"How did the Cold War Develop?" - 1943-1956 Flashcards
1
Q
Key Features of the Teheran Conference
A
1943
- UK + USA to open 2nd Front (France)
- SU agreed to wage war on JP
- UN to be set up after war
- Area of Poland to be given to SU (Oder/Neisse Rivers)
- Eastern Sphere of Influence
2
Q
Key Features of Yalta Conference
A
1945
- Germany divided into 4 zones (+ Berlin)
- Easter European countries to hold free elections
- USSR to join war against JP for two JP islands
3
Q
Key Features of Potsdam Conference
A
1945
- Nazi Party BANNED
- Leaders to be tried at Nuremburg
- Oder-Neisse line to be Germany/Poland Border
4
Q
Disagreements at Potsdam
A
- UK/USA denied USSR Mediterranean Naval Base
- Stalin wanted more reparations from Germany
- Stalin had set up Communist Gov. in Poland [suspicion]
- USA dropped A bombs on JP
- Capitalism vs Communism
5
Q
Troops in Europe [Post War]
A
USA = 1945 - 3.1 million 1946 - 0.4 million UK = 1945 - 1.3 million 1946 - 0.5 million USSR = 1945 - 6 million 1946 - 6 million
6
Q
USSR’s Satellite States
A
“Free elections to be held in E.European countries” - Yalta
- Evidence = rigged elections
- Bulgaria, Albania, Poland, Romania & Hungary = opponents beaten/frightened/murdered
- By 1948: All EE countries COMMUNIST
- Yugoslavia: Communist NOT RULED BY STALIN (Gen. Tito)
- East & West Divided: “Iron Curtain”
7
Q
Truman Doctrine
A
1947
- Countries/People should choose Capitalism
- Communism = BAD - people NOT FREE
- USA to contain its spread e.g. Greek Civil War
- USA provided $300 million to ‘free’ people
8
Q
Marshall Plan
A
1947
- $16 billion to 16 countries
- Countries MUST trade with USA
- USSR: “attack on us!”
9
Q
Cominform
A
1947
- ‘Communist Information Bureau’
- Organized all Communist parties
- Told them what to them & arranged leaders
- Encouraged parties to reject Marshall Plan money
- Got rid of any anti-USSR opposition
10
Q
Comecon
A
1947
- ‘Council for Mutual Economic Assistance’
- USSR’s alternative to Marshall Plan
- Inc. USSR, Bulg, Czech, Hung, Pol, Rom, Alb, (EG after ‘50)
- Prevented them signing up for Marshall Plan
- Built up trade links between Communist countries
11
Q
Why did the Berlin Blockade happen?
A
1948-9
- USA: wanted Germany strong = GOOD TRADE
- USSR wanted Germany weak = EASY TO DEFEAT
- POLITICAL DIFFERENCES
- UK Zone, USA Zone + Fr Zone = Trizonia [Deutschmark]
- USSR ANGRY (against Potsdam?)
- Soviets walked out ALLIED CONTROL COMMISSION
- Stalin thought USA/UK permanently dividing WG & EG
- He was concerned about US policies e.g. Truman Doctrine & Marshall Aid
- USSR had 1.5 million troops: Stalin thought USSR stronger
12
Q
Key Features of Berlin Airlift
A
- Stalin cut off all rail, road, canal, gas & electricity
- So USA/UK flew in supplies from West
- 2.3 million tonnes; 27,000 flights; 318 days
- Flew into Tempelhof Airport
- USSR didn’t shoot USA planes: USA Nuclear Advantage
13
Q
Why did the Blockade End & Consequences
A
- USA blockade of USSR more successful/damaging
- Made USA look GOOD/STRONG + USSR look BAD/WEAK
- Oct. 1949 = WG + EG OFFICIAL
- MASSIVE decrease in relations between 2 superpowers
14
Q
NATO
A
1949
- Military Alliance: MOST W.European states inc. USA/CAN
- Berlin Crisis confirmed USA’s fear of Communism spread
- Western States (even together) could’t defeat USSR
- They needed USA’s support
- Main Purpose: defend each other
- Seemed more important in ‘49 = USSR A-Bomb
- No W.European State had nuclear weapons
15
Q
The Warsaw Pact
A
1955
- Stalin saw NATO as an ‘aggressive alliance’ against USSR
- USSR set up their version called The Warsaw Pact
- Military Alliance of 8 nations: counter threat of NATO
- Members to support each other if attacked
- Joint Command under: Soviet Supreme Commander
16
Q
Other Developments…
A
1949-55
- ‘49: Communism in China (Mao Zedong); USA ‘Domino’
- ‘50-55: Domino Theory confirmed by Korean War
- North = USSR/China South = US-supported den. Gov
- Anti-Communist Hysteria in USA (McCarthy) - people guilty
- ‘49: USSR A-Bomb = AMRS RACE
- 53: STALIN DIES + Krushchev [de-Stalinisation] + PEACE
- DS = changing/removing Stalin’s policies eg. Gulags
17
Q
What did the alliances create?
A
Fear & Mistrust
- Brought about via Cold War
- Same fear as NAZI
18
Q
Arms Race
A
- The aim was to build more weapons than other side
- Develop new weapons before other side
- Nuclear: cheaper, deterrent
USA: ‘A’ = 1945 ‘H’ = 1952 ‘ICBM’ = 1958 [Sub = 1960]
USSR: ‘A’ = 1949 ‘H’ = 1953 ‘ICBM’ 1957 - Increased tension!
- During ’60s + ’70s = Very Expensive
19
Q
Why was there an uprising in Hungary?
A
1956
- Political parties leaders arrested: TENSION
- Hungary ruled by Communist Party
- Rakosi ruled by terror/fear: 2,000 Killed 200,000 JAIL
- Dreaded Secret Police (AVH)
- Religious teaching in schools removed
- Imprisoned Cardinal Mindszenty
- Economy controlled by Comecon NO Marshall Aid
- Unfair prices with USSR trading = Living Standards dropped
- Rakosi created 5-year plan = FAILED
20
Q
Key Features of Hungarian Uprising
A
- After demonstrations in October ‘56: K - TANKS/TROOPS
- 12 DEAD: 100+ WOUNDED
- Nagy spoke to SU = TANKS removed
- US Sec.Of.State: “you can count on us!”
- Nagy released 30 political prisoners
- Nagy’s reforms published eg. Hungary leave WP
- He hoped to win support with UN
- Banned Political Parties re-appear: Coalition (03/11/56)
- 04/11/56: K sends 6,000 TANKS + 20,000 TROOPS
- They quickly captured roads, bridges, airports & transport centres
- Ceasefire: [SU + Rebels] - 10/11/56
21
Q
What were Hungarians fighting for?
A
- Freedom of speech/press/worship
- Trade with WEST
- Free trade unions + elections
- NO 1 Party System
22
Q
Consequences of Hungarian Uprising
A
- Nagy arrested & shot: Kadar takes over
- 200,000 flee Hungary -> UK as refugees
- 7,000 SU Troops + 20,000 REBELS dead
- SU regained control + sent out warning
- West saw K’s earlier message of peace as FALSE
