history: Cold war Flashcards
why was khrushchev worried about the refugee crisis in Berlin
He was worried that many skilled workers were moving to the west because of the living conditions and that east germans were choosing capitalism over communism
what did khrushchev do to stop the germans from crossing the border between the east and west
he announced the construction of the berlin wall overnight in august 1961 - this then made it so no one was able to cross the border and if anyone was caught trying to soldiers were ordered to shoot at them
explain one consequence of khrushchev’s berlin ultimatum
One consequence was that it led to the failure of containment of the allies. For example the ultimatum demanded that the western allies leave their zones in berlin freely to allow the soviets to spread communism in the city. This was significant because they were given 6 months to do so and they still didn’t give up their positions in Berlin
who overthrew the cuban government
Fidel Castro and Che Guevara
what were the consequences of the cuban revolution in 1959
the cuban governement nationalised all the land in cuba and castro made an agreemetn with the soviets to trade and buy sugar. USA broke off all diplomatic realtions with cuba, it’s former ally
what happened in the bay of pigs invasion
Kennedy was concerned about cuba and communist links so close to the USA which were 132km away so he authorised the invasion of the bay of pigs in cuba. He trained up 1,400 cuban exiles and sent them to seize control. However the invasion was a failure
what were the consequences of the bay of pigs 1961
Castro had discovered the invasion plans and had 20,000 invasion force waiting for when they got there. There was complete embarrassment for Kennedy and he had to pay $53 million for the release of the exiles. Castro then moved closer to the USSR for military support. In response Khrushchev agreed to supply cuba with missiles.
what happened in the cuban missile crisis 1962
the USSR began to supply cuba with equipment to build missile sites and this was discovered by an american u2 spy plane. Kennedy declared a naval blockade around cuba, blocking soviets ships from getting in and prepared bombers for an invasion - soviet ships turned round at the blockade. Telegrams were sent back and fourth between kennedy and khrushchev and khrushchev said that the blockade was an act of war so kennedy accepted the second telegram and removed the naval blockade. Missiles were then removed from cuba and turkey
what were the consequences of the cuban missile crisis
- the test ban treaty was put in place in 1963 and it was an agreement to reduce nuclear weapons.
- A hot line was established to ease communication between US and USSR leaders .
- Missiles were then removed from cuba and turkey
what happened in the prague spring reforms
Life in czechoslovakia was controlled by the USSR and there was no freedom of speech under the rule of novotny. The students pretested about unfair treatment. Brezhnev then appointed Alexander Dubcek as the leader of czechoslovakia - wanted to remove unpopular parts of communism and instead promoted ‘socialism with a human face.’ Dubcek introduced changes called the prague spring reforms where there was more trade, freedom and criticism of the government
what were the consequences of the prague spring reforms 1968
the student protest s ended as Dubcek was more popular as he promised to change the poor quality of life for many czech citizens. There was a greater freedom of speech and freedom of expression - allowed political parties to form and promised elections would take place. The reforms were viewed with suspicion by brezhnev who threatned dubcek not to go to far - he disliked the criticism of communism was being allowed
what happened in the soviet invasion of czechoslovakia
Brezhnev warned dubcek about giving too much freedom to the czech people. Brezhnev then ordered the invasion of czechoslovakia and 500,000 invaded. Dubcek was arrested and forced to resign. Dubcek was replaced by a loyal communist Husak.
What were the consequences of the soviet invasion of czechoslovakia
USSR imposed control over czechoslovakia and protesters were easily defeated. Brezhnev issued his Brezhnev doctrine - threatened other soviet satilite states not to reform or stray from communism. Communist parties were outraged by the soviet union - china another communist nation condemned the invasion. No action was taken by the USA - they condemed it but no formal intervention was taken
