Breskdown of the Grand Alliance Flashcards
What was the consequence of the Iron Curtain Speech?
- Symbolic declaration of the Cold War
- Declared the West’s view on communist friendly states as security for the USSR
- Characterised the division of West and the East
- Stalin called Churchill a ‘Warmonger’ and compared him to Hitler
In reality what was Soviet Liberation of Eastern Europe like?
What are some examples of communists ‘liberations’?
- Tyrannical takeover of countries in the pursuit of national interest and security
- In Poland rigged elections that led to the implementation of the ‘Lublin Government’ and the removal of Gomulka as President for independent thought in 1947.
- Romania had semi-free elections which resulted in a communist led coalition and the forced abdication of the King in december 1947, Communist republic established 1948.
- Bulgaria welcomed Communism and elected in a communist government, all other parties were liquidated.
- Czechoslovakia was granted initial freedoms, however there was a communist coup following an attempt to accept Marshall Aid in 1948.
- Hungary suffered a forced merger of parties in 1948, later suffering from a dictatorship i 1948.
- Yugoslavia had their own independent form of communism under the leadership of Tito.
What was the Long Telegram?
When was it published?
What was its impact?
- An 800 word telegram articulating the hardline taken by the US against communism, stating that actions by the Soviets were aggressive.
- Released early 1946
- Became basis for US policies of containment
What was the Truman Doctrine?
What was it sparked by?
How much money was granted by congress for policy?
- Simple and clear warning (indirect) that the US would intervene to support any nation that was being threatened by a takeover by an armed minority.
- Sparked by minority takeover by Greek Communists in the Civil War whom were aided by the USSR and received material aid from Yugoslavia.
- 1947 Truman announced Doctrine to ‘contain’ the spread of communism and fight rebellions.
- $400b granted by congress to support the Greek government, was in hopes to prevent further countries being taken over by the communists for example Turkey. This is further illustrated by Greece and Turkey joining NATO, which was a clear message to the USSR that an attack on these countries was also an attack on the US.
What was the Marshall Plan?
What was the aim of the Marshall Plan?
What did the USSR attempt to antagonise the West?
What is an example of states not being allowed to take MP?
- US aid provided to any country in Europe to help prevent the spread of communism, billions of $ to improve European countries.
- Hope was to improve economies by integrating countries into the Western sphere and promote capitalism.
- The USSR tried to delay the taking of Marshall Aid, eventually meaning that they were excluded from the program.
- Eastern countries under Soviet influence were banned from taking Marshall aid for example Czechoslovakia.
What did the USSR create as a counter to the Marshall Plan?
- Cominform was created to manage foreign policy
- COMECON was created to manage the economy.
- Both created to coordinate the East.
What was Lend and Lease?
-Goods were sent by the US to ally countries which were the be paid back once the war had ended.
How did propaganda of Stalin change following the start of Operation Barbarosa?
-Churchill saw the potential devastation that could amount if the Soviets were defeated so changed the image of Stalin from brutal dictator to ‘Uncle Joe’ figure who was leading brave patriots against the Naazi invaders.
What did Churchill say about relations with the USSR despite previous hostilities?
-“If Hitler invaded hell i would at least make a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons’
Who offered the first aid to the Soviets in 1941?
- Britain through the Anglo-Soviet Pact.
- From late 1941 a total of 1,400 ships carried essential supplies to the USSR, for example 3 million boots for soldiers.
- In total these conveys successfully transported 14m tonnes of supplies.
How did the US become involved in the war?
- Germany supported the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941.
- The US became involved and the full ‘Grand Alliance’ was formed.
- The US extended their lend and lease program to include the USSR, for example in following year provided $30b to Britain and $11bn to the USSR.
