Factors linking to the creation of NATO Flashcards
Why was NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) created
“To keep the Americans in, the Russians out and German down”
Us and Soviet objections for Germany
1945
The USSR was interested in a communist Germany in their bid to pursue a communist take over where as the USA wanted a strong capitalist Germany
The Long Telegram
February 1946
It stated that Soviet leadership was aggressive and that in the long run there could be no compromises.
Only a hard-line approach towards the Soviets would contain communism and safe guard the Us’ interests.
The Iron Curtain speech
March 1946
The first public declaration of tension between The West and the Soviet Union which marked a point where East-West relations turned for the worst.
Symbol of the start of the divide.
The creation of Bizonia
January 1947
The West were hoping to unite Germany so it could become prosperous and pay reparations yet the USSR thought The West were Isolating the Soviet Union
Fixed elections in Poland
January 1947
Stalin manipulated the agreements made at Yalta using aggression to pursue a communist takeover whereas The West wanted democracy
Truman Doctrine
March 1947
The Truman Doctrine was made to contain communism due to Stalin’s aggressive tactics ie. The Salami tactic
The Marshall Plan
April 1947
This was a response to the Truman Doctrine and it also accelerated the division of Europe as it undermined the possibility of international relations being based on co-operation and consensus
Economic struggles of Britain
1947
Greece was in the British sphere of influence so when the Greek civil war (com vs cap) broke out Britain supplied aid. However in February 1947 Britain told the US they could no longer supply aid
The US needed to help the allies
The Brussels pact
17th March 1948
Belgian P.M said it “was meant as a screen behind which to consider defences against Russia”
Communist seizure of power in Prague on 22nd of February was a powerful factor
Czechoslovakia coup
1948
This persuaded the Americans that there were no alternatives to a formal commitment to defend Western Europe- they needed to use their military
Berlin airlift
1948
Resulted in a complete divide of Germany
Stalin exercised a lighter hold on the movement of people and freight from West Berlin to the Western Zones
Berlin Blockade
1948-1949
The Berlin Blockade showed Stalin trying to push The West out of Berlin Which resulted in Starvation etc.
Berlin airlift planes were shot out of the sky- seen as an act of war and tension arose
USSR first detonation of their atomic bomb
1949
The Monopoly effect that the Americans had disappeared as the Soviet Union now had atomic weapons
NATO was defensive for The West against a great power
The failure of atomic diplomacy
1949
Due to the final test of the USSR’s atomic bomb America felt it was vital to have a treaty/ organisation as Europes defence
NATO
