Cold War Issue 2 Flashcards
Background
The death Stalin in 1953 led to Nikita Khrushchev becoming soviet leader. His policies differed to Stalin and therefore he began policies of de-Stalinisation, this encouraged the Satellite States to seek their own path to Socialism and seek greater freedom.
LOA
The soviet reaction to the reforms of policies in Satellites differed and the soviet policy remained some what successful
Factors
Nikita Khrushchev, Poland, Berlin and Hungary
Nikita Khrushchev (KU and A)
KU- In 1955 NK became Soviet leader.
A- He offered greater political and economic change which led to Satellite states in Eastern Europe wanting more freedoms
KU- Soviet policy now included to have peaceful co-estistance with the West
A- It allowed for more freedoms with the West who were against Soviet Policy
KU- In 1956 Khrushchev delivered a speech where he criticised Stalin
A- He introduced his change of de-Stalinisation to the soviet policy
Nikita Khrushchev (A+ and E)
A+- Limited because his speech was not that successful as it actually encouraged the satellite states to seek change and reform from communism
E- Nikita Khrushchev was important in evaluating the success of Soviet Policy in eastern Europe because he was the new Soviet leader who introduced the new policies, it can be said that he made successful policy however it was not fully successful as it caused many to steer away from the USSR and communism
Poland (KU and A)
KU- Poland wanted their own path to socialism and reforms which fitted their roman catholic country
A- Changed their policy of communism, slightly, since it did not originally include any religion.
KU- After initial concern Soviets agreed to reforms and gave 50% wage rises to workers
A- It led to peaceful existence of Soviet Policy in Poland
Poland (A+ and E)
A+- Not that successful because the country continued to have economic problems which led to many citizens being unhappy about soviet policies, and some resistance began.
E- Very Significant in evaluating the success of Soviet Policy because it was well implemented and people lived peacefully, they remained communist and remained within the Warsaw pact. Therefore it can be said that it was successful.
Hungary (KU and A)
KU- Hungary had many complaints because they experienced terrible living conditions
A- Showed they wanted rid of Soviet Policy and communism
KU- Rakoski who was the Hungarian dictator led by Khrushchev was overthrown and replaced by Nagy
A- In Hungary Nagy supported the withdrawal of soviets from Hungary
KU- On Oct 23rd 200,000 Hungarian protestors took to the streets
A- Secret police had to open fire on the people causing massive tensions between the Soviets and Hungarian people
Hungary (A+ and E)
A+- Limits because it left lingering resentment with Hungarian people therefore showing that the people were not pleased with the policy
E- Most important factor in showing how successful Soviet Policy was in Eastern Europe because it showed the force that was needed for implementation. Overall it can be said that it was somewhat successful because communism and control were maintained
Berlin (KU and A)
KU- West Berlin was much more prosperous to East Berlin
A- Led to many people from the East immigrating to the West, for example between 1949-1961 2.8 million fled communism
KU- In Aug 1961 the Soviet Government ordered a wire and later cement wall to be built around West Berlin
A- Showed that the government had to build a wall in order to get capitalism out.
Berlin (E)
E- Overall in evaluating Soviet Policy in Berlin it can be shown that Soviet Policy was not successful as a wall had to be built in order for the East Berlin population fleeing and also the wall was knocked down by East Berlin people in 1989, this shows that people hated communism and fled at its sight
