Cold War 1 Flashcards
When and why was the Grand Alliance formed?
1941
It was a ‘marriage of convenience’ aimed to defeat Nazi Germany and Japan.
Who started the Grand Alliance?
Britain - Churchill, USA - Roosevelt, USSR - Stalin
When was the Tehran conference?
November - December 1943
Who attended the Tehran conference?
Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin
What decisions were made at the Tehran conference?
- USA and Britain agreed to open a second front in Europe through Nazi occupied France
- USSR agreed to declare war on Japan after Germany was defeated
- Poland’s borders would move east, gaining land from Germany and losing land to USSR
- Organisation would be set up to settle international disputes, which becomes UN
When was the Yalta conference?
February 1945
Who attended the Yalta conference?
Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin
What decisions were made at the Yalta conference?
- Germany was going to be split up and demilitarised and have to pay reparations
- UN would be set up
- USSR agreed to declare war on Japan after Germany was defeated
- Poland would be under the ‘Soviet sphere of influence’ but run on a broader democratic basis (free elections)
When was the Potsdam conference?
July - August 1945
Who attended the Potsdam conference?
Truman, Churchill, Stalin
What decisions were made at the Potsdam conference?
- Council of Foreign Ministers set up to rebuild Europe
- Nazi party banned and war criminals to be prosecuted
- Germany and Berlin were going to be split into 4 zones: Britain, USA, USSR and France
- USSR would allow free elections in satellite states
What happened when Roosevelt died?
12th April 1945
Increased tensions as he was a key person in holding the Grand Alliance together.
How did the Grand Alliance end?
- USA drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945
- Truman felt that Stalin was untrustworthy because he broke his promises over Poland
- Stalin doesn’t like this, increasing tensions
- Britain was economically exhausted by WWII so took sides with USA
What was the ideological conflict between Capitalism and Communism?
Increased tensions
USA and Britain said Communism enslaved the people, while USSR claimed Capitalism exploited workers.
What did the Long Telegram say?
February 1946
Secret report from US ambassador, George Kennan, stating that USSR saw Capitalism as a threat and was building its military power.
What did Novikov’s Telegram say?
September 1946
Report from Soviet ambassador, Novikov, stating that USA wanted world domination and was preparing its people for war with USSR.
How did Bulgaria become communist?
All elected non-communists were executed, a communist government was elected in 1945.
How did Romania become communist?
A communist-led coalition party took power, and by 1947, communists had taken over.
How did Poland become communist?
At Yalta, Stalin agreed to set up a communist/non-communist government, then arrested non-communists.
How did Hungary become communist?
Communist leader, Rakosi, took control of the secret police and executed his opponents.
How did Czechoslovakia become communist?
Communists took control of the army, radio, and secret police, seizing power completely in 1948.
How did East Germany become communist?
After WWII, Germany was divided, and the Soviet part became communist in October 1949.
What was the Truman Doctrine?
1947, President Truman’s policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism.
What was the Marshall Plan?
1947, the plan to give about $13 billion to help rebuild Europe, accepted by 16 western countries.
What was Cominform?
Stands for: Communist Information Bureau, established in 1947 to arrange leadership for communist countries.
What was Comecon?
Stands for: Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, established in 1949 as Stalin’s alternative to the Marshall Plan.
What were the consequences of the Marshall Plan and Comecon?
Tensions increased, creating a clear divide between the West and Eastern Europe.
What was NATO and what did it do?
1949, a military alliance for collective security, directed against an attack from USSR.
What did the West want with Germany?
USA wanted a united, capitalist Germany to trade with and stop the spread of communism.
What did Stalin want with Germany?
USSR wanted a weak, divided, communist Germany to deter attacks.
What happened in the Berlin Blockade?
In June 1948, Stalin cut off all links to West Berlin, aiming to starve its inhabitants.
What happened as a result of the Berlin Blockade?
The West responded with a massive airlift, supplying West Berlin until Stalin called off the Blockade in May 1949.
How did the superpowers look after the Blockade and Airlift?
USA appeared peaceful and generous, while USSR appeared aggressive and threatening.
When was West Germany officially made?
September 1949 (Federal Republic of Germany)
When was East Germany officially made?
October 1949 (German Democratic Republic)
What is the nuclear arms race timeline?
1945 - USA drops 2 atomic bombs in Japan
1949 - USSR tests first atomic bomb
1952 - USA develops hydrogen bomb
1953 - USSR develops hydrogen bomb
What was the Warsaw Pact?
14th May 1955, a collective defense treaty involving USSR and Eastern European countries.
Why was the Warsaw Pact significant?
It established two opposing alliances in Europe, separated by the Iron Curtain.
When did Stalin die?
5th March 1953
Why did Khrushchev tighten control of Hungary?
He was worried that Hungary’s move away from USSR influence would inspire others.
What were some impacts of Soviet rule in Hungary?
- Hungary suffered under Stalin’s control.
- Food and industrial products were shipped off to the USSR.
- Any opposition was wiped out.
- Rakosi was a brutal Prime Minister.
- Communism was not very popular.
What was the Hungarian Uprising?
In October 1956, poor harvests led to demonstrations against the government.
What were Nagy’s reforms?
- Leave the Warsaw Pact and become a neutral country
- Hold free elections
- UN protection from USSR
Why did Khrushchev invade Hungary?
- Disapproved of Nagy’s reforms
- Thought others would follow and leave the Warsaw Pact
- Allegedly, Communists were being killed
What happened in the invasion of Hungary?
On 4th Nov 1956, Khrushchev sent 200,000 troops to depose Nagy.
What were some consequences of the Soviet invasion of Hungary?
- 5000 Hungarians killed, 1000 Soviet troops
- Nagy and his government deposed
- Nagy arrested and executed
- New leader, Janos Kadar, was appointed
What did Janos Kadar introduce in Hungary?
Fifteen Point Programme, reestablishing communism in a more moderate way.
What were some international reactions to the invasion of Hungary?
- UN condemned USSR’s actions
- Some countries boycotted the 1956 Olympics
- USA supported Hungary with aid
- USA accepted 80,000 refugees
