1.3 - USA's involvement in Europe Flashcards
1
Q
What was the aim of containment?
A
- Prevent further expansion of USSR influence
- prevent advance of communism into Western and Southern Europe (most public about)
- apply pressure to modify Soviet behaviour
- tempt states away from Soviet bloc
- Create ‘united front’ of Capitalism under US leadership, ensure continued growth of US economy and hegemony of US business over rivals
2
Q
What policy did the US follow until the Truman Doctrine in 1947?
A
Isolationism
3
Q
The Marshall Plan committed how much aid to Europe?
A
$13 billion
4
Q
Why was the Marshall Plan introduced?
A
- Containing communism - rebuilding Western Europe to reduce desperation and appeal of communism
- Move against USSR - predicted Satellite States would be forbidden from accepting, creating anger towards Stalin and luring satellites towards US
- Economic motive - market for American goods. Worried post war boom was temporary, Europe running out of money to buy. US imports only ½ of exports. Less economically important countries (eg Italy) received less aid
- Encouragement form European leaders - British and French PMs enthusiastic about stronger US influence in post war Europe to help with economic difficulties and counter Soviet expansion
5
Q
Why were Soviet Satellite states forbidden from accepting Marshall Aid?
A
- would mean linking their economies to the US, away from Soviet control.
- Stalin convinced US was engineering an anti-Soviet, ant-Communist, US led global alliance.
- Poland, Hungary and Czecholovakia had supported plan.
6
Q
How did Molotov react to the Marshall Plan?
A
- Critised the plan as ‘Dollar Imperialism’
- using economic strength to gain influence in Europe
- European businesses overshadowed in favour of US.
7
Q
How did the USSR react at the announcement of Marshall Plan in June-July 1947 Paris Conference?
A
- Initially supportive, then realised it was anti-Soviet
- Molotov publicly rejected Plan and Soviet delegation left Paris Conference (Conference on European Cooperation) June/July 1947
8
Q
What were the advantages of the Marshall Plan for the US?
A
- Helped create a unified, Western European capitalist economy and anti-Soviet bloc
- Stabalised economies of countries that could turn communist
- American profit. Recover from short term economic slump 1946-7 and enter period of economic boom (trade)
- Encouragement of free trade - foreign trade with Europe no longer limited by protectionist economic policies as it had been pre-WWII
- Propaganda. American government = visionary and generous. Fact soviet sphere was excluded not publicly advertised.
9
Q
What was a disadvantage of the Marshall Plan for the US?
A
Stalin tightened control over Eastern Europe
10
Q
How were the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine linked?
A
- ‘Two halves of the same wallnut’
- Truman Doctrine - political
- Marshall Plant - economic
- Actions to support words
11
Q
When was the Marshall Plan put into operation?
A
April 1948
