Allied Actions Against USSR 1945-49 Flashcards
Where did Churchill make his Iron Curtain speech, and when was it made?
Fulton, Missouri.
He made the speech on 5 March 1946.
What iron curtain did Churchill claim have been made? How did Truman and Atlee respond, and what approach of Truman’s did the speech fulfil ?
An iron curtain from Stettin, Baltic, to Trieste, Adriatic.
The speech fell in line with Truman and his advisors who had an iron fist approach to form an alliance and adopt harsher policy towards the USSR.
What was Moscow’s reaction to the Iron Curtain speech?
They accused Churchill of being a warmonger, “a call to war with the Soviet Union,” and rejected membership to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and commenced a new 5 year plan to become self sufficient.
When did George Kennan produce the Long Telegram?
22 Feb 1946
What was Kennan requested to do?
Kennan, deputy head who headed Moscow operation, was requested by the Treasury Department to send a telegram to the State Department. He sent this to Secretary of State James Byrnes, outlining Russia’s strategy.
What did the Kennan Telegram state?
- No modus vivindi : they want to disrupt the harmony of society and destroy way of living.
- elaborate apparatus to exert influence in other countries. Unseen in history.
- Kremlin feared contact with outside world seeing it as rival power, and would never compromise.
- no peaceful coexistence can exist with beliefs of capitalist encirclement.
- Hid Russian population from outside world.
- Military industrialisation : developing armed forces; impressive displays; secrecy of internal matters. Wants to advance USSR and wage war against US leaders as imperialist war.
What was Greece’s situation? How much did the UK owe in debt and what was introduced to aid countries? How much was given to Greece and Turkey?
In 1944 Britain helped restore their Royal government despite countryside resistance aided by Yugoslavia.
UK owed £3b in debt and economy was in crisis. Truman doctrine was introduced to aid countries with government under attack with military advisors.
Greece won the civil war in 1949 thanks to £300 m and turkey got £100 m.
When did Congress state the difference between capitalism and communism? What did some see the plan as? Who came up with the plan? How much was offered, and by which year was growth sustained? What did the USSR claim? What was achieved with the Marshall Plan?
On 12 March 1947 congress address staged one way of life is on the will of the majority, but the other is on the minority. Financial support would be offered to war torn Europe but some saw this as American imperialism.
George Marshall, SoS, came up with plan, and was shocked by west Europe.
£17 billion was offered and by 1952 growth was sustained.
USSR claimed US used political pressure to achieve control, going against UN.
Achieved cooperation and closer military ties.
Describe Economic Recovery Program. When did Marshall make Harvard speech? What did the ERP do in September? What happened after the 1948 February coup? How much was spent by 1951?
5 June - Marshall makes speech at Harvard outlining needs for plans.
In September the ERP met with conference in Paris with government requesting £22 b. The US agreed on 17, and after Czechoslovakia’s February Coup signed the Economic Cooperation Act. The European Cooperation Administration was set to ensure national governments spent money on infrastructure, business, national government, and projects. By 1951 £13 b was spent.
Describe Truman doctrine.
What policy had failed?
What did Dean Acheson explain to gain support?
On 21 Feb 1946 what was announced by Britain?
What did Dean tell Truman on 27 Feb?
The US would defend non-communist countries with governments in danger.
‘Open door’ policy had failed and State Departmebt officials discovered success by relation of issues to Britain’s security.
Dean Acheson, Under SoS, linked the loan in Britain to this. They had to show congress loans would fight expansionism.
21 Feb 1946 - Britain can no longer pay ending March 31.
Greece was fighting communists and turkey refused to give straits. By 27 February, Acheson told Truman breakthrough in the east would make communism spread to Iran, Italy, and France.
