Emerging superpower rivalry and its consequences 1945-49 Flashcards
By 1947, which countries were ruled by communists?
Albania - communists seized power in 1945, then held an election with only communist candidates.
Bulgaria - communists took power in a rigged election in 1946.
Hungary - communists, led by Rakosi, gradually took over the running of the government.
Poland - 1947 elections resulted in a communist government after non-communist politicians had been sent to the USSR.
Romania - mass demonstrations forced a communist government into power in 1945.
What is meant by the soviet ‘buffer zone’?
The spread of communism throughout Eastern Europe. Stalin wanted to protect the USSR from future invasion.
How did the West respond to the buffer zone?
Truman adopted a policy of ‘containment’ where the USA would act to stop the further spread of communism.
The buffer zone increased America’s fear of the USSR and containment increased the USSR’s fear of the USA.
What was the Iron Curtain?
The Iron Curtain was the name given by Churchill to describe how Stalin was separating Europe through his spread of communism.
What was the Truman Doctrine?
America’s policy to use military or economic means to stop countries becoming communist through invasion or revolution. Congress released $400 million to end the communist threat in Greece.
What was the Marshall Plan?
Truman believed that if America was able to help build up the economies of poorer countries, they would not become communist and could start trading with the USA. US Secretary of State, George Marshall, wanted to invest $13.3 billion into Europe.
What was the reaction to the Marshall Plan?
Stalin argued that the USA was trying to gain influence over countries by controlling their economies. He rejected the offer of money. He established Cominform (Communist Information Bureau - got communist countries working together) and Comecon (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance - to encourage economic co-operation behind the Iron Curtain).
