Cold War Crisis - 1958-70 Flashcards
What were the 1950s like between the two superpowers?
There was more communication but underlying tensions remained.
Who replaced President Truman in January 1953?
President Eisenhower
Who did President Eisenhower replace?
President Truman
When was President Truman replaced by President Eisenhower?
January 1953
When did Khrushchev come to power?
September 1953
What were the encouraging steps to diffusing tensions between the two superpowers?
- The USA and the USSR met in Geneva in 1955 and agreed to communicate more easily
- In 1955 the USSR officially recognised the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) as a state
- Khrushchev also freed some prisoners and reduced censorship in the USSR
What did the USA and the USSR agree at Geneva in 1955?
To communicate more openly.
When did the USSR officially recognise the Federal Republic of Germany as a state?
1955
When was the Berlin Crisis?
1948
After the Berlin crisis in 1948 what was West Berlin like?
They were a unified zone and continued to develop economically.
They benefitted from a new currency and American (Marshall Plan) aid.
What was the situation in East Berlin like after the Berlin crisis?
The USSR had drained it of resources and its economy was slow to develop.
Many people wanted to leave and go to West Berlin.
Why did people want to move from East Berlin to West Berlin?
Because the West was more prosperous with it’s new currency and American (Marshall Plan) aid.
Why was the situation in Berlin around the 1960’s so embarrassing for Khrushchev?
People wanted to leave the East of Berlin to go to the West. It suggested that people preferred life under capitalism to communism.
Why was East Germany’s economy threated?
Many people who left to go to the West were skilled workers in search of a better life.
Why did Khrushchev need to issue his ‘Berlin Ultimatum’ in 1958?
Because of the refugee crisis.
What did the refugee crisis lead Khrushchev to do?
It led him to issue the ‘Berlin Ultimatum’.
When did Khrushchev issue the ‘Berlin Ultimatum’?
1958
What did the ‘Berlin Ultimatum’ demand?
That USA, British and French troops leave West Berlin within six months.
Did Eisenhower accept the ‘Berlin Ultimatum’?
No he refused.
How did the USSR feel about the economic success in West Berlin?
They felt threatened.
Why did the USSR feel threatened by the West Berlin?
Because of their economic success.
What was the USSR worried that the West was trying to do with their strong economy?
The USSR worried the West was trying to use its strong economy to interfere in Eastern Europe.
What was Eastern Berlin dependent on?
Trade links with West Berlin.
What did West Berlin become a symbol of after the Berlin Airlift?
Democracy.
Why was the refugee crisis good for the West?
It was good propaganda because it made communism look weak.
When did Khrushchev and Eisenhower hold a summit?
1959
When did Khrushchev visit USA?
1959
Who was the first communist leader to visit the USA?
Khrushchev
What did Khrushchev and Eisenhower’s meeting in 1959 symbolise?
A new spirit of co-operation and communication between the two powers.
What did they discuss at the summit in 1959?
Berlin
What happened at the summit in 1959?
Eisenhower still didn’t agree to withdraw from West Berlin, but did agree to discuss the matter more deeply.
Where did the leaders decide to meet a year after the 1959 summit?
Paris
How was the optimistic dialogue continued after the 1959 summit?
By the leaders agreeing to meet a year later in Paris.
In 1961 how many people were crossing from East to West Berlin every day?
2000
Why did Khrushchev construct the Berlin Wall?
Because it was clear that the refugee crisis wasn’t going to be solved diplomatically.
What happened days before the scheduled Paris summit in 1960
The USSR shot down a U2 American spy plane over Soviet territory.
What type of plane did the USSR shoot down days before the Paris Summit?
A U2 American spy plane.
When was the Paris Summit supposed to be?
1960
What did Eisenhower say about the spy plane?
He denied it was a spy plane. When the USSR produced the pilot (alive) and the plane’s wreckage as evidence he refused to apologies.
Why did Khrushchev walk out of the Paris Summit?
Eisenhower refused to apologies for the spy plane that was flying over Soviet territory.
What hindered further negotiations about Berlin?
The U2 incident.
When did both countries later meet?
June 1961
Where did the countries meet instead of Paris?
Vienna
Who replaced Eisenhower as US President?
John F. Kennedy
Who did John F. Kennedy replace?
Eisenhower
Who met at Vienna in June 1961?
John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev
What did Kennedy vow when he came into power?
To take a tougher approach towards communism.
How did Kennedy treat the Berlin question?
He refused to compromise over Berlin, and no resolution was reached.
What did the USSR believe after the Vienna summit?
That problems in Berlin wouldn’t be resolved by negotiation. This sparked the creation of the Berlin Wall.
What were the three summits between USA and the USSR? How many of them went ahead?
USA, Paris, Vienna. Paris wasn’t complete.
What was the Berlin Wall supposed to solve?
The flow of refugees out of East Berlin.
When was the Berlin Wall erected?
13th August 1961overnight.
How big was the wall when it was erected?
27 miles.
How was the wall originally fortified?
With barbed wire and machine gun posts.
What was later introduced after the wall became a more permanent barrier?
Military checkpoints policed any movements into or out of East Berlin.
What did the Berlin Wall prevent?
- work in the west
- people seeing friends and family
What happened to people who tried to escape East Berlin?
They were shot.
What did the Berlin Wall do to the situation in Europe?
It helped stabilise the situation and tensions in Europe.
Why were the West actually relieved by the Berlin Wall?
It avoided war.
What happened with troops straight after the wall was erected?
Soviet and Western troops were positioned either side of the wall, but then both powers agreed to back down.
How did USA respond to the Wall?
They condemned it but then took no further military action.
What did the Wall succeed in doing?
- It stopped mass emigration to West Berlin.
- It also gave East Germany the opportunity to rebuild its economy, and strengthen itself as a communist state.
What did the Wall become a symbol of in the West?
Oppression and failure of communism.
What did the wall become a symbol of in the USSR?
Strength
When did Kennedy visit West Berlin?
1963
What did Kennedy do in West Berlin?
In 1963 June, he gave a speech stating his unity with West Berlin and its people. He declared ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ (I am a Berliner).
What did Kennedy declare in his speech when he visited West Berlin?
‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ (I am a Berliner)
What does ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ mean in English?
I am a Berliner.
How do you say I am a Berliner in German?
Ich bin ein Berliner.
When was the Cuban Revolution?
1959
Who had ruled Cuba since 1952?
Batista, a ruthless military dictator.
What did Batista the ruler of Cuba allow?
American businessmen and the Mafia to make huge profits in a country where most people lived in poverty.
Who began a guerrilla war in 1956?
A rebel called Fidel Castro
What did Fidel Castro do in 1956?
Began a guerrilla war.
When did Fidel Castro gain enough support to take Cuba’s capital?
1959
What was Cuba’s capital?
Havana
What did Fidel Castro do in 1959?
He had enough support to take Cuba’s capital, Havana, and over-through the government.
Why did the Cuban Revolution worry the USA?
The USA had a long economic history with Cuba. They had many shares in Cuban industries.
Why had grown to resent American influence in their country?
They didn’t feel like an independent state.
How did Castro anger USA when he came into power?
He nationalised (made public) US companies and increased taxes on goods imported from America.
What did Eisenhower believe about Castro after he nationalised their companies?
That he was moving towards communism.
What does nationalised mean?
Taking a privately owned industry and placing it under public ownership.
How did Eisenhower threaten Cuba?
He threatened to stop importing Cuban sugar.
How did Eisenhower’s sugar threat backfire?
He thought Cuba would back down but instead they signed an agreement with the USSR - the USSR promising to buy all sugar exports.
What happened to the rest of American property after they stopped importing Cuban sugar?
All remaining American property in Cuba was confiscated.
What happened in January 1961?
The USA severed all diplomatic relations with Cuba.
When did the USA sever all diplomatic relations with Cuba.
January 1961.
How far away was Cuba to the USA?
100 miles.
Why was the USSR’s friendship with Cuba so threatening to the USA?
Because Cuba was only 100 miles from the USA, the communist threat was dangerously close.
Who invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs?
Rebels backed by the USA.
How did Kennedy intervene with Cuba?
In 1961 he authorised an invasion of anti-Castro rebels.
What did Kennedy authorise to happen in Cuba in 1961?
An invasion of anti-Castro rebels into Cuba.
When did Kennedy authorise the rebels invasion?
1961
When did the rebels invade at the Bay of Pigs?
April 1961
Were did the rebels land when invading Cuba?
In the Bay of Pigs.
What happened at the Bay of Pigs?
The rebels were met with 20,000 Cuban troops and were easily defeated. The USA didn’t help.
How did the USA feel about the outcome of the Bay of Pigs?
Embarrased.
What happened after the USA failed at the Bay of Pigs?
They pushed Cuba closer to the USSR and Khrushchev agreed to help Castro and began to build nuclear missile sites in Cuba.
What did Castro decide after the Bay of Pigs Invasion?
That Cuba needed Soviet military assistance to defend itself.
What did Castro publicly announce in December 1961?
That he was a communist.
When did Castro announce that he was a communist?
December 1961.
What did Khrushchev plan for Cuba?
To put nuclear missiles in Cuba.
When did Castro ask for weapons from the USSR?
September 1961
When did Khrushchev decide to put nuclear missiles in Cuba?
July 1962
What did the missiles in Cuba allow Khrushchev to do?
Launch a nuclear attack on all of central and eastern USA with very little warning.
What did American U2 spy planes spot in October 1962?
Nuclear missiles bases being built in Cuba.
When did American U2 spy planes spot nuclear missile bases being built in Cuba?
October 1962
How did America find out about the nuclear missile bases being built in Cuba?
American U2 spy planes.
What did President Kennedy demand of Khrushchev after finding out about nuclear missile bases being built?
That he dismantle the missile bases.
What did Kennedy order after finding out about the nuclear missiles being constructed in Cuba?
A naval blockade of Cuba.
What did the USA’s naval blockade do?
Stopped all Soviet ships and searched them to prevent missiles being transported to the island.
What did the US do as tension grew between USSR and USA over Cuba?
They put US bombers in the air carrying nuclear bombs and the USA prepared to invade Cuba.
Why was the world on the brink of nuclear war?
The USA put US bombers in the air carrying nuclear bombs.
What deal did Khrushchev make on the 27th of October 1962?
He made a deal to dismantle the missiles in Cuba and ordered his ships to turn around.
What did USA agree to on the 27th of October 1962?
USA lifted the blockade, promising to not invade Cuba - secretly agreed to remove their missiles from Turkey.
When did the USA place missiles in Turkey right next to the USSR?
April 1962
Were did the USA place missiles in April 1962?
Turkey - right next to the USSR
Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis so impactful to the Cold War?
It forced everybody to face up to how quickly a tense situation could become an absolute catastrophe.
What was established in 1963 that enabled the two superpowers to talk directly and more quickly in the event of a crisis?
A telephone ‘hotline’ was established between Washington and Moscow.
What did the telephone hotline established in 1963 enable?
It enabled the two superpowers to talk directly and more quickly in the event of a crisis.
Who did the telephone hotline established in 1963 allow to communicate?
Washington and Moscow.
What happened in Cuba and Turkey after the Cuban missile crisis?
All nuclear missiles were removed from Cuba and then Turkey by April 1963.
What date did the nuclear missiles in Cuba and Turkey need to be removed by?
April 1963.
How did Kennedy emerge from the Cuban Missile Crisis?
As a hero who had stood up against the threat of communism.
How did Khrushchev emerge from the Cuban Missile Crisis?
He was discredited - he’d forced the USA to remove their missiles in Turkey, but had agreed to keep the deal a secret. In the eyes of the public he’d failed.
When did Khrushchev resign?
In 1964
Why did Khrushchev resign in 1964?
Because in the eyes of the public he’d failed.
What were the three treaty’s that were put in place to bring the build up of nuclear weapons under control?
- The Limited Test Ban Treaty
- The Outer Space Treaty
- The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
What were the two main features of the Limited Test Ban Treaty?
- It was signed by both powers in 1963
- It stated that all future tests of nuclear weapons had to be carried out underground to avoid polluting the air with nuclear radiation.
When was the Limited Test Ban Treaty signed?
1963
What did the Limited Test Ban Treaty state?
That all future tests of nuclear weapons had to be carried out underground to avoid polluting the air with nuclear radiation.
What were the two main features of the Outer Space Treaty?
- Drawn up in 1967
- It forbade countries (including the USSR and the USA) from placing weapons of mass destruction in space.
When was the Outer Space Treaty drawn up?
1967
What did the Outer Space Treaty forbid?
Countries from placing weapons of mass destructions in space.
What were the three main features of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
- Came into force in 1970.
- Both superpowers agreed not to supply nuclear weapons or related technology to countries that didn’t already have nuclear arms.
- The treaty also encouraged nuclear disarmament, but it allowed countries to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes (e.g. energy)
When did the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty come into force?
1970
What did both superpowers agree with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation?
Not to supply nuclear weapons or related technology to countries that didn’t already have nuclear arms.
What did the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty encourage?
Nuclear disarmament, but it allowed countries to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes (e.g. energy).
When had Czechoslovakia become a communist state?
1948
When did discontent within the Soviet Eastern Bloc begin to stir?
1968
What was growing discontent in Czechoslovakia about?
The extent of external control over Czechoslovakian affairs.
What was discouraged because of Czechoslovakia’s involvement in the Warsaw Pact?
It discouraged trade with countries outside the Eastern Bloc.
Who protested at the lack of free speech and free movement in the country in 1956?
Students and writers.
What did the students and writers protest about in 1956?
The lack of free speech and free movement in the country.
When did students and writers protest about the lack of free speech and free movement in the country?
1956
What did Dubcek want?
To move away from Soviet policies.
Who was the leader of the communist party of Czechoslovakia?
Alexander Dubcek
When did Alexander Dubcek become the leader of the Czechoslovakian communist party?
January 1968
What type of party was Alexander Dubcek the leader of?
A Communist Party.
What Dubcek do in April 1968?
He introduced a series of reforms that went against Soviet-style communism.
What were the reforms that Dubcek introduced in April 1968?
- travel to the West was made available for all
- the border with West Germany was re-opened
- all industry became decentralised
- trade unions and workers were given more power
- freedom of speech and opposition parties were allowed
What does decentralised mean?
That companies were no longer controlled by Communist party officials - workers and local authorities were given more power.
What were Dubcek’s reforms aimed at improving?
The performance of Czechoslovakia’s economy - partly by developing closer relations with the West.
Why did Dubcek’s reforms worry the USSR?
Because they didn’t want any Western involvement in its Eastern Bloc and Dubcek’s reforms partly involved developing closer relations with the West.
Despite the reforms what did Dubcek promise?
That he would remain in the Warsaw Pact and remain a loyal ally to Moscow.
What was the ‘Prague Spring’?
The period of four months were Dubcek’s policies were tolerated by the USSR, and Czechoslovakia enjoyed relative freedom.
What did Dubcek’s new reforms mean for the USSR?
That they had less control over Czechoslovakia.
During the Prague Springs who was the leader of the USSR?
Leonid Brezhnev
What was Leonid Brezhnev worried about after Dubcek’s reforms?
That they could lead to a rejection of communism in the Eastern Bloc and in the USSR itself.
What events in August 1968 triggered a soviet response?
- President Tito of Yugoslavia visited Prague - he had never agreed to the Warsaw Pact or the USSR’s version of communism.
- The USSR received a letter from communists in Czechoslovakia, asking for help.
When did President Tito of Yugoslavia visit Prague?
August 1968
Who did the USSR receive letters from in August 1968? And what were they about?
From Communists in Czechoslovakia asking for help.
When did the USSR decide to intervene militarily in Czechoslovakia?
August 1968
What happened in August 1968?
The USSR invaded Czechoslovakia.
What happened on the 21st of August 1968?
500,000 Soviet troops invaded Czechoslovakia.
How did the Czechoslovakians respond to the USSR invading?
They responded with non-violent demonstrations - people took to the streets with anti-invasion banners, and in January 1969 a student burned himself alive in the street in protest.
What happened in January 1969 in protest to the USSR invading Czechoslovakia?
A student burned himself alive.
When was Dubcek forcibly removed from office?
April 1969
Who replaced Dubcek?
Gustav Husak
Who did Gustav Husak replace?
Alexander Dubcek
What was Gustav Husak loyal to?
Soviet-style communism.
What did other countries do about the USSR invading Czechoslovakia?
They criticised the USSR but didn’t act.
How did the UN respond to the USSR invading Czecholovakia?
The denounced the invasion and proposed a draft resolution requesting the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia.
How did the USSR respond to the UN’s proposal after the Czechoslovakia invasion?
They vetoed it.
How did the Prague Spring strengthen the USSR?
The USSR succeeded in returning Czechoslovakia to Soviet-style communism.
What did Brezhnev use the Prague Spring as an opportunity to do?
To establish his authority in the Eastern Bloc.
- prepared to invade
- proved he was strong and determined leader
What did the Brezhnev Doctrine state?
It announced that in the future the USSR would intervene in any country where communism was under threat.
Why was the Brezhnev Doctrine important?
Because it strengthened the USSR’s control over its satellite states.
What message did the Brezhnev Doctrine send?
It sent a message to the Eastern Bloc that giving up communism wasn’t an option - the USSR would respond with force.
What did the Prague Springs remind the superpowers of?
That the Cold War wasn’t over. Brezhnev had proved that he was willing to risk conflict to uphold communism in the Eastern Bloc.
