clashes of ideologies Flashcards
what led to the Cold war after world war II
After WWII, tensions arose between the United States and the Soviet Union over post-war settlements and boundaries, despite their cooperation in defeating Nazi Germany.
why did the soviet union refure to withdraw from eastern europe after wwII?
he Soviet Union, under Joseph Stalin, sought to prevent future invasions by establishing friendly communist governments in Eastern Europe for security purposes.
What was the United States’ response to Soviet expansion after WWII?
The United States aimed to contain Soviet communism by solidifying its influence in Western Europe and preventing the spread of communist ideology.
What was the cold war?
The Cold War was a period of ideological conflict between the United States’ liberal democracy and the Soviet Union’s communist ideology, marked by heightened tensions but no direct military confrontation.
What strategies were used during the Cold War?
Strategies included expansionism, containment, deterrence, brinkmanship, détente, nonalignment, and liberation movements, all shaped by the ideological conflict between the two superpowers.
What were the periods of reduced tension in the Cold War called?
The periods of reduced tension were known as détente, during which the superpowers sought to ease hostilities and reduce the threat of nuclear war.
when did the cold war end?
the cold war ended in 1991 with the collapse of the soviet union
What is the Yalta Conference?
- meeting held in the city of Yalta in southern Ukraine in Feb 1945
- meeting set to plan the end of the world war and the postwar future of Europe.
What were the 2 agreements made at the Yala conference?
- Dividing Germany into 4 zones of occupation; British, American, French, and Soviet.
- Free elections in the newly liberated countries of Europe. “ The right of all people to choose the form of government under which they will live.”
What is the Postdam Conference?
A meeting held from july 17 to august 2, 2945 in Postdam Germany, where the leaders of the big three discussed post wolrd war II arrangements and the future of Europe.
Agreements made in Postdam are;
- DIvision of Germany in 4 zones
-restructing of the German economy towards agriculture and light industry, limiting military production.
-said that the Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan. - descision that Germany would pay 20 billion in reparations to the Allies.
- allowance that free elections would be held in Poland
What was the significance of the atomic bomb during the Postdam Conference?
DUring the conference, Turman infromed Stalin about the succesful test of the atomic bomb. which influenced the dynamics of the negotiations and foreshadowed the nuclear arms race.
What happned to US-Soveit relations after WWII?
instead of cooperation s the US and Soviet Union began establishing their own spheres of influence in Europe, splitiing the continent ideologcally.
What is a “sphere of influence” ?
a region or group of countries that a powerful nation can strongly influnve politically, economically or military
Which countries fell under the US sphere of influence after WWII?
Countries in Western Europe that were liberated by Western Allies.
Which countries fell under the Soviet spehere of influence after WWII?
Eastern Europena countires that were libereated byt he soviet union, like poland, romania, and others
Why did stalin want to keep Germany divided?
Because a unified strong germany had invaded the societ union twice. Division was seen as a way to protect the USSR.
What was stalin’s justification for Soviet expanionism?
Claimed historical and geographic reasons- especially security, by creating a buffer zone of friendly states around the UUSR.
Which countires did stalin want soviet influence over security?
Finland, Poland, Romania, and others
What was the main reason behind stalin’s post-war stratergy?
To expand Soviet influence and protect the USSR by surounding it with communist- freindly governments.
what was the main goal for the US after the WWII in 1947?
To stop soviet expansion and contain the spread of communism.
What is containment?
A US foreign policy strategy to stop the spread of communism wihtout direct armed conflict.
What was the Truman Doctrine?
A 1947 US policy provided aid to countries like Greece and Turkey to help them resist communism.
how much aid did that US give to Greece and Turkey under the Truman Doctrine?
400 million in economic and military aid.
why did turman support Greece and Turkey?
Greece was fighting communist rebels, and turkey was also seen as under the threat of communist influence.
how did the US fight the cold war without direct military conflict?
Through alliances, financial aid, and support for ani-communist governments.
Acoording to Truman , what was the goal of US foreign policy?
to help nations live free form coercion and prevent domination by authoritarian regimes.
