Cold War - Origins + Development Flashcards
What is communism? Which country was communist?
The idea that all property is owned by the state and everyone gets a fair share of everything, USSR was communist.
What is capitalism? Which countries were capatalist?
Everyone is free to make money, and businesses to make money. Britain and the USA were capitalist.
Why did USA join the second world war and when? What was Franklins opinion of USSR?
The USA joined the second world war against Germany after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941. Roosevelt was tolerant of the USSR and Stalin.
Why did the USSR join the world war? What were Stalin’s policies in 1930? What did USA/Britain think?
USSR joined the world war after four million German soldiers invaded in 1941, in violation of the ‘Molotov Ribbentrop Pact’. Stalin’s polices were industrialisation and collectivisation. USA and Britain where very critical of these polices.
What is the Grand Alliance? Why did it form? Who were considered superpowers?
Grand Alliance is the joining of the three superpowers, Britain/USA/USSR to defeat Germany in WW2.
Who was the president of the US in the Grand Alliance (pre 1945)? What did they believe about USSR?
The President of the US was Franklin D Roosevelt. They believed that they wanted to accept the soviet union as a superpower to ensure world peace.
Who was the Prime Minister of Britain (pre 1945)? What did they believe about the USSR?
The Prime Minister was Winston Churchill, he believed that the British empire was to be very suspicious of Stalin and the spread of communism.
Who was the leader of the soviet union? What did he believe about the superpowers?
Joseph Stalin. He wanted too strengthen the idea of one party rule in the soviet union, and believed the West wanted to destroy communism.
Who was the President of America (after 1945). What did he believe about the soviet union?
Harry S Truman. He believed that he should adopt a ‘get tough’ attitude approach on the soviet union.
Who was the Prime Minster in Britain (Post 1945) What did he believe want to do?
Clement Attlee. He wanted to return to Britain to make changes to the country after the World War.
What was the focus at the Tehran Conference? How did they go away feeling after this conference?
The focus on the Tehran Conference was to defeat the axis superpower in WW2 (Germany). The big three all went away relatively happy. There was a strength in US-Soviet Relations as Roosevelt and Stalin saw eye to eye on points discussed.
What did the USSR, Britain and the USA want at the Tehran Conference? (one for each)
- Britain - Open a second front against Germany from the Balkans.
- Soviet Union - Hold onto land from Poland, and for the USA and Britain to open a second front from the West.
- USA - Wanted Soviet Union to help them in the war against Japan.
What were the 4 agreements made at the Tehran Conference?
- USA and UK would open a ‘second front’ by attacking Nazi Occupied France.
- The soviet union would join the USSR in the fight against Japan once WW2 ended.
- Poland would gain land from Germany, but loose land to the Soviet Union.
- An international body to be set up after the war to ensure future peace.
How did the Tehran Conference affect the relationship between the USSR? What happened?
Had a positive impact on relations.
1.Stalin was pleased that that the second front had been agreed.
2. Roosevelt had supported Stalin attacking from Germany and not what Churchill wanted.
3. Stalin had agreed to support the USA in defeating Japan.
How did the Tehran Conference affect the relationship between the USA and Britain?
Had a negative impact on the relationship between USA and UK.
1. Roosevelt was worried that British colonialism was a greater threat to peace then the soviet union.
2. Churchill was disappointed that Roosevelt had sided with Stalin in opening a second front in Northern France.
What did Britain, USSR, and USA want at the Yalta Conference? (1 for each)
- America - The USA wanted the Soviet Union to confirm its support in the war against Japan and to be apart of the UN.
- Britain - The UK wanted free elections to be held in Central and Eastern Europe after the war.
- USSR - Soviet union wanted to keep the territory it had gained between Soviet Union and Germany.
What were the 5 agreements at Yalta?
- After the defeat of Germany, they would pay 20 billion in reparation’s and to be split into 4 zones.
- Soviet Union agreed to fight against Japan.
- Soviet Union agreed that free elections would be held in Eastern Europe.
- Soviet Union would gain land from Poland and free elections would be held to decide on it’s government.
- The UN would be established, but not all 16 members of the soviet union would be given membership.
How did the Yalta Conference affect the relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union?
It had a positive impact on the relationship between the USA and USSR as
1. Soviet Union declared war on Japan.
2. Soviet union would be offered 10 billion in repairs.
3. Three main states of USSR agreed to join UN.
4. Free elections taking place in Eastern Europe.
How did the Yalta Conference affect the relationship between the Soviet Union and Britain?
Negative impact on the relationship between Soviet Union and Britain.
1. Stalin wanted pro communist government to be elected In Poland, whereas Churchill supported the non communist London Poles (Group of politicians that left Poland after Germany invaded)
What happened between the Yalta and Potsdam Conference?
- Roosevelt died and was replaced by Truman.
- Churchill replaced by Clement Atlee after a general election.
- The USA developed an atomic bomb.
- UN formed, with 51 members.
What did Britain, USSR, USA want at the Potsdam Conference? (1 for each)
Britain - UK wanted free elections to be held in Central and Eastern Europe after the war.
USA - Peace in Europe and prevent the spread of communism.
USSR - That they remained powerful in Eastern Europe.
What were the 4 agreements made at the Potsdam Conference?
- Germany’s four zones would be controlled by UK, USA, USSR and France.
- Berlin would also be divided into four zones.
- Soviet union would gain 25 percent of industrial equipment from the other three zones in Germany.
- The Nazi Party was banned and war criminals to be prosecuted.
How did the Potsdam Conference affect USSR and USA relationship?
Negative impact on USSR and USA relations.
1. Increased tensions between the two sides as Truman Mentioned the atomic bomb’s first success.
2. Stalin wanted harsher reparations against Germany, Truman wanted to protect it’s economy.
3. Truman was concerned about USSR’s control over Eastern Europe.
4. Stalin wanted to keep his Red Army (Army of Soviets) In Eastern Europe as protection against future threats.
When did the three conferences take place?
Tehran - 1943.
Yalta - February 1945.
Potsdam - August 1945.
What did Truman believe using the atomic bomb would do to European countries? How did the soviets react? What did this lead to starting?
Truman believed the use of the atomic bomb would prevent other European countries from becoming communist. However, Stalin saw this as a threat, and started developing their own atomic bomb. Leading to the ‘arms race’
What were the ‘officials’ reason the atomic bomb was used? What was the ‘unofficial reason?’
Official Reasons
1. Reduce Deaths (Void invasion from Japan)
2. Force Surrender.
3. Boost morale (no longer needed to fight)
Unofficial Reason
1. Demonstrate Power (Send a message to USSR showing their technological advancement’s.)
How did Stalin react to the atomic bomb?
He became even more determined to protect the soviet union. He created a buffer zone (divides two areas to prevent fighting) between Germany and Soviet Union. Launched his own atomic bomb in 29th August 1949
Why did the atomic bomb increase tensions? What happened because of this?
Truman had underestimated Stalin’s desire to protect communism. For example, Truman wanted to prevent wars from happening due to the threat of the atomic bomb. Whereas, Stalin wanted to create atomic weapons to be used in the result of war.
In the end, Cold War tensions increased dramatically, leading to the end of the ‘Grand Alliance’ and WW2.
What was ‘Kenna’s Long Telegram’?
A telegram written by the USA’s ambassador in Moscow. He wrote a telegram to Truman, it contained around 8000 words.
What were the main points written in Kennan’s Long Telegram? (3)
- Stalin saw capitalism as a threat to communism that needed to be destroyed.
- The spread of communism could be ‘contained’
- Peace would not be possible between the USA and USSR.
Why was a Telegram sent by the soviet ambassador in Washington?
The soviet union knew about the Long Telegram, and so they wanted too make a similar report in the USA.
What was written in the ‘Novikov’s telegram?’(3)
- The USA wanted to build up military strength.
- The USA no longer wanted to cooperate with the soviet union.
- The American people would support a war against the Soviet Union.
Why did the two telegrams written increase tension?
Both sides believed to be unworthy and planning destruction, the telegrams confirmed this and both sides adapted policies.
1. USA wanted to contain communism (Protect the west from soviet expansion)
2. Soviet Union wanted to spread communism (Protect the USSR from USSR, communism to be spread in Eastern Europe)
Who wrote the ‘Iron Curtain Speech’ What did it entail?
Winston Churchill wrote the Iron Curtain speech, it writes about the divide between capitalism in the West and Communism in the east. Referring to the ‘iron’ as a block that cannot be passed.
What happened to tensions due to the ‘Iron Curtain Speech?’
Tensions increased, USA and Soviet Union were to build up military forces on both sides.
When were the 2 telegrams, and speech by Winston Churchill written?
‘Iron Curtain Speech’ - March 1946.
Novikov - September 1946.
Long - February 1946.
What are satellite states? What did they intend to do? How did they do this?
Satellite states were countries controlled by the soviet union, which pushed for communist governments. They intended to spread communism. This tended to be quite violent and intimidating to ‘rig’ the elections.
Why did Stalin want control of Eastern Europe? Why were they called ‘satellite states?’
Red army had liberated many countries during the world war.
1. He wanted to keep control of these countries as they would act as a ‘buffer zone’
2. They were called Satellite states as they orbited central soviet union.
What happened to the Baltic States in 1940? What did the Soviet Union see them as?
Taken over by the soviet union during the Second World War.
While the soviet union saw them as legitimate soviet states, they saw their incorporation into the Soviet Union illegal!
What happened in the Poland/Warsaw Uprising in 1944-45?
Red army waited until the Warsaw Uprising had been crushed before occupying Poland. Free elections were supposed to be held their, so a collation was created was created by Stalin mainly featuring communist supporters.
What happened in the 1947 elections in Poland?
A campaign of violence and intimidation, which in the end led too the creation of a fully communist government.
What happened in Romania, Bulgaria and East Germany in 1944-45?
It was agreed that East Germany would be under the soviet unions influence. Romania and Bulgaria both lost their monarchies which were replaced by communist governments.
What happened in Hungary between 1945-49?
Non communist won the 1945 elections in Hungary.
However, a communist politician called Rakosi took control of the secret police and imprisoned the opponents.
After the Prime minister resigned in 1947, communist won the elections and all other parties were banned in 1949.
What happened in Czechoslovakia in 1948?
Had been a democracy since 1938. A government was led by Edward Benes, who was a threat to Stalin.
In 1948, a coup (violent taking of governments power) led by communist Klement Gottwald took over the government, with support of the Soviet Union.
What happened to communism in Yugoslavia and Albania?
They were never occupied by the Red Army, they were given more independence then neighbouring countries in the Soviet Union.
How did the USA react to the satellite states?
Truman saw the creation of the satellite states as a deliberate attempt to spread communism. The satellite states challenged Truman’s policy of containment. And led to the creation of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.
Why did the US help Greece and Turkey?
They were struggling to prevent communism from taking over. Truman was very worried about this.
On the 12th March, 1947 Truman announced he would send 400 million to both Greece and Turkey, by 1949 the communists in Greece had been defeated.
What did the Truman Doctrine summarise?
That there were two alternate ways of life. Communism and Capitalism.
In the Truman Doctrine, what was the first way of life? What did this entail?
What was the second way of life? What did this entail?
First way of life was capitalism, it involved..
1. Free elections.
2. Free institutions
3. Freedom of speech and religion.
Second way of life was communism, it involved
1. Terror and Oppression
2. Fixed elections
3. Controlled Press and Radio.
4. Suppression of freedoms.
What did the Truman Doctrine Mark? (Hint, what happened before with the approach of USA to other countries?)
Truman Doctrine marked a new approach of the USA towards other countries.
1. Isolationism was replaced with containment (Preventing spread of soviet union)
What was the Marshall Plan? When was this passed?
Truman realised that he would need to help poorer countries to prevent them from turning to communism. After George Marshall visited Europe, he told Truman that they were all at risk.
The law was passed to provide economical aid to countries in 1948.
What was the economical impact of the Marshall Plan? How many countries were offered support? Did the satellite states receive anything?
It gave away 13 billion dollars to to 16 European Countries in Western Europe. It was described as a ‘lifeline to sinking men’. The Marshall Plan was offered to Satellite states but Truman knew Stalin would not let them accept it.
Why did the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine increase cold war tensions?
Stalin saw these new schemes as a threat to communism. He believed that it was undermining the role of the United Nations. Stalin called this ‘Dollar Imperialism’ (Sphere of influence in the west). This plan divided the West from the East. This dramatically increased tensions.
When was the policy of containment? When was the Truman Doctrine? When was the Marshall Plan?
Containment - 1947
Truman Doctrine - March 12th, 1947.
Marshall Plan - 1948 it was passed.
What did Cominform allow Stalin to do? What does this stand for?
It allowed Stalin to direct and control the government of the Satellite states. It stands for Communist Information Bureau.
What were the aims of Cominform? Who were the members?
Aims of Cominform
1. Keep political control of Europe.
2. Encouraged members to block Marshall Aid.
3. Discouraged contact with non communists.
Members were communist parties of European Countries, (Hungary, Poland etc)
What does Comecon stand for? What did it allow Stalin to do?
Stands for the Council for Mutual Economical Assistance.
It allowed Stalin to improve the economy of the Satellite states. Each member of Comecon nationalised their industries and collectivised their agriculture
What were the aims of Comecon? Who were the members involved in Comecon?
Aims of Comecon
1. Keep economic control of Europe.
2. Build up trade links in between members.
3. Discourage trade with the USA and west.
Members involved communist parties of Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland etc)
How did the introduction of Cominform and Comecon change the relationship between the superpowers? What did this lead to?
It increased tension between the two countries as countries in the East and West had accepted support from either the USA or Soviet Union so this increased tension.
It led to 1949 where NATO was created by the USA in response to the two C’s.
When was Cominform? When was Comecon introduced?
Cominform - 22nd September 1947.
Comecon - 25th January 1949.
How did France, Britain and the USA wanted to strengthen Germany? How did the Soviet Union wanted to weaken it?
France Britain and the USA wanted to improve the economy and encourage capitalism. A strong Germany could halt the spread of communism.
The soviet Union wanted to use Germany’s resources to rebuild the Soviet Union. A poor Germany would likely stay communist.
What was Bizonia? When was it created? What was Trizonia? When was created? Why was Trizonia created?
Bizonia was the merging of USA and Britain’s zones in Germany in 1947. After the walkout of a Soviet Representative in 1948, France merged their zone to joint the bizonia making it a Trizonia.
How did the new currency Deutschmark increase tensions?
The new currency Deutschmark increased tensions as it..
1. Broke agreements in Potsdam - Germany’s economy but it created a new currency for trizonia.
2. Created two Germanys - It was now separated into two zones, due to this new currency.
What was the Soviet Union’s reaction to the Deutschmark? What did this lead too?
Stalin was now determined to to ensure the Soviet zone in Germany remained communist.
He planned to block Trizonia’s access to their zone in Berlin.
This then led to the Berlin Blockade!
Why did the Soviet Union decide to blockade berlin?
Stalin thought it was the most effective way of gaining control because
- Reliance on Food - Crops were mostly grown by East Germany so it would impact the feeding of west Berlin.
- Transport Access - The allies had to travel through Soviet Germany to go to West Berlin, so Stalin could could prevent the West from accessing Berlin.
- Presence of the ‘Red Army’ - The Soviet’s were ready to fight if the west forced access into Berlin as they had 1.5 million troops.
How did the Soviet Union blockade Berlin? What were the issues with West Berlin being blocked? What did Stalin hope as the outcome?
In January 1948, they closed rail, canal links and roads across Soviet controlled Germany.
West Berlin would only have food for 36 days, and lacked important supplies. Stalin hoped that the Western Powers would give up control of Berlin.
How did Truman react to the Berlin Blockade? Why did he react like this? What did this lead too?
Truman reacted by flying in supplies into West Berlin, as he was not ready to give up the policy of Containment, he did this as he thought it would prevent a war between the superpowers. This led to the Berlin Airlift.
What happened during the Berlin Airlift? (Airports, Supplies and Casualties)
Supplies
1. In January 1949, 170,000 supplies were sent into Berlin
2. The USA and Britain flew in around 1000 supplies a day.
Airports
1. An airplane landed every 45 seconds during the height of the berlin airlift (In Berlin Tempelhof)
2. Berlin Tegel was built by the French Military.
Casualties
1. Although 78 people were killed in aircraft related accidents, the soviets did not cause any casualties.
How did the Soviet’s react about to the Berlin Airlift?
- An offer to move East Berlin to receive food was declined by most West Berliners.
- The allies refused Stalin’s offer that he would remove the blockade if they removed the new currency.
What were the impacts of the Berlin Crisis for the USA and Soviet Union? (2 for each with dates)
USA
April 1949 - Created a military alliance called NATO.
May 1949 - Created the federal republic of Germany (West Germany)
Soviet Union
April 1955 - Created a military alliance called the Warsaw Pact.
October 1949 - Created the democratic Republic (East Germany.)
When was the Berlin Blockade? When was the Berlin Airlift? When did it end?
Berlin Blockade - June 1948.
Berlin Airlift - June 1948 - September 1949.
What was the FRG? When was it created? How did Stalin react? What were some details about
The FRG was created in May 1949, it was West Germany. The city of Bonn was chosen as the capital
West Berlin continued to be controlled by and owned by the FRG
Stalin responded to the creation of the FRG by formally creating a new state in East Germany
What was the GDR? When was it created? What are some details about this creation?
Created in October 1949, It was East Germany
East Berlin remained the capital
Only the East recognised the GDR as a nation
East Germany and West Germany did not recognise each other as official states until 1972
Cold War tensions increased following the creation of both the FRG and GDR
