Emerging Rivalry (martial plan and soviet takeover) Flashcards
What countries were communist in Eastern Europe by 1947
Albania
Bulgaria
Hungary
Poland
Romania
East Germany
Methods Stalin used to ensure control of Eastern Europe
Moscow trained communists obtained key positions in temp governments at end of the war.
Promised radical changes for economic recovery
Rigged elections to ensure friendly outcome
Once in power secret police used to control population
What did George Kennan think of Stalin in Eastern Europe
Asserted communism demanded worldwide revolution
proposed the USSR and west couldn’t live in peace
recommended USA should try and contain Soviet aggression in the future.
What did Churchill think of Stalin in Eastern Europe
Condemned action of Stalin in Eastern Europe
described the barrier Stalin wanted as an Iron Curtain
Demanded Anglo-American alliance to stop further aggression
What did Opposing interpretation think of Stalin in Eastern Europe
West underestimated how obsessed USSR was with security
Between losses in ww2 and US use of atomic bomb Stalin’s action could be viewed as defensive and not aggressive
Reasons why the Cold War was started because of the USA
Dropped atomic bomb on Japan
wanted to spread capitalism and stop communism
USSR was only seeking to protect itself after losses in WW2
Reasons why the Cold War was started because of the USSR
Wanted communism to be dominant ideology in the world
Stalin took over Eastern Europe breaking terms of Yalta agreement to create a buffer zone between himself and the west
What does the Truman Doctrine State
US policy to intervene, military or economically to stop countries becoming communist
What is the immediate impact of the Truman Doctrine
Congress release $400m to support Greece after Britain couldn’t anymore and it was successful
Why is the Truman Doctrine important?
Truman doctrine was a dramatic change from the isolationism that characterised US foreign policy between the world wars. This has lasting economic and military consequences for the nations of the world
What are Truman’s key beliefs about the spread of communism?
Truman believed that communism spread easily to countries that were poor
Who is George Marshall and what are his proposals?
George Marshal was secretary of state. Toured Europe and observed poverty. Suggested America provide $13.3 billion in aid to Europe, in return for opening their markets to US goods and making financial records available to inspection
What did countries spend Marshall Aid on?
European countries spent the money on defence armaments, roads, machinery and factories
What was Stalin and the USSRs reaction to Marshall Plan
Stalin described it as Dollar Diplomacy.
Rejected the offer of Marshal Aid
Established Cominform (soviet version of Marshall Plan)
What was Congress reaction to Marshall Plan
First unconvinced.
Czechslovakia becoming communist in 1948 made them realise they needed to intervene
