2- The Development Of The Cold War Flashcards
1
Q
Explain what was the Truman Doctrine + when it was?
A
- 1947
- Truman began a US policy of containment
- Used US influence + military resources to prevent expansion of communism into non-communist countries
2
Q
Why was the Truman Doctrine policy introduced?
A
- USA believed Soviet Union was trying to spread communism
- USA had atomic bombs + wanted to use this to put pressure on the SU + prevent further expansion
- Events were occurring in Greece
3
Q
What was agreed at Yalta about Greece?
A
- Britain would influence Greece
- Since 1994 there had been a civil war in Greece
- B was helping the ‘ royalist government’ to fight communist forces
4
Q
What happened in 1946 to Greece?
A
- Greek elections
- Communists heavily defeated by royalists
- However communists refused to give up
- Continued to fight a Guerrilla war against Greek Gov + helped by neighbouring communist countries
5
Q
Why did the USA help Britain to keep Greece + Turkey under control?
A
- B gave money to Greek gov + turkey coz they were understand threat from communist rebels
- B told USA they could no longer afford to help these countries
- USA gave financial aids to make them stay capitalist
6
Q
What happens in March 1947?
A
- Truman made speech supporting Greek
- Marked turning point for US foreign policy
7
Q
What were the consequences of the Truman Doctrine?
A
- Greek gov defeated the communists
- Rivalry between USA + USSR increased= Truman publicly announced world was divided: free non- comm, unfree com
- USA became more involved in European affairs
- USA provided economic aid to Europe- known as Marshall plan + wanted to create a market for US goods
- In 1947 Stalin set up Communist Information Bureau
8
Q
What was the Marshall plan + when was it?
A
- 1947
- Plan announced by General George Marshall
- Truman believed communism generally won support in countries
- Countries were in tatters after WW2
- Truman helped recover countries economically + stopping from them turning to communism
9
Q
What aid was given in the Marshall plan?
A
- Helped European countries re- equip factories + revive agriculture + trade
- USA offered money + goods + equipment
- In return they agree to buy US goods + allow US companies to invest in Capital in their industries
10
Q
What were the consequences of the Marshall plan?
A
- Invited countries to meet together + 16 set up Organisation for European Economic Economic Recovery
- By 1953 USA provided $17 billion to help European countries
- Europe became more firmly divided = east + west
- Stalin stopped going to meetings coz did not trust USA
- Stalin accused USA for using plan for it’s own selfish reasons
11
Q
What was Comniform?
A
- 1947
- Communist Information Bureau
- Enabled SU to coordinate communist parties across Europe
- Made sure countries followed SU aims in foreign policy
- Introduced Soviet- style economic policies such as collectivisation
- Direct response to Truman Doctrine
12
Q
What was Comecon?
A
- 1949
- Council for Mutual assistance
- Soviet response to Marshall plan
- SU could financially support Eastern European countries ( supposed to)
- Reality: control economy, give SU access to their resources
- Hardened divide between east + west
13
Q
What was the Berlin blockade?
A
- First major crisis of Cold War
- Stalin blocked all routes by land + rail into West Berlin
- Led to NATO
14
Q
What were some short-term causes of the Berlin blockade?
A
- Western G needed a new currency + received from Marshall aid
- Stalin feared ‘western’ currency and democratic ideas would spread to Soviet zone
- Jan 1947 B and USA zones in G and Berlin merge
15
Q
What was the Berlin Airlift+ why did Truman want to keep Berlin?
A
- T wanted Berlin to be a symbol of freedom behind the Iron Curtain
- Only way to Berlin= through air
- Allied airlifted supplied from bases
- Airlift began 28th June 1948 + lasted for 10 months
- Each aircraft landed at 90s intervals, peak April
- 12th May 1949 Stalin called of the blockade
16
Q
What were the results of the Berlin Blockade?
A
- Confirmed divisions of Germany + Berlin
- Greatly increased rivalry between east + west
- Led to NATO
17
Q
What was NATO + when was it set up?
A
- 1949
- North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
- Purpose was to prevent Soviet expansion
- Set up by USA + Canada
- Stalin saw it as an aggressive alliance aimed against Soviet Expansion
18
Q
What were the consequences of setting NATO up?
A
- USA now committed to defending Western Europe
- Intensified arms race + more powerful weapons
- SU set up Warsaw Pact
- USA set up missile bases in Western Europe
