Cold War GCSE Year 11 Mock Flashcards

1
Q

When was the Tehran Conference?

A

From November-December 1943

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1
Q

Tehran Conference key agreements

A

Spheres of influence(USSR in E Europe, Britain and US in W Europe)
Western allies agreed on D-day(attack on Germany from the West) - the USA and Britain agreed to open up a second front by invading Nazi-occupied Europe.
Disagreed about Germany’s future: Stalin wanted punishment, Roosevelt and Churchill wanted rebuilding.
Foundations for the United Nations
The boundaries of Poland would he moved westwards; Poland would gain territory from Germany and lose it to the Soviet Union

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2
Q

When was the Yalta Conference?

A

February 1945

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3
Q

When was the Potsdam Conference?

A

July-August 1945

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4
Q

Yalta Conference features

A

Work for democracy in Europe by United Nations- agreed the UN would be set up. but disagreed about what was meant by ‘democracy’
Truman less willing to compromise with Stalin than Roosevelt was(Truman showed hatred of communism)
USSR Sphere of influence in Eastern Europe
Germany, when defeated, would be reduced in size, divided and demilitarised having to pay reparations.
Poland would be run pn a broader democratic basis despite being in the Soviet sphere influence

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5
Q

Potsdam Conference Key Features

A

Divide Germany and Berlin into four zones(run by USSR, Britain,France and USA)
A Council of Foreign Ministers was set up to organise the rebuilding of Europe.
Reduce size of Germany
Ban Nazi party and prosecute war criminals
The Soviet Union was to receive 25% of the output from the other three occupied zones.

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6
Q

Significance of Potsdam Conference

A

Decisions about Germany were made

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7
Q

Significance of Tehran Conference

A

About how to win WW2

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8
Q

Significance of Yalta Conference

A

What happens in Europe when WW2 finishes

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9
Q

Iron Curtain Speech

A

In 1946, Churchill says in USA to provide support to stop communism spreading further, the speech implies Stalin is a threat to much of Europe, not just Britain as he wants to control Europe.

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10
Q

Significance of the Iron Curtain Speech

A

Stalin sees this as an attack on communism and it damages his relationship with Britain.
Highlighted the breakdown of the Grand Alliance - Britain and the USA now viewed the USSR as a threat, not an ally

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11
Q

Truman Doctrine key features

A

In a speech in 1947, US president Truman showed countries faced a choice between capitalism and communism, communism was bad as it meant people could not be free and the USA tried to contain the spread of communism. He claimed the USA should provide money and troops to help free governments to combat communist takeovers.

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12
Q

Truman Doctrine significance

A

USSR feel worried and concerned - damages relationship with USA

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13
Q

Marshall Plan key features

A

Was financial support to Europe- with the idea European recovery will help contain communism $13bn of US money to rebuild post-war Europe. The Marshall Plan hoped to stop communism by making it appeal to people who had nothing to lose. It showed countries must trade with the USA to get money.

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14
Q

Marshall Plan significance

A

Stalin insisted Eastern European countries should refuse it
USSR furious at US attempt to split Europe
Hopefully for USA this would make communism less attractive and help the US economy as countries had to agree to trade with America
Makes division of Europe bigger.
Sixteen Western European countries took the money from the Marshall Plan, including Britain, France and West Germany

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15
Q

Organisations for Soviet response to Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

A

Comecon
Cominform
Both were forced upon Eastern Europe by USSR

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16
Q

Comecon=

A

Council for mutual economic assistance

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17
Q

Cominform=

A

Communist Information Bureau

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18
Q

When was Cominform formed?

A

In 1947

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19
Q

When was Comecon formed?

A

In 1949 -

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20
Q

What was Cominform?

A

The political union of Eastern Europe- organised all communist parties in Europe and arranged leadership so they’d do what Moscow told them to do. They got rid of any opposition to the Soviet Union’s control in the satellite states and encouraged communist parties in Western countries to block the Marshall Plan assistance.

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21
Q

What was Comecon?

A

The economic union of Eastern Europe- built trade links between the Comecon countries, prevented these countries signing up to the Marshall Plan

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22
Q

Significance of Cominform

A

Consolidated the power of the USSR by stamping out opposition
Tried to control Communist parties and ensure loyalty of Eastern European governments

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23
Q

Significance of Comecon

A

Political and economic division of Europe cemented
Encouraged economic development of Eastern Europe

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24
Q

Why was the refugee issue in Berlin a problem for the USSR by 1957?

A

Between 1949 and 1961, 2.7 million East Germans crossed into Aest Germany vi a West Berlin. The flow of refugees was humiliating for the USSR since people preferred living in the West.
Many were skilled workers, important to the economy in West Germany.
The existence of West Berlin as an island of capitalism with East Germany was always resented by the USSR

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25
Q

Causes of the Berlin Crisis

A

Four unsuccessful summit meetings, particularly Paris in 1960 where Khruschev storms out after Eisenhower refused to apologise about the U2 Spy Plane incident. No real solution to the Berlin crisis
The refugee crisis - Khruschev wanted to solve this problem without starting a war
Krushchev issues an ultimatum for West Europe to get out of West Berlin in Nivember 1958, occupying troops must leave in six months, but the Western powers stayed in Berlin despite this.
There was a divided Berlin, with West Berlin giving the USA a footnold inside the Soviet Eastern bloc(East Germany).

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26
Q

Berlin Wall features

A

The wall was built in August 1961 and the wall remained in place until November 1989, during which time more than 300 people were killed trying to cross it. The wall was a barbed wire fence. Anyone trying to escape was shot at - many people were killed and over 200 people lost their lives trying to cross the wall

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27
Q

Significance of Berlin Wall(for Khruschev)

A

Completely cut off West Berlin from East Germany
It stopped the refugee problem
It allowed Khrushchev to avoid war while appearing strong
Khruschev was unable to force the Western troops out of West Berlin
Humiliating the Soviets had to build a wall to keep the people of East Germany in
West Berlin= enduring symbol of freedom, the wall was a barrier between the freedoms enjoyed by the West Berliners and those denied to East Berliners.

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28
Q

Significance of Berlin Wall(for Kennedy)

A

It avoided a war
Khrushchev admitted he was not able to force the West out of Berlin
It was a propoganda victory for the West, suggested East Germans preferred to live in capitalist West Germany and were forced to stay in East Germany
West Berlin was encircled by a wall limiting their freedom and America hadn’t done anytning to stop this being built
Suggested the Soviets were no longer interested in unifying Berlin under communist rule.
Kennedy famously visited West Berlin in 1963 with a speech called “Ich bin ein Berliner”- solidsrity showing West Berlin that the US and NATO were prepared to defend it from a communist attack

29
Q

Prague Spring features

A

Dubcek reforms(opposition to communism allowed,more democracy allowed other parties along with the communist party, Soviet control diminished reduced, aspects of Capitalism allowed in the economy)
Socialism with a “human face”(more friendly face of communism)- Dubcek wanted to make communism easier to live under

30
Q

Significance of the invasion of Czechoslovakia

A

Shows USSR still willing to use force(Brezhnev Doctrine).
Brezhnev Doctrine - the Soviet Union declared the right to invade any Eastern European country that threatened East Europe’s security as a whole
Shows the unpopularity of Soviet communism
Condemned by US but no military help(it was in Czechoslovakia which had already fallen to communism, Americans in 1968 were busy in Vietnam and also America feared war).
Western European communist parties declared themselves independent from the Soviet communist party.
Soviet Communism had lost support as other Communist parties across Europe condemn this, including Yugoslavia and Romania.

31
Q

Helsinki Conference features

A

In 1975, three baskets and representatives from 35 countries agreed co-operation in terms of:
1) European borders - improved the security of country boundaries
2) International co-operation e.g. economu and trade
3) Human Rights - freedoms of speech, religion l etc.

32
Q

Significance of Helsinki Conference

A

High point of Detente
Stabilises relationship in Europe so limited the possibility of conflict there

33
Q

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan key features

A

The USSR invade in December 1979 to support the Communist government, with Barbrak Kamal president and Amin and many of his supporters killed

34
Q

Causes for Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

A

For USSR to extend influence in oil-rich Middle East
The Soviet Union needed Afghanistan in its sphere of influence as it bordered the Soviet Union, President Taraki’s government had to be communist, but Taraki was assassinated during civil war and replaced by a leader who the Soviet Union thought threatened the influence.

USSR wanted to keep the communist government under Karmal in power
Fear that other states with large Muslim populations within the USSR would become independent Islamic states.
Afghan rebels like the Mujahideen resisted Soviet troops there.

35
Q

Significance of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

A

Olympic Boycotts(Moscow in 1980 and LA in 1984), Olympics seen around the world
Signals the end of Détente
Salt 2 agreement ended as President Carter withdraws

36
Q

Collapse of communism in Eastern Europe causes

A

Gorbachev: Had the policies of Glasnost(openness with the West) and Perestroika(economic restructuring), these lead to increased desire for more change in Eastern Europe and in 1989 communist regimes across Eastern Europe collapses
In December 1988, Gorbachev announced ideology should play a smaller role in foreign affairs.
Gorbachev’s announcement weakened the communist governments in Eastern Europe
Gorbachev scrapped the Brezhnev Doctrine
Gorbachev abandoned Comecon, so Eastern bloc countries couldn’t survive

37
Q

Significance of collapse of communism in Eastern Europe

A

Once communism falls in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union ends in 1991 after the failed attempt to remove Gorbachev = end of Cold War

38
Q

What was the aim of the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam Conferences?

A

The Grand Alliance(Britain, USA and the Soviet Union) all shared the aim of defeating their common enemy - Nazi Germany.

39
Q

Outcomes of the Tehran, Potadam and Yalta conference

A

While Britain, the US and the Soviet Union were able to work to defeat Germany, who had surrendered in May 1945, tension was increasing between the wartime allies. Differences were emerging over the future of Germany, and Eastern Europe. Moreover, Roosevolt’s death had led to Truman becoming president, he was more distrustful of the Soviet Union. The lack of trust between Truman and Stalin led to the start of the Cold War, but Britain was too economically exhausted to stand up to the Soviet Union.

40
Q

Sign of tension in the Tehran Conference

A

Stalin thought the western allies had deliberately delayed D Day, which meant the Soviet Union were fighting a more costly war in the East. Roosevelt agreed with this, but Churchill wanted to open a second front in the Balkans, not against Germany.

41
Q

Sign of tension in the Yalta Conference

A

Disagreements about the definition of democracy
Stalin expected free elections in Poland would bring about a pro-communist government, but the British supported the non-communist London poles.

42
Q

Signs of tension in the Potsdam Conference

A

The Soviet Union wanted Germany to pay heavy reparations, but Truman was concerned this would make it harder for the German economy to recover.
Truman objected to the control the Soviet Union had over the countries it had liberated from Nazi rule, but without risking further war, there was little Truman could do
Truman didn’t tell Stalin about the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and felt these bombs meant he could push Stalin about the conference, Stalin didn’t like this.

43
Q

Relationship between the Grand Alliance in the conferences

A

Roosevelt viewed British colonialism as more of a threat to world peace than the Soviet Union. Roosevelt believed in support for the Soviets, so relations with the Soviet Union and USA were strong. However, this changed when Roosevelt died and was replaced with Truman,

44
Q

The USA and capitalist attitude

A

Capitalism was based on freedom and democracy:
Everyone should be free to make money for themselves.
Individuals are better at deciding what to make/sell than the state.
Trade between countries makes everyone richer.

45
Q

The USSR and communist attitude

A

Capitalism only makes someone rich by exploiting everyone else.
Individuals aren’t as strong as everyone working for the same aim.
The state should take control of the economy and benefit everyone

46
Q

What was the USA’s attitude towards communism?

A

Believed in a containment policy -
preventing communism spreading around the world

47
Q

Causes of the Truman Doctrine

A

Truman was concerned:
The Soviets liberated much of Eastern Europe from Nazi roles and communism was attractive to european countries devastated by the war. If countries like Greece and Turkey became communist, other countries across Europe in the Middle East would follow(Domino theory). Some governments(e.g. Greece and Turkey) were too poor to combat communist relations and countries like Poland, Romania and Bulgaria had communist governments forced on them.

48
Q

The Cuban Revolution

A

Before 1959, Cuba was very closely linked to the USA, but had a socialist revolution in 1959 and started to build economic links with the Soviet Union. This meant Cuba and USA’s relationship deteriorated. The USA refused to recognise Castro’s government, because it didn’t want a socialist country in their sphere of influence.

49
Q

When was the Bay of Pigs incident?

A

17 April 1961

50
Q

Features of the Bay of Pigs

A

The CIA told Kenny the invasion will look like a Cuban revolution and Cuban exiles have been trained/old US planes have been disguised as Cuban, as well as that Castro’s control of Cuba is very weak.
However, these planes were actually recognised as US planes and recognised/published, so the world knew the USA had backed the invasion, including Castro. The 1400 US back-tracked troops surrendered against the 20,000 of Castro’s troops.
Cubans actually didn’t want their initial leader, Batista, back because he’d been corrupt

51
Q

Causes of the Cuban Missiles Crisis

A

Tne Soviet Union wanted missiles close to the USA(in Cuba), but Cuba wanted Soviet missiles to avoid a USA invasion , so in September 1962, Soviet ships carried nuclear warheads and missiles to Cuba.

52
Q

Timeline of the Cuban Missile Crisis

A

16 October 1962- President Kennedy is informed US spy planes have found missile sites on Cuba.
22 October 1962- Kenny decides against an attack, orders a blockade of Cuba
24 October 1962- One Soviet oil tanker is allowed through blockade, but the other Soviet ships stop before the blockade and turn around.
25 October 1962- USA and Soviet Union prepare for immediate nuclear attack.
26-27 October 1962: Cuba gets ready for invasion, Khruschev offers to remove missiles from Cuba if USA does the same from its Italy and Turkey bases. A US spy plane is shot down over Cuba, Robbert Kennedy sets up a deal where the USA secretly withdraw warheads from Italy and Turkey

53
Q

Short-term consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis

A

Communist Cuba survived - Kennedy gave assurances the USA wouldn’t invade Cuba again
The Soviet Union looked weak, as the world didn’t know the USA had removed missiles from Turkey, undermined Khruschev and Brezhnev replaced him as leader in 1964.

54
Q

Long-term consequences of Cuban Missile Crisis

A

The USA initiated a move to Détente - a less stressful, more informed relationship between the USA and Soviet zunion.
1963- Kennedy gave a speech about working with the Soviet Union to focus on their common interests.
1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an agreement for the USA + Soviet Union not to share their nuclear technology with other countries

55
Q

Causes of the Prague Spring

A

Under Soviet rule, Czechoslovakia’s economy and living standards declined, amy opposition to communism was crushed and communism was very unpopular.
In January 1968 Dubcek became the Czechoslovakian leader.

56
Q

Significance of Prague Spring

A

Most Czechoslovaks welcomed Dubcek’s reforms enthusiastically.
Brezhnev and other communists in Eastern Europe were afraid this would lead to demands for reform elsewhere that would threaten communist role in Eastern Europe, Brezhnev feared the Eastern bloc might collapse.

57
Q

Events of Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia

A

Brezhnev couldn’t allow reforms and failed to convince Dubcek to stop the reforms, so in August 1968, the Soviet Union sent tanks to Prague and Dubcek was arrested.

58
Q

Impact of Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia on superpower relations

A

Didn’t damage détente, relatively few people(less than 100) died as a result
Brezhnev thought US would never challenge USSR military intervention

59
Q

Limits to Helsinki conference

A

The Soviet Union continued to focus on Eastern bloc countries and to apply the Brezhnev Doctrine, treating protestors harshly.
The USA continued to prioritise interests in countries it could influence, like Chile and El Salvador.

60
Q

US response to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

A

USA worried the Soviets would gain more control in the Middle East
A successful invasion of Afghanistan might mean Soviet infouence in Iran, which would block Middle East oil exports which were essential to USA prosperity

61
Q

Consequences of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

A

Carter doctrine
End of Salt 2
Olympic boycotts
Election of president Reagan

62
Q

Features of the Carter Doctrine

A

Made in January 1980.
Carter threatened to use force if the Soviet Union attempted to take control of the Persian gulf. The USA imposed economic sanctions- no trade with the Soviets. This meant the USA could no longer export grain or import oil from the Soviet Union.
The USA and its allies, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, assisted the Mujahideen- backing a war directly against the Soviet Union

63
Q

The end of Salt 2

A

In 1980 the USA refused to sign this initial agreement by Carter and Brezhnev in 1979, building its own conventional and nhclear weapons, the Soviets responded by developing their own medium range weapon, the SS20 missile, the US-Soviet arms race began to speed up again

64
Q

Moscow Olympics Boycott

A

The USA boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow in retaliation for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

65
Q

Los Angeles Olympics Boycott

A

In 1984, in response to the US boycott of the Moscow Olympics, the Soviet Union boycotted the Olympic games of Los Angeles.

66
Q

When was Reagan elected as president?

A

In November 1980, was an anti-communist with a hard line attitude towards the Soviet Union

67
Q

Timeline showing the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe

A

Dec 1988- Gorbachev announces the end of the Brezhnev Doctrine
August 1989- Hungary opens its borders to East Germans
Oct 1989- Gorbachev announces Eastern bloc states can go their own way
Nov 1989- Fall of the Berlin Wall
Dec 1989- Communist governments fall in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania

68
Q

Why did Gorbachev scrap the Brezhnev Doctrine?

A

The Soviet Union had to improve trade relations with the West to rebuild their economy
He believed openness would make all Eastern bloc countries better

69
Q

Consequences of the fall of the Soviet Union

A

Many senior members of the Communist Party blamed Gorbachev’s reforms for the break-up of the Eastern Bloc and felt he’d weakened communism
A group of senior communist officials, known as the Gang of Eight, organised a coup to defeat Gorbachev, but this was defeated by Soviet future leader Boris Yeltsin.
Gorbachev’s authority damaged - resigned in December 1991 and allowed the dissolution of the Soviet Union

70
Q

What led to the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe?

A

Communist states never answered those inside/outside of borders who condemned the injustices of communist society.
Eastern bloc countries reliant on Comecon for survival - Gorbachev abandoned this
After 1985, Gorbachev refused to use Soviet or Warsaw Pact forces to control E Europe
To save money, Gorbachev withdrew Soviet troops from other countries in Eastern Europe