Cold war key info

Question 1

History (no extra info needed)

Answer 1

USA and USSR were rivals before WW2 – only allies because they had a ‘common enemy’ in Germany

Question 2

When and what was Teheran Yalta and Potsdam

Answer 2

Decisions made about end of war and Germany (divided into 4 parts, de-Nazified etc). Old suspicions and mistrust emerged, especially over Soviet control of Eastern Europe (US didn’t tell USSR about A Bomb), Tehran 1943, Yalta and Potsdam 1945

Question 3

When and what was the Iron Curtain speech (no extra info needed)

Answer 3

1946 Churchill made famous speech to warn about spread of Communism in Europe. Upset Stalin, increased tension.

Question 4

When and what were the Telegrams (no extra info needed)

Answer 4

1946, Long and Novikov telegrams from ambassadors of both sides showed suspicion of one another

Question 5

What and when was the Truman doctrine

Answer 5

1947 President Truman pledged US support to defend countries from “outside pressures” (Greece 1947). Worsened relations

Question 6

What and when was Marshall plan

Answer 6

1947, Marshall aid provided money ($17bn)to help europe recover. Offered to E Europe countries, USSR ordered them not to take it. Provoked Stalin, increased East-West divide

Question 7

What and when was cominform (no extra info needed)

Answer 7

1947, Communist information Bureau set up to co-ordinate Communist parties across Europe under the control of the USSR.

Question 8

What and when was the Berlin blockade

Answer 8

1948-9, After new currency in W Berlin Stalin blockaded it to force West out. US refuse to give it up and begin Berlin Airlift.
Massive propaganda victory for US, Stalin lifts blockade.

Question 9

What and when was NATO formed

Answer 9

1949, China became Communist and USSR developed A Bomb in 1949. NATO formed as a “defensive alliance”. USSR saw this as a threat.

Question 10

What and when was comecon formed

Answer 10

1949, Council for Mutual Economic Assistance aimed to co-ordinate Eastern European economies – Stalin’s answer to Marshall Plan

Question 11

What and when was the korean war (no extra info needed)

Answer 11

1950-3, US sent troops to help South Korea fight against Communist north. Shows US willing to fight communism. Clear sign to USSR

Question 12

When and what was the death of Stalin (no extra info needed)

Answer 12

1953, Eventually replaced by Khrushchev – de-Stalinisation, criticises Stalin’s policies. Talks of “peaceful co-existence” leads to hope for better relations. Appears less hard-line than Stalin

Question 13

What and when was the Warsaw pact formed

Answer 13

1955, USSR’s equivalent of NATO in response to West Germany joining NATO – worsened relations further, increased division

Question 14

What and when was Hungary

Answer 14

1956, Hungarian Revolution – Imre Nagy becomes new leader and introduced changes. Announces withdrawal from Warsaw Pact. Ruthless response from USSR, many killed, Nagy executed.

Question 15

When and what was Sputnik 1 (no extra info needed)

Answer 15

1957, USSR launched the first man-made satellite

Question 16

When and what was the Cuban revolution

Answer 16

1959, Cuba’s pro-American government overthrown by left wing revolution led by Fidel Castro.

Question 17

When and what was the Geneva Summit (no extra info needed)

Answer 17

1959, USA and USSR met to discuss Berlin’s future but no solution agreed.

Question 18

When and what was the Paris conference (no extra info needed)

Answer 18

1960, Khrushchev stormed out of Paris meeting after Eisenhower refused to apologise for the U2 spy plane incident.

Question 19

When and what was the Vienna conference (no extra info needed)

Answer 19

1961, Khrushchev and Kennedy met to discuss Berlin further but neither appeared willing to back down over the US presence there.

Question 20

When and what was the Berlin Wall

Answer 20

1961, Khrushchev ordered the building of a barbed wire fence around W Berlin, eventually reinforced to become the Berlin Wall.

Question 21

When and what was the bay of pigs

Answer 21

1961, CIA supported attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Castro fails – invasion pushed Castro closer to USSR and embarrassed the US.

Question 22

When and what was the cuban missile crisis

Answer 22

1962, October 1962 – US spy planes discover Soviet nuclear bases on Cuba. Despite enormous tension, crisis eventually ends peacefully.

Question 23

When and what was JFK’s visit to Berlin

Answer 23

1963, Kennedy famously toured West Berlin to show support for its people. “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech.

Question 24

When and what was the hotline setup (no extra info needed)

Answer 24

1963, Direct communications link set up between Washington and Moscow to avoid communication problems of Cuban crisis.

Question 25

When and what was the test ban treaty (no extra info needed)

Answer 25

1963, Stopped nuclear tests above ground. Some agreement made between superpowers.

Question 26

When and what was US troops sent into Vietnam (no extra info needed)

Answer 26

1965, US Troops sent to Vietnam to fight against Communist North.

Question 27

When and what was the Prague Spring

Answer 27

1968, Dubcek takes power in Czechoslovakia and attempts to bring about reform (“Prague Spring”)

Question 28

When and what was the soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia

Answer 28

1968, After Brezhnev tried to persuade Dubcek to stop reforms he ordered the invasion of Czechoslovakia. Mostly non-violent protest but Dubcek arrested. US condemned Soviet actions.

Question 29

When and what was the outer space treaty (no extra info needed)

Answer 29

1967, Superpowers agreed that no nuclear weapons would be placed in space

Question 30

When and what was the non proliferation treaty (no extra info needed)

Answer 30

1968, Superpowers agreed not to supply nuclear weapons or information to other states.

Question 31

When and what was salt 1

Answer 31

1972, Imposed limits on nuclear capability of both Superpowers – significant as the first agreement to limit their nuclear weapons

Question 32

When and what was the Helsinki conference (no extra info needed)

Answer 32

1975, Agreed greater co-operation in terms of trade, fighting terrorism and human rights. Stabilised their relationship in Europe.

Question 33

When and what was the Apollo-Soyuz mission (no extra info needed)

Answer 33

1975, Joint space mission shows co-operation in space exploration.

Question 34

When and what was the Kabul revolution

Answer 34

1978, New communist president Taraki became an ally of USSR, Unstable new government eventually led to civil war.

Question 35

When and what was the soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Answer 35

1979, Brezhnev ordered a Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to help the communists retain control in Afghanistan. USA saw this as a clear act of aggression.

Question 36

When and what was the Moscow Olympics (no extra info needed)

Answer 36

1980, USA led a boycott of the Olympics in protest at Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Question 37

When and what was leadership problems in the USSR (no extra info needed)

Answer 37

Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko died in quick succession between 1980- 85

Question 38

When and what was the LA olympics (no extra info needed)

Answer 38

1984, USSR and 14 communist countries boycotted LA Olympics in retaliation for Moscow

Question 39

What and when was the role of Reagan

Answer 39

Reagan made his hatred for communism clear in his evil empire speech. He took a very hard line against the Soviets and wanted to ‘win’ the Cold War (e.g. SDI)*

Question 40

When and what was the role of Gorbachev

Answer 40

Gorbachev saw the problems in the USSR clearly. He planned to revive communism through Glasnost and Perestroika. Also became more prepared to speak to the USA

Question 41

When and what was the Geneva summit (no extra info needed)

Answer 41

1985, No formal agreement made but Reagan and Gorbachev began to develop a constructive relationship.

Question 42

When and what was the Chernobyl disaster (no extra info needed)

Answer 42

1986, Nuclear disaster became a symbol of the crisis in the Soviet system.

Question 43

When and what was the Reykjavik summit (no extra info needed)

Answer 43

1986, No major decisions made – disagreements about ballistic missiles and SDI.

Question 44

When and what was the INF treaty

Answer 44

1987, Very significant as it reduced the number of missiles that both sides had. All missiles with a range of 500-5500 km eliminate

Question 45

When and what was the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe

Answer 45

1989, Gorbachev’s reforms (e.g. withdrawing troops) led to increased desire for more change and communist regimes across E Europe collapsed. Berlin Wall fell in November 1989.

Question 46

When and what was the Warsaw Pact dissolved

Answer 46

1991, After collapse of communist governments in E Europe, the Warsaw Pact was formally dissolved in 1991.

Question 47

When and what was the fall of the soviet union

Answer 47

1991, After a coup against Gorbachev failed in August, he officially announced the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December