Emerging Superpower Rivalry and its Consequences Flashcards
What did the western allies think the buffer zone was for and why?
They believed Stalin used it to simply expand communism as he had promised that all eastern countries were to have fair elections but all had communist governments and were largely loyal to the USSR
What was advised in George Kennan’s ‘Long Telegram’ about the Soviet policy?
Russians are determined to destroy the American way of life.
They are the greatest threat the US has ever faced.
They can be beaten and must be stopped.
This can be done without going to war.
The way to do it is by educating the public against communism
What did Churchill say about the buffer zone and how did Stalin react?
He called a ‘Iron curtain’ and Stalin argued back saying he needed to provide his own system of protection as Russia had been invaded twice y Germany
What were the major differences at this point between the US and USSR?
Stalin believed that he could only ensure the support of Eastern Europe by setting up communist governments.
Truman saw this as a blatant attempt by Stalin to take action to spread communism and he decided to take action to contain it. This policy became known as containment.
What was the Truman Doctrine?
Anti-communist policies led to USA interference in Greece to help Britain continue her support to the anti-communists. By Mar 1947 military aid was being provided to both Greece and Turkey
What was the policy of containment?
This refers to preventing the expansion of communism. This can be achieved through either economic, political or military means and American realised they foul use their economic and military strength to protect the world
What was the Marshall Plan?
Money would be offered to any country that wanted it, on the grounds that country would open their markets to western goods and make their economic records available for inspection. Large amounts of money were spent on defence and armaments, as well as roads, machinery and factories.
How did the countries react to the Marshall plan?
Western Europe jumped at the plan. Stalin refused to let any East European country share in the aid package as soviet leaders denounced the plan as being part of a plot by the USA to take political and economic control over Europe.
What was cominform?
In 1947 communist leaders from all over the world were invited to a conference in Warsaw, where Cominform was created. This was designed to spread communism and protect states from US aggression as was one of the USSR alternatives to the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
What was Comecon?
Set up as a Soviet version of Marshall Plan. It was intended to be the Soviet Union’s response to Marshall Aid. Stalin offered aid to communist countries to help them recover from the effects of the Second World War
