cold war Flashcards
Definition
of Cold War
intense economic, political, military,
and ideological rivalry between
nations, short of military conflict;
sustained hostile political policies and
an atmosphere of strain between
opposed countries.
a continuing state of resentful
antagonism between two parties short
of open hostility or violence.
rivalry after World War II between the
Soviet Union and its satellites and the
democratic countries of the Western
world, under the leadership of the
United States.
How the Cold
War was
Fought
Ideologically
Politically
Economically
Militarily
Propaganda and Media
Space and Arms Race
CIA Covert Operations
Spies and Espionage
Proxy Wars and Influence on Other
Nations
Policies and Events of the 1920s/30s
Policy of Appeasement (Hitler, Mussolini and Fascists – Preferable)
Denial of USSR’s Admittance to League of Nation
Mistrust and Suspicion over Spanish Civil War (Warnings)
Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact (Aims of USSR)
Marriage of Convenience
Second World War – The Alliance
Issue of opening up of the Second Front (USSR alone in East)
Secrecy and Use of Atomic Bomb (USSR left out of deal)
Lack of clarity about post war world (Germany, Free Elections in East)
New leaders/New personalities (Roosevelt – Truman, Churchill-Atlee)
Disputes that begin to take shape over post war world (areas of
influence)
Events from 1945 – 1947
Allies to Enemies US and RUSSSIA
Greece and Turkey (Communist Take Over/Sphere of Influence)
Decline of Western European Powers Post War World – Rise of Superpowers
Kennan Long Telegram (Spread of Communism – Nature of Ideology)
Novikov Telegram (Soviet Response – US economic imperialism)
Soviet Expansion in Eastern Europe (Failure to have Elections – Lublin Poles)
The Iron Curtain Speech (Churchill Warns of Divide in Europe)
Truman Doctrine (American Policy – Containment)
Establishment of Cominform (Spreading Communist Ideals)
Marshall Plan Aid (Economic Recovery of Europe)
Molotov Plan - COMECON (Economic Coordination of Eastern Europe)
Kennan Telegram - 1946
At bottom of Kremlin’s neurotic view of world affairs is traditional and
instinctive Russian sense of insecurity … they have always feared
foreign penetration, feared direct contact between Western world and
their own, feared what would happen if Russians learned truth about
world without or if foreigners learned truth about world within. And
they have learned to seek security only in patient but deadly struggle
for total destruction of rival power, never in compacts and
compromises with it….
Novikov Telegram - 1946
The foreign policy of the United States, which reflects the imperialist
tendencies of American monopolistic capital, is characterized in the postwar
period by a striving for world supremacy. This is the real meaning of the
many statements by President Truman and other representatives of American
ruling circles; that the United States has the right to lead the world. All the
forces of American diplomacy – the army, the air force, the navy, industry,
and science – are enlisted in the service of this foreign policy. For this purpose
broad plans for expansion have been developed and are being implemented
through diplomacy and the establishment of a system of naval and air bases
stretching far beyond the boundaries of the United States, through the arms
race, and through the creation of ever newer types of weapons.
Soviet Expansion Eastern Europe
1946 - 1948
Began with failure to recognize the London Poles (government in exile)
Soviets then refused to hold elections in Eastern occupied zones
Gradually Communist governments established in each of the regions
Opposition political parties were arrested or detained and outlawed
Similar systems of government then emerged – single party, censored, etc
Directives given from Moscow in these regions
Albania – 1945
Bulgaria – 1945
Poland – 1947
Hungary – 1947
Rumania – 1947
Czechoslovakia - 1948
Truman Doctrine - 1947
I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples
who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or outside
pressures…
The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread
and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full growth when
the hope of a people for a better life has died.
We must keep that hope alive.
The free people of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms.
If we falter in our leaderships, we may endanger the peace of the world – and we
shall surely endanger the welfare of our own Nation….
I am confident that the Congress with face these responsibilities squarely.
Significance of Truman Doctrine
- Declaration of Cold War – impacted USSR society and culture
- Impact on US foreign policy for half century (Containment)
- Result in US involvement in two wars in Asia (Korea and Vietnam)
- Helped to generate expensive arms race with USSR
- Would also lead to desire to win hearts and minds of other nations
- American interventionism in post war world
- Would lead to Marshall Plan Aide and European Recovery
Russian Response
This ‘American duty’ is just a smokescreen for a plan of expansion
… They try to take control of Greece by shouting about
‘totalitarianism’.
The Russian newspaper Izvestia, March 1947.
Significance of Marshall Plan Aid
Helps with the reconstruction of Western Europe in short time
Allowed for US market and manufacturing to penetrate European
Enabled the US to gain more allies in Western Europe (sphere)
Contributed to USSR resentment/anger (American Imperialism)
Soviet Satellite states refused to accept Marshall Plan Aid
USSR would respond with own economic plan (Molotov Plan)
Two economic systems and ultimately political systems emerge
USSR would also establish Cominform soon after
