Core Content D: Who was to Blame for the Cold War?

Question 1

What was the Cold War?

Answer 1

1. The US and USSR emerged from the war as the two most powerful nations on earth
2. Within a few years their alliance had fully broken down and the two countries were enemies for next 40 years and the world would be divided into two ‘blocs’
3. No actual war, it’s a cold war because they never directly fight
4. Gauging when it actually begins and what specifically causes it is more complex since no obvious starting point exists
5. In academic debates, reason for Cold War is among the most controversial and heated discussion till today

Question 2

What caused the Cold War?

Answer 2

1. Cold War develops over a period of 4-5 years from 1945 onwards
2. A wide variety of factors contribute to it. First main debate is over which country or individual should take most of the blame (if any of them should)

Question 3

Aims and Motives at Yalta

Answer 3

Each power had a range of motives and aims, but some in particular were red lines for each power. In particular:

1. Security for Stalin, the single most important issue to understand about him. Russia was destroyed during the war, barely survived and almost faced annihilation and felt vulnerable in the future, therefore wanted:
   1a. A sphere of influence across eastern Europe to ensure friendly neighbours
   2b. A weak Germany that is severely punished and stripped of resources
2. Roosevelt had similar aims as Wilson after the First World War:
   2a. Self-determination for all countries
   2b. A new League of Nations created (or United Nations in this case)

Question 4

What was the Yalta Conference?

Answer 4

1. The Yalta Conference was a meeting of three World War II allies: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin.
2. It took place as the allies were invading Germany and closing in on complete victory against them.
3. Was held at an old palace in the South West of the USSR.

Question 5

The main issues of the Yalta Conference were?

Answer 5

1. What to do with Germany and its leaders
2. What to do with countries occupied by Germany, especially eastern Europe
3. The issue of Poland
4. The ongoing war with Japan (which appeared to have a long way left to go)
5. How to create a lasting peace

Question 6

What crucial events happened between Yalta and Postdam?

Answer 6

Several crucial changes and events had taken place between the two.
1. Roosevelt had died shortly after Yalta and been replaced by Truman: Roosevelt was pragmatic and always wanted to try and keep Stalin happy, Truman always believed Roosevelt was soft on Stalin and Communism
2. Stalin had arguably broken his promises from Yalta very quickly: At the end of March, London Poles were invited to Moscow and arrested/kidnapped, Truman immediately told off Molotov for breaking promises when they first met
3. US had successfully tested an atom bomb in mid-July
Truman tried to intimate Stalin by telling him about this
Truman even less inclined to be co-operative with Stalin as he no longer needed him
4.Churchill lost election in July and was replaced midway by Attlee

Question 7

What happened at the Potsdam Conference?

Answer 7

1. The ‘big three’ would meet for the final time in July 1945 at Potsdam, which was just outside of Berlin.
2. However unlike the relatively co-operative Yalta, Potsdam was a frosty affair.
3. The conference, unsurprisingly given the changing relationship since March, saw a great deal of disagreement.
4. There was disagreement over the future government of Poland, the exact reparation amounts Germany should pay the USSR.

Question 8

What agreements from Yalta on Feb 1945 Deteriorated in July 1945 at Potsdam?

Answer 8

1. Spirit of cooperation had deteriorated to open disagreement (no common enemy) due to change of leadership (Truman staunch anti-communist)
2. Agreements to form Germany being split into 4 zones deteriorated over details of borders.
3. Agreement to form reparation commission deteriorated over exact amounts. Soviets wanted indefinite reparations from Soviet Zones and 10% of Industrial equipment from West-Zones. Britain and France thought this was too much.
4. Agreements to from Polish ‘government of national unity’ deteriorated as Stalin had non-communists arrested.
5. Free elections that were agreed on did not take place in Europe. Communists were coming to power which violated the percentages agreement.
6. Agreements to have Russia join war against Japan with US were ignored as Truman dropped atomic bomb.

Question 9

What agreements over Germany, were agreed open at the Yalta conference were also agreed upon at Potsdam?

Answer 9

1. Polish-German border moved to the Oder-Neisse line
2. Nazis banned, leaders to go on war crimes trials
3. Division of Germany confirmed and that of Berlin (Germany would be temporarily divided into four occupation zones, Berlin itself would also be divided into four occupation zones.)
4. Each country would take reparations from its zone of occupation

Question 10

Did the Cold War come out of nowhere?

Answer 10

1. The Cold War did NOT come out of nowhere in 1945. Deep seated tension already existed between the two since the end of the First World War.
2. America was, politically, a democratic country with free elections. Economically, it was a capitalist country, where the economy was mostly privately owned and also strong believed in promoting international free trade.
3. The USSR was a communist country, which sought to create a society where everyone was equal. In practice this meant no private ownership of property being allowed and as a consequence as well, the country was a dictatorship.
4. These were two visions of the world that were incompatible.

Question 11

Why did the USA-USSR alliance begin to break down in 1945?

Answer 11

1. Ideological differences: politics, lifestyle, post-war aims: USSR - communist with dictator, one party state with secret police, totalitarian, terror, propaganda, no civil liberties, USA had capitalism, multiparty elections, freedom
2. civil liberties. USSR wanted weak Germany, sphere of influence and reparations, USA wanted strong Germany and no reparations.
3. Hostility in the past: white counter-revolutionary forces tried to destroy USSR in 1917 Russian Revolution and Polish invasion in 1921, USSR signed Nazi-Soviet pact + USSR signed Nazi-Soviet pact
4. increasing tension due to Stalin refusing to join UN and Delay of D-Day and opening a second front.

Question 12

What was the Iron Curtain (Fulton) speech made in March 1946?

Answer 12

1. The first public sign of conflict came when (former) PM Churchill gave a speech at a university (attended by Truman) denouncing the Soviet Union.
2. The speech became known as the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech as he used this phrase as a metaphor for the division of Europe between the free, democratic world in the west and the increasingly totalitarian world in the east.
3. He accused the communists of seeking to create dictatorships in eastern Europe which were controlled by the Soviet Union.
4. It was the first ever open criticism by a major western leader of Stalin and the Soviet Union since before the war

Question 13

How had the USSR gained control of the Easter Europe?

Answer 13

1. In the years following the war, Stalin set about creating his ‘sphere of influence’ in eastern Europe.
2. Soviets liberated eastern European countries from Germany during the war.
3. Some kind of free election initially held in 1945 with communists normally entering coalition governments with other parties
4. Soviets demanded control of interior ministries, police forces, which they used to arrest/intimidate/gradually eliminate opponents
5. Eventual rigged election giving communists total control
6. Red Army had occupied Eastern Europe according to Percentages Agreement (right) spheres of influence.
7. Stalin wanted to occupy more and wanted a buffer zone after loss of 20 million lives.
8. Poland had no true free election in 1945 with the ‘London Poles’ having been arrested immediately
9. Czechoslovakia was the last country in eastern Europe to have full control asserted over it (followed attempts by a leading non-communist politician to get Marshall Aid)
10. Yugoslavia became communist after the war but independent of USSR. Country had NOT been liberated by USSR so their leader was not willing to take orders from Stalin.

Question 14

Events that lead USSR to gain control of Eastern Europe?

Answer 14

1. By July 1945, USSR controlled Baltic States, Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania.
   2 In 1945, communists took power in Albania, Bulgaria (elected by coalition, executed opposition), & Eastern Germany
2. In 1947, communists took over Romania (abolished monarchy), Poland (arrested opposition, won by election)
3. Hungary – arrested and executed opposition using secret police churches were attacked.
4. In 1948, communist leader Gottwald took power in Czechoslovakia by controlling the radio, army, police and arresting opposition. Non-communist minister Masaryk committed suicide.
5. 1949, GDR was established

Question 15

What was the impact of Soviet takeover?

Answer 15

1. Stalin’s actions had already begun to cause issues in early 1946 when Churchill gave his iron curtain speech.
2. His actions over the next two years confirmed suspicions and beliefs that Truman had about Stalin being a dictator with intentions of expanding communist control across Europe.
3. Truman desperately wanted to do something about Soviet actions but the USA was an isolationist country and there was no mood in the country to act against the USSR.

Question 16

What was US reaction to the Soviet takeover?

Answer 16

1. The speed and total nature of Stalin’s takeover of eastern Europe caused huge concern in the west.
2. This did not simply look like a ‘sphere of influence’ to ensure security for the USSR. To Truman and others, it looked like the deliberate and sinister spread of global communism.
3. To make matters worse, the winter of 1947 saw the threat of communist takeover become a real prospect in many other countries, including in western Europe.

Question 17

What was the Communist threat in 1947-48?

Answer 17

1. Communists were on the rise in several countries, some under USSR direction while others were independent of them.
2. France and Italy had powerful and popular communist movements who appeared to have a real shot of eventual takeover.
3. But trigger for action was events in Greece. After Germany retreated, two rival factions, monarchists and Communists wanted to takeover the country. A civil war broke out between them in 1946, with the British supporting the monarchists.
4. The communists, despite receiving NO help from Stalin, were winning the war gradually, and to make matters worse, Britain was bankrupt and could not afford to keep troops in Greece.
5. US gave aid to Greece and Turkey during their civil wars when Britain withdrew (Feb 1947) to prevent Communist rulers

Question 18

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 18

1. Up until 1947, Truman was increasingly worried by communist expansion, but was not yet ready to take action. The real threat of Greek civil war being lost to the communists finally triggered action.
2. On 12 March 1947 he gave a historic speech in which he did two things:
   A. Announced America would step in to support Greece – the US paid for the British troops to remain there and also funded the government to help them fight the war (short-term significance was stopping communist taking Greece)
   B. Announced what became a ground breaking a new American foreign policy, the idea of containment (really significant long-term change)
3. traditional US isolation was dead and instead replaced with containment.
4. US would now send money, equipment, or even soldiers to any country threatened with Communist takeover.
5. Had to accept eastern Europe was not communist, but US would now meet and stop communists wherever they tried to expand elsewhere, with military force if necessary.

Question 19

What was the Marshall plan?

Answer 19

1. Marshall Aid worth $17 billion was released on March 1948
2. American General George Marshall visited Europe that year and saw the despair and suggested US needed to give them around $17 billion to rebuild!
3. Initially Marshall Plan was rejected by US congress, as politicians and public were still not fully convinced by need for containment. Completion of takeover of Czechoslovakia (same country betrayed in 1938) convinced congress to pass it.

Question 20

What aims of the Marshall plan?

Answer 20

1. To aid rebuilding of Europe
2. To restore economy and curb communism’s appeal and spread capitalism
3. Form allies close to USSR & extenuate their foothold
4. Expand markets to prevent worldwide slump
5. Dominate Europe by making them dependent on $

Question 21

What lead to the Marshall plan?

Answer 21

1. The Truman Doctrine was quickly followed a second, crucial part of the new American strategy.
2. Communism was thriving in Europe after the war, particularly in 1947, due to poverty and destruction of the war.
3. Countries were in debt, had extreme shortages of goods and basic fuel. and this was a breeding ground for communism

Question 22

What started Cominform?

Answer 22

Marshall Aid offered to all countries including USSR & discussed during Paris Conference (July 1947), but Stalin forbade communists to go. Started Cominform (Oct 1947) and COMECON to support iron curtain economies.

Question 23

What were the aims of Cominform?

Answer 23

1. Spread revolution and provide assistance to Soviet satellites & communist parties
2. Defend satellites against US influence
3. Keep a close eye on satellites
4. Ensure loyalty
5. All Eastern European countries must be communist

Question 24

What was the reason for the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 24

1. Not long after the war, the US and Britain decided they wanted to help Germany rebuild and recover through the Marshall Plan whereas Stalin was adamant about keeping them weak and exploiting them for USSR rebuilding.
2. Without any agreement, Britain and US pressed ahead with their plans (which France eventually joined) by merging their zones to form Bizonia (Trizonia).
3. They quickly began to build-up their zones which started to recover, while Stalin’s sector remained poor and in the backgrounds
4. In 1948 Germany formed a new currency. Stalin felt these were provocative moves and felt threatened by it all.
5. Stalin had no way of stopping US and Britain from pursuing their plans, but at least could control Berlin and take that as a victory.
6. He decided to blockade Berlin in June 1948, by cutting off all supply lines to it from the western sectors by road, canal and railway. This would starve the 2 million inhabitants of West Berlin and force Berlin to accept USSR authority.
7. The US could NOT force their way through the blockade or it would cause war, however, they could not simply give up Berlin.

Question 25

Why the Berlin blockade go from being temporary to escalating?

Answer 25

On 1st June 1948, West Germany was a new country – FDR and on 23rd June had a new currency = which led to economic crisis for USSR.

Question 26

What was the US response to the blockade?

Answer 26

1. The US and its allies decided to airlift supplies into Berlin (a monumental task considering the size of the population).
2. Initially was still a risk given possibility Stalin might order planes shot down, which would have caused war. However he did not, and planes went in night and day without stopping for next ten months.
3. Everything was airlifted in, including food, building materials, fuel. Despite shortages and rationing, it was clear by following year that blockade had failed to force Berliners to give in, and Stalin was forced to open negotiations and lift blockade in May 1949.

Question 27

What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 27

1. Confirmed the division of Germany – Germany had been moving to division in previous years, but blockade confirmed it, within a year, two separate independent states were formed in east and west
2. Iron curtain concept strengthened
3. Germany, and Berlin, had become a symbol of the Cold War – this one country was now divided between the two sides of the iron curtain and a propaganda symbol for each
4. Creation of security pacts NATO/Warsaw Pact – war was real possibility at the height of the crisis and so western countries met and signed a collective security agreement (in practice, US pledge to protect). USSR formed similar pact in 1955 in response to West Germany joining NATO.

Germany permanently divided. Iron curtain concept strengthened. An open confrontation of the cold war, tensions got much worse. NATO formed in 1949 and Warsaw Pact in 1955 - two armed camps. Arms race also began set up a ‘tense balance’ with no hot war which was symbolic of the cold war period. Tensions increased as allies merged zones (1946 – Trizonia), new currency/new countries/iron curtain speech, Berlin blockade, Marshall Aid. (1945- 1949)

Question 28

What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 28

1. Confirmed the division of Germany – Germany had been moving to division in previous years, but blockade confirmed it, within a year, two separate independent states were formed in east and west
2. Iron curtain concept strengthened
3. Germany, and Berlin, had become a symbol of the Cold War – this one country was now divided between the two sides of the iron curtain and a propaganda symbol for each
4. Warsaw Pact war was real possibility at the height of the crisis and so western countries met and signed a collective security agreement in 1949
5. USSR formed similar pact in 1955 in response to West Germany joining NATO.
6. Arms race also began set up a ‘tense balance’ with no hot war which was symbolic of the cold war period.

Question 29

What was desentrilazation?

Answer 29

1. Destalinization is policy started by Khrushchev during the era of peaceful coexistence.
2. Yugoslavia was allowed autonomy to ease relations, as then left Warsaw Pact. Closed down Cominform as a part of his policy of reconciliation with Tito.
3. Khrushchev thought Stalin was inhumane, so he invited Tito to Moscow and dismissed Molotov, executed Beria (head of state secret police), set free political prisoners, pulled out of Austria, met western leaders at post war summits (July ’55) and criticized Stalin’s Purges, terror, tyranny on 20th party congress, eased relation with China, reduced arms expenditure, improved living standards.
4. Main aim did not change: must create buffer against attack from West through Warsaw Pact.

Question 30

Who was to blame for the cold war? USSR (Yes)

Answer 30

1. Stalin was ideological expansionist who wanted global domination.
2. He did not abide by promises at Yalta and imposed Communist government in Poland. Imprisoned any critic.
3. Always used ideological language when condemning west and justifying actions.
4. Stalin was a uniquely paranoid and problematic leader to deal with.
5. Dealt with opponents extremely ruthlessly at home for same reasons.
6. Interpreted all moves as threat to him.
7. It was Stalin who always took the most clearly provocative and undemocratic actions. E.g, his takeover of eastern Europe, his attempt to takeover Berlin was very reckless and risked war.

Question 31

Who was to blame for the cold war? USSR (No)

Answer 31

1. Stalin was always pragmatic and tried to compromise and find solutions with west wherever possible.
2. He abided initially by Yalta agreements (mostly) and it was clear he did not want to risk causing upset to western countries with takeover, e.g he NEVER helped Greek communists
3. Stalin had legitimate and genuine security interests in taking eastern Europe (and other paranoia).
4. USSR came genuinely close to annihilation in war.
5. West had historically conspired against him, arguably even during the war.
6. Stalin was in a weak position after the war and knew it/behaved in that way. He wanted US help and, for example, genuinely considered Marshall aid but believed motives could not be trusted.

Question 32

Who was to blame for the cold war? US (Yes)

Answer 32

1. Truman was an aggressive and overly firm leader who ruined co-operation.
2. Unlike Roosevelt he did not understand need to be pragmatic.
3. Never had any intention of compromise with US.
4. Responsible for many provocative moves, ‘atomic diplomacy’, Truman Doctrine/Marshall Aid, Germany plans etc.
5. US was ideological in their desire to create global free markets for US goods to trade in. Wanted a free open world, not for good of world, but for own benefit, especially Marshall Plan.
6. US was in a very powerful position after the war, far more than the USSR and felt no genuine threat from them and had no justifiable reason to feel that way about them.

Question 33

Who was to blame for the cold war? US (No)

Answer 33

1. Truman was simply a man of principle who hated the idea of having to make a compromise with a man like Stalin.
2. Even then, his actions were never proactive, but response mainly to Soviet actions, e.g takeover of Europe and communist threat. Took no real action until 1947.
3. Truman was NOT irresponsible in actions he took against USSR. Containment was not provocative as he accepted that nothing could be done about eastern Europe and he was instead simply focused on protecting western European democracies.
4. Truman genuinely was simply trying to learn the lessons of Second World War. Like many of his generation, the feeling was to not allow another totalitarian dictator have his way in Europe.