Chapter 3 - USA's involvement in Europe

Question 1

What did Dean G. Acheson warn in 1945

Answer 1

• The situation in Europe mirrored wider international problem
• Threat to stability of international democracy based on capitalism
• In Europe, railway and power systems collapsed and financial system come to complete standstill
• Chaos in foundations of structures and ordered society

Question 2

What was US strategic planning in Europe based on by 1947?

Answer 2

• Ensuring economic recovery in wake of World War 2
• Promoting unity within Europe
• = would lead to bloc of stable, independent, pro-American states

Question 3

Why did Britain value its special relationship with USA?

Answer 3

• Needed to preserve its own international status
• Wanted mutual support instead of dependence upon USA
• Wanted USA to contribute to Britain’s security

Question 4

Why did USA value its special relationship with Britain?

Answer 4

• Needed to form relationship with Western powers
• Britain most receptive to these advances
• Other Western European states had left-wing, socialist political groups = less reliable than British Labour movement

Question 5

What did Clayton conclude in May 1947?

Answer 5

• Failure to revive economies of European States –> damage USA economically
• Predicted loss of markets for goods + unemployment in USA
• Exaggerated importance of Europe to USA

Question 6

What did George Kennan’s Policy Planning Staff Group conclude in May 1947?

Answer 6

• Didn’t regard Communist activities in W Europe as the problem there
• Real issue = impact of WW2 on political, social and economic structure of Europe
• US aid in Europe should be focused on restoring its economic strength instead of combating communism

Question 7

What were the conditions for recipients of Marshall Plan aid?

Answer 7

• Some of the money must be spent on importing goods from USA
• Must share economic info with USA

Question 8

Why was the Marshall Plan introduced?

Answer 8

• Part of US strategy to benefit US economy by helping in European economic reconstruction
• Aimed at promoting European unity
• Stable European bloc = reinforce Truman’s ‘containment’
• Not meant to prevent Soviet military intervention in Western Europe

Question 9

2 countries that received the most Marshall Plan aid, and 2 that received the least:

Answer 9

Most =
- Great Britain ($ 3,100 million)
- France (£ 2,700 million)

Least =
- Sweden ($ 100 million)
- Yugoslavia ($ 100 million)

Question 10

How did the Soviets view the Marshall Plan?

Answer 10

• Act of American economic imperialism
• Believed US influence could spread into Europe = undermine their sphere of influence and security
• Believed they needed to tighten Soviet control over Eastern Europe

Question 11

How did the Soviet Union respond to the Marshall Plan?

Answer 11

• July 1947 = walk out of Paris Peace Conference
• September 1947 = establish Cominform

Question 12

What was the impact of the Marshall Plan?

Answer 12

• Accelerated rate of division of Europe
• Undermined possibility of international relations based on cooperation between the 2 superpowers

Question 13

How did the USA manage the Western zones of Germany?

Answer 13

• British and American occupation zones of Germany and Berlin = merged into single zone (Bizonia)
• February 1948 = New currency introduced into Bizonia

Question 14

How did the Soviet Union respond to a new currency being introduced into Bizonia?

Answer 14

• Imposed blockade on Berlin

Question 15

Why did US not want Germany reunified?

Answer 15

• Reunified Germany = too powerful through manipulation of Eastern and Western powers
• Germany could align itself with USSR
• Extent of US influence could be undermined as Germany became more economically dominant