Chapter 1: Early tension between east and west Flashcards
What is the definition of capitalism
All industry, business and agriculture owned by private people or firms, competition between rival factories or shops or farms will cause prices to fall, and make firms more efficient. Opportunity for all, a free economy, anyone can start a business, all profit for the owner.
What is the definition of Communism
Everything belongs to the state and should be run by the government on behalf of the people. A classless society achieved by overthrowing capitalism by revolution. No profit from the work of others, a controlled economy, with fairness and equality for all
Who were the three leaders in WW2 and their beefs
Winston Churchill (W)
Roosevelt (R) - then Truman
Stalin (S)
W vs S
- Britain believed Poland should be independent, whilst Stalin wanted control
- Churchill had opposed the bolsheviks revolution in Russia and supported their enemies. He was suspicious of Stain
S vs W and R
Stalin was annoyed at the UK and US for delaying D-day. He believed that they did this because they wanted to weaken the USSR
Where was the first conference, when was it, and what was decided
Tehran, November 1943
- D-day was to happen in May 1944
- The Soviet Union was to wage war against Japan when Germany was defeated
- The UN to be set up
- Eastern Poland to be added to the Soviet Union
The meeting was a huge success for Stalin, especially as Roosevelt was sick
Where was the second conference, when was it, and what was decided
Yalta, February 1944
- Germany was to be defeated and disarmed. It was to be split into four zones of occupation - The big 3 plus France. Germany would also have to pay reparations
- Eastern European countries were to hold free elections to choose how they were governed
- The USSR was to join the war against Japan 3 months after Germany surrendered
- UN to be set up
- The Soviet Union had lost the most, about 20 million people, so the Soviets would have a sphere of influence for future security
- The western allies were worried about USSR intentions for Polands frontiers. They were helpless as Britain and the USSR had a deal over Greece
- Stalin wanted a ridiculous payment from Germany, which was disagreed on and postponed
Where was the third conference, when was it, and what was decided
Potsdam, July 1945
- In Germany details of zones were finalised. The Nazi party was banned and its leaders trialed as war criminals
- Polands western boundary was decided
- Germans living in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia were to return to Germany
- Each owner of Germany would earn industrial equipment from its zone, but the USSR got additional stuff as its zone was agriculture
- The West was suspicious of the Soviets intentions in Eastern Europe, such as his arrest of Polands non - communist leaders
- Truman did not tell Stalin bout the nukes
- Russia was the biggest military power, and was creating nukes. Refused to step it down
- Far more Eastern European germans were expelled then expected for the west
How did Stalin impose his authority in Eastern Europe?
He created pro-soviet coalitions
Police and other members of authority under his influence
Key people would be kidnapped, disappear
Stalin created alliances with puppet parties and leaders
Bribing or threatening people into voting for communists
Banning, Murdering or arresting other parties
Rigged elections
Soldiers and secret police used to scare and intimidate voters
Give four satellite states and how Stalin gained control
Hungary: Coalition government, police under control, all parties banned
Bulgaria: Rigged elections, banned other parties
Romania: Coalition government, military presence
Poland: Rigged elections, coalition government, all party leader arrested
What was the Long telegram
This was a telegram in February 1946, from the Americans. They stated that:
The Russians were determined to destroy the American way of life
The Soviet Union was the greatest threat the USA had faced
The Soviets must be stopped, but can be done without war
The way to do it is by educating the public against communism, and by making people wealthy, happy
What was the Novikov telegram
This was a Russian telegraph in September 1946
It stated that:
America wanted to dominate the world
USA no longer was interested in Cooperation
The American public was being prepared for war with the USSR by ‘Capitalist elites
What was the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech
This was made by Winston Churchill in March 1946
It was like the telegrams, Churchill mentions increasing control from Moscow, implying that Stalin wanted to control Europe
He used Iron Curtain, which implies that Stalin wanted to divide Europe between Communist East and Capitalist
The speech implies that Stalin is a threat to much of Europe, not just britain. The USSR is a threat to established order
