Early Cold War Flashcards
What agreements were made in Tehran?
Tehran was in November 1943:
- The US and Britain would open up a second front by attacking Germany from the West to reduce pressure on the Soviet army
- Stalin would help the US by declaring war on Japan once the war in Europe was over.
- They discussed what should happen to Germany which led to no formal agreement
- There was an agreement that an international body should be set up (United Nations)
What happened at Yalta?
Yalta was in February 1945:
- Germany would be split into 4 zones - one for GB, US, France and Soviets
- United Nations was set up
- Stalin agreed to join the war against Japan
- Stalin agreed future governments in Eastern Europe would be decided by free elections.
- There was dispute over the political stance of the Polish government
What happened in Potsdam?
Potsdam was in July-August 1945:
- Roosevelt had died and been replaced by Truman - Truman & Stalin = bad relationship ❌
- Relations were tarnished by the development of the atomic bomb in the US
- Both Germany and Berlin were divided into 4 zones (US, GB, USSR, France)
- Stalin wanted Germany to pay heavy reparations but Truman did not want to make it too difficult for the German economy to recover.
What was the impact of the atomic bomb on relations?
Western European countries felt more secure under US protection, meaning Stalin aimed to make the USSR even more secure by creating a buffer zone of countries enticed by Communism.
What happened in the Long telegram?
The Long telegram was sent by George Keenan from the Soviet Union, stating the the Soviets were worried about the Americans wanting to destroy Communism but would back down if faced with strong resistance.
What happened in the Novikov telegram?
It was sent from the US by Soviet representative Nikolai Novikov. It states that the USA wanted to dominate the world using their millitary power and the Americans no longer wanted to co-operate with the Soviet Union.
What was the impact of the Iron Curtain speech?
The speech, delivered by Churchill, claimed that the Soviets were a threat to freedom and world peace. As the speech was made in America, it would have been cleared by Truman, proving Churchill was reflecting American beliefs. Hostility between the East and West intensified.
Why were Satellite States set up?
Soviet satellite states were set up in Eastern Europe between Germany and the USSR to create a buffer between Stalin and the West. Eventually, these countries formed the Warsaw Pact.
Why was the Truman Doctrine important?
March 1947 - Truman Doctrine announced
The Truman Doctrine denounced the abolition of the American policy of Isolationism. They were now focused on containing the spread of Communism.
Stalin saw this as aggressive and subsequently introduced Cominform.
Why was the Marshall Plan important?
The Marshall Plan was announced in June 1947
It came as a result of the Truman Doctrine and offered economic aid to European countries in a bid to turn them towards Capitalism.
Eastern countries did not benefit and Stalin eventually introduced Comecon.
What was Dollar Imperialism?
Stalin believed that the Marshall Plan was a way of the US establishing an economic empire in Western Europe.
What was the impact of the Truman Doctrine & Marshall Plan?
- It set up the Soviet Union and the US as direct opponents
- Stalin grew increasingly suspicious of the West
- It led to the formations of Cominform and Comecon and divided Europe into two political camps.
What was Cominform?
Cominform was set up in 1947
It was issued by Stalin as a way of directing and controlling the Satellite States, and meant they took orders directly from Moscow. Contact with non-Communist countries was discouraged.
What was Comecon?
Comecon was set up in 1949
Comecon aimed to provide economic development to the satellite states, as direct opposition to the Marshall Plan by supporting trade and industry.
Tensions increased and Cominform & Comecon ultimately contributed to the formation of NATO.
What was NATO?
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) was an alliance set up in April 1949 between western powers such as the US and Britain. It was ageeed that if any member was attacked, the others were obliged to step in. The goal of NATO was to discourage conflict in the North Atlantic.
