Developing tensions

Question 1

Why is America’s intervention in the Greek Civil War significant?

Answer 1

It was the first example of the Truman Doctrine in action, demonstrating the USA’s commitment to counter communist expansion.

Question 2

What led to the outbreak of the Greek Civil War in 1946?

Answer 2

The conflict arose between the monarchists and Greek Communists, both of whom had participated in liberating Greece from Nazi occupation during World War II.

Question 3

What role did Britain play in the early stages of the Greek Civil War?

Answer 3

Britain provided military and financial support to the non-communist forces in Greece and neighboring Turkey to resist communist influence.

Question 4

Why did Britain withdraw support from Greece and Turkey in 1947?

Answer 4

Britain faced severe financial difficulties at home and informed the USA it could no longer sustain its assistance.

Question 5

What action did the USA take in March 1947 regarding Greece and Turkey?

Answer 5

The USA pledged financial and military assistance to Greece and Turkey to prevent communist takeovers, marking the official start of the Truman Doctrine.

Question 6

How did global events influence the development of the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 6

The Kennan Telegram highlighted the Soviet Union’s expansionist aims, and Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech emphasized the threat of communism, prompting the USA to adopt a more active role in European affairs.

Question 7

What was the purpose of the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 7

To provide economic and military aid to countries threatened by external or internal forces, especially communist movements, as part of a broader strategy of containment.

Question 8

How do historians interpret the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan?

Answer 8

Historians David Evans and Jane Jenkins cite Churchill’s description of the Marshall Plan as ‘the most unsordid act in history,’ while Stalin and Molotov viewed it as a ‘devious dollar-backed scheme’ to undermine communism in Europe.

Question 9

How did the Truman Doctrine change America’s foreign policy?

Answer 9

It marked a shift from isolationism to active involvement in global affairs, specifically to counter Soviet influence and support democratic governments.

Question 10

Why was the Greek Civil War pivotal in the context of the Cold War?

Answer 10

It set a precedent for U.S. intervention in conflicts perceived as part of the global struggle against communism, shaping future policies like the Marshall Plan and NATO.

Question 11

How did Stalin use the Red Army to maintain control in Eastern Europe after WWII?

Answer 11

The Red Army served as a security force for communist regimes in Eastern Europe. Although it was demobilized from 11 million in 1945 to 2 million by 1948, 60 divisions remained stationed in the region to act as enforcers for Soviet influence and policies.

Question 12

What were ‘salami tactics,’ and how were they used by the USSR?

Answer 12

‘Salami tactics’ involved dismantling anti-communist parties into smaller, disunited groups. Pro-communist parties would then unite with other left-wing groups to dominate politically. Elections were manipulated through fear and propaganda to ensure communist success.

Question 13

Why did socialism appeal to people in Eastern Europe after WWII?

Answer 13

Anti-elitist sentiments grew strong due to the devastation of WWII, leaving many homeless, unemployed, and facing severe shortages. These hardships made the promise of socialist policies, including land redistribution and economic equality, appealing, fostering organic support for communism in rural areas.

Question 14

What is Mark Pittaway’s interpretation of communist control in South-East Europe?

Answer 14

Pittaway (2004) argued that communists in South-East Europe took control through military victories with minimal resistance. They governed under the guise of democratic fronts but rigged elections to secure overwhelming support, such as the 93% vote in Yugoslavia and Albania in 1945.

Question 15

How did Pittaway describe Soviet-style democracies in Eastern Europe?

Answer 15

According to Pittaway, Soviet-made democracies prioritized social equality over Western ideals like representative government and the rule of law, redefining democracy to align with communist goals.

Question 16

What happened during the 1948 Czechoslovak Coup?

Answer 16

In February-March 1948, the communists purged non-communist members from the government and police. Pro-American Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk was found dead beneath an open window, likely murdered by communists. This coup marked the full communist takeover of Czechoslovakia.

Question 17

How did the 1948 Czechoslovak Coup influence Western perceptions?

Answer 17

The largely bloodless coup heightened Western fears of unchecked communist expansion, even though it occurred with little direct Soviet intervention.

Question 18

What divisions existed among US policymakers in 1946 regarding the USSR?

Answer 18

Some believed in negotiating with Stalin to preserve peace, while others feared communism and advocated for a firm approach.

Question 19

What was Kennan’s Long Telegram, and why was it significant?

Answer 19

Written by George Kennan from the US Embassy in Moscow in February 1946, the Long Telegram outlined the USSR’s hostility and aggressive policies. It confirmed fears of US politicians and led Truman to adopt the policy of containment to resist Soviet expansion.

Question 20

What were Kennan’s six key points in the Long Telegram?

Answer 20

1. The USSR viewed the West as hostile and meddling. 2. Peace between the USSR and the West was unlikely. 3. Soviet foreign policy was aggressive and ideologically driven. 4. The USA should threaten force if the USSR continued territorial expansion. 5. Western prosperity could undermine Eastern communist policies. 6. The USA needed to proactively support Europe.

Question 21

What was the policy of containment, and how did it emerge?

Answer 21

Inspired by Kennan’s Long Telegram, containment aimed to strengthen non-communist European governments with economic aid and halt Soviet expansion. It rejected negotiation with the USSR, which Stalin saw as a direct threat and economic challenge to Soviet influence.

Question 22

What was Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, and where was it delivered?

Answer 22

In March 1946, Churchill delivered the speech at Fulton, Missouri, declaring, ‘From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the continent.’ It symbolized the division between communist East and capitalist West during the Cold War.

Question 23

What did Churchill propose to combat the ‘iron curtain’?

Answer 23

1. A strong alliance between the USA and Britain.
2. Economic strengthening of Europe to prevent poverty and
   communism.
3. Ensuring Europe’s ability to trade with America.

Question 24

How did Stalin react to Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech?

Answer 24

Stalin viewed the speech as an attack on the USSR. In an interview with Pravda, he accused the USA and Britain of meddling and attempting to block peaceful alliances among communist states.

Question 25

What is an example of primary evidence from the Iron Curtain Speech?

Answer 25

‘From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across the continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the states of central and Eastern Europe—all are subject in one form or another not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and increasing measure of control from Moscow.’

Question 26

What was Stalin’s justification for communist influence, as stated in Pravda?

Answer 26

Stalin argued that communism gained influence due to the hardships of fascism, stating, ‘Communists showed themselves to be reliable, daring and self-sacrificing fighters against the fascist regimes for the liberty of the peoples.’

Question 27

What was Cominform?

Answer 27

Cominform, or the Communist Information Bureau, was created by Stalin in 1947 to unify the Soviet-controlled states in Eastern Europe under Moscow’s authority.

Question 28

What was the role of Cominform?

Answer 28

1. Coordination of Policies: Cominform ensured that the political and economic systems of Soviet satellite states followed Moscow’s orders.
2. Response to the West: Stalin established Cominform in reaction to the West’s efforts to form an anti-communist alliance led by the U.S.
3. Control and Propaganda: It spread Soviet ideology and kept
   member states in line with Soviet interests.

Question 29

Why was Cominform significant?

Answer 29

Soviet Dominance: It helped solidify Soviet control over Eastern Europe, ensuring no country could act independently.
Cold War Tensions: Cominform was a clear indication of the growing division between communist and capitalist countries.