Cold war Flashcards
1
Q
Tehran Conference 1943
A
- USA and Britain open a second front
- Stalin would declare war against Japan and supply Soviet troops to held USA - once the war in Europe was over
- No formal agreement but agreed in general that the aim of war was to bring about the surrender of Germany and that it should remaind weak
- Agreed Poland should recieve land from Germany
- USSR could keep land it seized from Poland in 1939
2
Q
Impact of Tehran Conference
A
- Stalin was concerned that the WEst was deliberately delaying a second front so he was pleased
- Churchill less pleased because he wanted to open a second front in the Balkans
- Tension between USA and Britain - Roosevelt seemed at times to view British colonialism as a threat
3
Q
Yalta Conference - 1945
A
- Germany would be split into 4 zones controlled by a different power
- Germany woudl pay $20 billion in reparations
- Nazi party would be banend and war criminals prosecuted
- UN would be set up
- Stalin agreed to join the war against Japan 3 months after defeat of Germany
- Stalin agreed future government of countries in Eastern Europe would be decided in free elections
- Countries liberated could have free elections
- Agreed that the borders of Poland would be returned and that there would be free elections
- Stalin wanted to move the border of Russia into Poland
- Stalin expected those elections to bring a pro communist government
- Britain supported the non communist London Poles
- Stalin’s forces already in control of Poland so Churchill persuaded Roosevelt to agree to Stalin’s demands as long as USSR agreed not to interfere in Greece
4
Q
Potsdam 1945
A
- Scientist in the USA developed the atomic bomb
- UN had been created
- Truman determined to take a ‘get tough’ approach with Stalin
- Atomic bomb worsened relations
- Common enemy gone
- Germany divided into four zones administered by USSR, USA, Britain, and France but Germany economy would be run as a whole
- Berlin divided into four zones
- USSR wanted Germany to pay heavy reparations but Truman was concerned this would make it harder for Germany to recover
- Agreement not reached over government of Eastern Europe
- Truman objected to the arrangements for Poland the borders previously agreed
5
Q
Impact of the Atomic Bomb on relationship
A
- USA exploded an atomic bomb in Hiroshima 1945
- Historians claim USA used the bombs to establish a stronger negotiating position
- Development of atomic bomb made countries of Western Europe feel more secure about placing themselves under American protection
- Stalin felt more determined to make USSr secure - Aim was to create buffer zone
- Soviets also developed the atomic bomb 4 years after USA
- Increased tensions
- Enterened an arms race
6
Q
Creation of Soviet Satellite States
A
- Baltic States conquered by USSR and treated as Union
- Yugoslavia and Albania were never occupied by Soviets so had more independence
- Stalin turned six other countries into satellite states with communist governments
- Czech president overthrown in 1948, supported by USSR and communist government was set up
- USSR promised to help Warsaw Uprising but they waited until uprising was crushd - invaded Poland to put a pro communist government in place
- Hungarians voters threatened in a campaign supported by Mscow and a Communist Party government was elected
- Red Army took control of Bulgaria, Romania
- Free elections in Poland but in reality, voters were frightened into voting for Communist Party
7
Q
Rising tensions
Truman Doctrine
A
- Truman delivered speech to Congress to announce an economic aid package to Greece and Turkey
- Truman believed choosing democracy over communism was choosing good over evil
- Communism should not be allowed to grow and that the US was prepared to sent troops and aid countries trying to resist it
- Ideas known as ‘the Truman Doctrine’ and indicated the beginnings of a new approach to international relations
- Policy of isolationism abandoned
- Reoriented US’s foreign policy, provided aid to other countries
8
Q
Marshall Plan
A
- USA was in a good position to provide economic aid
- Economic aid to help war torn countries in order to stop communism from taking Western Europe
- $13.7b in aid in addition to $13 billion already given
- Many countries included
- Debate in the US whether to offer aid to the USSR and the satellite states
- Decided it could be offered but countries would have to agree to a thorough review of their finances
- USA knew Stalin would not allow this so in practice, Eastern countries did not benefit
9
Q
Dollar Imperialism
A
- Stalin believed the Truman Doctrine showed that the USA was trying to extend its influence in Europe
- Also thought it was weakening the role of the UN by suggesting it was USA’s job to protect the world
- Argued that the Marshall Plan was a way of using economic might divide Europe in two and establish an American economic empire there
10
Q
Impact of Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
A
- Any remaining belief that there was still a Grand Alliance was gone
- USA now had set itself in direct opposition to the USSR
- Stalin’s suspicion of the west were strengthened, believed he now had evidence that the USA was trying to destroy the USSR
- Marshall Plan successfully tied Western European countries into supporting the USA
- Europe became divided into two economic and political camps
- History of Europe for the next 50 years became one of extreme rivalry between the two superpowers
11
Q
Formation of Cominform and Comecon
A
- Marshall plan set Stalin an eocnomic and political challenge so he set up two new organisation
- Communist Information Bureau, a political organisation set up in 1947
- Council for Mutual Eocnomic Assistance, economic organisation set up in 1949
- Led to stand off in Berlin in 1948 and the formation of NATO in 1949
12
Q
Cominform 1947
A
- Association of Communist parties from all over Europe
- Gave Stalin a way of directing and controlling the government of the satellite states
- Rejected Marshall Plan at its first meeting
- Spread porpaganda and accused the US of being no different from Nazi Germany
- Responsible for ending oppositon to Moscow and ensuring the loyalty of Eastern European governments
13
Q
Comecon 1949
A
- Stalin wanted communist states to keep their independence from capitalist governments and did not want the USA to become powerful in Eastern Europe
- Knew he needed to offer a positive alternative to American aid if he was to keep the states under his control
- Created an aid package
- Direct competition with the Marshall Plan
- Also discouraged trade with the USA and Western Europe
14
Q
Germany divided
A
- Disagreements between occupying powers
- Soviets wanted to take as much material as possible back to help rebuild the USSR
- West wanted to build up Germany’s economy
- Talks between the ministers of occupying powers broke down and Soviets stormed out
15
Q
Uniting the Western Zones
A
- Remaining allies had to decide how to run Germany without Soviets
- UK and US combined into Bizonia 1947
- French added to create Trizonia
- Single currency to give Trizonia economic unity - new single currency created a separate economic unit from the East - Accepted that there were two Germanys
- Stalin felt this was a further example of ‘ganging up’ on the USSR
- More determined to stand firm and protect Soviet interests in Germany
- Stalin believed Germany should be one united country and follow communism
16
Q
Berlin airlift
A
- Flew food, coal, etc into the city from Allied zones
- At least 1000 tonnes of supply a day
- No fewer than 170,000 tonnes of supplies were sent into Berlin
- Soviets lifted blockade in May 1949
- West won propaganda war and Stalin looked foolish
16
Q
Berlin Blockade 1948
A
- Stalin shut oiff land routes into Berlin
- Wanted to show a divided Germany would not work
- Berlin run short of food
- If successful, Stalin would win a huge propaganda success
- Might also mean the Western powers would give up control of their zones in Berlin and allow the whole capital to be controlled by the USSR
- Direct challenge to Truman
- West knew that an attempt to force supplies into Berlin along the closed land routes would be seen as an act of war
- Truman wouldn’t shoot planes because it is an act of war
17
Q
Creation of West and East Germany
A
- US, UK, and France permitted their zones to come together as the Federal Republic of Germany - May 1949
- Germany in the new country were allowed to elect their own parliament
- New capital of Bonn
- Stalin created the German Democratic Republic in Oct 1949
- Only the communist bloc countries recognised it as a nation
18
Q
Creation of NATO
A
- Stalin’s threat to Berlin and the communist takeover in Czechoslovakia persuaded West to form a military alliance
- USA, UK, France and nin other countries joined together in the NATO
- Agreed that if any member was attacked, all members of NATO would come to its assitance
19
Q
Impact of Korean War
q
A
- Truman determined Korea should not become communist to prevent domino effect
- UN force help Korea
- USA now committed to supporting other coutnry in Asia resisting communism
- USA strengthened its land forces in Europe and encouraged Greece and Turkey to join NATO
- Defense budget in the USA tripled
- USSR worried by USA strengthening its forces and steps to increase the size of its own armed forces
- When West Germany joined NATO in 1955, USSR responded by bringing together eight communist countries in the Warsaw Pact
- Suspicion and distrust increased and both sides increased the size of their armed forces
- Desire to stronger military force led to a nuclear arms race
20
Q
Impact of the Arms Race
A
- Both countries spent huge sums developing armies, navies, missiles
- Led to a change in thinking about war
- Weapons and armed forces were developed to win wars
- New weapons were being developed to ensure that the other side would not go to war
- Acted as deterrent
21
Q
Peaceful Co-existence
A
- Based on a growing belief in the USSR that communism was superior and capitalism would collapse
- Little point having open confrontation which might lead to a destructive war
- Borders between capitalist West and USSR now clearly defined with the Iron Curtain
- Both knew reducing spending on armed forces would be good for their economies
- New hope was strengthened by an agreement in 1955 on how Austria should be goverened
- Geneva summit failed to reach agreement over disarmament and the future of Germany but the atmosphere of cooperatin that existed reduced some tension
- Better relations short lived after West Germany joined NATO
22
Q
Warsaw Pact 1955
A
- Stalin’s fears increased when West Germany was allowed to join NATO
- Danger of an armed and powerful Germany on the borders of Eastern EUrope
- Warsaw Pact included uSSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and East Germany
- Leadership was entirely Soviet
23
Q
Impact of Soviet Rule on Hungary
A
- Hungary under Soviet control
- Non communist parties were banend and key officials chosen by Stalin
- Matyas Rakosi, Hungarian Communist Party leader was a firm supporter of Stalin and dealt strongly with opponents of communist rule
- More than 300,000 Hungarians sent to prison and more than 2000 were executed
24
De-stalination
- Khrushchev's speech in 1956 criticizing Stalin's regime gave satellite states the opportunity to push for a relaxation of Soviet control
- New leader in Poland introduced a series of moderate reforms and encouraged Hungarians to push for changes as well
- Khrushchev sent Red Army into Hungary to restore order
- Rakosi replaced with Imre Nagy - communist but thought that communist regime could be have more personal freedoms
- Nagy announced a set of proposed reforms including Hungary leaving the Pact
25
Soviet Invasion
- If Hungary broke away from Pact, other Eastern European countries might follow
- Tanks rolled into Budapest
- 20,000 Hungarians killed as Soviet forces reestablished control
- New pro-communist government set up under Janos Kadar and Nagy executed
26
International Reaction to the Invasion of Hungary
- People in Eastern Europe assumed US was ready to help
- Eisenhower was sympathetic to the Hungarians but no military support was offered to the Hungarians
- Containment meant that USA would take military action to prevent the spread but not interfere in the affairs of an already communist counry
- Fear of nuclear war
27
Impact of Hungarian Uprising on Interational Relations
- Made khrushchev's position in the USSR much stronger
- Members could not expect military support from the USA
- USA and its allies encouraged communist countries to rebel but were not prepared to back up their words
- USA strongly opposed Soviet invasion
- Damaged relations between the two superpowers
28
Refugee Problem in Berlin 1958
- West Germany received Marshall Aid and during the 1950s became a wealthy country in which most people nejoyed a high standard of living
- East Germany did not receive ecnomic aid and the economic policies in 1950s were largely unsuccessful
- Communist regime in East Germany was unpopular
- 3 million East Germans cross to the West
- Brain drain
- Khrushchev could not allow this to continue - propaganda disaster
29
Khrushchev's Berlin Ultimatum
- Khrushchev decided the answer was for the whole of Berlin to become part of East Germany
- Khrushchev demanded that Western countries should officially recognise East Germany as an independent country
- Berlin should be demilitarized and WEstern troops withdrawn
- Berlin should become a free city
- Would force Western powers to talk to East German authorities about access to Berlin forcing them to accept East Germany as a legitimate country
- A series of talks were held to solve the 'Berlin problem'
30
Geneva Summit May 1959
- Both sides made proposals for how Berlin should be governed but no agreements was reached
31
Camp David - September 1959
- Eisenhower and Khrushchev met face to face at the presidential ranch
- No agreement for Berlin but Soviets agreed to withdraw the ultimatum
- Established better relations between the two leaders
32
U2 Incident and the Paris Summit May 1960
- USSR shot down an American spy plane
- President Eisenhower refused to apologize
- Khrushchev walked out of the meeting
33
Vienna Summit June 1961
- JFK was president in Janurary 1961
- Khrushchev believed that Kennedy was inexperienced in foreign affairs so it would be possible to get an advantage over him
- Khrushchev took a tough approach and renewed the ultimatum
- Meeting ended with no final decision on Berlin
Kennedy decided to increase spending on American armed forces by over $2 billion to protect the USA
Seemed USA was prepared to fight
34
Berlin Wall
- As tension grew more East Germans decided to cross to the West just in case the border was closed
- 40,000 Germans crossed to the West in one day
- Concrete wall stretch 165km
- East Germany's refugee problem solved
35
Impact of Berlin Wall
- Berliners displaced and seperated
- Some lsot jobs
- Some got shot while crossing
- At first, relations worsened as West was hoping for a reunification of Germany
- However the refugee porblem was solved and relations improved
36
Impact of Berlin Wall on the USSR
- Stopped refugees leaving
- Sent West message that communism would survive in Berlin and any attempt to reunite Germany under Western control would fail
- Khrushchev had to abandon plans to unite Germany
- Wall showed that USSR had to lock people in
- People seemed to prefer capitalism
37
37
Impact of Berlin Wall on USA
- Wall showed Khrushchev had been forced to accept Western control in West Berlin
- West Berlin became a symbol of freedom and defiance against communism
- USSR closed border without consulting USA
- People who wanted to escape communism were no longer able
38
Cuban Revolution
- Pro American government overthrown
- Cuban government took over all land in Cuba owned by foreigners
- Castro begun appointing comunists to his government
- USSR and Cuba agreed to trade and economic aid
- Secret clause that Cuba would recieve arms
- US concerned that a pro-Soviet regime was being established next to the US
- US banned all trade with Cuba
- Diplomatic relations broken off in 1961
39
Bay of pigs
- Group of Cuban exiles trained to launch an invasion to overthrow Castro
- Failed
- Volunteers had little military experience
- USA wanted to present attack as a Cuban effort so they could not support
- Castro found out about the plans
- USA and the exile army wrongly thought that Cubans would support them but they liked the government
- Public humiliation
40
Effect of Bay of Pigs on International Relatiosn
- Stronger relations between Cuba and USSR
- Castro declared himself to be a communist and asked Khrushchev to help him defend Cuba against any future attack from the USA
- Publicy announced that he would provide arms to Cuba
41
Cuban missile crisis
- Silos in Cuba
- NATO had missiles in Turkey
- Building Berlin Wall presented by many Soviet critics as a failure, so if Khrushchev could outwit Kennedy over Cuba it would restore his reputation
- Feared American attack
42
Thirteen Days
* October 16, Kennedy called together ExComm to discuss how the US should react
* On 22 October, Kennedy decided not to launch an attack. Instead he set up a naval blockade around Cuba
* Kennedy was prepared for the USSR to ignore the blockade and prepared 54 bomebrs each with four warheads in case war broke out
* Khurshchev had no more desire to start a war
* 23 October, he ordered Soviet ships to turn around
* 24 October, Americans heard that the ships turned around
43
From Confrontation to Agreement
* 26 October, Khurshchev sent Kennedy a telegram offering to remove missiles from Cuba if the Americans agreed not to invade
* 27 October, second telegram saying Khrushchev would remove missiles only if US missiles in Turkey were removed
* Kennedy ignored the second telegram and agreed to the first one
* 28 October, Khrushchev sent his agreement
44
Effects of Cuban Crisis
- Important steps taken to prevent war in the future
- Direct communications line set up
- Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty signed to stop spread of nuclear weapons
- Led wolrd to becoming a safer place
- Popularity for Kennedy increased
- Khrushchev claimed he had been the winner in the dispute but Moscow felt otherwise - led to his dismissal
45
Opposition to Soviet Control
- Stalin supported coup in Czechoslovakia that removed non-communists from power and established a pro Soviet communist government
- Economy was run for the benefit of the uSSR
- No freedom of speech
- Media censored
- Czechoslovakian fovernment carried out purges
- Protests against the low standard of living and lack of freedom grew in 1966
46
Prague Spring
- Alexander Dubcek elected as first secretary of the Czechoslovakian Communist Party
- SOviets trusted Dubcek to make the government more effective and more popular while keeping loyal to uSSR
- Dubcek was committed to the Warsaw Pact and a devoted communist
- Believed communism was right but it should not make life miserable
- Reforms 'Prague Spring'
- Censorship was relaxed and criticism was allowed
- Trade unions given wider powers
- More power given to regional governments
- Trade with West increased
- Greater freedom to travel abroad
- Idea of having multi paryu elections was discussed
- Brezhnev disapproved many measures
47
Soviet Reaction
- Brezhnev ordered Warsaw Pact troops to carry out manoeuvres to threaten Dubcek
- When Dubcek invited Romania and Yugoslavia for talks, Brezhnev decided to act - Romania was refusing to attend meetings
- 500,000 troops invaded Czechoslovakia
- Dubcek arrested and ordereed to reverse his reforms
- REmoved from office and replaced by Husak
48
Brezhnev Doctrine
- Looked like an aggressive attempt to dominate another European countyr to the West
- USSR justified invasion as necessary to protect the unity of the communist movement in Europe
- Actions of any individual communist country added all communist coiuntries
- Duty of countries\
- If one country’s actions threatened other countries, it was the duty of those countries to take steps to stop those actions
- No more reforms making country liberal
49
Impact on Relations Between Other Communist Countries
- Yugoslavia and Romania coindemned the invasion, straining relations
- Communist parties of Italy and France cut links to Moscow
- Government of East Germany and Poland welcomed action - felt more secure that they would not be challenged by their own reformers
- Led to greater control of the members of the Warsaw Pact
50
Impact on Relations Between the USA and the USSR
- USA and other Western governments angered by invasion
- Attempt to pass a formal resolution critizing the invasion in the US but vetod by USSR
- USSR saw that USA might make protests, it woudl not take direct action
51
Impact on the USA’s International Reputation
- USA involved in Vietnam and was also beginning to adopt a less confrontational approach
- Other countries saw that the USA was keen top criticise the USSR but was less prepared to take action
