Cold War Flashcards
U2 crisis 1960 - what happened
MY 1960 - the USSR shot down an American spy plane, the U2.
The plan took photographs of missile bases in the USSR
Gary Powers was broadcasted on TV and accused of spying
Consequences of U2 spy plane
The USSR had proof that USA was spying. Krischeb therefore refused to attend the planned Paris Peace summit (where USA and USSR had planned to have friendly conversations).
USA were worried the USSR might respond. They were keen to keep going with the arms race
Hungarian Revolution 1956 what happened
People living in Hungary were unhappy with their living conditions. They particularly didnt like their communist leader Rakosi.
Consequnces or Hungarian Revolution
By sending in tanks, the USSR broke their ‘thaw’
The USSR promised not to let other Communist countries fall out of their control im future
Czechoslovakia and prage springs what happened
1968: A new communist leader in Czechoslovakia, introduced more relaxed reforms to try to keep everyone in Czechoslovakia happu abour communism
These refroms were knows as the ‘Prague springs’
The USSR were unhappy as they thought they were losing a Communjst ally. - USSR sent tanks
Consequces of Czechoslovakia and prage springs
The USSR had showh that they were serious abiut trying to maintain communism in Europe
This made the USA angry and worried
Space race what happened 1950-1960s
The USA and USSR had a competition to imrpove soace technologies and to get men into space
This included Yuri Gagarin, sputnik (USSR’s space satellites) and Apollo 11
Space race what 1950-1960s consequnces
Competition between East and West increased
The space race led to increased spying
Propaganda was used in the home countries to increase support for the Cold War
Arms race 1950-60s what happened
The USA and USSR had a competition to produce the most nucleur weapons
This included the ICBMs and Polaris
The USA spent lots of money trying to close the ‘bomber gap’
Consequnces of the Arms race
Both the USA and USSR had a good range of nucleur weapons, which they then wanted to use,
Competition increased
The arms race led to increase in espionage
What happened in Marshall plan 1947
The USA promised $17billion to countries in West Europe
They did this because they wanted those countrues to lift themselves out of poverty
To the USA, poverty led to support in communism
Comencon & cominform 1947-1949 what happened
1947 - USA set up Cominform, this co-ordinated the governments in communist countries
1949 - USSR set ip Comencon. This supported trade and businesses in the Communist countries
Yugoslavia was the only Communist country not to join.
Consequences of marshall comencon & cominform
The USSR felt that they were beginning to challenge the Truman Doctrine. They gained confidence to challenge the West on other points, e.g Berlin
The USA continue to be worried about the soread of communisy ideas - domino effect
China becomes communist 1949
1949 - Chairman Mao made China communist
1950 - China sign an alliance friendship with the USSR
Consequences of China becoming communist
The USA were very fearful, they promised to act more quickly in the future to stop communism from spreading. They went againts the Truman Doctrine (which had focused on containment)
What happened in Korean Sar 1950-53
North Korea (communist) invaded south korea (capitalist) South korea appealed to the United Nations, the united nations agreed south korea could have support from British and American soldeirs to fight againts commuist The war ends in a stalemate
Consequneces of korean war 1950-53
The USA feel confident that they have support of the Nited Nations in the fight againts communism
Both the USA and USSR feel worried that the war had no winner. They are keen to prove themselves in the future.
The vietnam war 1955-1975
North Vietnam (communist) and south vietnam (capitalist are fighting) The communist are using guerrila warfare, the capitalist are usung ‘search and destroy’ tactics. Both these tactics are extremely unpopular with the public, War continues until 1970s
Consequences of Vietnam war 1955-1975
The USA had to decide carefully about whether to get involved in other wars. Their fear of comminism was growing
The USSR became confident that they might be able to ensure a communist takeover in asia.
Kruschchevs thaw 1955
After the death of Stlain, Kruschchevs became the leader of the USSR,
Kruschchev decided to relax tensioms in the cold war by making it clear that he did not support the thungs that Stalin had done - ‘de stalinisation’
Kruschchev tried to be more friendly towards the West - ‘peaceful co-existence’
Tried to improve his friendship with Yugoslavia
Consequences of Kruschchevs thaw
Competition between the East and West was decreased
Nato and Warsaw pact 1949-1955
1949 - Countries in the West join Nato
1955 - Countries in the East join the Warsaw pact
These are both alliances that are focused on the military: the countries promise to support ine another if they were attacked
Nato and Warsaw pact 1949-1955 consequences
The division between East and West is confirmed
Countries feel more confident to enter conflicts as they know they have other allies supporting them
Berlin blockade & airlift 1948 - 1949
June 1948 - Stalin started a blockade. This meant he stopped all transport and supply lines into Berlin.
Stalin had hoped this would make Britain and USA leave Berlin
Instead, Britian & the USA started an airlift. This means they simply flew in their supplies by plane
