Cold War Develops/Intensifies (pg. 5 - 10) Flashcards
Why was Truman concerned about the huge spread of Communism? (pg. 5)
- Europe was devastated post-war, no money or jobs. Communism was attractive to people, as it ensured everyone had enough.
- Many in Eastern Europe were liberated from the Nazis by the USSR
- Some governments (eg. Greece and Turkey) were too poor to battle the Communist revolution. If they couldn’t fight it, he feared it would spread across Europe (Domino Theory)
- Appealed to those who had nothing
What year was the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan? (pg. 5)
1947
What did the Truman Doctrine state? (pg. 5)
USA must try to contain Communism spreading, they should provide money and troops to stop this from happening
What did the Marshall Plan state? (pg. 5)
Boost European economy - USA gave $13 billion to help rebuild Europe, and claimed countries had to trade to claim it
Communism appealed to those with nothing, so the plan hoped to contain communism by giving countries a stake of the capitalist system by trading with the US
When was Cominform set up? (pg. 6)
1947
What did Cominform do? (pg. 6)
Organise all communist parties in Europe to arrange their leadership so Moscow could control them
What were 2 consequences of Cominform? (pg. 6)
- Got rid of any opposition to the USSR’s control of satellite states
- Encouraged communist parties to block Marshall Plan assistance
When was Comecon set up? (pg. 6)
1949
What did Comecon do? State 2 things. (pg. 6)
- Build up trade links between Comecon countries
- Prevented Comecon countries to sign up to the Marshall Plan
What was the consequence of Comecon? (pg. 6)
Europe was now divided into two spheres of influence (known as the Iron Curtain)
When was NATO set up? (pg. 6)
1949
What was NATO? (pg. 6)
Western military alliance based on collective security - if one country was attacked, other NATO countries had to help
Why was NATO significant? (pg. 6)
- Led to Soviet Warsaw Pact
- There were now 2 military alliances facing Europe (NATO and Warsaw Pact)
When was the Warsaw Pact set up? (pg. 6)
1955
What were the West and East given of Germany and Berlin? (pg. 7)
West - Given West Germany and Berlin
East - Given East Germany and Berlin
What did the USA want from their division of Germany? (pg. 7)
A united, capitalist Germany with whom it could trade with and prevent the spread of Communism
What did the USSR want from their division of Germany? (pg. 7)
A weak, divided, Communist Germany so it couldn’t attack them again
Why did Bizonia effect Stalin? Give 3 things. (pg. 7)
He wasn’t consulted, went against Potsdam agreements, and suspected the USA attempting to divide West and East Germany
How many troops were in the Soviet zone of Germany? (pg. 7)
1.5 million
What was the Berlin Blockade? (pg. 7)
USSR closed all road, rail, canal links into West Berlin, blocking all supplies into Berlin to show it had power to stop a divided Germany working,
This was a problem due to the fact East Germany grew most food that West Berlin ate
How did the West respond to the Berlin Blockade?
An airlift - from 1948-49, thousands of supplies were flown daily into Berlin
Give 3 consequences of the Berlin Airlift for the West (pg. 7)
- Made USA look generous, peaceful
- West Germany officially formed (FRG)
- NATO formed to combat Soviet threat
Give 3 consequences of the Berlin Airlift for the East (pg. 7)
- Made USSR look aggressive, threatening
- East Germany officially formed (GDR)
- Warsaw Pact created to counter Western threat
Give 4 impacts of Soviet rule in Hungary (pg. 9)
- Suffered a lot under Stalin’s control
- Any opposition ruthlessly wiped out
- Communism was very unpopular
- Their ruler, Rakosi, was brutal. Called himself ‘Stalin’s best pupil’, yet many called him ‘Bald Butcher’
