Cold War 1945-1963 Flashcards
Why did USA and USSR become rivals?
1918-1921: USA fully supported whites in civil war - sent supplies and troops for assistance
1941 - 1945: USA/USSR ‘Allies’ during WW2 while hitler attacked; Stalin ignored US warnings in may/June 1941; Angered by delay of second front during 1942-1943 - Stalin believed USA/GB letting USSR suffer alone, Stalin suspicions of A-Bomb as not told about it till days before
Differences between USA/USSR
Government: USA - Democratic
USSR - Communist - 1 party dictatorship
Economic: USA - Capitalist - Keep profits
USSR - Everything state owned
Rights: USA - Freedom and rights important
USSR - Rights closely controlled by state, labour camps and purges, Atheist non religious worship state
What They wanted post WW2
Germany: USA - Only desire to punish Guilty Nazis, No desire for huge reparations as crushing them solves nothing, Wanted to quickly create a democratic Germany with capitalist economy
USSR- Extensive reps, Punishment/pay for war damage, Germany to be several weakened so can never attack again, needed to be sure of friendly government
Eastern Europe: USA - Free elections to be held once they were freed, Democracy and prosperity, a guarantee of peace, Rejected Stalins security agreement
USSR - Need security against further attacks from west > buffer zone required > Friendly pro communist governments needed
Yalta conference - Feb 1945
Leaders: Stalin (USSR)
Roosevelt (USA)
Churchill(UK)
What they disagreed on:
- Amount of reparations to be paid
- Government and frontiers of Poland once freed from Nazi control
What They Agreed On:
- Germany divided into 4 Zones (UK,GB,USSR,FR)
- Berlin and Vienna also the same
- Nazi war criminals hunted and tried
- Free elections held in E.Europe after freed
- Stalin Agreed to enter war Vs Japan for land
- UN set up to replace L.O.N
- Some reparations to be paid by Germany
Overall: 8/10 - Lots agreed, relative success
Potsdam Conference July 1945
Leaders: - Attlee (UK)
- Truman (USA)
- Stalin (USSR)
What They Disagreed On
- Truman disagree with Stalin, unwilling to negotiate - Didn’t discuss A-Bomb
- Soviet Troops occupied most of E.Europe - no free elections
What was agreed
- Divisions confirmed
- Treatment/Trial of war criminals confirmed
- Reparation amount decided(Up to individuals)
- USSR allowed to receive industrial equipment and goods aswell
Summary: Friction - Esp between Trump/Stalin
- Truman arrogant and rude - demeaned soviet role in war, Atom bomb inc sense of superiority, allowed by Attlee. “We have to get tough with Russians”, “We have to teach Russians how to Behave”
Soviet take-over of E.Europe
Between 1945-48 stalin set up series of satellite states in Europe - Broke promises of free elections
Stage 1 - Poland 1946
Stage 2 - Romania/Bulgaria 1947
Stage 3 - Hungary CZ.SL (1948)
Stalins justifications
War as a triumph for soviet communism - Soviet union has more influence of power
Level of soviet war-time sacrifice: - 4 mill dead, huge damage
To resist USA dollar imperialism- Resist economic power and influence
Soviet strategic thinking - Buffer states to protect against any future attack from the west
Iron Curtain
Churchills speech: March 1946, Fulton missouri USA
Key phrase - “From Stettin in the baltic to trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent”
What was the It - Fortified frontier between soviet satellite states and west.
- strong fences/border obstacles/watch towers:patrols
Stalins reasons:
- Defence against west
- Keep out western military/capitalism - imperialism and Crime/Drugs/Porn
Churchills idea - It was to deny freedom to the peoples of Eastern Europe
Why was USA concerned at soviet policy in E.Europe:
Stalin seen as 2nd Hitler - Empire building, denying freedoms and wishes, exploiting power vacuum
Western Europe under threat: GB,Fr,Italy all weakened by war, Germany devastated - All in no position to meet soviet threat, European Eco critical to USA trade and wealth
Communism = political cancer
- Offensive communism - where would it stop
- 1917 = Russia, 1945-9 = Poland, CZ.SL, E.Germany, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, 1949 - China, N.Korea, N.Vietnam - Emergence of Domino effect
Competition for global dominance - By 1945 only USA/USSR left as superpowers so USA had 1 rival. Stakes high for global control
Truman and stalin/USSR
Problems: Lack of experience, New + unexpected threat of soviet threat, conflicting advice on how to respond
Possible Responses:
1) Isolationism - policy of 20-30’s, would stalin go further, could W.Europe defend, surely USA safe from communism, USA had A-Bomb
2) Roll back - Use power of A-bomb to force Stalin down, push communism back to USSR, Democratise E.European states
3) Containment - Truman adopted
Policy of American diplomat in Moscow George Kennan - seen as Stalin Expert. Sent Telegram in Feb 1946:
Key points: Stalin/Communism want to expand,Russian leader want to destroy western world, Soviet leaders untrustworthy, would expand where resistance weak, no negotiating
Advice: Ensure no weak democracy, send aid to communist threatened countries, If stalin sees resistance he will back off, Should meet force with force.
Truman Doctrine
Why was it announced:
- Communist Threat to Greece/Turkey
- British Inability to cope
- Domino effect - Few countries fall it will spread to others
- Containment essential - message to Stalin
- 400 million to be spent
“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 free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining those freedoms. If we factor in our leadership we may endanger in the peace of the world”
The Marshall plan -
Made by secretary of state George Marshall
What is it: $17 billion US aid to European countries,
Why: helps western countries after WW2, help countries most likely to be effected by extremism
Who: 16 countries in W.Europe - most received by UK,France,Italy, W.Germany
How: Money spent on Infrastructure and building up Economy
Physical plan that makes Truman Doctrine work
Why was it made in 1947
1) Marshall Aid would help revive of economies of Europe - $17 billion enough to help/Poverty would go + 270 million ppl would be less susceptible to communism/Truman hoped E.European countries would seek a share of the money(against USSR Rules)
2) Trade with Europe Boosted (Dollar imperialism): - US foreign trade hugely boosted as some of the $17 billion spent on US tech and expertise
Stalins suspicions and Response
Suspicions:
Truman Doctrine - Global policy to stop growth of communist governments
Marshall plan - Trying to colonise E.European states, soviet security risks
What were Truman’s Long term intentions?
Dollar imperialism?
Response - Reply T.D and M.P
Cominform (1947):
- Communist Info Bureau
- Intended to defend communism against USA aggression
- Increased Stalins control over satellite states - members supposed to trade with one another
Comecon (1949) - USSR aid offered to satellites states to unite the economies of communist states/Increased Stalins Control
Berlin Blockade : June 1948 - May 1949
Background: - Berlin split into 4
- By 1948 Stalin very annoyed about W.Berlin situation - Truman saw it as vulnerable domino
- Marshall aid sent into W.Berlin
- 1947 - Bizonia united economically
- 1948 - New W.Currency put into 3 zones of Germany and Berlin without Stalin Consultation
Stalin wanted All Berlin as 3 zones blot on communist landscape
23rd June 1948 - Soviet authorities closes land access to W.Berlin saying technical problems
Motives
Political: - W.Berlin was flaw in Iron curtain as within were western military units
- W.Berlin escape route from communist E.Germany
-No prospect of German Reunification
Economic: - M.P pumped into W.Berlin which became “shop window” for communism
-USA/British introed new currency/E.Berlin remained largely wrecked in comparison which reflected badly on Communism
How should Truman Respond
1) Do nothing - Stalin had fair point - agreements made no longer valid
Position of W.Berlin behind Iron Curtain
Berlin not worthy of WW3
2)Force into Berlin - Easy to remove blocking troops, USA had A-Bomb, USA had to show no intimidation
3) Airlift supplies into W.Berlin: Expensive compromise, war avoided and freedom preserved, clear message to Stalin, vulnerable W.Berlin must be helped or it would fall
The Berlin Airlift - Option 3
- Required 12k tonnes per day
- Operation Planefare
- Initially 2k tonnes per day but in eventually 13 tonnes. 10 tonnes unloaded in minutes
- Planes landing every 2 mins
- 200k flights and 1.5 million tonnes flown in
Why no planes shot down: Stalin didnt want war - USA had A-Bomb, Stalin never expected this response thus no plan B
Consequences of Berlin Blockade
1) Creation of 2 German states - Stalins behaviour over W.Berlin made reunification impossible
W.Germany- Federal Republic of Germany, First election won by Christian Democrat party
E.Germany - Germany Democratic republic - Founded in October 1949
2) Formation of N.A.T.O 1949
- 1949 USSR detonated first atom bomb
- Truman feared invasion of W.Europe
- Essential for US forces to be stationed in vulnerable areas
- Send a message of ‘back off’ to stalin
- Signed in April 1949
- HQ today in Brussels
- Attack against 1 or more members shall be considered an attack on them all
- USA could station troops in member states
- Soviet attack = immediate NATO response
Why did Stalin End the Blockade
Surprising decision as Blockade was costing nothing and was maintainable
1) USA had met and exceeded stalins challenge, every landing of a plane was embarrassing
2)Western powers wanted to counter Blocked Stalin - Refused trade of coal from W.Germany to the East which hurt soviet economy
3) Blockade distraction from events in china
- Brutal civil war - USA backed Chiang Kai vs Communist Mao zedeg
- Civil war ended in 1949 for communist win - no blockade could = USA saving Chiang kai
Korean war
Background - Korea during 1945- 1950: Freed from Japanese in 1945/Future intentions by USA - Free elections and unification/ Korea divided in 1945 - North by soviets, south by USA
Reunification impossible: Different ideologies/political views/tension between backers/split along 38th parallel
North: Communist under Kim il sung
South:Elections leading to anti-com government
Causes of discontent
Korea freed from Japanese control: Arguments on division, before dictatorship/now freedom - causes problems
North occupied by USSR/South by USA: South opposed north - Both govs claimed rule to whole country
South had 70% of population: Outvotes 30% of soviets in free elections. Political power to USA
Motives for Proxy War - Fighting a war through another country
USA - Domino theory
- Policy of containment
- April 1950 - Recommended to go to ‘roll back” by National security
- Truman considered driving coms out
USSR/China - Com expansion without direct war - Kim il sung persuaded Stalin he would conquer S.Korea, Also went to Mao Tsetung
Truman options
1)Nothing: Pros - No blood shed, money spent or lives lost. Cons - com thrives
2)Appeal for diplomatic solution:Pros - Same as nothing. Cons: Communism wins and thrives
3)Help S.Koreans recapture: N.Korea pushed back, less US bloodshed. Cons- Can success be ensure
4)Launch offensive to ‘roll back’: Pros - USA make clear statement. Cons - WW3
Chosen = 2 + 4
Events of war pt 1
Stage 1: June - Sept 1950 - N.Korea invades S.Korea - Total surprise - Captured Seoul in 4 days - controlled most of S.Korea in 3 months -Pusan pocket still controlled by Syngman rhee - War almost over UN involvement: Called on N.Korea to withdraw, identified N.Korea as aggressor, called on Members to assist S.Korea. 7:1 vote for sending in troops. 1 = Yugoslavia
Stage 2: Sept - Oct 1950
- Us troops arrived at Pusan from japan controlled by Douglas Mcarthur
- Troops from 15 other member arrived
- Rapid counter attack
- Vital landing at Inchon
- Un Forces at 38th parallel in weeks
- Switched to roll back and advanced into N.Korea
- Soon reached the Yalta river by Chinese border
Events of war Pt.2
Stage 3: Oct 1950 - Jan 1951
- Chinese forces enter - 250000 “volunteers”
- Un forces overwhelmed > retreated
- Aerial combat between US and Soviets (in Chinese planes)
- Wrong tactics by MacArthur - wanted A-bomb
- Chinese reached 38th parallel by end of December - recaptured Seoul
Stage 4: January - July 1951
- Un counter attack
- Pushed communists back over 38th parallel
- MacArthur dismissed in April 1951
Statement 1951-53: Casualties continued to mount e.g 450,000 Americans
Ceasefire - July 1953
- January 1953 - Eisenhower replaced Truman
- March 1953 - Stalin died
- Both sides keen to end war
- Ceasefire on 27th June 1953
Consequences of Korean war
On Korea: Immense Human cost - 2 million at least killed, 5 mill homeless
Huge material damage: Damage of industry, Infrastructure, Ongoing hostility, no peace settlement, legacy of hatred, Korea remains divided today
Cold war intensifies: First open conflict between 2 ideologies
- Much needed global competition
- china serious theat
- UN seen as puppet of USA by USSR/China
- USA more aggressive- wont be pushed around
- USSR still not put troops on the ground
Why the THAW
1) Khrushchev personality different to Stalin - less paranoid, “destalinisation”, Co-existence genuine belief
2) Unlike Stalin, Khrushchev willing to visit other countries to improve relations - Attend also the summit in Geneva
3) Truman retires in 1953 - Eisenhower more accommodating figure
4) Both leaders concerned about MAD - Both H.Bomb (10x atom bomb) and 1957 created ICBM
“There are only two ways: either peaceful co-existence or the most destructive war in history” - Khrushchev 1953 - 1964
Warsaw Pact
Military alliance between USSR, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, E.Germany, Albania
Idea of collective security of nations - Treaty of friendship, world peace between signed members
All troops of states under soviet commander
Soviet troops stationed there also
Seen as response to NATO
EUROPE DIVIDED INTO 2 RIVAL ALLIANCES
Hungarian Uprising
Background: Hungary treated as defeated country by USSR after WW2
- Communist government set up under Rakosi
- Opposite eliminated - stalins rules kept
- Imre nagy replaces Rakosi
- In 1955 - Rakosi seizes power again
- Khrushchev encourages uprising
Hungarians hated - AVH killed 2000, 100x imp
- protesting against Poverty - saw opportunity to end soviet rule and bring economy up
Events
-Riots broke out in October in Budapest
-5 days of street fighting
- stalins statue removed/prisoners released
- Only AVH remained loyal
New leadership: Rakosi forced to resign, nagy reinstated, soviet troops withdrew, Hungarians celebrated
Hungarian uprising pt2
Reforms:
- Free elections
- End of AVH
- Removal of soviet Army
- Wanted withdrawal from Warsaw pact - follow neutral role
TOO MUCH TOO ASK OF USSR AS LEAVES HOLE IN IRON CURTAIN
Soviet reinstalled
- Soviet troops re-entered on 1st November
- Reached Budapest on the 4th
- 1000 tanks moved in to crush rising
- Appeals to west ignored
- 2 weeks of street fighting
- New government set up
- Nagy shot
- Hungary firmly under control of soviets
Results of Uprising
- USSR claimed supporting kadar
- Claimed to be forced by nagy government as facist mob financed by west
- Between 2,500-30,000 killed + 700 soviets
- No active support from west
- Other satellite states didn’t try similar
- Khrushchev strengthen his position in USSR - showed peaceful co-existence had limits
- marked stale mate in war
USA reaction to Uprising
- Eisenhower forcefully condemned soviet aggression
- Expressed sympathy for Hungarian suffering but no intervention or roll back - in soviets back yard - cant directly intervene - containment still policy
Why did Hungarians expect USSR to allow uprising
- Khrushchev more tolerant of freedom
- Condemned stalins complete control methods
- Khrushchev supported leader change
- Most hated rakosi - riots would be strong and dangerous
Why did Khrushchev suppress it
Leaving warsaw pact would leave hole in iron curtain - vulnerable to western attack
Domino effect against communism - politburo would not allow Hungary to break away - many thought Khrushchev too soft - could be sacked or killed if not stopped
U2 crisis
Background: Khrushev agrees to hold summit in Paris
- May 1960 - Khrushchev and the west held
Meeting to resolve key issues
- U2 spy plane shot down over USSR shortly before
Events:
- May 1st: Gary powers flew from base in pakistan to USSR to take photos - hit by soviet missile, ejected and captured
- USSR had proof of spying
- US claimed its a weather plane off course
- USSR produced proof with photos from plane that it was spying
- Eisenhower refused to apologise
- Khrushchev left summit - relations getting worse - Gary power found guilty of spying - 10 years in prison. Released in 1962
Importance of U2 crisis
- End of solution to cold war
- no test ban treaty
- no solution to Berlin
- no more PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
- Eisenhower Blamed
- America placed forces on high alert
- Acceleration of spying methods
- China felt it proved USA cant be trusted
Berlin Wall crisis
Why was Khrushchev annoyed?
- Annoyed with Island of capitalism within Iron curtain
- Exodus from E>W Germany - 3 mill by 1961
- Needed a solution
What he wanted done: - Proposed end of 4 power divide in 1958
- 6 month deadline - threat of force
- Berlin became neutral with all troops withdrawn
Eisenhower:
- 1958 - willing to negotiate
- willing to make concessions to ease tensions
Kennedy and W.Berlin
- Met with Khrus in Vienna June 1961
- Khrushchev not impressed by Kennedy
- Thought he was easily intimidated
- Threatened War if Berlin didn’t become neutral
- Kennedy proved more resilient than first thought
Berlin wall crisis events
Building the wall August 1961:
- E.berlin would he empty by 1966 if exodus continues
- morning of 13th,1000’s of troops surrounded west Berlin cutting off communication
- Secure fences put up strengthened with 12km of concrete wall, 137km of barbed wire, 116 guard towers
EXODUS STOPPED
Response/impact
Kennedy response:
- condemned wall
- Checkpoint charlie - US/USSR face off
- In 1963 Kennedy said ‘Ich Bin ein Berliner
Impact: Reduced exodus to west, stabilised east economy, conflict ended peacefully
Benefits: Stopped potential war
Cuban missile crisis
Background: Cuba 160km from US, Batista dictator from 1952
1952-1959: Batista corrupt and hated by. cubans, overthrown by Fidel Castro - communist. Castro wanted to rid country if all foreign influence - seized all American land and nationalised American Businesses
Why was Cuba a threat
1959 - US wanted to see what Castro did as new leader of Cuba
1960 - Communist government seized american property and kicked out businesses, Cubans loyal to America expelled aswell
- Eisenhower banned importing of cuban sugar and stopped selling american goods such as oil to the cubans
Cuban missile crisis pt2
1960 - Castro asks russia to trade. Kennedy asks CIA for solution
1960- CIA offers invasion plan to kick communists out of Cuba, Cuban exiles trained and equipped to invade. 1400 rebels landed at bay of pigs but trapped by cuban forces - unable to link with rebels inland. Easily defeated. Monumental disaster and Kennedy got heat for it. Relations deteriorate between USA/USSR
1961 - Castro asks Khrushchev for help in defending any further attacks,he agrees and sends arms (nuclear inc)
- US U2 spy planes sent over Cuba regularly - warned USSR would stop nuclear missiles being in Cuba at all costs - USSR say have no intention
- 14th October 1962 - spy plane took detailed photos of cuban missile sights
American public became fearful/paranoid
Cuban missile crisis pt3
What happens next (Kennedy)
1) Advisors say missile sites ready to launch in 7 days + 20 soviet ships on way to Cuba:
- Advisors split into doves/hawks
- Kennedy compromised and set up blockade around Cuba to prevent missile arriving
2) Khrushchev sends letter saying ships will get through - Preparing for nuclear war: maintains blockade, sent letter asking to withdraw - will declare war if ships try to pass
3) Khrushchev sends letter saying he will withdraw if USA never invade Cuba again and remove missile sites in Turkey:
- Publicly stated no invasion of Cuba
- Brother secretly told Khrushchev that turkey missiles would be removed
- Khrushchev v orders ships around
- Gave order to dismantle missile sights
Results of Cuban missile crisis
- NUCLEAR WAR AVOIDED: closest world ever came
- Most tense moment in cold war
- Soviets had ally near USA
- Kennedys reputation increases - stood up to Khrushchev
- Khrushchev successful in defence of Cuba
- Brinkmanship policy led to thaw in tensions
- Hotline between Moscow/Washington set up
- Disarmament conference held in 1962 - Nuclear test ban
- Kennedy secretly agrees to remove missile from turkey (Pubic not told)
