Early Cold War 1945-160

Question 1

Give 3 examples of the actions of Krushchev as part of the peaceful co-existence

Answer 1

• Krushchev visited Britain and the USA in 1955 when he became the leader of the USSR
• Krushchev stated that the ideas of supporting a Communist Revolution across the world were over and it was necessary to live in peace with the West
• In Eastern Europe Krushchev closed down Cominform and released thousands of political prisoners. Invited General Tito of Yugoslavia to Moscow
• At the Communist Party International Conference in 1956, Krushchev denounced Stalin as a tyrant. He removed Stalin’s statues, used the secret police less and more consumer goods were produced.
• wanted to improve the living standards of the ordinary Soviet citizens and those in Eastern Europe

Question 2

Give an example of how peaceful co-existence didn’t completely thaw in the Cold War

Answer 2

In 1956 revolts against Communism in Poland and Hungary were ruthlessly put down.
In 1957 Krushchev entered the space race with the USA to prove USSR superiority.
In 1960, carried on the Nuclear Arms Race with the USA
In 1961 Berlin Wall, which permanently divided the city into the East and the West

Question 3

Give and explain a reason why there was a revolution in Hungary in 1956 and what happened

Answer 3

• Lack of cultural freedom

Government controlled all film, press, radio and literature
No freedom of expression/speech
Soviet control of education, limited to communist history, viewed the West as bad

• Rule by fear
  Russian police used methods of terror in order to get rid of opponents
  Communist government created
  Leader of the Catholic Church was imprisoned by the communist government
• Poor standards of living
  Severe food shortages across the country due to collective poverty
  Poor wages for industrial workers
  Many produce was sent to the USSR
• Presence of Soviet troops
  Growing resentment
  Made people uneasy like Germany’s occupation in WW2

Question 4

What were the differences between Krushchev and Stalin?

Answer 4

Stalin - set up comniform around the 1940s.
All countries in east bloc were in strict control.
Hostile to capitalist countries wanting to make them communist. From the 1930s, carried out ‘purges’ which removed his opposition

Krushchev- closed down comniform.
Began a period of de-Stalinisation.
Allowed countries in Eastern Bloc more freedom
Believed communism would be more superior than capitalism without aggression

Question 5

Describe the U2 crisis in 1960

Answer 5

Since the Hungarian Revolution, USA felt that they couldn’t trust USSR due to going against the policy of peaceful co-existence. Since 1956 the USA had sent U2 spy planes for espionage on Soviet bases and gain military intelligence. There was a summit meeting to discuss the Cold War problems, the Berlin issue. However an American U2 spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory and has been caught changing the central issue of the summit meeting.

Question 6

What were the results of the U2 crisis

Answer 6

Gary Powers was arrested and put on trial for espionage, guilty verdict and given a 10 year sentence.
Propaganda victory for Krushchev and the USSR
Peaceful co existence ended
Eisenhower did not run for office, new president
Rearmament of USSR and building of nuclear missile sites.

Question 7

Reasons for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 7

In 1959, Castro introduced a Soviet style government to Cuba. An issue for USA as it was only 90 miles away. In 1960, Castro received military support from the USSR. Consequently the USA cut off diplomatic relations with the Cuba and refused trade 1961. This caused unease and the USA placed missiles in Turkey to be trained on Soviet cities. Failure of bay of pigs, made the Cuban army appear very strong and completely underestimated. It was a humiliation for Kennedy. After invasion, Soviet support increased, Cuba was officially named a communist state and a satellite state. U2 espionage showed photos of nuclear missile sites. Tension grew.

Question 8

What happened after the U2 spy plane has discovered the nuclear missile sites in Cuba?

Answer 8

24th October 1962 Kennedy placed a naval blockade of Cubs to prevent the warships depositing the missiles on Cuba.
23rd Krushchev did not admit to missiles on site in Cuba and said soviet ships will not be stopped by blockade
25th intense growth of missile sites in Cuba
26-28 period of correspondence agreement of removing missiles from Turkey but keeping this as a secret from the rest of the world, a success for Kennedy.