europe?
A: To protect the USSR from future Western aggression.
Q: Why did the Allies combine their zones in Germany?
A: To form West Germany, opposing Soviet-controlled East Germany.
Q: How did the Berlin Airlift challenge Soviet policies?
A: Demonstrated Western commitment to oppose Soviet blockade.
Q: What was the immediate post-war fate of East Prussia?
A: Annexed by the USSR and Poland.
Q: Why was Berlin’s location significant in post-war Germany?
A: It was a divided city deep within Soviet-controlled East Germany.
Q: How did the U.S. initially respond to the Soviet blockade of Berlin?
A: With the Berlin Airlift, supplying the city by air.
Q: What prompted the U.S. to develop the Marshall Plan?
A: The need to rebuild Europe and prevent the spread of communism.
Q: Why did Truman prioritize aid to Greece and Turkey?
A: To prevent them from falling under Soviet influence.
Q: What led to the division of Germany into East and West?
A: The Allies’ and Soviets’ inability to agree on post-war governance.
Q: How did the U.S.’s late recognition of the Soviet government affect relations?
A: It added to the mistrust and ideological divide.
Q: What was Churchill’s role in the early Cold War rhetoric?
A: He coined the term “Iron Curtain” to describe Europe’s division.
Q: What were the implications of the non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin?
A: It allowed WWII to begin with less initial resistance from the East.
Q: How did nuclear testing in the Pacific impact the environment and public awareness?
A: It caused long-term radiation effects and raised concerns over nuclear fallout.
Q: Why was the U.S. hesitant to invade France in 1943?
A: Concerns over readiness and the potential for failure after Dunkirk.
Q: What strategic mistake did Stalin accuse the Allies of making during WWII?
A: Deliberately delaying the second front to weaken the Soviet Union.
Q: What role did economic policies play in the Cold War’s ideological battle?
A: They underscored the clash between capitalist freedom and communist control.
Q: How did the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact symbolize the Cold War?
A: They represented the formal division of the world into opposing military alliances.
Q: What was the significance of the Berlin Wall’s construction in 1961?
A: It physically manifested the ideological divide and restricted freedom of movement.
Q: How did the public’s perception of nuclear weapons change over time?
A: Growing awareness of their destructive power and long-term hazards led to increased public concern.
Q: What initiated the Berlin Airlift?
A: Stalin’s blockade of West Berlin.
Q: Why did the Berlin Airlift end?
A: Stalin ended the blockade, likely due to international pressure.
Q: What were NATO and the Warsaw Pact?
A: Military alliances formed by Western nations (NATO) and the Soviet bloc (Warsaw Pact) in response to tensions.
Q: What led to the Chinese Civil War’s resumption post-WWII?
A: The weakened state of Chiang Kai-shek’s forces and Soviet support for Mao Zedong.
Q: Why was China considered a linchpin in Asia by the US?
A: Its loss to communism could destabilize the region.
Q: Describe the US’s stance on supporting Chiang Kai-shek during the Chinese Civil War.
A: The US supported him as a non-communist option, despite his government’s flaws.
Q: What was the significance of the Pusan Perimeter?
A: A defensive stance by UN forces in Korea before counterattacks.
Q: What strategy did MacArthur employ in Korea?
A: Landing at Inchon to flank North Korean forces and push them back.
Q: How did Chinese intervention change the Korean War?
A: It pushed UN forces south, extending the conflict.
Q: Why did Truman oppose MacArthur’s aggressive proposals against China?
A: Truman feared escalating the conflict into a larger war.
Q: What led to MacArthur’s dismissal by Truman?
A: MacArthur’s public criticism and differing views on war strategy.
Q: What was the outcome of the Korean War?
A: An armistice in 1953, leaving Korea divided at the 38th parallel.
Q: How did the Korean War influence US domestic politics?
A: It contributed to the Democrats’ loss of support and Eisenhower’s election.
Q: What were the key tactical innovations seen in the Korean War?
A: The use of jet aircraft and helicopters.
Q: How did communist forces treat civilians during the Korean War?
A: Often brutally, with massacres reported.
Q: What was the impact of the Korean War on US military strategy?
A: It highlighted the challenges of limited warfare and set precedents for future conflicts.
Q: Describe the geopolitical aftermath of the Korean War for Asia.
A: It solidified the Cold War’s division of Korea, impacting regional stability.
Q: How did the Korean War affect perceptions of communism?
A: It reinforced views of communism as oppressive and aggressive.
Q: What role did the UN play in the Korean War?
A: It authorized military support for South Korea, marking a significant collective action.
Q: Why is the Korean War sometimes called “The Forgotten War”?
A: Its significance is often overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War in American memory.
