Cold War - Developments Flashcards
What happened in 1946 in China?
Brutal civil war between communists and nationalists.
What happen on October 1st 1949 in China?
Mao Tse-Tung established the People’s Republic of China, and nationalists under Chiang Kai-Shek retreated to Taiwan.
How did US (+allies) react to communism in China? (3)
- Serious concern for the west - containment failed
- Millions of US dollars pumped into Taiwan and Japan
- USA + allies refused to acknowledge new Chinese communist government
When was the Treaty of Friendship created, and who was it between?
- February 1950
- China and USSR
What 4 things did the Treaty of Friendship include?
- $300 million in aid given to China but they had to pay 95% back with high interests - had to spend most of the money on soviet products
- 8000 Chinese students were allowed to study in the USSR
- 20,000 soviet experts were sent to help China’s development but they gave questionable advice that usually benefitted USSR more than China
- China had to give 2 major ports + rights to mine in Xinjiang territory to USSR
How did communism in China develop the Cold War (3)?
- US’s failure of containment
- Chinese-soviet relationship broke down after Stalin’s death
- US dollars pumped into Japan/Taiwan + refused to accept Chinese government
Who was occupying Korea by end of WW2?
- USSR in North.
- USA in South.
- Divided along 38th parallel.
What was Korea like in 1948?
Korea was established as 2 countries. North = communist with Kim il Sung. South = nationalist with Song Man Rhee.
How did Rhee begin to combat communist north?
Called for American assistance in overthrowing the North and began rooting out communists in his territory.
How did Kim begin to combat non-communist South - Korea?
Began sending raiding parties across the border to try to undermine southern government.
When did Stalin begin to support Kim and the north - korea?
March 1949 - Kim asked Stalin directly to support invasions, and by 1950 USSR reluctantly agreed to provide weapons + equipment, making it clear that no Soviet troops were involved.
Why was Stalin reluctant to support North Korea, and what did he do instead?
He didn’t want to fight 7500 US troops in South, so he encouraged China to act in support of North Korea.
What happened in Korea in June 1950?
Northern troops invaded South and UN calls for ceasefire but war continues.
How did US help South Korea in terms of the UN?
USA was able to get a proposal to help South Korea passed by UN because Stalin was boycotting meetings due to UN’s lack of recognition for the new communist Chinese government.
Who did USA + other countries fight under, and who was MacArthur?
USA + other countries fought under ‘UN’ but overall commander was an American general. USA dismissed American General MacArthur because he wanted to use nuclear weapons, this shows they didn’t want full military engagement with USSR even though they had already used an Atom Bomb.
How did the Korean War develop the Cold War (5)?
- Demonstrated USA’s commitment to containing communism + power they had within UN
- First Proxy War with USA troops fighting an enemy largely armed by USSR
- Both soviets + Americans equally keen to avoid conflict, nuclear weapons etc.
- UN proved it could act - but failed to unite Korea
- USSR quickly resumed its seat on the security council, and has never again made the same mistake of being absent for an important vote
What is a Proxy War?
A war fought where the superpowers supported opposite sides but do not fight each other.
Who controlled Vietnam/Indochina prior to WW2, and who led rebellions?
France had controlled Indochina for many years prior to WW2. By 1950, most popular leader of anti-french rebels was Ho Chi Minh, leader of Vietminh. He had proclaimed the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, a communist state.
What had happened by 1952 and up to 1954 in Vietnam?
By 1952, France in its attempt to keep control of Indochina has suffered 90,000 casualties - French could not compete with Guerrilla warfare tactics of the Viet Minh who knew the jungles much better than the French soldiers. After defeat at the Battle of Dien Bien Phi in 1954, French withdrew from Vietnam.
What are Guerrilla Warfare tactics?
Tactics used to fight a war against a much bigger enemy that avoids a direct battle, e.g small raids, destroying transport etc.
How were USA and USSR involved in Vietnam?
As part of containment in Asia, USA paid for up to 75% of French campaign, while Soviets + Chinese money and equipment was being supplied to Vietnamese Communists.
What happened July 1954 in regards to splitting Vietnam? (4)
- Eisenhower didn’t want to send US troops so a diplomatic solution was needed.
- July 1954, a meeting in Geneva between major world powers (USA, USSR, France etc.) was held and it was agreed that Vietnam would be split in 2 along 17th parallel.
- French would leave northern zone, Viet Minh would leave southern zone.
- The plan was temporary + elections were scheduled for 2 years later where country would be united, but USA didn’t sign agreements - couldn’t accept a communist North Vietnam.
What was Eisenhower’s Domino theory?
USA believed if communism spread to South Vietnam, it would spread to nearby countries, which would fall like dominos - making containment even more important.
How did Eisenhower compare to Truman in terms of individual conflicts?
Eisenhower = much less willing to get involved in individual conflicts than Truman - believed in a much wider strategic approach, as well as increasing the number and power of nuclear weapons.
How did New Look policy affect South Vietnam?
Resulted in increasing amounts of US money, equipment, military + political experts being sent to South Vietnam.
How did USA feel about South Vietnam’s leader?
South Vietnamese leader was corrupt, but he was largely anti-communist so USA was determined to keep his government in place.
What was the Ho Chi Minh Trail?
An established route through the mountains to provide Vietcong (communists who aided to overthrow Diem - south Vietnamese leader) with fighters and weapons. Diem’s position was beginning to look vulnerable.
How did the Vietnam War develop the Cold War (6)?
- USA becomes more committed to containment - more involved in Vietnam
- USA spent lots of money on France and even though they’re backing countries its not working => committed but can’t win
- USSR not keen to be involved
- Long bloody war => shows USA’s commitment to the policy
- US army struggle to battle Guerrilla tactics of Vietnam - impact on the home front
- Second Proxy War
What kind of divides were there in the Cold War?
Military, economical and political.
When was NATO set up?
April 1949, the height of the Berlin Blockade by USA/Truman.
Members of NATO (8)
- USA
- Britain
- France
- Italy
- Canada
- Iceland
- Greece (shows containment worked)
- Turkey (shows containment worked)
What was the aim of NATO?
To stop spread of communism and prevent Soviet attacks in Eastern Europe => collective immunity. Allowed US to have military bases in Europe.
How did Stalin view NATO?
Viewed it as aggressive and against USSR.
When was the Warsaw Pact created?
1955, by Khrushchev
Why was the Warsaw Pact created?
West Germany was given an army in 1955, because by then they had proved to be an ally, democratic + peaceful.
Members of Warsaw Pact (8)
- Poland
- Romania
- USSR
- Czechoslovakia
- Hungary
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- East Germany
What was the purpose of the Warsaw Pact?
Created a buffer for Western attack - would defend each other if needed.
Could you leave the Warsaw Pact?
No but you could be expelled.
What had happened by January 1953 - for USSR and USA?
Eisenhower and Khrushchev means a change in power, allowing a change in the Cold War.
What happened August 1945 - USA? AR
Dropped atom bomb on Hiroshima - 6th August 1945.
9th August 1945 - Nagasaki.
What happened 1949 - USSR? AR
Successfully detonates its first atom bomb.
What happened 1952 - USA? AR
Tested first Hydrogen Bomb.
What happened March 1953 - USSR? AR
Stalin dies and Khrushchev becomes leader of USSR.
What happened 1953 - USA? AR
Eisenhower becomes president + introduces the New Look Policy.
What is the New Look Policy? AR
Ordered by Eisenhower; the making of so many nuclear weapons that USA could answer any Soviet threat with ‘massive retaliation’. - Nuclear deterrence (idea that this retaliation would deter USSR from making a threat in the first place).
What happened 1953 - USSR? AR
Detonates its first H-bomb.
What happened March 1954 - USA? AR
Develops a H-bomb small enough to be dropped from a bomber plane.
What happened September 1954 - USSR? AR
Drops a test H-bomb from a bomber plane.
What happened 1955 - USSR? AR
Soviet airforce put on an air show to display new B4 bomber, capable of carrying nuclear weapons to USA. To impress foreigners, planes flew round twice giving impression of 20 planes not 10.
