Early Cold War to Conferences Flashcards
Summarise the Bolshevik revolution? (1917)
Led to the establishment of the first Socialist state in 1917 when the Bolsheviks arranged small groups of professional revolutionaries to overthrow the bourgeoise, ending the exploitation of the proletariat.
What did Winston Churchill want to do to counter the threat of Soviet expansion?
Communism was seen to threaten social stability and political order. In the UK Winston Churchill proposed political reform as an ‘antidote to Socialism.’
Where did capitalism stem from and what were Karl Marxs’ beliefs about exploitation? What would end capitalism?
Capitalism stemmed from the Industrial Revolution of the 17th - 18th century. Karl Marx saw how the system involved exploiting the proletariat for the bourgeois’ benefit. Communism sought to attack the power structure of Western society. However. Marxists were encouraged as Marx claimed booms and inevitable recessions would end capitalism.
What were communist economic beliefs compared to that of capitalists?
Bolsheviks see capitalism as creating class divides as factory owners exploit the working classes All factories should be nationalised, enabling goods produced to be fairly distributed. In capitalist countries, the factory, farm, and business owners were often members of government or political elite, and therefore nationalising industry threatened their power.
What were political beliefs for capitalists and communists?
Liberal democracy: there is freedom of religion and speech; free elections; ability to make wealth; you vote for your own government and unpopular parties are voted out. In communist countries, society is classless so there is no need for a multi-party system. They represent the people and promote class unity.
What did Lenin claim in March 1919? What was set up to organise communist groups around the world, and what was it also known as ?
In March 1919, Lenin stated, “ We are living not merely in a state, but in a system of states: and it is inconceivable that the Soviet republic should continue to exist for a long period side by side with imperialist states,” showing they would bring revolution with the collapse of capitalism. Comintern was set up to organise communist groups throughout the world, with the USSR controlling their activities and undermining capitalism. Also known as the Third International.
What were Woodrow Wilson’s ideas he hoped to achieve ?
Woodrow Wilson, US President, set up his Fourteen Points in January 1918 showing the US’s foreign policy ideals. He believed in self determination of countries to democratically decide how to hold elections, open markets with no limitations through trade barriers and spheres of influence, and collective security with a world peace organisation.
What happened in 1917?
Bolshevik revolution where Bolsheviks and Marxists overthrew the government, led by Lenin.
What happened between 1917-21? What Civil War was there? What telegram was sent? What was founded to organise communist groups?
Civil War in Russia - the British, French, and Japanese fight with the Hun against the Red Army, worsening relations, as Churchill supported the Hun.
Zinoviev Telegram is sent from Bolshevik and published in Daily Mail encouraging workers to have a revolution, and the 1926 General Strike was seen as an inspired act.
Comintern is founded in 1919 to organise communist groups.
What happened with the Spanish War 1936-9?
Nazi Germany helps anti-Communist General Franco overthrow the left wing government, but the French, English, and US do nothing to help.
What terror was created in 1930’s by Stalin?
Stalin shows policies in the 30’s of terror, nationalising fields and murdering peasants, while creating famine. Moreover, old comrades are trialled, seen as not faithful enough to Stalin.
What happened in 1938 at the Munich Conference?
Hitler demands Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, and in September 1938, the UK and France, scared of Germany, give it to him at the Munich Conference.
What pact was made in 1939? What did the USSR gain?
Nonaggression Pact between Germany and USSR, where they promise not to interfere with each other, and USSR gains Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Hitler quickly takes this back, alongside invading Poland.
What happened in 1943 in the Katyn forest, Smolensk?
German officers discover corpses at the Katyn forest in Poland, killed by the USSR.
What operation commence on 22 June 1941?
Operation Barbarossa - Hitler invades the USSR, entering a ‘ War of Annihilation,’ where 27 million die and aims include killing and enslaving the Russians.
