Cold War 2 Flashcards
What was the refugee problem in Berlin?
Life in East Germany was very poor (low standard of living + shortages of basic supplies) and they were constantly being watched by the secret police. East German citizens made the decision to go to West Germany for a better chance at life. This was bad as it meant the east was missing skilled workers. Between 1949 and 1961, 2.7 million East Germans went to West.
What was Khrushchev’s Berlin Ultimatum?
In November 1958, Khrushchev claimed that Berlin should become part of East Germany. Khrushchev threatened that all American, British and French troops should leave Berlin within 6 months.
Why did Khrushchev use an ultimatum for Berlin?
He knew if he used force, a war would break out.
What happened in the 1st summit meeting in Geneva?
May 1959. Foreign representatives. No solution but another summit organised for Camp David, USA.
What happened in the 2nd summit meeting in Camp David?
Sep 1959. Eisenhower and Khrushchev. No solution but further meeting agreed in Paris.
What happened in the 3rd summit meeting in Paris?
May 1960. Eisenhower and Khrushchev. A disaster. Khrushchev stormed out because an American spy plane was shot down over Russia.
What happened in the 4th summit meeting in Vienna?
June 1961. Kennedy and Khrushchev. Neither was willing to back down. Khrushchev saw Kennedy’s inexperience as a weakness and reissued his ultimatum.
Why was there tension between USA and USSR over Cuba?
Before 1959, Cuba was in USA’s ‘sphere of influence’ e.g. there were lots of US owned businesses. Cuba then had a socialist revolution in 1959 and USA didn’t support the new government. So Cuba built economic links with USSR e.g. trading Soviet oil for Cuban sugar.
What was supposed to happen in the Bay of Pigs incident?
17th April 1961. CIA told Kennedy: - Invasion will look like a Cuban revolt: we’ve disguised old US planes and trained Cuban exiles - Castro’s control is very weak - Most Cubans hate Castro.
When was the Bay of Pigs invasion?
17th April 1961.
What actually happened in the Bay of Pigs incident?
- Planes were recognised and photographed —> the whole world knew USA backed the invasion - Castro knew in advance and had 20,000 troops ready —> the 1400 US troops surrendered - Cubans mostly didn’t want their old leader, Batista back because he was corrupt.
What were some impacts of the Bay of Pigs incident?
- Ended all chances of a USA - Cuba relationship - Castro announced he was communist - Cuba and USSR’s relationship grew.
What were some impacts of Soviet rule in Czechoslovakia?
- Czechoslovakia’s economy and living standards declined - Any opposition to communism was crushed - Communist rule became very unpopular.
All about Alexander Dubcek
January 1968. Good friend of Soviet leader Brezhnev. Relaxed communist - ‘socialism with a human face’.
Why did the Prague Spring begin?
Dubcek’s reforms.
About Dubcek’s reforms
Relaxation of censorship meant people were allowed to criticise communism. Other parties allowed including democratic ones. More power to Czechoslovakian parliament and Soviet control was reduced. Economy allowed some capitalist features. Powers of secret police reduced.
Why did people like Dubcek’s reforms?
Students, intellectuals, workers and many others supported his reforms and changes. Led to some authors writing critically about USSR control like Vaclav Havel.
Why did some people not like Dubcek’s reforms?
Members of the secret police and some senior army officers lost their power so resented these reforms.
How did the rest of the world respond to Dubcek’s reforms?
Prague Spring angered many older communists and they thought it may start the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia. Brezhnev and other communists were especially concerned as other satellite states may follow this and threaten communism. Brezhnev now had a dilemma as to whether he should stand by his friend Dubcek, risk the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia or take him down.
When was the Berlin Wall built?
August 1961.
Why was the Berlin Wall built?
The summit meetings hadn’t fixed the problem of Berlin and Kennedy was preparing for a nuclear wall. Khrushchev couldn’t risk a nuclear wall but still wanted to fix the ‘brain drain’ so he built the wall.
What happened on the 12th August 1961?
East German troops made a barbed wire which eventually became a heavily guarded wall. By the end of October 1961, West Berlin was completely cut off from everywhere else.
When did Khrushchev actually rule USSR?
1958 - October 1964.
How many people were shot trying to cross the Berlin Wall between 1961 - 1989?
Over 200 East Germans were shot trying to cross the Berlin Wall between 1961 - 1989.
What were the 2 options for USA when they found out about USSR’s missiles in Cuba?
Attack while it could (hawks) or do everything possible to avoid war (doves).
Why did USSR like the idea of putting missiles in Cuba?
USA had missiles close to USSR e.g. Turkey and UK so they felt that they needed some missiles near USA.
Why did Cuba like the idea of putting missiles in Cuba?
They didn’t want USA to invade them (Cuba).
When did USSR ship missiles into Cuba?
September 1962.
When did USA take photos of missiles in Cuba?
October 1962.
When did USSR invade Czechoslovakia?
August 1968.
What happened to Czechoslovakia when USSR invaded?
Dubcek was arrested and tanks invaded. Returned to ‘normalisation’.
When was the Brezhnev Doctrine?
1968.
What did the Brezhnev Doctrine allow?
Invade any eastern bloc country that was threatening the security bloc of the whole.
What were some consequences of the Brezhnev Doctrine?
- USA condemned the invasion of Czechoslovakia but didn’t do anything for fear of war - Western European communist parties were horrified and declared themselves independent from USSR. - Yugoslavia and Romania backed off USSR, weakening USSR’s grip on Eastern Europe.
Why was the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia important?
Even though the Brezhnev Doctrine was created after the invasion, it gave authority to USSR and allowed them to invade Eastern European countries.
Impacts of the Berlin Wall
- Solved the problem for USSR about the refugees and the brain drain. - Wall was better than a wall. - The Wall was a humiliation for USSR because it suggested that East Germans preferred the capitalist west. - West Berlin became a sign of freedom.
When was Kennedy’s speech in West Berlin?
1963.
What was Kennedy’s speech in West Berlin called?
I am a Berliner.
What did Kennedy’s speech demonstrate?
It was an expression of solidarity with the people of West Berlin. The fact that he came to West Berlin implies that USA and NATO are ready to defend West Berlin from a communist attack.
What were some short-term consequences of the Cuban missile crisis?
- Communist Cuba survived as Kennedy reassured them that USA wouldn’t invade again. - USSR looked weak as Kennedy removed the missiles from Turkey without anyone knowing.
What were some long-term consequences of the Cuban missile crisis?
- Hotline Agreement created a communication link between Washington and Moscow. - Limited Test Ban Treaty (August 1963) - both US and USSR decided to only test nuclear weapons underground. - 1963 Kennedy gave a speech to work with USSR towards their ‘common goals’ and detente began. - However USSR wanted to beat them in the arms race and achieved this by 1965. - USA and USSR signed the Outer Space Treaty.
What was the Outer Space Treaty?
It was signed by USSR and USA and banned deployment of nuclear weapons.
When was the Outer Space Treaty?
1967.
What was the Proliferation Treaty?
Proliferation Treaty was an agreement to not share nuclear tech with other countries.
When was the Proliferation Treaty?
1968.
What did the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia not damage?
Detente.
What were the impacts of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia on the west?
- USA and West Germany condemned it ‘rape of Germany’ - They unfortunately didn’t offer military support or assistance - Communist leaders e.g. in France and Italy were appalled.
What were the impacts of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia on the east?
- Countries like Poland didn’t listen to public opinion and protests started. - USSR’s invasion strengthened their grip on eastern Europe. - Romania and Yugoslavia condemned the invasion and signed alliances with Communist China.
