Cold War Europe Flashcards

1
Q

What does the term ‘Cold War’ refer to?

A

A state of hostility between nations without actual fighting.

The term originates from a book by Walter Lippmann.

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2
Q

What two superpowers were involved in the Cold War?

A

USA and USSR

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3
Q

What were the ideological differences between the USA and USSR?

A

USA: democracy and capitalism
USSR: communism

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4
Q

Define Communism.

A

A doctrine advocating a classless society with community ownership of production.

Often associated with one-party states and strong censorship.

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5
Q

Define Capitalism.

A

An economic system based on private ownership and a competitive market.

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6
Q

Define Democracy.

A

A government system based on the will of the people through elected representatives.

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7
Q

What historical events contributed to the Cold War tensions?

A

Bolshevik Revolution, Russian Civil War, and the mistrust developed during World War I.

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8
Q

What was the Grand Alliance?

A

An alliance formed by the USA, Britain, and USSR to defeat Nazi Germany.

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9
Q

What led to tensions within the Grand Alliance during WWII?

A

Soviet casualties, delay of second front, and secrecy of the atomic bomb.

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10
Q

What was decided at the Teheran Conference?

A

No Anglo-American invasion through the Balkans; recognition of Soviet supremacy in Eastern Europe.

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11
Q

What were the key agreements made at the Yalta Conference?

A
  • Division of Germany into four zones of occupation
  • Promise of free elections in Poland
  • USSR’s participation in the United Nations
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12
Q

What was a major disagreement at the Potsdam Conference?

A

Disagreements on German reparations and the future of Eastern Europe.

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: The USSR established _______ in Eastern Europe after WWII.

A

communist governments

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14
Q

What were Soviet satellite states?

A

Countries in Eastern Europe under Soviet control, economically and politically dependent on the USSR.

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15
Q

Why did Stalin seek to control Eastern Europe?

A

To create a buffer against potential Western threats.

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16
Q

What was the impact of the atomic bomb on Soviet-Western relations?

A

Increased Soviet fears of Western aggression.

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17
Q

True or False: The Cold War involved direct military conflict between the USA and USSR.

A

False

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18
Q

What was the main result of the disintegration of the USSR in 1991?

A

It marked the end of the Cold War.

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19
Q

What led to the mistrust between the USA and USSR before WWII?

A

Ideological differences and historical grievances.

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20
Q

What was the initial governmental structure in Eastern Europe after liberation?

A

Coalition governments including non-communists were established

These governments were soon overtaken by communists who eliminated non-communist opposition.

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21
Q

Why did Stalin want control over Eastern Europe?

A

To create a buffer against Germany and to develop the Soviet economy

He viewed these countries as sources of cheap goods and raw materials.

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22
Q

What was the West’s reaction to Soviet control in Eastern Europe?

A

The West grew alarmed, viewing Stalin as a dictator

This led to Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in March 1946.

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23
Q

What is the definition of containment in the context of the Cold War?

A

Action taken to restrict the spread of a hostile element like communism

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24
Q

What was the ‘domino theory’?

A

If one country fell to communism, nearby countries would also be at risk

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25
Q

What triggered the Truman Doctrine?

A

Events in Greece, Turkey, and Iran prompted the USA to act against communism

26
Q

What did Truman announce in March 1947?

A

America would support free people resisting subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures

27
Q

How much aid did the USA provide to Greece and Turkey?

A

$400 million to combat communist revolutions and uphold democracy

28
Q

What was the outcome of the Truman Doctrine?

A

Defeat of communists in Greece and Turkey, increased hostility between the USA and USSR

29
Q

What was the Marshall Plan?

A

USA’s response to Europe’s economic needs offering aid to prevent communism

30
Q

What conditions were imposed on countries receiving Marshall Aid?

A

Countries had to remove trade barriers and cooperate economically

31
Q

What was the financial commitment of the USA under the Marshall Plan by 1953?

A

$17 billion to help rebuild European economies

32
Q

What was Cominform?

A

Communist Information Bureau set up to link communist parties and counter the Marshall Plan

33
Q

What was the Molotov Plan?

A

A Soviet response to the Marshall Plan, creating Comecon for economic assistance to satellite states

34
Q

What was the main issue regarding Germany post-World War II?

A

Disagreement on reparations and the treatment of Germany among occupying powers

35
Q

What action did Stalin take in 1948 regarding West Berlin?

A

Cut off all road, rail, and canal links to assert control over West Berlin

36
Q

What were the three options available to Western powers during the Berlin Blockade?

A

Ignore the blockade, pull out of Berlin, or airlift supplies to West Berlin

37
Q

How long did the Berlin airlift last?

A

327 days

38
Q

What was the outcome of the Berlin Blockade?

A

The blockade was lifted on May 12, 1949, marking a victory for the Western powers

39
Q

What was established as a result of the Berlin Blockade?

A

The division of Germany into East and West became permanent

40
Q

What military alliance was formed by Western powers in response to Soviet aggression?

A

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

41
Q

What was the significance of the Berlin Wall’s construction in 1961?

A

It symbolized the division between East and West and the ongoing Cold War tensions

42
Q

What did the anti-Soviet demonstrations in East Berlin in 1953 demand?

A

Greater political and economic freedom, union with West Berlin, end of communism

43
Q

What was the main consequence of the demonstrations in 1953?

A

Harsh suppression by Soviets, leading to executions and increased emigration to the West

44
Q

What did Khrushchev demand regarding Berlin in 1958?

A

That the West hand over Berlin to East Germany

45
Q

What was the response of the Western powers to Khrushchev’s demands in 1958?

A

They refused to give in to these demands

46
Q

What was the primary reason for the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961?

A

To stop East Berliners from escaping to West Berlin due to poor conditions in East Berlin

By June 1961, East Berliners were escaping at a rate of 500 per day.

47
Q

Who was the American president when the Berlin Wall was built?

A

John F. Kennedy

48
Q

What significant action did East German troops take on August 13, 1961?

A

Sealed off West Berlin with roadblocks and barbed wire

49
Q

What was the nature of the Berlin Wall?

A

A high, fortified wall manned 24 hours a day with machine-gun posts and searchlights

50
Q

What major event did Kennedy’s 1963 speech in West Berlin signify?

A

A major morale booster for West Germans and a strong message to the Soviet Union

51
Q

What phrase did Kennedy famously declare during his West Berlin speech?

A

‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’

52
Q

What was NATO, and why was it formed?

A

A Western defensive military alliance formed to counteract the Soviet threat

Formed in April 1949 in response to events like the Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia.

53
Q

List the key principles agreed upon by NATO member states.

A
  • Military co-operation
  • Fight only if attacked
  • An attack on one is an attack on all
  • Contribution to NATO troops
  • Use of military force to defend member interests
  • Establishment of a joint NATO Command Organisation
54
Q

What was the Soviet response to the formation of NATO?

A

Formation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955

55
Q

What was the Warsaw Pact?

A

A military alliance formed by the USSR and Eastern Bloc countries in response to NATO

56
Q

What were the implications of NATO and the Warsaw Pact on Cold War relations?

A

Increased tension and hostility, creating two opposing armed and politically hostile camps in Europe

57
Q

True or False: The formation of NATO represented communism and was led by the USSR.

A

False

58
Q

Fill in the blank: The Berlin Wall physically divided _______ and _______.

A

East Berlin, West Berlin

59
Q

What did the construction of the Berlin Wall signify for East Berliners?

A

Cut off from family, friends, and jobs

60
Q

What was the initial military initiative that led to NATO’s formation?

A

A mutual protection agreement among Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg

61
Q

Who was the first Commander-in-Chief of NATO?

A

General Dwight Eisenhower

62
Q

What did the USSR view NATO as a step towards?

A

The spread of American militarism and imperialism