Emerging Superpower Rivalry And Its Consequences, 1945-1949 Flashcards
What were the actions of USSR in Eastern Europe after world war 2 (1945-1949)
After world war 2 Stalin feared America would use the atomic bomb against Russia as they did not tell them about it, therefore as it was agreed that the USSR would have a sphere of influence over Eastern Europe they decided not to hold free and fair elections but force this area to become communist states. Thus creating a buffer zone to protect itself.
What were the responses to these actions by USA and its allies?
America did not like this growth of communism so decided to set up a policy of containment through the Truman doctrine and the Marshall plan
Why did the truman doctrine come about?
The Greek civil war involved communists against anti communists, USA didn’t want anymore communist states in Europe so made a policy of containment of the communist area. This meant they wanted to contain communism and stop it spreading.
What was the Truman doctrine?
Monetary aid sent to Greece and Türkiye to aid against communism in Greece and Türkiye. $400m was sanctioned by congress.
What was the Marshall plan?
It was $17 billion of recovery funds for Europe. It was to aid Europe’s rebuilding in the aftermath of WW2.
Money was offered to any European country that wanted it (including the communist ones) as long as they opened their markets to western goods and made their economic records available for inspection.
What was most of the money from Marshall aid spent on?
Defence, armaments as well as roads machines and factories
How did the USSR react to Marshall aid
Soviet leaders denounced the plan as being part of a plot by USA to take political and economic control of Europe otherwise known as “dollar imperialism”
What did Russia set up in response time the Marshall plan
Comecon- a soviet version of the Marshall plan, offered aid to communist countries to recover from the effects of WW2.
What was cominform?
In 1947 all communist leaders met in Warsaw where the communist information bureau (cominform) was created. It was designed to spread communism and protect states from USA aggression.
Which counties was money going into due to Marshall aid
Great Britain, France, West Germany, Italy, Ireland, The Netherlands and Belgium to name a few. 16 countries formed the OEEC to distribute American aid.
What was Churchills iron curtain speech
Churchill claimed an iron curtain had fallen across Europe separating capitalist and communist states. This in turn made the relationship between communists and capitalists worse
