Causes of CW⭐ Flashcards
Ideological conflict between USA & USSR bef WWII
USA practiced democracy: people were allowed to choose between 2 or more political parties and could run in a free market economy where private ownership of property was allowed.
However, USSR was under the control of the communist who set up a one party government, and their economy was controlled by the state private ownership of property was forbidden.
The USA viewed communist threat as a threat to its political and economic security and thus intervened in the Russian Civil war by helping overthrow the communist rule. These fundamental differences led to tensions and mutual distrust, as either side believed their ideology was better, and anything else was a threat to their survival. US intervention was also viewed as a threat to the survival of the communist state, raising suspicions and made them increasingly wary of the USA. This contributed to long standing hostility and a long term conflict leading to the start of the Cold War.
Disagreements during wartime negotiations during WWII - Yalta conference
In February 1995, Stalin, US President Franklin Roosevelt and British prime minister Churchill met in Yalta discussing how to defeat Germany and the post-war reconstruction of Europe. They agreed on dividing Germany into 4 occupational zones and that USSR would help USA defeat Japan in return for Soviet occupation of North Korea and Manchuria.
However, they disagreed on what to do with Poland and the German economy. For example, the western powers wanted Poland to hold free elections and choose their own government. However, USSR wanted a weak German economy.
This meant there were multiple disagreements, which let the differences between the USA and USSR resurface. Thus, one reason for the Cold War was the disagreements among wartime negotiations.
USA’s nuclear monopoly and the use of atomic bomb on Japan during WWII
The Americans had been developing a new weapon, the atomic bomb, under the Manhattan project since 1942. The USA informed the USSR about its weapon only after its first successful test in 1945.
Due to leakage, Stalin had already heard about the Manhattan project before Truman told him. The USA used the atomic bomb on Japan in August to bring a quick end to the war, and hoped it would give USA political leverage over USSR in post-war negotiations. By keeping the Manhattan project a secret, and informing Stalin only after its first successful tasting, Stalin was more wary and suspicious of USA’s intentions.
USA’s nuclear monopoly was also seen as a threat, and fueled a desire to catch up with the Americans, contributing for an arms race after WWII. This race would strain relations and raise tensions.
Political vacuum in Europe and the rise of superpower after WWII
World War II had a disastrous impact on Europe and left it in a state of chaos. The war destroyed huge amounts of infrastructure, factories and land. As well as created an economic standstill and 40 million deaths.
Politically, World War II saw the desire of authoritarian regimes such as Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s fascist Italy. Even allied powers like Britain and France suffered great damage, and no longer had a major influence in shaping European affairs. Thus created a power vacuum, creating a conducive environment for new powers like USA and USSR to take over. the USA was not totally affected by WWII and still had a strong military and economy. While the USSR was second only to USA in military production.
This meant that the USA and USSR were in strong positions to assert themselves as superpowers and major decisions in Europe post war, both competed for a dominant role in post-war reconstruction in Europe, paving the way for conflicts as they attempt to expand their influence contributing to the start of the Cold War. Thus, one reason for the Cold War is the political vacuum in Europe and the rise of superpowers.
End of wartime and competition for influence after WWII
A wartime alliance between the USA and USSR was out of necessity to fight their common enemy, Germany. But after Germany’s surrender, it saw the end of their warfare alliance, as both sought to assert political and economy influence in Europe in order to safeguard the communist cause.
This brought the two countries into direct conflict as USA feared the spread of communist influence would jeopardise their economic interests, while the USSR wanted to set up satellite states to use it as a buffer and protect itself.
This increased tensions and raised suspicions as they begun to misinterpret each other’s actions.
US policy of containment after WWII - Marshall Plan
One reason for the start of Cold War is the Marshall plan. It was introduced in 1947 as a follow up on the Marshall plan if western European economics were not rebuild after the war. USA believed that these countries may be attracted to communism as an alternative, allowing communism to rule their countries. And the spread of communist influence would threaten US interests in Europe.
Thus, the Marshall plan was introduced to give immediate economic and to help countries rebuild and revitalise their economy. The plan was also offered to the USSR and its satellite states, but USSR rejected it and disallowed its satellite states from participating.
The plan was well received by Western Europe, as they contributed to stabilising conditions in Europe. It made the USA appear sincere while combining the spread of communist influence in Europe.
However, it sourced relations with the USSR as it was an attempt by the USA to dominate and expand its influence in Europe, which would undermine Soviet influence, leading to the Cold War.
Manifestation (aka Indication) of the CW - The Berlin Blockade
After World War II, Germany and Berlin were temporarily divided into 4 occupational zone. Western powers controlled 2/3 of Germany, but USSR resented it.
Conflicts aroused between the Western powers and USSR due to disagreements on what to do with Germany. USSR wanted Germany to be a communist state and extract huge reparations as compensation for the damages suffered in World War II, while Western powers wanted to keep Germany a pro-democratic country and propel German economic recovery.
In 1947, Britain and USA combined their German territories and formed a new currency. Deutsche mark, while USSR introduced the Ostmark in the Soviet zone. Rising tensions led Stalin to impose the Berlin Blockade. Food supplies and electricity to West Berlin were cut off, and all linkways closed, hoping to force the Western powers to leave Berlin.
However, the Western powers responded by airlifting supplies to West Berliners for a year. The failure of the blockade humiliated the USSR and boosted the credibility of Western powers. In addition, the French merged its zone with America and Britain to form West Germany. In response, the USSR renamed their section to East Germany.
Hence, there was a formed division of Europe along military lines as well. This heightened tensions, increased the likelihood of direct confrontations and hardened suspicions between the two superpowers. Hence, one manifestation of the Cold War is the Berlin Blockade.
Manifestation (aka Indication) of the CW - formation of military alliance, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
The Soviet threat to Berlin and the communist takeover of Czechoslovakia raised suspicions by the West about Stalin’s increasing aggression. And with the presence of Soviet troops in Eastern Europe.
The Western powers were worried about their military security in Europe. This convinced Western powers that USA had to commit defending Europe to counteract rising Soviet threat, leading to the USA initiating the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. NATO members agreed to come to each other’s defence if they were attacked by an external power.
The setting up of NATO meant that the USA abandoned its traditional policy of avoiding alliances that committed it to the defence of other countries, and increase tensions between USA and USSR, who saw it as a direct threat to undermine Soviet influence in Europe. And with the admission of West Germany as a NATO member, it reinforced the division of Europe into 2 opposing camps with increasing hostility.
(In a nutshell) What are the Truman Doctrine and Marshall plan in 1947?
The Truman Doctrine is for USA to provide military aid to Greece and Turkey. Britain decided to keep supporting Greece with military aid, which was strategically important and hence under the threat of communist influence. It was worth $400 million.
Marshall Plan was the USA helping Western European economies, affected by WWII which ended, by using $13.3 billion in economic recovery plans.
