Emergence of The Cold War Flashcards
Ideology - why was ideology a source of conflict?
Because the USA were capitalist & the USSR were communist - two polar opposites
Ideology - when was the Bolshevik revolution?
Oct 1917
Ideology - why did Lenin’s call to communism worry leaders?
in 1919-20 Lenin’s communism formed the first red scare as US gov. were afraid radicals might want to lead an violent overthrow
Ideology - what did the US gov. refuse to do?
Recognise Lenin’s communist government & restricted all trade.
How long was the there no trade between USA and USSR?
From 1918-1924 but resumed in 1924 with suspicion on both sides
Why did the Grand Alliance end in 1945?
Due to the inability to come to agreements after the Second World War
Ideology - what did British & US troops do during the Russian civil war (1918-1920)?
Intervened to overthrow Communist government
What did Western Powers refuse to do?
Recognise SU as a legitimate state & admit it to the League of Nations following WW1
What was Soviet Foreign Policy largely based on?
The assumption that Capitalist powers were hostile to communism
What was Soviet propaganda based on from 1917-1941?
Anti-Capitalist Propaganda
Stalin’s Aggression - what did Stalin create throughout Eastern Europe?
Satellite States (buffer zone ) the USA saw this as aggressive
SA - what did the Berlin Blockade 1948-49 do?
Increase tensions between West & East
When did Truman become President?
April 1945
What did war production create for the USA?
Economic boom - 1941-1945 doubling the US’s GDP
What did the US own?
Half of the world’s manufacturing capacity which was x3 that of the SU
How many people had died in the SU by 1945?
27 million
How many times had Russia been invaded?
5 times 1606,1812,1915,1918 and 1945
How many cities and towns were destroyed in SU?
1700
What else was destroyed after WW2 in USSR?
Industrial & agricultural infrastructure
Why did Stalin create buffer states?
Fear of invasion & need for security
Why did Stalin create the Berlin Blockade
Threat of Trizonia
What communist uprising did Stalin not intervene in?
Greece
What were some strengths of the SU after 1945
- Biggest role in defeating Hitler guaranteed large amount in war settlement
- Largest army - 11 million men in 1945
- Fastest growing economy between 1945 -1953
What were Stalin’s three key objectives post-war?
Soviet dominance over Poland = a common avenue into Russia by invaders
Keeping Germany weak
Extending SU influence & territory over Europe
When was the Yalta conference
February 1945
What priorities did leaders have at the Yalta conference?
Stalin wanted to ensure Germany would no re-emerge as a military power = securing Poland in his sphere
FDR - acceptance of the UN and & soviet agreement to enter war against Japan
When was the Potsdam Conference?
July 1945
What was agreed at Potsdam?
Germany would be divided into 4 zones establishing new borders that would suit Stalin
When was the Long Telegram?
February 1946 - George Kennan
What did the Long Telegram include?
It alerted the US that the USSR were planning for world dominance
What did Kennan advise?
The USA must be firm & continue the policy of CONTAINMENT