Chapter 3: The Cold War intensifies 1949 - 58 Flashcards
What was the Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance of the 8 nations held by the Soviet Union. It was created when West Germany joined NATO. It included the Soviet Union itself, Albania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria. It was designed to counter NATO
Key fact of the Arms race
US arms spending went from 13.5b to 49.6b from 1949 - 1953
Soviet Union Arms spending went from 13.4b to 25.5b from 1949 - 1953
Both sides possessed hydrogen bombs in 1953
Both sides owned Inter-continental ballistic missiles by 1958
What was Sputnik and its effects
Sputnik was the Soviets rocket launched satellite that could orbit the earth in just 1 hour and a half
It made the US increase its spending on missiles by 20%, and NASA was formed (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The US also placed missile bases throughout Europe, and increased the amount of submarines with missiles
When did Stalin die?
March 1953
What was the “Secret speech” and “destalinisation”
This was in 1956 when Khrushchev had a ‘secret’ speech where he attacked the methods Stalin used, calling him a murderer and a tyrant
Destalinisiation was what Khrushchev planned to do for the Soviet sphere of influence, to remove restraints and stuff
what was the effect of the ‘secret’ speech
This improved hopes for superpower relations because it appeared that Khrushchev was more peaceful, and that maybe peace could be agreed between the superpowers
What were the causes of the Hungarian revolution
- Hungary was very poor after the war, most of the stuff produced was sent to the Soviet Union
- The Hungarians were patriotic, and hated Russian control, including censorship and the secret police
- The previous leader, Rakosi, was very pro Stalin. He killed an estimated 2000 in purges and imprisoned 200,000 political opponents
- Hungary was very religious, but the Catholic Church was banned and the leader imprisoned
- Hungary believed the West would intervene and support them, such as Eisenhower or the UN
- There was high hopes after Khrushchev’s secret speech
- Nagy had huge support throughout the country
Narrative account of the Hungarian uprising
February 1956: Khrushchev’s secret speech
July 1956: Rakosi forced out and replaced by Erno Gero
October: Students demonstrate in Budapest, pulling down Stalin Statues. Demand free elections, free press and the withdrawal of the Soviets
October: tanks open fire, killing 12 and wounding 100.
Nagy comes back and the tanks are withdrawn
October 30-31: Nagy releases prisoners and makes reforms the next day, including the withdrawal from the Warsaw pact
4 November: 200,000 Soviet troops and 6,000 tanks returned to Hungary with no west interference
Mid 1957: The soviets eventually defeated the guerrilla rebels
1958: Kadar replaces Nagy, who is hanged in Romania
What were the reforms/demands Nagy madden the Hungarian rebellion?
Free elections
Hungary to develop trade links with the west
An end to the one party system
Freedom of the press, speech and worship
Hungary to become a neutral state
Free trade unions
Withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact (and joining of the UN)
Why did the Soviets invade Hungary
Khrushchev needed to show his authority in the USSR
It was threatening the Warsaw Pact
Fear of the loss of control of Eastern Europe
USA and UN involved in Suez Canal crisis
Pressure from China to protect Communism from the West
US presidential elections
Needed to set an example for the rest of the countries
Consequences of the Hungarian Rebellion for Hungary
Many homeless
Many refugees
Loss of hope of freedom from Soviets, and of aid from west
Soviet army now had control of government
20,000 dead, 200,000 refugees
Consequences/effect of the Hungarian Rebellion for the Soviet Union
Had reasserted control of Hungary
They had set an example for other nations
They had shown their power/military might
Reduced chance of any uprisings elsewhere, and ensuring powered control
Khrushchev’s policy of destalinisation would only go as far as he wanted it
Consequences of the Hungarian Rebellion for superpower relations
Less chance of a quick end more hatred for the Soviet union UN condemned the invasion, offered aid and supported it Propaganda flop for the Soviets Countries boycotted the olympics
