chapter 5 Flashcards
start of Cold War
What was the October Revolution 1917?
The Bolsheviks overthrowing the provisional government set up in Russia post WW1 after the Tsar’s abdication.
What were Lenin’s beliefs and Western response to them
Lenin believed that capitalism was nearing collapse, and that a worldwide revolution was inevitable. Western response was alarmed.
Why was October Revolution alarming?
The world now had an example of a different way of running a country, collectively and through co-operation, without multi-party elections or a free market (COMMUNISM)
What happened to leaders of the Bolshevik Revolution, and other rivals of Stalins’ when Stalin came to power? Effect on West?
Show trials where they confessed to crimes they didn’t commit- followed by executions, assassinations of any opposition to rivalries that threatened his power- had a lasting effect on perception of Stalin by West.
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact, and what was its impact on the West?
A non-aggression treaty between USSR and Germany agreeing to not attack each other and divide Poland between them that stunned the West who had been trying to ally with USSR against Germany.
What happened in Finland and Baltic states 1939-40?
USSR invaded Finland and occupied Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This was an unequal struggle in which West offered Finland military support, however before troops arrived, a peace treaty was signed.
Impact of Operation Barbarossa 1941 on East and West relations?
Operation Barbarossa was code name for Nazi invasion of USSR. Impact was that the West realised the potential of USSR as an ally due to its size, as “Uncle Joe” (nicknamed by Churchill and Roosevelt to change the view of Stalin in West ) bravely resisted their common enemy.
Operation Barbarossa 1941 impact on USSR
Stalin was anxious and wanted pressure to be taken off the Red Army. Britain’s bulk of aid did help the situation, however, what Stalin wanted was a second front to open, which Britain could not provide was of 1941.
Why did Stalin think the West refused to open a second front?
He suspected political and military reasons behind this, with aims of destruction of Communism.
Tensions in Grand Alliance 1942 after Roosevelt’s promise of a second front failed?
Stalin believed it was due to ideological tensions within the alliance that were previously put aside.
What was the Soviet number of deaths, and captured troops in November 1941 when Soviets reached outskirts of Moscow?
360,000 deaths, 3.3 million captured
Why couldn’t Britain send troops for a second front? What would need to happen instead+ problems and proof of it ?
Britain was recovering from 1940 defeats, lacked resources, had worldwide commitments due to empire. Troops would have to come from US who would need time to train the large troops required for success. Dieppe raid of August 1942 which failed, aligned with Western view of a large attack being needed.
What was done in July 1943 to deny Stalin’s doubts that the West was playing against them?
Invasion of Italy by an Anglo-American force aiming to force them out of the war as they were Germany’s main European ally. Also, continued equipment aid, which by 1944 amounted to 10million tonnes of material
What did Stalin mainly want at Tehran? What were his concerns regarding Mediterranean option and Operation Overlord?
Wanted a second front in France as soon as possibleRoosevelt agreed, but Churchill wanted to pursue Mediterranean option of attacking Germany from ‘soft underbelly’. Stalin was concerned about any delays to Operation Overlord.
What was agreed at Tehran in November 1943 ?
- A promise that an Anglo-American force would invade France in May 1944 (second front)
- USSR would join the war against Japan once Germany was defeated
- USSR would gain some Polish territory (BUFFER ZONE)
- 3 leaders agreed they would accept only an unconditional surrender from Nazi Germany
