Cold War Flashcards
Give 3 differences between Capitalist Countries and Communist Countries?
- Capitalist voting system free and people able to vote for parties. Communists only allow people to vote for 1 party, as that is only one there is
- Capitalist allows Freedom of Press and Speech. Communists don’t allow Freedom of Speech and Press prints only what government allows
- Capitalist allow individuals to keep the profits they make in industry. All industry controlled by Government in Communism
Give 4 ways in which Capitalists showed they didn’t trust Communists?
Didn’t invite Russia to 1919 Paris Peace Settlement
Russia not allowed to join League of Nations
British didn’t recognise Communist Regime as government till 1924
Britain and France refused to ally with Russia against Nazis
What did Stalin seek the creation of in order to protect Russia from an invasion?
Buffer Zone
What 6 agreements were made at Yalta February 1945?
- Germany and Austria divided in 4 zones, administrated by Britain, France, USA and USSR
- Germany would pay Reparations
- UN would be established
- USSR would declare war on Japan 3 months after Germany’s surrender
- Agreement over new borders of Poland
- Agreement that Eastern Europe would come under control of USSR, however elections in these countries would be democratic
What 6 changes had occurred between Yalta and Potsdam?
- WWII over and Hitler dead
- Soviet troops spread throughout Eastern Europe
- Plans made to return US troops home
- Roosevelt dead, replaced by Truman
- Churchill replaced by Attlee
- USA and Britain more distrustful of USSR due to Puppet Governments in Eastern Europe
Give 4 ways USA - USSR suspicions changed by 1946?
- USSR and USA far stronger than any other nation
- Each feared the other wanted to spread their influence
- Each believed they wanted to destroy each other, due to Hiroshima and USSR Red Army
- Each suspicious of each other’s actions
When was Yalta?
February 1945
When was Potsdam?
July 1945
When was Churchill’s Fulton Speech?
March 1946
What happened in Churchill’s Fulton Speech?
He condemned Stalin and demanded creation of an Anglo - American Alliance to stop spread of Communism. The term ‘Iron Curtain’ was coined in this speech
By 1947, what 5 Eastern European countries became controlled by Communists?
Albania Bulgaria Hungary Poland Romania
What 3 trends were common in each Eastern European country that became Communist?
- Russian pressure to ensure Communists trained in Moscow received key positions in temporary governments set up after war
- Russia suggested radical changes to help economic recovery
- Elections were controlled by Communists
What resulted of the Communist Take over in Eastern Europe?
- Huge increase in International Tension. American diplomat Kennan recommended that a policy of ‘containment’ would have to be acted upon the USSR.
- America also saw this as an attempt to have more power,,increasing fear and hostility
What events in Greece motivated Truman to create his Doctrine?
The Greek Army was fighting a civil war against Greek Communists. In March 1947 Britain said it could no longer fund the Greek Army, and this worried Truman that if Communists controlled Greece, they may gain control of oil - rich Middle East
What was the Truman Doctrine? What was its aim?
This was a new foreign policy where in the USA would use military and economical means to stop countries falling to Communism. In this he aimed to end poverty in Europe so that Communism would fail to take control of Europe and be contained
What was the name of the U.S. Secretary of State that agreed with Trumans Doctrine?
George Marshall
What did George Marshall propose, in order to implement Trumans Doctrine and contain Communism? What did it become known as?
A massive $13.3 Billion investment in Europe over a 4 year period. This investment became known as the Marshall Plan
What company overseen the implementing of Marshall Aid in Europe?
The Organisation of European Economic Co-Operation
How did Stalin respond to the Marshall Plan?
- Established the Communist Information Bureau (Cominform) which aimed to ensure communist nations worked together
- Established Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) which was the Communist version of the Marshall Plan
Give 3 positive impacts of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan?
- USA was indicating its intent to remain in European affairs
- Economies of European countries improved rapidly
- The US economy developed rapidly
Give 2 negative impacts of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan?
- Political and Economical divisions between East and West deepened
- USSR strengthened grip over Communist countries with Cominform and Comecon
Describe and Explain the 2 causes of the Berlin Blockade?
- Divisions over Future of Germany. West wanted Germany to recover and be a barrier against further spread of Communism. East wanted Germany to remain weak since they had invaded Russia twice since 1914
- Introduction of a new currency. West had created Deutschmark to help economic recovery. Stalin saw this as threat to Russia, and he became worried that development of East Germany could create discontent in West Germany
When was Berlin Blockade?
June 1948, Stalin closed all road, rail and canal links in to West Berlin
How did the USA respond to the Berlin Blockade?
They employed an Airlift to drop supplies in to Berlin
How long did the Airlift last? Give 3 facts and figures of Airlift?
It lasted 11 months. 13,000 tons of supplies dropped everyday, over 2 million supplies airlifted in total and 101 men had died due to plane crashes
When was Berlin Blockade lifted?
May 1949
Give 4 consequences of the breaking of the Berlin Blockade?
- Policy of Containment seen as effective tactic
- NATO established
- Warsaw Pact established
- Hopes of reunification of Germany now gone
When did Stalin die?
March 1953
When did Khrushchev become leader of USSR?
1955
What 5 things did Khrushchev do that set a positive tone?
- Visited Yugoslavia and apologised for way Stalin had treated the country
- Agreed to meet the Western leaders in Geneva
- Khrushchev had ‘Secret Speech’ where he denounced Stalin’s policies and urged development of “ peaceful co existence “
- ‘Began a policy of Destalinisation
- Ordered dissolution of Cominform
What is a Superpower?
A nation with large population, armies, resources and a large arsenal of conventional and nuclear weapons
How did Khrushchev respond to the emergence of opposition in Poland in July 1956?
He sent in Soviet Tanks to crush the protests, although gave concessions by appointing moderate communist, Gromulka as leader. Although he insisted Poland stay in the Warsaw Pact
Describe and give the dates of the 4 events during the Rebellion in Hungary 1956?
- 23 October, Hungarian students demand reforms
- 26 October, Moderate Communist Imre Nagy appointed as leader
- 1 November, Nagy announced free multi party elections, and that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact
- 4 November, 6000 Soviet Tanks cross border to put down revolt, 30,000 deaths and 250,000 refugees fled to the West. Nagy executed
Give 3 reasons why West did not intervene with USSR’s actions in Hungary?
- Western Powers pre occupied and divided by Suez Crisis
- USA in the middle of Presidential election campaign
- West felt it too risky to confront USSR in Europe, but less risky to confront them in Asia
When did China become Communist?
October 1949
How did the USSR react to China becoming Communist?
USSR delighted, Stalin determined to establish link with Communist neighbour, by creating Treaty of Friendship in 1950
How did the USA react to China becoming Communist?
USA seriously concerned, China vast country with many resources. Saw this as Stalin’s scheme to spread Communism around the world
What 2 responses did the USA make to China’s Communist Takeover?
- Refused to recognise the regime as China’s legitimate government
- Tried to ignore communist China and continued to support Kai - Shek’s right to represent China in the UN
What Theory became created after the Fall of China to Communism?
The Domino Theory, in which neighbouring countries will fall to Communism one after the other
What did the USA and USSR want Korea to become?
- USA wanted establishment of Capitalist Democracy
- USSR wanted election of government friendly to Communism