Cold War Europe Flashcards
What does the term ‘Cold War’ refer to?
A state of hostility between nations without actual fighting.
The term originates from a book by Walter Lippmann.
What two superpowers were involved in the Cold War?
USA and USSR
What were the ideological differences between the USA and USSR?
USA: democracy and capitalism
USSR: communism
Define Communism.
A doctrine advocating a classless society with community ownership of production.
Often associated with one-party states and strong censorship.
Define Capitalism.
An economic system based on private ownership and a competitive market.
Define Democracy.
A government system based on the will of the people through elected representatives.
What historical events contributed to the Cold War tensions?
Bolshevik Revolution, Russian Civil War, and the mistrust developed during World War I.
What was the Grand Alliance?
An alliance formed by the USA, Britain, and USSR to defeat Nazi Germany.
What led to tensions within the Grand Alliance during WWII?
Soviet casualties, delay of second front, and secrecy of the atomic bomb.
What was decided at the Teheran Conference?
No Anglo-American invasion through the Balkans; recognition of Soviet supremacy in Eastern Europe.
What were the key agreements made at the Yalta Conference?
- Division of Germany into four zones of occupation
- Promise of free elections in Poland
- USSR’s participation in the United Nations
What was a major disagreement at the Potsdam Conference?
Disagreements on German reparations and the future of Eastern Europe.
Fill in the blank: The USSR established _______ in Eastern Europe after WWII.
communist governments
What were Soviet satellite states?
Countries in Eastern Europe under Soviet control, economically and politically dependent on the USSR.
Why did Stalin seek to control Eastern Europe?
To create a buffer against potential Western threats.
What was the impact of the atomic bomb on Soviet-Western relations?
Increased Soviet fears of Western aggression.
True or False: The Cold War involved direct military conflict between the USA and USSR.
False
What was the main result of the disintegration of the USSR in 1991?
It marked the end of the Cold War.
What led to the mistrust between the USA and USSR before WWII?
Ideological differences and historical grievances.
What was the initial governmental structure in Eastern Europe after liberation?
Coalition governments including non-communists were established
These governments were soon overtaken by communists who eliminated non-communist opposition.
Why did Stalin want control over Eastern Europe?
To create a buffer against Germany and to develop the Soviet economy
He viewed these countries as sources of cheap goods and raw materials.
What was the West’s reaction to Soviet control in Eastern Europe?
The West grew alarmed, viewing Stalin as a dictator
This led to Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in March 1946.
What is the definition of containment in the context of the Cold War?
Action taken to restrict the spread of a hostile element like communism
What was the ‘domino theory’?
If one country fell to communism, nearby countries would also be at risk
What triggered the Truman Doctrine?
Events in Greece, Turkey, and Iran prompted the USA to act against communism
What did Truman announce in March 1947?
America would support free people resisting subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures
How much aid did the USA provide to Greece and Turkey?
$400 million to combat communist revolutions and uphold democracy
What was the outcome of the Truman Doctrine?
Defeat of communists in Greece and Turkey, increased hostility between the USA and USSR
What was the Marshall Plan?
USA’s response to Europe’s economic needs offering aid to prevent communism
What conditions were imposed on countries receiving Marshall Aid?
Countries had to remove trade barriers and cooperate economically
What was the financial commitment of the USA under the Marshall Plan by 1953?
$17 billion to help rebuild European economies
What was Cominform?
Communist Information Bureau set up to link communist parties and counter the Marshall Plan
What was the Molotov Plan?
A Soviet response to the Marshall Plan, creating Comecon for economic assistance to satellite states
What was the main issue regarding Germany post-World War II?
Disagreement on reparations and the treatment of Germany among occupying powers
What action did Stalin take in 1948 regarding West Berlin?
Cut off all road, rail, and canal links to assert control over West Berlin
What were the three options available to Western powers during the Berlin Blockade?
Ignore the blockade, pull out of Berlin, or airlift supplies to West Berlin
How long did the Berlin airlift last?
327 days
What was the outcome of the Berlin Blockade?
The blockade was lifted on May 12, 1949, marking a victory for the Western powers
What was established as a result of the Berlin Blockade?
The division of Germany into East and West became permanent
What military alliance was formed by Western powers in response to Soviet aggression?
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
What was the significance of the Berlin Wall’s construction in 1961?
It symbolized the division between East and West and the ongoing Cold War tensions
What did the anti-Soviet demonstrations in East Berlin in 1953 demand?
Greater political and economic freedom, union with West Berlin, end of communism
What was the main consequence of the demonstrations in 1953?
Harsh suppression by Soviets, leading to executions and increased emigration to the West
What did Khrushchev demand regarding Berlin in 1958?
That the West hand over Berlin to East Germany
What was the response of the Western powers to Khrushchev’s demands in 1958?
They refused to give in to these demands
What was the primary reason for the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961?
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.
Who was the American president when the Berlin Wall was built?
John F. Kennedy
What significant action did East German troops take on August 13, 1961?
Sealed off West Berlin with roadblocks and barbed wire
What was the nature of the Berlin Wall?
A high, fortified wall manned 24 hours a day with machine-gun posts and searchlights
What major event did Kennedy’s 1963 speech in West Berlin signify?
A major morale booster for West Germans and a strong message to the Soviet Union
What phrase did Kennedy famously declare during his West Berlin speech?
‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’
What was NATO, and why was it formed?
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.
List the key principles agreed upon by NATO member states.
- 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
What was the Soviet response to the formation of NATO?
Formation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955
What was the Warsaw Pact?
A military alliance formed by the USSR and Eastern Bloc countries in response to NATO
What were the implications of NATO and the Warsaw Pact on Cold War relations?
Increased tension and hostility, creating two opposing armed and politically hostile camps in Europe
True or False: The formation of NATO represented communism and was led by the USSR.
False
Fill in the blank: The Berlin Wall physically divided _______ and _______.
East Berlin, West Berlin
What did the construction of the Berlin Wall signify for East Berliners?
Cut off from family, friends, and jobs
What was the initial military initiative that led to NATO’s formation?
A mutual protection agreement among Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg
Who was the first Commander-in-Chief of NATO?
General Dwight Eisenhower
What did the USSR view NATO as a step towards?
The spread of American militarism and imperialism
