deck 1 Flashcards
long terms factors
russian civil war 1918-21, navi-soviet pact 1939, ideological differences
ideological differences
main rason cold war
russia after . defeaating germany imposed communism to all the countries it has occupied
demostrate that she had an agressive attitude aimed at dominating europe as hitler did
this was as a threat from usa
“ Russian Civil War 1918-21 ”
“After the Bolsheviks take power in the second Russian revolution of 1917, they sign an armistice with Germany, as they see the war as an imperialist mistake. A civil war in Russia then starts, between the Reds (Bolsheviks) and the Whites (Loyalists). Britain, France and the U.S.A send troops into Russia to help the loyalists, as they are worried about Russia being Communist. The Bolsheviks win the civil war by 1921, and never forget the Allied intervention. Stalin witnesses first hand the West trying to have a say in Russia.”
“ Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939 ”
“As mentioned before, the West (especially Britain) see the Nazi-Soviet Pact ) as guaranteeing WWII. The U.S.S.R blames the West for not giving them an alternative, therefore the invasion of Russia by Germany in 1941 was due to a reluctance by Britain and France to ally with Stalin,”
Short Term causes
post-war europe different visions
personality issues (Yalta, Delta)
manhttan project,
rise of USSR as a superpower
D-day
Post-War Europe- different visions “
The U.S.S.R and Western Allies had very different visions for how Europe should be run after WWII. Stalin felt the U.S.S.R should be allowed a buffer zone of ‘satellite’ countries, friendly or allied to the U.S.S.R, around Russia to prevent a future invasion. In reality, this meant setting up Communist governments in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Stalin also wanted Germany to pay reparations. The West felt forcing Germany to pay severe reparations would be a mistake (Versailles!) and that countries in Eastern Europe should have democratic elections. Remember that Britain had gone to war to protect Poland from a dictator - they were not prepared to now let it be taken over by another.
Personality Issues (Yalta, Potsdam )
Stalin was paranoid and didn’t trust the West. He felt they did not appreciate the sacrifice the Soviets had made during WWII.
F.D.R was relatively easy-going - he understood some of Stalin’s concerns, but also wanted to ensure democracy. Dies before the end of WWII, and is one of the most popular American presidents of all time.
Truman replaces F.D.R and takes a more anti-Soviet stance. Wants to intimidate Stalin with the news of the American atomic bomb. Stalin and Truman’s relationship is far colder than Stalin and F.D.R’s.
Churchill didn’t get on well with Stalin. Churchill felt that Britain was still a super-power, and was the only country to have fought Germany for the whole war. Churchill wanted Britain to be treated as equals- but the conferences were clearly a showdown between the U.S.S.R and the U.S.A
Clement Atlee replaces Churchill halfway through Potsdam, as Attlee wins the British election. Out of his depth, he has little input, further relegating Britain as a superpower,
Rise of U.S.S.R as a Superpower”
The U.S.S.R goes into WWII as a potential superpower with a weak economy, an army that has been purged, and millions living in poverty. By 1945 it is undeniably a super-power. It has the largest army in the world, and has taken on the might of Germany (largely alone) and won. It now threatens to expand not just into Eastern Europe, but possibly further. In terms of manpower, if the U.S.S.R attacks Western Europe, no one can stop them. The West is hugely worried by the immense war machine that the U.S.S.R has become.
D-Day
The U.S.S.R has fought Germany in Europe almost on their own from 1941, and had suffered enormously. Stalin felt that the U.S.A and Britain had deliberately waited before liberating Western Europe, so that “the Germans and Soviets could bleed each other dry’. In June 1944, the Western Allies launched D-Day, the liberation of Nazi-occupied France. Stalin felt this invasion could of come a year earlier, though in reality it was only by 1944 that the Allies were ready to launch such as attack.
Manhattan Project
The American project to build the first atomic bomb, started in 1942. This is meant to be top-secret, although Soviet spies do infiltrate the project. In August 1945, the U.S drop two atomic bombs on Japan, ending WWII. Many have argued the U.S drop the bombs to intimidate the Soviets.At Potsdam, Truman reveals to Stalin that the U.S have developed this new super-weapon: Stalin already knows (through spies), but the Soviets are still intimidated by American atomic capability. Until the Soviets develop their own atomic bomb in 1949, the” Americans have the most powerful weapon in the world all to themselves.
yalta conference when
February 1945
yalta conference who
Churchill, Stalin, F.D.R
yalta conference
What did they agree on?
- U.S.S.R will join the U.N
- Germany will be divided into 4 zones- Britain, America, U.S.S.R, France.
- Poland will have democratic elections
- Nazi-criminals will be brought to trial
- Eastern Europe will have democratic elections- this is called the Declaration of Liberated Europe.
- U.S.S.R will join the war in the pacific against Japan.
yalta conference
What did they disagree on? Why?
1.Stalin wanted to take some Polish territory - and let Poland take German territory. F.D.R and Churchill agree to this (although Poland must still have democracy,) as long as Stalin doesn’t interfere with Greece, where there is a civil war, involving Communists.
Important historical context
yalta conference
WWII is clearly going to be won by the Allies, but the end (at least in the pacific) is still some way off.
overall sussecc yalta conference
Largely a successful conference. Many things are agreed on, although later Churchill messages F.D.R and warns ‘The U.S.S.R has become a danger to the world.’
PotsdamWhen
July 1945
postdam who
Churchill, Attlee, Truman, Stalin
What did they agree on?
postdam
Nazi party is banned, and any remaining Nazi war criminals will be put on trial.
What did they disagree on? why?
postdam
After the German surrender, Stalin had occupied much of Eastern Europe with his troops, and Poland had not been given free elections - Communist government set up. The size of reparations to be taken from Nazi Germany causes trouble- Stalin wants a huge sum, the West don’t want a repeat of Versailles.
Important historical context
postdam
Germany had surrendered in May 1945, the Americans had the Atomic bomb, The encirclement of Japan is complete. The antiCommunist Truman takes power , and does not get on well with Stalin.
Summary postdam
Truman gleefully reveals to Stalin that America has a new super-weapon (the atomic bomb). Tensions are mainly due to Poland becoming Communist, and the new leaders. F.D.R and Stalin got on well, Truman and Stalin don’t.
What are ‘Salami’ tactics?
Salami tactics are defeating an opponent ‘slice by slice.’ Opponents of Communism would be isolated, intimidated, and if necessary, removed. Pro-Communists would be supported with money and weapons.
The formation of the Eastern Bloc
poland events through dates
Czechoslovakia eastern block
events through dates
Why didn’t Stalin use force against Yugoslavia?
f.d.r
His diplomacy was fundamental in post-war negotiations at Yalta; his greatest legacy was his push for the UN to be established in order to improve international cooperation
What options do the West have?
advantages and disadvantages
Who is the ‘winner’?
West
East
The West waits for Stalin’s response,
a Soviet cartoon shows NATO as a way for the U.S.A to place missiles in Europe
Stalin reaps what he has sown in Europe: by planting fear and “ suspicion, he has “ “ inadvertently grown NATO.
The view from both the U.S.S.R and the U.S.A - both think the other-side is intent on world domination. The Truman Doctrine, Eastern Bloc, Nato and Warsaw Pact all ensure this paranoia from both East and West.
What was Mutually Assured Destruction?
Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D) was the idea that because both the U.S and Soviets had enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other many times over. Even with a surprise attack, both would face decimation. As the yield increased with the development of the Hydrogen bomb, there was a real possibility that the radioactive fallout from any nuclear war would mean the end of human life on earth. Therefore, paradoxically, the more both sides stockpiled weapons, the less either side could use them.
both sides shoot arrows at each other to avoid using their nuclear weapons. The sign says ‘On no account to be used- because the enemy might retaliate.’
an American document showing the casualty projections for an attack on the U.S.S.R in 1961. Initial deaths, not including fallout over time, are 108 million (54 % of the population.) While harder to predict, casualties of fallout and radiation were generally considered to be around the same as initial deaths.
An American B-52 bomber refuels in flight. Strategic Arm Command kept at least 24 B-52’s fully armed and in the air at all times. This way, even a surprise Soviet attack could not stop the United States from launching retaliatory strikes. S.A.C were often seen as being ‘hawks’, advising bombing the U.S.S.R. Their commander, Curtis Le May advocated bombing Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis - he called the diplomatic outcome ‘America’s greatest defeat.’ He is also quoted as saying that S.A.C should bomb the North Vietnamese back to ‘the stone age.’
Doctor Strangelove, a black comedy about M.A.D. In the film, a U.S general goes mad and sends his planes to attack the U.S.S.R. The president faces a horrific race against time, to either stop these planes before they hit their targets in Russia, or launch a full nuclear attack.
