Development of the Cold War (1947-9) Flashcards
What was the Truman Doctrine, and when was it made?
- In 1947, Truman began a policy of containment; using US influence and resources to prevent the expansion of communism
List 4 reasons why the Truman doctrine was made.
- The USA and Truman especially believed the USSR was trying to spread communism everywhere, eventually
- Truman believed that the USA had a duty to prevent the spread of communism in Eastern Europe and the rest of the world, even if this meant using their army
- The USA wanted to put pressure on the USSR to stop expanding by using its atomic bomb and superior economy
- The situation in Greece
What was happening in Greece up until 1947?
It had been agreed that Britain would have influence in Greece.
- There had been a civil war since 1944 between the royalist government (with Britain’s aid) and the communist forces (backed by other communist countries)
- The communist forces were defeated in the 1946 election, but continued to fight a guerrilla war against the government
- Britain had 40,000 troops in Greece and gave it financial support alongside Turkey, which was also threatened by communist rebels
- In early 1947, Britain told the USA it could no longer afford to financially help Turkey and Greece
- The USA took over giving financial aid to prevent them from turning communist, and announced support for them in March 1947 in a speech
- In his speech Truman also said that the world was divided in two camps: the capitalist, free one, and the communist one, which wasn’t
List 5 consequences of the Truman Doctrine.
- The communists in Greece were defeated by the government
- Truman’s speech had increased rivalry
- The USA became far more involved in Europe (in the interwar years and after 1945, the USA had had little to do with Europe)
- The USA decided to provide financial aid to Europe, known as the Marshall Plan
- Stalin set up Cominform (the Communist Information Bureau) to link communist parties together
When was Cominform set up, and why?
- 1947
- To enable the Soviet government to co-ordinate communist parties in Europe
- It was a response to the Truman Doctrine
What were 3 uses of Cominform?
- It made sure Eastern Europe followed Soviet aims in their foreign policy
- It also introduced Soviet-style policies such as collectivisation and the state control of industry
- The USSR used it purge anyone who disagreed with them, such as Marshal Tito
- Yugoslavia was expelled from Cominform in 1948
What did Truman believe was an effective way of preventing the spread of communism in 1947, 3 reasons why, and what did he do as a result?
- Truman believed communism won support in countries with financial issues (unemployment and poverty)
- These issues were usually due to WW2, and the damage and shortages of goods caused
- He also didn’t want to commit the US military to preventing the spread of communism in Western Europe
- In June 1947, the European Recovery Plan was announced by the Secretary of State, General George Marshall
- It became nicknamed the Marshall Plan
How was Marshall Aid given?
Marshall Aid: financial and economic help given to Europe. Marshall Plan: system of loans from the USA to European countries for reconstruction and economic regeneration after WW2
- Machinery, food and technology were all given as well as money
- Britain received the most at $3.7 billion
What were 6 consequences of the Marshall Plan?
- By 1953, the USA had given Europe $17 billion to rebuild and improve the standard of living
- Divisions became more clear as Stalin pulled out from the plans, as he was distrustful and didn’t want to show how economically weak the USSR was
- He also prevented other countries, such as Poland and Czechoslovakia, from receiving the aid
- The Plan also benefitted the USA as US companies were allowed to invest in European companies, and Europe agreed to buy US goods
- Stalin accused the USA of doing this for their own gain- to boost the US market and dominate Europe (‘dollar imperialism’)
- Comecon was set up
Why did the Marshall Plan cause more tension between the USA and USSR?
- Both wanted to be seen to be doing more for the ordinary people of Europe
What did Yugoslavia do to further challenge the USSR?
- In 1948 they accepted Marshall Aid
What did the USSR do to retaliate against the Marshall Plan?
- They set up Comcecon (The Council for Mutual Assistance) in 1949
- It was meant to be an organisation through which the USSR helped other Eastern European countries financially
What were 3 things the Soviets used Comecon for?
- To control the economies of the countries involved
- To give the USSR access to their resources
- To encourage economic specialisation within the Soviet bloc (e.g. Czechoslovakia and East Germany were told to focus on heavy industry)
What was the Allies’ original plan of what to do with Germany after WW2?
- They agreed to split both Germany and Berlin into 4 sectors (American, British, French and Soviet)
- However, Germany was supposed to be kept as one country and to hold free elections
List 6 long-term causes of the Berlin Blockade.
- The USSR made sure the eastern zone came under the control of the minority communist party
- They tried to do the same to the Berlin city council, but the socialist majority (supported by the western powers) took over instead
- The West wanted to help Germany recover economically faster, as they still faced serious food and fuel shortages
- The USSR wanted to keep Germany weak (including by not allowing their zone to trade with the other 3) to protect themselves against future attack
- Berlin was deep inside Eastern Germany, so Stalin didn’t want the Allies there as it would show the affluent, capitalist way of life to people in the East
- The Western Allies wanted to stay in Berlin to stay aware about Soviet activities inside the Iron Curtain
