Cold War (intensifies) Flashcards
When did the USSR test its first atomic bomb?
1949
When did the USA develop a hydrogen bomb?
1952
When did the USSR develop a hydrogen bomb?
1953
What is the significance of both the USA and USSR having nuclear weapons?
- Any nuclear war would lead to MAD (mutually aided destruction) so the USA and USSR had to find way to stop disputes escalating into dangerous wars involving nuclear weapons
Why did the cold war not become a hot war?
Due to both sides having nuclear weapons
When was the Warsaw Pact created and what was it?
14th May 1955, a collective defense treaty
What were the significances of the Warsaw Pact?
- The formation of the pact meant that there were now two opposing alliances in Europe separated by the Iron curtain
- Both alliances planned for military action against the other, including the use of nuclear and conventional weapons
- Pact gave the USSR direct control of the armed forces of its satellite states, strengthening its control of Eastern Europe
When did Stalin die?
1953
Who and when did the new leader of the USSR come to power?
Khrushchev in 1955
How did Kruschev hint that Soviet control would relax?
- In 1956, in his ‘secret
speech’, Khrushchev attacked Stalin saying that he was a murderer and a tyrant - He also said he wanted peaceful co-existence with the West
What did Khrushchev do to Russia and what were its effects?
- He began to ‘de-Stalinise’ it by reducing the activities of secret police and by setting political prisoners free
- This gave hope that Stalin’s era of repression had ended, so opponents of communism in Eastern Europe began to make demands
What were some causes of the Hungarian uprising?
- Poverty
- Russian control - they hated it, including censorship and the secret police
- Religious issues - Communist party banned religion
When was Eisenhower president?
From 1953
Why did Hungarians start demonstrating against communist control?
Because of poor harvests and bread shortages, in october 1956
What things did the Hungarians do that demonstrated their hatred for communist control?
they pulled down statues of Stalin, attacked secret police and Russian soldiers
What did Khrushchev do to try and calm down the situation in Hungary after the attacks on police and bringing down statues of Stalin?
He appointed a more liberal prime minister, Imre Nagy
What did Hungarians expect due to their situation, towards the beginning of the Uprising?
That the new US president would help them
What reforms did Nagy want for Hungary?
- Leave the Warsaw Pact and become a
neutral country. - Hold free elections leading to no more
single-party communist government. - UN protection from the Soviet Union.
Why was Nagy’s reforms an issue for the Soviet Union?
As if Nagy succeeded in Hungary, other countries in Eastern Europe would follow and the Warsaw pact would collapse
Why did Soviet troops invade Hungary in November 1956?
As Khrushchev disapproved of Nagy’s reforms and proposals
How many Soviet troops did Khrushchev send to Hungary to depose of Nagy and restore order?
200,000
What happened to Nagy after the Soviet Invasion of Hungary, and who was he replaced with?
Nagy was executed and replaced by Janos Kadar (a supporter of Russia)
State 5 consequences of the Hungarian Uprising
- 200,000 Hungarian refugees fled into Austria.
- Russia stayed in control behind the iron curtain
- People in the West were horrified, British communists left the Communist party
- It was clear to Eastern Europe that the West would not come to their aid to help them overturn communism.
- The West became even more determined to contain communism
How did Soviet Control retighten after the Hungarian Uprising?
Satellite states saw that the USA would not defend them against the Soviet Union.
Why couldn’t the USA send troops to Hungary and aid them?
As they would risk nuclear war
Why did the Hungarians have to give in, at the end?
as they couldn’t receive any help from the USA, they were against the Soviet Union alone
What were the international reactions to the Soviet invasion of Hungary?
- United Nations condemned Soviet actions
- Some countries boycotted the 1956 Olympics in protest.
- The USA supported Hungary’s uprising –
with money, medical aid and words.
