Cold War (the cold war develops) Flashcards
What were Truman’s concerns at this point which led to the creation of the Truman Doctrine?
- Europe was devastated after the war
- In many countries, people had no money, no jobs and were feeling helpless
- Communism was attractive to these people, especially in France and Italy: it made people have enough
- Some countries in Europe already had communist governments, and Truman feared that this could happen in other countries too
What was special about Greece and Turkey that concerned Truman?
their governments were too poor to combat communist revolutions in their own country
What was the domino effect?
If Greece and Turkey became communist, then other countries across Europe and the Middle East would follow
When did the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan become set out?
In 1947
What features were in the Truman Doctrine?
- Countries faced a choice of either capitalism or communism
- Communism was bad because it meant that people could not be free
- USA must try to contain
this spread of communism. - The USA should provide money and troops (if necessary) to help free governments to combat communist takeovers.
What are some features about the Marshall Plan?
- About 13 billion dollars from USA to help rebuild Europe
- Countries must trade with USA to get the money
- Sixteen Western European countries took the money, including Britain, France and West Germany
What did the Soviet Union say about the Marshall Plan?
- Stalin called the Marshall Plan ‘dollar imperialism’ and claimed the USA
was trying to control industry and trade in Europe - He believed that it sought to undermine communism and to promote the spread of
capitalism across the globe. - He refused to accept any economic aid and stopped any Eastern bloc country applying for it.
Why did Stalin set up Comecon and Cominform?
To support Eastern European countries and to prevent them from applying for Marshall Aid
When did Stalin set up Cominform?
1947
When did Stalin set up Comecon?
1949
What was Cominform?
an alliance of European communist parties to help them plan and to work together and spread Stalin’s ideas
What were the key features of Cominform?
- Comiform got rid of any opposition to the Soviet Union’s control in Satellite states
- It increased the control Stalin had over these countries, and limited their independence.
- It encouraged communist parties in Western Countries to block Marshall Plan assistance
What were the key features of Comecon?
- It built up trade links between Comecon countries.
- It also prevented Comecon countries signing up to the Marshall Plan.
What was Comecon?
Soviet Union’s alternative to the
Marshall Plan
Consequences of Comecon and Cominform?
- Western Europe was connected to the USA through the Marshall Plan and Containment
- Eastern Europe was connected to the USSR as satellite states
What was the Iron Curtain?
A line that divided the two spheres of influence (Western and Eastern Europe)
When was NATO set up and what does it stand for?
1949, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
What is NATO?
- A military alliance based around the principle of collective security; if one country was attacked other countries had to assist it.
- NATO was directed against a possible military attack from the Soviet Union on Western Europe.
Why was NATO significant?
- showed that the United States nor Western European governments were prepared to accept future Soviet aggression.
- The Soviet Union therefore
strengthened its control over Eastern Europe, by the formation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955.
What part of Germany did the USSR control?
East Germany and East Berlin
What did the USA want for Germany?
The USA wanted a united, capitalist Germany that it could trade with and would help prevent the spread of communism.
What did the USSR want for Germany?
The Soviet Union wanted Germany to be weak,communist and divided, so that it would never be able to attack the Soviet Union again.
Why did Bizonia form?
The British and US zones joined together, as it would be easier to administer, forming Bizonia
How did ‘West Germany’ form from Bizonia?
The French zone of occupation was added to Bizonia
What were the causes for the Berlin Crisis/Blockade?
- Britain, France and the USA introduced a new currency called the ‘Deutsch mark’ to western Germany, which was intended to help it become economically stronger.
- There was a crisis, as capitalism was drawing many people away from the communist east towards greater opportunities and freedoms in the west
What did Stalin think of West Germany?
- Stalin felt threatened by Germany’s growing strength
- Stalin was angry that the west had not consulted him before making changes in their zones of Germany
When was the Berlin Crisis/Blockade?
1948-1949
What happened in the Blockade?
-In June 1948 the Soviet Union closed all road, rail and canal links into West Berlin
- The Soviet Union blocked all supplies into
Berlin to starve the inhabitants into submission
How did the West respond to the Berlin Blockade?
With the Berlin Airlift
What was the Berlin Airlift?
Where food, fuel and supplies
were flown into Berlin for 10 months.
Why did Stalin not shoot down any planes during the Berlin Airlift?
As it would be an act of war
When did Stalin call of the Blockade?
In May 1949
What were the outcomes of the Berlin Crisis for West Germany?
- The Berlin Airlift made the USA appear
peaceful and generous. - In September 1949, West Germany (FDG)
was officially formed, with US support. - In April 1949, Western European countries
and the USA formed NATO to counter the
Soviet military threat.
What were the outcomes of the Berlin Crisis for East Germany?
- The Berlin Blockade made the Soviet
Union appear aggressive and threatening. - In October 1949, East Germany (GDR)
was officially formed. - In May 1955, the Soviet Union formed
the Warsaw Pact to counter the military
threat from NATO.
