2. The USA as a superpower (TRU) Flashcards
What was Trumans presidency characterised by?
A desire to continue the success of Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ at home whilst easing the wartime economy.
How was Truman more inclined to take advice from?
his secretary of state, Dean Acheson and Churchill.
AS a result, what were Trumans foreign policy aims?
to contain soviet expansion and ensure the security of US allies and trading partners.
When was the NSC-68 issued?
April 1950
What was the NSC-68?
National security council report 68.
a top secret security policy document ordered by Truman after soviets successfully tested a nuclear device in August 1949. It suggested to increase defence spending to $50 billion per year from $13 billion.
Why was NSC-68 significant?
It carried out policy of containment and it also stressed that the destruction of civilisation was at stake if the US failed to prevent the spread of communism.
When was the Yalta Conference?
4-11 February 1945
What loose agreements were made at the Yalta Conference?
.The USSR guaranteed friendly GOVt. on the boarders of Eastern Europe and would permit ‘free elections’ in Poland
.Germany will be split into four zones (controlled by the allies)
.Stalin was invited to join the United Nations
.Germany would pay for reparations
.Germany would undergo demilitarisation and denazification
What is significance of the date of the Yalta Conference?
it’s before the end of WW2
What was the primary purpose of the Yalta Conference?
To discuss the reorganization of post-war Europe and the ongoing war against Japan.
Fill in the blank: The leaders at the Yalta Conference included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and _______.
Joseph Stalin
What was one of the significant outcomes concerning Eastern Europe from the Yalta Conference?
The establishment of Soviet influence and control over Eastern European countries.
When was the Potsdam Conference?
17 July- 2 August 1945
What was agreed at the Potsdam Conference?
. Confirmed the four zones in Germany
.The Nazi party (Govt and laws) were to be eliminated. Denazification on education and institutions
.Brought Nazi war criminals on trial
.confirmed plan to hold ‘free elections’ in Poland ASAP
.allies could take reparations from their German zones
What was the primary purpose of the Potsdam Conference?
To negotiate terms for the end of World War II and discuss post-war order.
Fill in the blank: The Potsdam Conference included leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, and _______.
the Soviet Union.
Which leaders represented the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union at the Potsdam Conference?
Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill (later Clement Attlee), and Joseph Stalin.
Multiple choice: Which of the following was NOT a topic discussed at the Potsdam Conference? A) Germany’s future, B) The establishment of the United Nations, C) The atomic bomb, D) The Cold War.
D) The Cold War.
What was the significance of the Potsdam Declaration?
It outlined the terms of surrender for Japan and called for the country’s unconditional surrender.
True or False: The Potsdam Conference marked the beginning of the Cold War.
True.
What was one outcome of the tensions that arose during the Potsdam Conference?
Increased distrust between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.
How did the Potsdam Conference influence the geopolitical landscape of Europe post-World War II?
It established the division of Europe into Eastern and Western blocs, leading to the Cold War.
What is the Truman Doctrine?
A U.S. policy established in 1947 to counter Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War.
In what year was the Truman Doctrine announced?
1947
What did the Truman Doctrine state?
That the US would support countries resisting communism
Which two countries were primarily involved in the initial implementation of the Truman Doctrine?
Greece and Turkey
What was the main goal of the Truman Doctrine?
To contain the spread of communism.
Short Answer: What type of assistance did the Truman Doctrine provide?
Military and economic assistance.
What did the Truman Doctrine mark the beginning of?
The US policy of containment
Which speech is associated with the announcement of the Truman Doctrine?
The speech to Congress on March 12, 1947.
What was the immediate impact of the Truman Doctrine on U.S. foreign policy?
It committed the U.S. to intervene in foreign conflicts to prevent the spread of communism.
The Truman Doctrine was primarily aimed at which geopolitical rival?
Soviet Union
What did the Truman Doctrine led to?
The Marshall Plan
What was the significance of the Truman Doctrine for NATO?
It laid the groundwork for collective defense against communism.
Fill in the blank: The Truman Doctrine was a shift from __________ to a more interventionist approach in foreign policy.
isolationism
What was one criticism of the Truman Doctrine?
It involved the U.S. in conflicts that were not directly related to American security.
Multiple Choice: The Truman Doctrine was first tested in which conflict? A) Korean War B) Vietnam War C) Greek Civil War D) Cuban Missile Crisis
C) Greek Civil War
What did the Truman Doctrine signify for U.S. relations with Western Europe?
It strengthened U.S. alliances and support for European countries against communism.
Who was the U.S. Secretary of State during the announcement of the Truman Doctrine?
George C. Marshall
What was one long-term effect of the Truman Doctrine?
It contributed to the escalation of the Cold War.
The Truman Doctrine can be seen as a response to which event?
The Berlin Blockade
What was the Truman Doctrine was an expression of?
American exceptionalism
What was the U.S. strategy regarding military aid under the Truman Doctrine?
To provide aid to nations threatened by communism.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
A Soviet attempt to cut off all ground access to West Berlin from June 1948 to May 1949.
True or False: The Berlin Blockade was a response to what?
The introduction of the Deutsche Mark
What year did the Berlin Blockade begin?
1948
What major operation was launched to supply West Berlin during the blockade?
The Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Blockade lasted for how many months?
11 months
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during the Berlin Blockade?
Joseph Stalin
What was the primary goal of the Soviet Union during the Berlin Blockade?
To force the Allies out of West Berlin.
Which countries were primarily involved in the Berlin Blockade?
A) USA and USSR
What was the significance of the Berlin Blockade in the context of the Cold War?
It marked one of the first major crises of the Cold War.
When was the Berlin Blockade was lifted?
May 1949
What was the main method of delivering supplies during the Berlin Airlift?
Cargo planes
When did the Berlin Blockade end?
May 12, 1949
How many tons of supplies were delivered to West Berlin during the airlift?
Over 2.3 million tons by the USA
What was the outcome of the Berlin Blockade for West Berlin?
It remained a free city and was not taken over by the Soviets.
What infrastructure was crucial for the success of the Berlin Airlift?
Tempelhof Airport
Multiple Choice: Which of the following was NOT a reason for the blockade? A) Economic control B) Political pressure C) Military invasion
C) Military invasion
What was the response of the United States and its allies to the blockade?
They initiated the Berlin Airlift to supply West Berlin.
What did the blockade symbolize in terms of East-West relations?
It symbolized the growing divide between the communist East and the democratic West.
What was the long-term impact of the Berlin Blockade on Germany?
It contributed to the eventual division of Germany into East and West.
What was the primary purpose of the Marshall Plan?
To aid the economic recovery of European countries after World War II.
In what year was the Marshall Plan announced?
1947
What was the Marshall Plan was officially known as?
The European Recovery program (ERP)
Who was the U.S. Secretary of State who proposed the Marshall Plan?
George C. Marshall
Which countries were the primary beneficiaries of the Marshall Plan?
Western European countries
What was one of the key conditions for receiving aid under the Marshall Plan?
Countries had to agree to cooperate economically.
What country
did NOT receive Marshall Plan aid?
Soviet Union
What was a significant political goal of the Marshall Plan?
To prevent the spread of communism in Europe.
What impact did the Marshall Plan have on European integration?
It encouraged cooperation and integration among European nations.
Which organization was created to administer the Marshall Plan?
The Economic Cooperation Administration (ECA)
What year did the Marshall Plan officially begin?
1948
What was a major benefit of the Marshall Plan?
Economic stability
True or False: The Marshall Plan was universally accepted by all European nations.
False
What was the total amount of aid distributed through the Marshall Plan by 1952?
Approximately $13 billion
Fill in the blank: The Marshall Plan aimed to rebuild war-torn regions, remove trade barriers, and modernize _____.
Industry
What was the long-term effect of the Marshall Plan on U.S.-European relations?
It strengthened diplomatic and economic ties.
The Marshall Plan was an example of which type of foreign policy?
Interventionism
True or False: The Marshall Plan was solely a U.S. initiative without any support from European nations.
False
What was one of the criticisms of the Marshall Plan?
It was seen as a way for the U.S. to exert influence over Europe.
Fill in the blank: The Marshall Plan helped to establish the _____ as a major economic power in post-war Europe.
European Economic Community (EEC)
What was one of the indirect effects of the Marshall Plan?
It contributed to the economic growth of the U.S. through increased trade.
What was a key strategic goal of the Marshall Plan?
To foster democracy
What was the primary goal of US involvement in Japan after World War II?
To rebuild Japan and establish a stable democratic government.
Who was the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan?
General Douglas MacArthur
Fill in the blank: The US provided economic assistance to Japan through the _____ program.
Marshall
What significant document was drafted in Japan under US guidance in 1947?
The Constitution of Japan
What was one of the major reforms introduced by the US in Japan?
Land reform
What was the impact of the US-Japan Security Treaty of 1951?
It established a military alliance between the US and Japan.
True or False: The US aimed to promote military rearmament in Japan during Truman’s presidency.
False
What year was the San Francisco Peace Treaty signed?
1951
Fill in the blank: The US aimed to contain the spread of _____ in Asia during the Truman administration.
Communism
What economic strategy did the US employ to aid Japan’s recovery?
Providing financial aid and investment.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following was NOT a focus of US policy in Japan?
Expansion of Japanese military forces
What role did Japan’s constitution play in its post-war governance?
It established a parliamentary democracy and renounced war.
True or False: The US occupation of Japan ended in 1952.
True
Who played a key role in promoting land reform in Japan?
The US government
Fill in the blank: The US implemented a policy of _____ to foster economic growth in Japan.
Democratization
What was the significance of the 1951 US-Japan Security Treaty?
It allowed the US to maintain military bases in Japan.
Multiple Choice: Which event marked the formal end of the US occupation of Japan?
The signing of the Treaty of San Francisco
What was one of the cultural impacts of US involvement in Japan?
The introduction of Western culture and consumerism.
True or False: The US’s initial occupation strategy in Japan focused on punitive measures.
False
What was the primary focus of the US’s economic policy towards Japan?
To promote industrial recovery and growth.
Fill in the blank: The US aimed to prevent the rise of _____ in Japan after WWII.
Totalitarianism
What was the outcome of the US’s involvement in Japan during Truman’s presidency?
Japan emerged as a stable democracy and economic power.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following was a major consequence of US policies in Japan?
Rapid economic growth in the 1950s and 60s
What lasting impact did the US-Japan relations have on Asia?
It set a precedent for US alliances in the region.
