Conflict and Tension in Asia 1950-1975 Flashcards
Why did the USSR and the USA become rivals after WWII?
The USSR were operated under Communism and believed that all other countries should be run this way, however, the USA was a capitalist country with a democratically elected government, they believed all other countries should be run this way
What did communists believe?
Ordinary people should seize power from rich factory owners and businessmen.
Strong government on behalf of people
All factories shops and land should be owned by government
What do capitalists believe?
People should be free to own their own properties and businesses
Workers get jobs in factories and in shops and online
People can vote for parties they like
Why did the USSR believe they were under attack by capitalist countries?
USA, Britain and France sent troops to support those fighting against the new communist government in 1917
Russians not invited to peace talks at the end of WW1
What was the Marshall plan?
The plan that America was willing to pay huge amounts of money to help countries in Europe, including Germany recover to return to trading freely
What did Stalin want to do to Germany after WW1?
Leave Germany weak
Who became communist soon after the war and what did Winston Churchill say?
Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland
Winston Churchill declared that Europe had been divided by an ‘iron curtain’
What was the Truman Doctrine
USA would come to an aid with money and military help of any country under threat of communist takeover. In dining this the USA would contain communism and stop it spreading. This policy of containment became known as the Truman Doctrine and was the basis of US foreign policy for years. Speech from US President Harry Truman in March 1947
When did the USSR conduct its first successful test of a nuclear bomb?
1949
What was the NATO and who was involved?
In 1949, USA, Britain, France, Belgium, Canada and other European countries joined forces to form a military alliance called NATO
What was the Warsaw Pact?
The communist response to the NATO was to form the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance contains USSR, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, east Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania
What was the Cold War?
A war of threats, bluffs and propaganda. It was the time when each side feared each other and a constant threat of nuclear war hung over he world
What was Korea like at the end of WW2?
Japanese soldiers in the northern part of Korea surrendered to Soviet troops, while those in south surrender to US troops, the country was divided into two separate zones, this was meant to be temporary and the aim was for Korea to become a united independent and elections to be organised by United Nations
Who came to power in the north and when and how?
In 1948, Kim il-sung came to power. No elections held
Who came to power in the south and how?
Syngman Rhee through elections
What was the name of the north part of Korea?
People’s Republic of Korea with Pyongyang as its capital
What did the south of Korea become know as?
Republic of Korea with the capital of Seoul
What did Kim il-sung and syngman Rhee have in common and what were their differences?
Both committed nationalists
North communist
South capitalist
Both believed in unification of Korea
Cold War now spread to Far East
When did the Japanese invade China?
1931 and took over large parts of the country
Who led the Chinese government?
Chiangmai Kai-shek
Who was the leader of the Chinese communists?
Mao tse -tung
When did China become communist?
1949
What did the USA veto after China became communists?
USSR wanted to allied china to join UN but USA vetoed the decision
What did Kim il-sung believe in 1949?
The South Koreans would welcome an invasion in order to unite the country