Developments Of The Cold War: 1948-1961 Flashcards
In 1947, Britain and the USA merged their zones of Germany to create…
Bizonia
When did the Berlin Blockade and airlift occur?
1948-1949
When was Trizonia created?
1948
Why did Stalin decide to blockade Germany?
The west had introduced a new currency into their zones, he wanted to make Berlin entirely dependent on the USSR and East Germany was an easy target for espionage.
How did Stalin blockade Germany?
He cut off all rail and road links to West Berlin.
How did the West respond to the Berlin Blockade?
They decided to fly in supplies by plane.
Why did Stalin abandon the blockade?
It had been going on for a year therefore it was clear that the west would not surrender Berlin.
Why did the new currency bother Stalin?
There was economic chaos in the Eastern territory as everyone tried to get rid of their old money.
What were the results of the Berlin blockade and airlift?
Germany was divided into the Federal republic of Germany and the democratic republic of Germany, the superpowers began an arms race and NATO was set up.
What was the federal republic of Germany?
West Germany
What was the democratic republic of Germany?
East Germany
What was NATO?
A western military alliance to protect countries from communism.
When did Stalin die?
1953
What did Khrushchev do that provided hope to people?
He released many political prisoners, he wanted to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and he closed down Cominform.
What was de-Stalinisation?
Khrushchev attacked Stalin, he showed how Stalin had purged people, and stated that he was a wicked tyrant
When was the Warsaw
pact introduced, what was it and why?
1955, it was a retaliation to NATO and it was a military alliance between the Eastern bloc countries.
When did China become communist?
1949
When did the USSR first test it’s atomic bomb?
1949
Along where was Korea split?
The 38th parallel.
Which part of Korea was communist and which was capitalist?
North Korea was communist and South Korea was capitalist.
What was the domino theory?
The idea that if one country fell to communism then others would follow like a row of dominos.
When did the Korean War start and what marked the start of it?
In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to convert it to
Communism.
Who supported North Korea?
China
Who supported South Korea?
The United Nations
How did the Korean War end?
Eisenhower offered peace but threatened to use the atomic bomb if China did not accept.
Which superpower was the first to launch a satellite into orbit and send the first man to space?
The USSR
Who was Hungary led by before the revolt?
Rakosi
What caused the Hungarian uprising?
Hungarians were bitter about their lack of freedom of speech, they hated the secret police, and they resented the presence of the Russians. Also the standard of living had fallen and they wanted to take advantage of Khrushchev who seemed to be releasing his grip.
What happened in the Hungarian Uprising?
Stalin’s statute was knocked down, the secret police were attacked and people protested through demonstrations.
Who became the leader of Hungary?
Nagy
What did Nagy propose?
Free elections were to be veld with more than one party, there would be no secret police, he wanted Hungary to leave the Warsaw Pact and become neutral in the Cold War.
What factors affected relations between the USA and USSR between 1949-1955?
The arms race, spread of communism to Asia, NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
How did Khrushchev react to
Nagy’s proposals?
He sent in troops and tanks to put down the rebellion, around 3000-4000 people were killed.
What were the results of the Hungarian uprising?
Kadar was put into power, Nagy was arrested and then hung. Many Hungarians fled and it showed that the USSR was strongly committed to keeping its sphere of influence.
What happened a few days before the Paris summit in 1960?
The USSR had shot down an American U2 spy plane and had captured the pilot.
What did Khrushchev demand at the summit?
That Eisenhower apologised but he didn’t so Khrushchev went home.
