Cold War Flashcards
Who does the Cold War involve?
Capitalist US vs. Communist USSR
Who is the USSR?
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova…..
When were the 2 sides on the same side?
During WW2 then after froze as 2 new superpowers
How did USSR become a superpower?
Occupied Eastern European countries by establishing a ‘friendly’ communist gov. to remove threat of direct attack after WW2 using countries as ‘buffer states’
What was the iron curtain?
Notional barrier separating Soviet Union (Russia and Eastern Europe) from the West.
What is the main reason why Russia and the USA are so powerful together?
Both have v. large amount of nuclear weapons between them and still do.
Examples of both US’ and USSR’ use of nuclear weapons
USSR nuclear testing in 1949
US used against Japan in 1945 - Hiroshima
What were the USA’s strengths?
- West Coast could influence the Pacific region whilst East Coast has trans antic influence over Europe
- East Coast ports have high conc. of steel and coal
- Largest manufacturer of industrial and consumer goods
- Helped rebuild Europe after WW2 devastation
- US dollar major currency
- US military dominates global arms and defence spending
Why were the USSR at a low point?
Wrecked from the WW1 effects, post 1917 Revolution and the Civil War
What were the USSR’s strengths?
1941 industrial strength
Defeated Hitler & Germany invasion
2nd largest economy overtaking Britain
What happened during Stalin’s rule?
He was aware of the anti-communist Europe hostility and said their only hope was military and industrial strength
Introduced a harsh 5 year authoritarian regime plan resulting in a dramatic economic production increase under state ownership
What were the features/effects of Stalin’s 5 year plan?
Industrial production multiplied and mines were far from borders & attack
State controlled farm production and supplied food to cities
Expansion of arms industry
Competed with the USA in tech. research and nuclear weapon testing
Beat USA in first man into space (Yuri Gagarin)
After Stalin’s plan, why was it still arguably not as powerful as the US?
GDP less than half of USA’s
What influence did USSR have?
African’s active left wing group
- Military assistance/aid/equipment to MPLA in Angola -attempts to destabilise countries with white minority gov.
- financial aid given to Guinea used to develop raw materials
What influence did the US have?
- money poured into India & South Asis
- fear of communist expansion
- followed modernisation theory dominating global economic development
- IMF & World Bank helped achieve this
