Flashpoints Outside Europe And The Impact On International Relations Flashcards
What key development in the USSR shifted the balance of power, when was this
The Soviets exploded their first atomic bomb, levelling the arms race
August 1949
What was the significance behind the conclusion of the Chinese civil war to the US and USSR?
- The communist party won and China was proclaimed communist (Oct 1st 1949)
- This meant that there was another massive communist power base which worried the US
(The US funded the nationalists in the war)
What was the effect of the McCarthy trials and McCarthyism? (3)
- The US population became engulfed in mass paranoia and a culture of fear
- foreign policy became more aggressive to communists
- politicians were forced to act tough on communism
Why did the US and USSR find themselves in Korea?
after WWII:
- soviet troops had held the north
- US troops held the south
(Japanese territory)
How was Korea partitioned before the war in Korea?
The 38th parallel
What are the official names for North and South Korea?
North - DPR Korea (democratic people’s republic)
South - DR Korea (democratic republic)
Who were the leaders of North and South Korea in 1948?
North - Kim Il Sung
South - Syngman Rhee
When did North Korea attack South Korea?
25th June 1950
Why were the Americans particularly annoyed about the invasion of South Korea?
They didn’t view it as strategically important and did not want to intervene but felt obligated in the name of containment
Why did the USSR support Kim Il Sung in Korea?
Where they explicitly involved?
Stalin feared losing the status of leader of the communist world - he reluctantly supported the North
No, Stalin had to disguise involvement
How did the US get involved in Korea?
They went to the UN and helped escalate the UN response to armed force
Diplomatic —> economic —> military
Why could the USSR not veto the UN’s decision to use force in Korea?
The USSR had boycotted the UN for not recognising China’s government
between January and August 1950
Who led the UN forces in Korea?
General Douglas MacArthur
What percentage of each UN fleet were American in Korea? (3)
- 50% land
- 86% naval
- 93% air
When did North Korea reach Pusan?
Where did the UN force them back a month later?
- September 1950
- 38th parallel
By late October, where in Korea had the UN forces pushed the North Koreans?
What key player became involved as a result, and why?
- The Yalu river
- china - perceived the advance to be a threat
Which suggestion made general Douglas Mac Arthur appear particularly deranged?
He wanted the US to use the atomic bomb in Korea
Where did the Chinese military force the UN forces back to?
How many fought in the Chinese military?
- the 38th parallel
- 250 000
When was an armistice signed in Korea?
1953
How many died in Korea?
2 million
What was significant about the manner in which Korea was fought?
It was virtually the first proxy war of the Cold War
What happened in the US in 1952?
The democrats lost, Truman replaced by Eisenhower
What did Korea emphasise about US foreign policy?
The US commitment to containment
What was the name of the Vietnamese organisation who resisted the Japanese in WWII?
The Vietminh
Who led the Vietminh?
Ho Chi Minh
Why did the US become involved in Vietnam? (5)
- policy of containment - fearing an Asian domino effect
- vital to US trade - ‘cornerstone of the free world’
- rich in natural resources - tungsten, tin, rubber etc.
- underestimated the NLF (Vietcong)
- propaganda - US needed a victory
Why did the US try to disguise their support of the French in Vietnam? (2)
- Supporting France would appear as supporting colonialism - US are a Republic
- lesser of two evils in their view
How much money did the US give France in their attempt to regain control of Vietnam?
Give dates.
- $1.4 Bn
- between 1946 and 1954
What major setback caused the French to sign an armistice in Vietnam in 1954?
How many troops did they lose?
Dien bien phu
13500 of 16500
How was Vietnam partitioned after the Geneva peace conference?
Along the 17th parallel
What was the official name of the Vietcong
NLF - National Liberation Front
Who led south Vietnam between 1956 and 1963?
What were his views?
Ngo Dinh Diem - a catholic nationalist (most Vietnamese were Buddhist)
Who was the leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam war?
What where his views?
- Ho Chi Minh
- communist keen on reunification
What event gave the US an excuse to enter Vietnam?
Was this the only reason for their intervention?
August 1964 apparent bombing of USS Maddox destroyer in gulf of Tonkin
No, Johnson had planned to get involved beforehand
In retaliation to events in the Gulf of Tonkin, what document was passed by congress?
When was it passed?
- Tonkin resolution
- august 1964
What was stated by the Tonkin Resolution?
President had the right to use “all necessary measures” in Vietnam
where the NLF and North Vietnam the same?
No, however both were closely linked
After the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, how many governments were formed between 1963 and 1965?
What did this highlight?
- 12
- severe instability in South Vietnam
When was Operation Ranch Hand and what methods were used?
- January 1962
- chemicals such as Agent orange and napalm used to try and find N Vietnamese supply routes
In what ways did the USSR get involved in Vietnam? (6)
- weapons and fuel - was the main supplier of N Vietnam after 1969
- Surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft guns, artillery and tanks
- military advisors - 3000 soldiers
- medicines and fuel
- pushed Hanoi to negotiate peace around 1971 - the end
- trained N Vietnamese pilots and gave 63 fighter planes
In what ways did the PRC get involved in Vietnam? (6)
- recognised N Vietnamese state - Jan 1950 - legitamised
- built and repaired roads, rail and air strips
- sent political advisors in 1965
- used as a supply route for USSR
- encouraged N Vietnam to continue fighting at the end - 1971 on
- 170 000 troops and military equipment
Adjusted for inflation, how much did the Vietnam war cost the US?
$1 trillion
When was the My Lai massacre?
March 1968
- When did Operation Rolling Thunder start?
- How long did it last
- what was it?
- March 1965
- 3 years
- sustained bombing in N Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh trail
- when was the start of the Tet Offensive?
- how many troops where involved
- What was its significance?
- Jan 1968
- 70 000 N Vietnamese troops
- turning point - propaganda loss for US and win for NV - loss of US will
- when did the Vietnam war start (US)?
- At the peak of the War, how many US soldiers were in Vietnam?
- after Vietnamisation, what was this figure in 1972?
- 1964
- 549 000 - 1969
- 69,000 - 1972
- What was the policy of Vietnamisation?
- Under which president?
- Over what period?
- gradually reducing the number of US forces in South Vietnam, shifting to SV troops
- Richard Nixon
- 1969 - 1972
When did Saigon fall?
1975
In Vietnam, how many:
- US troops died
- SV troops died
- NV and NLF troops died
- civilians died
- 58 000 US
- 250 000 SV
- 1.1 million NV and NLF
- 2 million civilians
Previous to Fidel Castro’s coup, who led Cuba?
What year were they overthrown?
- US backed Fulgencio Batista govt - a military dictatorship
- 1959
What action early in Castro’s leadership of Cuba created tensions with the US
Castro began to nationalise land and buisnesses - a majority of which were owned by US companies
Before nationalisation, what Cuban resources did US companies hold? (3)
- 50% sugar industry
- majority of cattle ranches
- majority of mines and utilities
Why did the US oppose Castro?
(3)
- he made Cuban trade expensive
- US suspected communism - communist neighbour a threat
- Castro traded heavily with the USSR - 80% by 1962
When did the US initiate their trade embargo with Cuba?
October 1960
What happened between Eisenhower and Castro that soured relations?
Eisenhower refused to meet him at a UN conference in 1959
Who approved the Bay Of Pigs invasion?
Eisenhower
Did Castro know about the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Yes, the covert plan was compromised
What was the name of the Cuban exile force sent to the Bay of Pigs?
And
How many were in the force?
- brigade 2506
- 1500 exiles
What key changes did Kennedy’s administration make to the plan for the Bay of Pigs invasion?
- WWII B26 bombers used in air strikes
- changed landing site
When was the failed Bay of Pigs invasion?
April 1961
What was the goal of the Bay of Pigs invasion?
To have the Cuban population rise against Castro
How many exiles where killed / imprisoned after 24hrs in Bay of Pigs?
- 114 killed
- 1100 imprisoned
What were the results of the Bay of Pigs incident? (3)
- huge propaganda and foreign policy loss for US
- prisoners released in exchange for $53 million worth of pharmaceuticals and baby food
- Cuba closer to USSR - led to missile crisis
When were soviet missiles first stationed in Cuba?
When were they sited? By whom?
- May 1962
- September 1962 - by French Intelligence
Why did Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba? (4)
- he claimed later (1971) it was for protection of Cuba
- probably to equalise military strength - (Turkey, Italy)
- needed a foreign policy success
- thought Kennedy was weak due to his youth
When did the USSR boycott the UN over the absence of PRC officials?
January to August 1950
How many rifles did the USSR send to North Korea?
15 000 by 1949
On what day did the U2 spy planes confirm missile sites in Cuba?
14th Oct 1962
When did Kennedy establish Excomm? (Cuba)
16th Oct 1962
On what day did Khrushchev try to bluff Kennedy about missiles (Cuba)
17th Oct 1962
When did Kennedy decide on Naval blockade/quarantine (Cuba)
When was it established?
- 20th Oct 1962
- 23rd Oct 1962
When did Kennedy make his address (Cuba)
22nd Oct 1962
What did Khrushchev’s first letter say (Cuba)
and
when was it received
- missiles removed if US didn’t invade
- 26th Oct 1962
What did Khrushchev’s second letter say (Cuba)
and
when was it received
- demanded removal of US missiles from Turkey and Italy
- 27th Oct 1962
When was the U2 spy plane shot down (Cuba)
and
what did the military urge to do
- 27th Oct 1962
- strike Cuba
When did the Cuban missile crisis end
and
what was the immediate result?
- 28th Oct 1962
- US remove missiles from Turkey and Italy and USSR from Cuba
How many nuclear missiles were in Cuba?
9 short range and 36 medium range
How many soviet troops were in Cuba?
42000
what was détente?
How was is evident?
- The easing of tensions between the superpowers - a thaw in the Cold War
- a series of agreements e.g. SALT 1 and Helsinki
Why did détente come about? (5)
- both sides feared nuclear war
- the arms race was too expensive to keep up
- both had economic problems
- control over satellite states became difficult
- USSR issues e.g. 1968 Czechoslovakia and Chinese disputes
Why did the US and USSR fear nuclear war (détente) (2)
- ABMs protected cities - not as effective
- mutually assured destruction (MAD) was no longer a deterrent
why did the cost of the arms race worry the US? (détente) (2)
- ABMs (used against nuclear weapons) were very expensive
- Soviets were equal militarily due to their expenditure
What economic problems faced the superpowers? (leading to détente) (4)
- USSR needed grain and computer technology
- 1972 grain harvest fails USSR
- US needed new markets - not as competitive
- 1971 US have trade deficit for the first time since 1945
How were satellite states becoming difficult to control for the superpowers? (détente) (3)
- US in Vietnam - unpopular and without NATO support
- Willy Brandt - Ost Politik in FRG - more independent policy of relations with GDR
- 1968 Czechoslovakia
What issues in the communist world led to détente for the USSR? (2)
- 1968 Czechoslovakia
- Chinese border disputes
What did both superpowers expect from détente? (Not individual opinion)
not a lasting peace - politically expedient
What did the US expect from détente? (2)
- a way to control the Soviets - trade in grain or arms control for help in Vietnam (ceasefire)
- containment in a different form
How did the USSR view détente?
- A way to stabilize the arms race and reduce costs
- extend influence in Africa and Central America
How successful was détente? (5)
- no further crises in Germany - √ for both
- greater cooperation e.g. Vietnam - √ for both
- US benefitted from USSR/PRC issues - √ for US
- US increased trade with USSR and PRC (dependent on west) - √ for both but especially US
- agreements on arms control - X not really successful - but √ for happening
Overall was good - disputes settled by negotiation - thaw
How did some Americans view détente?
Weak on communism
When was SALT 1?
May 1972
When was the Helsinki Agreement?
How did Reagan refer to it and Carter’s diplomacy?
- Aug 1975
- ’weak-kneed’
When was SALT 2?
Why was it not ratified?
- June 1979
- USSR invaded Afghanistan in December
What reasons did the USSR have to invade Afghanistan? (3)
- a route to oil
- to fulfill the 1968 Brezhnev doctrine (communists at risk of being overthrown)
- to prevent Islamic fundamentalism spreading to soviet republics e.g. Chechnya
How did Reagan differ from Carter (foreign policy)
Reagan was a hardline anti-communist as opposed to Carter who was more diplomatic
When did the USSR invade Afghanistan?
What happened to US / USSR relations?
- 24th December 1979
- détente ended and Carter began acting defensively
What was the Carter Doctrine? (2)
- if outside forces tried to gain control of the Persian gulf, it was regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the US
- repelled by any means necessary, including military force
How did the US enforce the Carter Doctrine? (4)
- increased defense budgets
- Cancelled grain exports to USSR
- boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics
- senate refused to ratify SALT II
When did the communist regime emerge in Afghanistan?
April 1978
Who led the Afghan regime upon the soviet invasion?
Why was he assasinated?
Who replaced him?
- Hafizullah Amin
- he met with Islamic fundamentalists and was deemed untrustworthy (despite being communist)
- Babrak Kamal
How long did the USSR spend in Afghanistan?
9 years
List 6 actions taken by Reagan which displayed his aggressive foreign policy
What made his actions different to other presidents?
- increased defense spending - in Jan 1981 to 30% total spending
- US funding in El Salvador civil war
- funding of Contras in Nicaragua
- 1982, troops in Beirut
- 1983 invasion of Grenada
- 1986 bombing of Tripoli, Libya
None of these were prolonged conflicts/involvements like Vietnam
Which Saudi-born dissident was funded by the US in Afghanistan and later led Al-Qaeda?
Osama bin Laden
What was the name of the Islamic fundamentalist rebel group in Afghanistan (USSR war)
The mujahideen
In what year did the soviet war in Afghanistan appear unwinable?
Why?
1985:
- it was a drain on morale and finances
- the USSR only controlled 20% of the country
What advantages did the mujahideen have in Afghanistan? (5)
- local knowledge
- they used guerrilla warfare - particularly effective in the mountainous terrain
- they had support of locals
- US financial and military backing - sent SAMs in 1986
- ideologically motivated and cohesive
How did China respond to the USSR invasion of Afghanistan?
They denounced it and cancelled sino-soviet talks in 1980
Prior to the invasion of Afghanistan, where else had the USSR been involved in communist expansion? (5)
- Angola 1975
- Ethiopia 1977
- Yemen 1978
- Nicaragua
- El Salvador
How was Babrak Kamal viewed in Afghanistan?
A soviet puppet - unpopular
On what date was Amin replaced by Kamal in Afghanistan?
27th of December 1979
Between 24th and 27th of December 1979, how many soviet troops where flown into Kabul?
50 000
At the peak of the Soviet-Afghan war, how many troops where in the:
- Mujaheddin
- USSR (stationed in Afghanistan)
- 200 000 mujaheddin
- 100 000 soviet
How did the US send weapons and financial aid to the mujaheddin?
Through Pakistan
What middle Eastern nation was subject to a revolution in 1979?
How did this affect the US?
- Iranian Islamic revolution
- the US backed Shah was overthrown - loss of control in the region
What were the results of the Soviet-Afghan war? (6)
- 1 million Afghans died, 3 million fled to Pakistan
- bankrupted the USSR - led to fall of Berlin Wall 1989
- first open criticisms of Soviet government in the USSR
- funding of jihadist groups led to the war on terror
- Nuclear weapons stationed in Europe 1979 onwards
- Strategic defense initiative (SDI or ‘star wars’) under Reagan - laser defense systems to shield US from nukes
How did the USSR get involved in Korea? (4)
- sent weapons
- trained North Korean forces
- financed North Korea
- encouraged North Korea to continue
Etc
How many nations were involved in the UN intervention in Korea?
16
Who did Douglas MacArthur get his orders from (Korea)
Truman, not UN officials
By which two names is the Korean War known as?
- century’s nastiest little war
- forgotten war
Where and when did the UN forces enter Korea?
- Inchon
- September 1950
