Causes of the cold war Flashcards
Introduction
To what extent were tensions within the wartime alliance the main reason for the
emergence of the Cold War, up to 1955?
From 1945 until the early 1990s the USA and Soviet Union were locked in a Cold War that nearly became Nuclear
One of the reason why was because of Different ideologies, the USA believed in capitalism which is a system which has little government involvement and people are free to make their own choice.
however the soviets believes in communism which aimed to make everyone equal however this resulted in a high amount of government control and limited choice.
This essay will discuss factors(Tensions in the war time alliance,Disagreements over Germany,Crisis in Korea and the Arms race)
Tensions in the war time alliance
In august 1944 the USSR moved through much of Poland until they approached Warzaw which causes an uprising in the city against the nazis
K1 where approximately 16000 polish resistant fighters died fighting against nazi forces
K2 The USA and UK supported the polish resistant through Airlift of supplies however the USSR often stopped these and did not allow soviet airports to be used to help the polish resistant
A as a result the USA AND UK believed that the soviets did not intervene because they wanted to remove the resistance that might oppose communism often suggesting the USSR planned to take violent control of Warsaw/Poland after the war finished
A+ however Stalin claimed that his troops needed to rest and weren’t ready to fight,even though the UK,US and USSR argued they still continued to be on the same side undermining ideas that this lead to the Cold War
The ARMS race
During ww2 all major countries were trying to develop atomic bombs,this caused the USA to set up the Manhattan project lead by Oppenheimer
K1 In July 1945 the USA was finically successful in making a atomic bomb that worked,they tested it and it was called the “trinity test” with a TNT demotion of 22tons
K2 The USA then used their new bombs on two Japanese cities named hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th when Hiroshima had “little boy” dropped then three days later “fat man” on Nagasaki
A The USA even though allied with the soviets did not share or tell the Soviets about their technology showing the Soviets that the USA as a result could not be trusted
A+however America was tired of war and has no intentions of starting a conflict with the USSR and often supplied the USSR with supplies
Disagreements over Germany
Germany was blamed for starting the first and second world war,steps were put in place to make sure germany was rightly punished.
K1,this was done through the potsdam agreement in 1945 this agreement split germany four different ways Soviets getting the east while the other three powers(UK,USA and france) getting control of the west
k2) this was also done with berlin,even though it was in soviet territory (split four ways)
A the soviets were unhappy as they wanted full control of Germany,and resented the Americans for having a presence in the soviet sector of Germany possibly leading to increased tensions
A+ However even though the soviets were unhappy,they still agreed with the potsdam agreement,the fact the soviets supported this plan undermined the legitmacy of the complaints they had
Crisis in Korea
The USA knew that communism needed to be contained,however forcibly removing communism would probably lead to war.The USA controlled the South of korea whereas the soviets controlled the North,both sides believed they should of have had full control over korea
k1 In June 1950 the North communist part of Korea Invaded the Capitalist south
k2 the UN helped support south korea however 90% of the troops were American
However the war ultimately ended in a stalemate as either side couldnt make sufficient enough progress often swinging backwards K3and forwards for who was winning the war and by july 1953 a ceasefire was established
A This war showed to both the soviets and the US that both sides were prepared to use their military further increasing tensions leading to the cold war
A+ However the war ended in a stalemate undermining the idea that the Korean war lead to the cold war
Conclusion
EXAMPLE QUESTION
To what extent were tensions within the wartime alliance the main reason for the
emergence of the Cold War, up to 1955?
Overall tensions within the war time alliance was the most important factor
Tensions within the War time alliance is more important than the arms race because although the USA bombed hiroshima and nagasaki,worrying the soviets as they thought the USA would further bomb them.However the USA didnt want another conflict and just wanted the war to end,
tensions within the war time alliance is more important than disagreements over Germany because although the soviets were angered by the UK,USA and France controlling east Germany and parts of berlin. In the end the Soviets did agree to the Potsdam agreement allowing this
Tensions within the wartime alliance is more important than the Crisis in Korea as the soviets wanted full control of Korea whereas the USA wanted to contain communism causing conflict and war. Ultimately a ceasefire was established across the 38th Parallel but june 1953 showing neither side wanted to continue fighting bn
Evaluation for tensions within the war time alliance
Overall Tensions in the cold war, is the most important factor in why the cold war started. Because the soviet repeatedly demanded that the USA and UK launch an attack on France and Belgium,to relieve pressure of the USSR,
however this wouldn’t happen till D-day,this causing the cold war as this angered soviet leader Joseph Stalin, as he believed the USA wanted Germany and the soviets to destroy each other,as a result increasing tensions leading to the cold
war emerging, as this showed the soviets the USA couldnt be trusted,further causing the cold war to occur, meaning all other factors are redundant
