Chapter 4 - Conflict over Germany (1947-1949) Flashcards
1
Q
Which 4 parties were allowed in the Soviet zone of Germany?
A
- Communists (KPD)
- German Social Democrats (SPD)
- Liberals (LDPD)
- Christian Democrats (CDU)
2
Q
What happened to the SPD and KPD?
A
- Forcibly merged by Soviet Military Administration of Germany
- A new party emerged February 1946 = SED
3
Q
How did the Soviets fail in regards to administering the Soviet zone?
A
- Soviet aim to influence and control German politics in a future, united Germany had failed
- Soviet zone increasingly perceived as place of tyranny and repression by Germans in W zones
- Stalin could dominate politics in Soviet zone, but not on national scale
4
Q
Why were Eisenhower and Clay less compliant to make joint occupation work?
A
- Didn’t agree with Soviet demand that the Ruhr should be placed under joint allied control
- Didn’t want continued social and economic deprivation of Germans in UK and US zones
- Didn’t agree with Soviet desire to create centralised Germany
5
Q
Why were US-USSR tensions growing before Bizonia?
A
- USSR wanted more reparations from Western zones than other allies could accept
- May 1946, General Clay announced no further reparations to USSR allowed unless an overall plan for Germany’s economic recovery agreed
- USSR saw this as American strategy to create German economy based on Western capitalist system
6
Q
What was the impact of the Moscow Conference?
A
- Council of Ministers met in Moscow in March-April 1947
- USSR demanded a new central administration should be created = failed
- No firm decisions on future of Germany reached
7
Q
What was the impact of the London Conference?
A
- USSR accused West of unjustly denying it due reparations
- West feared centralised administration would lead to Soviet-controlled Germany
- Allied powers realised 4-power control over Germany wouldn’t work
- Now urgency to strengthen economy of W zones and move towards creation of W German state, aligned to W alliance
8
Q
What did the Soviets do in response to new currency in Bizonia?
A
- Berlin Blockade (began June 1948)
- Blocked all road and rail links to W zones and W Berlin through Soviet zone
- May 1949 = Stalin ended Blockade
9
Q
What was the impact of the Berlin Blockade?
A
- Stalin failed to prevent the creation of a separate West German state
- Containment a success
- 1949 = Europe divided into 2 blocs
10
Q
Why was NATO created?
A
- A means of reassuring W European states in face of possible Soviet military aggression
- Gave USA regional defence organisation that would aid containment
- USA was a key player = much influence
- For USA, primarily a political defence system rather than a military organisation that could undermine long-term objectives for Europe
11
Q
How did the Soviets respond to NATO?
A
- Believed NATO was an aggressive organisation designed to pressurise states into complying with interests of UK, US and allies
- US emphasises lack of content to attack any state in Europe