6.4 - 1946-55: Why was NATO created in 1949? Flashcards
CZECH CRISIS 1948
CZECH CRISIS 1948
What was the state of the Czechoslovak government at the beginning of 1948?
There was a genuine coalition government
What did President Benes and Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk have in common?
They were both non-communists
When did Washington start to see Czechoslovakia as very much in the Soviet sphere of influence?
After Stalin forced them to not receive Marshall Aid
Why did the Czechoslovak government appeal to the USA for aid in 1947?
There was a poor harvest which left Czechoslovakia in a difficult economic situation
What did the USA say in response to the appeals from Czechoslovak government?
They would only help if Czechoslovakia received Marshall aid
What did the USSR promise Czechoslovakia during the economic crisis?
600,000 tons of grain
What did the Czechoslovak Foreign Trade Minister Ripka say in response to the USSR providing them 600,000 tons of grain?
‘Those idiots in Washington have driven us straight into the Stalinist camp’
What happened after the Soviets offered them the grain?
Several political parties resigned from government, hoping to force an election
What did many Czechoslovaks blame the communists for?
The failure to receive Marshall aid
What did the communist party convince president Benes to do after expecting to do badly in an election?
They convinced Benes to allow them to form a government without the parties who had resigned
What did the communists control after entering the government?
They controlled the police
When was Jan Masaryk pushed out a window?
10th March 1948
Who replaced President Benes after his death in June 1948?
Communist leader Klement Gottwald
What treaty was signed in 1948 in response to the Czech Crisis?
Treaty of Brussels 1948
What was agreed between the 5 European countries who signed the Treaty of Brussels in 1948?
That they would come to each other’s aid if one of the 5 was attacked militarily
Why was the Treaty of Brussels not very significant?
It did not include the USA
When was the North Atlantic Treaty signed?
4th April 1949
How many countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty in April 1949?
12
What was a significant advantage to the US in joining NATO?
It allowed the US military to base itself in the middle of Europe and respond quickly to any threat from the East
What was signed in 1955 as a military pact by Eastern European countries?
Warsaw Pact
When did the USSR successfully test an atomic bomb?
August 1949
When did the Americans produce the first Hydrogen bomb?
1952
When did the USSR produce a hydrogen bomb?
1953
