Cold war in Europe

Question 1

what was the situation like in 1917 Russia?

Answer 1

there were 6 million dead or captured Russians
economy was ruined
tensions was high
size was only thing preventing capitulation

Question 2

what did the Bolsheviks do after October 1917?

Answer 2

nationalised industries
gave land back to peasants
drew up the Brest-Litovsk treaty
Romanovs executed July 1918

Question 3

what was the international reaction over the Bolshevik takeover?

Answer 3

Britain,France and USA alarmed
the French,Japanese,British and Americans horrified by inspiration for proletariat revolution

Question 4

what was relations like in the 1920s?

Answer 4

1.was attempts to normalise relations with the establishment of 2 Ford factories in Russia
2. USSR formally recognised by 1933 and France forged ties in 1935

Question 5

What was the west’s reaction to Stalin’s ascension to power?

Answer 5

was scared due to the dictatorial role Stalin gave himself.

Question 6

what happened to Leon Trotsky after his exile?

Answer 6

killed in 1940 NKVD by an ice pick.

Question 7

when did the great purge begin and who was exectued?

Answer 7

began in 1934 with Sergei Kirkov’s execution.
opposition to Stalin’s regime were killed such as Lev Kamenev,Grigory Zinoviev and Nikolai Bukharin

Question 8

what were the show trials?

Answer 8

they were trials orchestrated by Stalin against his opponents with predetermined outcomes

Question 9

what was the Molotov Ribbentrop pact.

Answer 9

was a non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union. set spheres of influence in Eastern Europe. allowed Hitler to invade Poland without interference. Nazi’s betrayed the Soviets

Question 10

what did the soviets do under the Molotov ribbentrop pact?

Answer 10

invaded the Baltic states and forcibly incorporated them into the soviet union

Question 11

what happened after the Winter war?

Answer 11

Finland ceded land to the USSR to avoid annexation

Question 12

what was the result of the continuation war 1941-44?

Answer 12

consolidated soviet rule in the Baltic states
finland gave more land to the USSR

Question 13

what were the aims of Britain from the grand alliance

Answer 13

to keep suez canal open
to protect oil
amicable

Question 14

what were the aims of the Soviet Union in the grand alliance?

Answer 14

creation of a buffer zone in eastern Europe
3 part Europe communist zone,capitalist and combination
takeover of the Baltic
reparations from Germany

Question 15

what were the aims of the United States in the Grand Alliance?

Answer 15

security and protection
no longer isolationist
free trade and free enterprise economy
naval bases in both Atlantic and Pacific
Establishment of UN

Question 16

when did the Tehran conference take place?

Answer 16

28th november and 1st December 1943

Question 17

Why was the location of Tehran significant?

Answer 17

was in the sphere of influence of the USSR.
was in the soviet embassy.
this meant that Stalin had influence in the events of the conference.could intimidate other

Question 18

what was the situation of 1943?

Answer 18

Werhmacht starting to be defeated in places such as Stalingrad and Kursk, these reinvigorated the red army.
the soft underbelly of Europe (Italy) invaded (extra pressure)

Question 19

what was the cause of the Tehran conference?

Answer 19

needed to meet together to come with a well thought conclusion and be coherent to win the war.
Roosevelt wanted to better relations.

Question 20

what was the nature of the Tehran conference?

Answer 20

discussed post war Europe
Roosevelt disagreed with Churchill’s plan to invade the Balkans

Question 21

what were the consequences of the Tehran conference?

Answer 21

Churchill believed to be too suspicious of Stalin by Roosevelt. paved the way for subsequent conferences.

Question 22

what were the issues discussed in the Tehran Conference

Answer 22

France and Britian agreed to open a new front in normandy by may 1944. would ease pressure on the Soviet Union. Stalin felt angered becuase he beleived that it was delayed to seriously damage or destroy the Soviet Union
the United Nations to be established. both FRG and GDR would join 1973
USSR would declare war on Japan once Germany was defeated. would declare war 1 day after the bomb was dropped

Question 23

what did churchill think Stalin would do once he “liberated” eastern Europe?

Answer 23

believed that Stalin would continue to occupy the Eastern European nations. as he disliked communism and aided the white army.

Question 24

what were the events of Hungary’s liberation?

Answer 24

was an ally with Nazi germany. Red army invaded sept 1944. Admiral Horthy ordered a cease fire but was deposed by a Hungarian facist leader Szalasi. after war occupied territories handed to a coalition with small holders having the most seats and occupation continued

Question 25

what were the events of Czechoslovakia’s occupation

Answer 25

The Czechoslovak government in exile was willing to acquiesce in Soviet plans. Mistrusted the west Prepared to go along with Stalin for security met dec 1943. The treaty of friendship guaranteed that the Communist Party would have a primary position in the post war government . Main rival of the communists, the Czech Agrarian party, was banned. Ruthenia annexed by USSR. Czechoslovaks gained soviet support to expel ethnic germans from the sudetenland.

Question 26

why was Czechoslakia different in it’s liberation

Answer 26

was one of the most pro soviet countries

Question 27

what were the events of Poland’s liberation?

Answer 27

Most problematic country Poles suspicious of Stalin after 1939. Hoped that with western support they could resurrect the polish republic. believed to be the most important country in the buffer zone. between USSR and Germany. Stalin wanted a soviet friendly government. Communist party unpopular and party leadership largely executed on his orders while in exile in the USSR during the 1930s. General Sikorski was appointed as its prime minister while in exile. seen as legitimate. After the Nazi invasion of the USSR in 1941, relations were established with the Soviet Union military alliance signed in august. The London Poles were reluctant to be ruled by a dictator who had been just as ruthless in the East as the Germans had been . 1.5 million poles transported to the Gulag. Churchill convinced Sikorski that nazism was the greater evil and that territorial questions would be answered after the war. Stalin agreed to release thousands of Poles who had been imprisoned by the soviets in 1939. This group Under General Anders left the soviet union in 1942 and fought with the British for 3 years.

Question 28

what were the events of Yugoslavia’s liberation?

Answer 28

Soviet influence was limited due to the liberation by communist partisans. Bypassed the country to liberate Hungary and Austria. Stalin was initially happy to allow a fellow communist to rule. Happy to see Albania move into the Yugoslav sphere.

Question 29

what were the events of Finland’s liberation?

Answer 29

After they left the Axis they accepted the provisions of the treaty of moscow from 1940. Gave Soviet Union large areas of Finnish territory. Communist party legalised. Finnish prime minister conducted a foreign policy taht was in line with soviet interest.

Question 30

what were the event’s of Bulgaria’s liberation?

Answer 30

Didn’t fight against the Soviet Union although Axis. September 1944 capital city sofia liberated by communist partisans. The Red army generally welcomed by the population. In the subsequent armistice, Soviet troops occupied the country. Territories of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina annexed by the USSR.

Question 31

What were the events of Romania’s liberation?

Answer 31

Was a German ally and occupied territory in the Crimea after 1941. In 1944 a coup d’etat by King Micheal ousted the fascist regime and negotiated an armistice. The Soviets promoted the interests of the Romanian communist party. In Feb 1945 the king was forced to appoint pro-soviet Dr Groza as prime minister. Military presence ensured Stalin’s wishes were fulfilled.

Question 32

What increased tensions between Poland and the USSR?

Answer 32

events such as the Katyn Forest incident in 1943 were thousands of Polish officers went missing.
the home guard of Poland aided the USSR when recapturing the east but then were arrested NKVD

actions during the warsaw uprising(august 1st to October), Stalin halted the advance of the Red Army, refused to allow allied planes to deliver supplies and disarmed Polish units on their way to Warsaw. This allowed the Nazis to regroup and crush the rising. The hopes of Polish independence practically destroyed in October when Warsaw was systematically destroyed by the Wehrmacht

Question 33

What was the nature of the war by 1945

Answer 33

February-Germany had been pushed back into prewar borders. The japanese took a vital blow when Iwo Jima was captured by the Americans

Question 34

where was Yalta located?

Answer 34

located in the Crimean peninsula which had been controlled by the Soviet’s for 10 months.

Question 35

where were the delegates located for Yalta?

Answer 35

the Americans were located in Lividia Palace. the soviets were located in the nearby Yusupov Palace and the British were located 5 miles away at Voronstov Palace.

Question 35

when did the Yalta conference take place?

Answer 35

Feb 1945

Question 36

what was Stalin embarking on in Crimea

Answer 36

a cultural genocide of the native population

Question 37

what were the things decided on at yalta?

Answer 37

the creation of the UN: this would be a place were everyone would have representation.

Splitting of Germany into 4 zones

the declaration of a liberated Eurrope

war criminals to be tried at Nuremburg

Question 38

what was happening at the time of Potsdam?

Answer 38

unconditional german surrender
Europe liberated by the allies
UN established
Roosevelt died Truman anti communist
nuclear bomb tested

Question 39

when did the Potsdam conference occur?

Answer 39

july 1945

Question 40

what were aims of potsdam?

Answer 40

Aims have stayed relatively similar for Britain. The USA realised that the idea of isolationism was not viable, an establishment of the UN for political use. The USSR wanted the control of a buffer zone, and baltic states Reparations from a defeated Germany, as and when

Question 41

what was the impact of events of the grand alliance

Answer 41

Unconditional German surrender
Meant that no common enemy was present would soon go against each other

Liberation of the West
UK and USA would work together

Liberation of the East
May cause tensions due to Stalin’s intentions

Death of Franklin D Roosevelt
Stalin and Churchill share sincere grief at the loss of President Roosevelt

The Election of Harry S Truman
Would worsen relations due to his stance on Communism

The Manhattan Project
This would terrify the Soviet union and increase tensions due to Stalin not being consulted

The United Nations
Cooperation due to the Grand Alliance making up part of the security council

Question 42

what decisions were made at Potsdam

Answer 42

Germany divided into 4
All remnants of Nazism and the Nazi government eradicated.

Education to eliminate Nazi and Militarist doctrine.

Nazi war criminals brought to trial

A polish provisional government of national unity was to be established and to “hold free and unfettered elections as soon as possible”

Question 43

what was the percentages agreement

Answer 43

A secret informal agreement between Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin during the Fourth Moscow Conference during October 1944. It gave the percentage division of control over Eastern European countries, dividing them into distinct spheres of influence. Known by Churchill as his ‘naughty document’.

Question 44

what was the nature of may and august 1945

Answer 44

Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered.
Europe is fully liberated by the Allies.
Harry Truman takes office, replacing the late Franklin D. Roosevelt. Clement Attlee takes office as Prime Minister after Labour’s victory in the General Election of 1945.
The USA successfully test the Atomic Bomb, it is used in anger against the industrial cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August.
The United Nations is established as a ‘police force’ to ensure international diplomacy.
Japan unconditionally surrenders in August.

Question 45

how did Churchill cause tensions

Answer 45

Churchill’s relationship with Stalin longest of all leaders. Despite his strong anti-communist views, Churchill had been quick to reach an alliance with the Soviet Union in 1941 after the German invasion. Churchill would worry about the post war world once victory achieved. suspicious of Stalin

Question 46

how did Stalin cause tensions

Answer 46

Would abandon treaties if they didn’t suit his prioritise. His insistence on having conferences in the USSR worsened Roosevelts condition
The red army did most of the work to liberate europe this allowed him to ignore the west’s wishes of free and fair elections

Question 47

how did roosevelt cause tensions

Answer 47

Felt that he had a special relationship with stalin and believed that he could persuade the soviet leader to compromise. Trusted stalin to deliver on promises for a democratic future of europe. Convinced Stalin to join the UN and convinced Churchill to open up a second front

Question 48

How did Atlee cause tensions

Answer 48

More sympathetic but believed the USSR was expanisonist

Question 49

what was soviet expansionism like in Poland between 1945-7

Answer 49

Stalin formed a provisional government of National Unity (june 1945) included former leader in exile Stanislas Mikolajczyk.
A communist dominated electoral bloc was created but Stanislas refused to join.
The UK and USA didn;t intervene as they saw Poland as being in the soviet sphere of influence.
1947 elections, using terror and electoral rigging the communist party gained 394 seats and Stanislas’ peasant’s party won just 28

Question 50

what was soviet expansionism like in Czechoslavakia between 1945-7

Answer 50

A social revolution had been carried out by an alliance of socialists and communist. Soviet troops had left by Dec 1945.
Communist won by 38% no manipulation or violence
Worsening tensions (marshall plan and the response of cominform) tighter grip from the communists. Jan Masaryk, foreign minister, said he would return a “lackey of the soviet government.
Feb 1948 communist party seized power

Question 51

what was soviet expansionism like in Bulgaria between 1945-7

Answer 51

Similar to Romania to please the west the Communist’s were urged to form a Labour party to try and win broader appeals and be a “mask for the present period”. Told to please the west until the Paris Peace Treaty.
1946 october, in elections opposition parties won ⅓ of all the votes. This,combined with US intervention in Greece, encouraged Stalin to allow the communist’s to liquidate the opposition

Question 52

what was soviet expansionism like in Yugoslavia between 1945-7

Answer 52

Won power independently of soviets
The peoples front won 90% of votes in the 1945 elections. Tito allowed to smoothly implement a communist revolution
Tito assisted the Greek communists in the civil war (no encouragement from Stalin) and would demand control of areas such as Trieste and Vene Giulia.
USSR sympathised with this claims but didn’t want to risk confrontation with the west. Trieste eventually split into joint Anglo-American and Yugoslav control

Question 53

what was soviet expansionism like in Romania between 1945-7

Answer 53

King Micheal called on the UK and USA to not recognise the soviet established government which was established in 1945.
The PM, Groza told by Stalin to add two non-communists to please the west
. Groza’s national democratic front party merged with the socialists,national popular party and the national peasants party, along with communist trade unions,youth and women’s groups.
1946 communist front won 80% of votes (terror used).
1947 King Micheal forced to abdicate and communist republic formed in april 1948

Question 54

what was soviet expansionism like in France between 1945-7

Answer 54

De Gaulle fell from power in 1946. Coalition between communists,socialists and the Christian Democrats formed a government
In March 1946, socialist leader, Leon Blum, went to Washington to negotiate an American loan that would lead to inclusion in the western world.
March 1947, the communists were expelled from the coalition, after violent strikes(against marshall plan). The socialists would distance themselves from the communists and accept pro-USA policy.

Question 55

what was soviet expansionism like in Finland between 1945-7

Answer 55

Weak communist party given little help from USSR as seen as little threat by Stalin
Remained neutral emphasised in 1947 when it refused to join the Paris Conference on the marshall plan as it wished to remain “outside of world political conflicts”, wouldn’t become part of cominform but received aid from USA outside of marshall plan

Question 56

what was soviet expansionism like in Italy between 1945-7

Answer 56

Initially similar to France with communists being part of a governing coalition. As Stalin conceded, it would be a part of the capitalist west as it was liberated by them.
May 1947, communists dismissed from government

Question 57

what was soviet expansionism like in Hungary between 1945-7

Answer 57

Nov 1945 elections free along with the press parliamentary debate and borders with the west for up to 2 years
However, the soviet dominant ACC allowed stalin to insist Communists being the in coalition government.
1947 the main opposition leader was arrested. However, the communists still only won 45%
End of the year friendship treaty with Yugoslavia and mutual aid treaty with USSR
1948 communist and socialist merged due to soviet pressure. Feb 1949 the Hungarian people’s independence front formed who was dominated by the Communists.
In may 1948 in the elections only candidates from this party could stand