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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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