Cold War

Question 1

Characteristics of Communism
Examples

Answer 1

• All property and means of production are seized and redistributed to the community, and each person receives and contributes according to their needs & abilities.
• Workers’ rights
• Totalitarian government
• E.g. USSR, China, East Germany

Question 2

Characteristics of Capitalism
Examples

Answer 2

• Trade and industry are privately owned by individuals and businesses
• Free markets
• Democracy, free elections and rights of the individual
• E.g. USA, UK, Australia

Question 3

Why was there tension between communism and capitalism?

Answer 3

• Communism was opposed to everything that made up capitalism
• USA feared the rapidly spreading influence of communism and the USSR

Question 4

Yalta Conference
Date
Big Three
Decisions
Significance

Answer 4

• February 1945
• Winston Churchill (UK), Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA), Joseph Stalin (USSR)
• Germany was to be divided into four occupation zones, Poland would lose land to the USSR in the east, Stalin promised to allow free elections in Soviet-occupied Eastern Europe, Germany would pay $20 million in reparations (half to USSR)
• Marked the beginning of Soviet expansion that would lead to heightened political tensions (Cold War)

Question 5

Potsdam Conference
Date
Big Three
Tensions
Significance

Answer 5

• July - August 1945
• Clement Attlee (UK), Harry Truman (USA), Joseph Stalin (USSR)
• Truman thought FDR had been too soft on communism, Stalin had learnt that Truman was keeping his nuclear trials a secret and was angry at that, Stalin was determined to achieve reparations and future security for USSR while Truman wanted free democratic elections in Eastern Europe (Stalin had lied, or rather his idea of democratic elections were different)
• Unlike Yalta, the Potsdam Conference was tense and the Big Three did not agree, beginnings of East vs West/Communism vs Democracy

Question 6

United Nations
Date
Founding Nations
Strengths
Weaknesses

Answer 6

• October 24th 1945
• USA, UK, France, USSR and China
• Inclusive & universal organisation (did not exclude like LON), does not rely on unanimous decisions, allowed to make sanctions, has a standing army (modern day - 70,000 personnel)
• Any founding members can veto a decision for whatever reason

Question 7

Truman Doctrine
Date
Amount
What
Reason

Answer 7

• 1947
• $400 million
• Truman promised aid to nations struggling against communist movements
• A communist uprising in Greece and Soviet demands to take control over the Turkish Straits fuelled the fears of the Domino Theory

Question 8

Marshall Plan
Date
Amount
What
Reason

Answer 8

-1948
- $12 billion
- Aid given to nations, specifically those in Western Europe, to help rebuild after WW2
- To stop the spread of communism by helping stabilise these vulnerable nations

Question 9

NATO
Date
What

Answer 9

• Formed by the USA on April 4th 1949
• Military defence treaty of non-communist nations in which they agreed to come to each other’s defence in the event of a Soviet attack

Question 10

Warsaw Pact
Date
What

Answer 10

• May 14th 1955
• A military defence treaty formed between the Soviet Union and its satellite states throughout Eastern Europe

Question 11

Berlin Airlift
Date
What

Answer 11

• June 24th 1948 to May 12th 1949
• To limit the Allies from accessing their occupation zones in Berlin, Stalin had all access into the city cut off (roads, highways, railways and canals).
• Allies resort to flying supplies into Berlin, which the Soviets cannot stop. Stalin eventually relents.
• First major crisis of the Cold War (again, East vs West/Communism vs Capitalism)

Question 12

Berlin Wall
Date
What/Why

Answer 12

• Erected on August 13th 1961
• Since many East Germans were escaping into the capitalist BRD, the Soviets built a wall around West Berlin to stop the escapees.

Question 13

Korean War
Dates
Why
Who
What
Statistics
Significance

Answer 13

• June 25th 1950 to July 27th 1953
• After WW2 and the Japanese surrender, Korea is split along the 38th parallel between communist north and capitalist south. North, under Kim Il-Sung wants to reunite.
• Communist Side: NK, China and Soviet aid, South Side: SK, USA and UN
• North invades South, pushes them back until UN and USA arrive, push NK back until China lends their support. China wants communism to remain on their borders rather than a US-allied state. Eventually they reach a stalemate and a ceasefire
• Over $15 billion in cost, 33,600 troop casualties and 110,000 injuries & MIAs
• The first major proxy war during the Cold War between communism and capitalism. Overshadowed by WW2 and the Vietnam War

Question 14

Cuban Missile Crisis
Dates
Who
What & Why
Significance

Answer 14

• October 16th to 28th 1962
• John F. Kennedy (USA), Fidel Castro (Cuba), Nikita Khrushchev (USSR)
• After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in April 196, Castro seeks support from the USSR to protect Cuba from the USA. As the US has missiles in Italy and Turkey, the USSR and Cuba decide to put missiles on the island. USA finds out and places a naval blockade on Cuba.
• The situation is resolved, missiles are removed from Cuba and the USA removes its missiles in Italy and Turkey.
• A permanent hotline is established between Moscow and Washington D.C. in event of a similar, potentially nuclear threat

Question 15

Vietnam War
Dates
Who
What & Why

Answer 15

• 1954 to 1975
• Vietnam gains independence in 1954 but is split along the 17th parallel, much like Korea it is between communist north and capitalist south
• Wanting reunification, the north sends troops into the south, supported by local communist guerrillas known as the Vietcong.
• USA and Australia send troops to support the south, fear of the Domino Theory
• Northern victory