How Did The Cold War Get Started? Flashcards
How was the Cold War similar to the previous World War One and World War Two?
There was an arms race, both sides formed military alliances and both sides used propaganda to persuade their citizens that the military build-up was necessary.
What was the Grand Alliance?
It was a marriage of convenience between the communist USSR and capitalist USA to defeat the Nazis, created in 1941. Once Hitler had been defeated, the Alliance became increasingly uneasy.
What was a ‘sphere of influence’?
Countries that were influenced by either the USA or the USSR. The USSR would influence Poland, Czechoslovakia, the Baltic states, Hungary and Romania. This created a line of buffer states between the USSR and the West.
When was the Tehran Conference?
From November to December 1943.
Why was Stalin annoyed at the Tehran conference in 1943?
He was annoyed that Britain and the USA had delayed opening a second front in the war. He was convinced they were waiting for the Communist USSR to damage itself fatally in the battle against Nazi Germany before they would intervene.
What was decided at the Tehran Conference about how to end the war?
The ‘Big Three’ met up to decide how they would finish the war against Nazi Germany. Britain and the USA agreed to open up a ‘second front’ against Hitler. This meant invading Nazi-controlled France to attack Germany, helping Russia.
Was there any disagreement in Tehran?
There was the beginnings of disagreement: Stalin wanted to cripple Germany after the war to prevent it becoming a threat again. Churchill didn’t want this and Roosevelt was undecided.
What was decided at the Tehran Conference about Japan?
The Soviet Union was to wage war against Japan once Germany was defeated. This would help the Americans who were heavily involved in fighting Japan in the Pacific region.
What was decided at the Tehran Conference about how to maintain peace after the war?
A United Nations organisation was to be set up after the war.
What was decided at the Tehran Conference about Poland?
An area of eastern Poland was added to the Soviet Union. At the insistence of Stalin, the borders of post-war Poland were to be along the Oder and Neisse rivers.
Why was Churchill suspicious of Stalin at the Tehran Conference?
Churchill was against the Bolshevik takeover and supported the Whites during the Russian civil war. Also, in April 1943, a mass grave was found with 10,000 Polish officers who had been murdered by the Soviets in 1939.
When was the Yalta Conference?
February 1945.
Who attended the Tehran Conference?
The ‘Big Three’ of Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill.
What was a sphere of influence?
Countries that were influenced by either the USA or the USSR. The USSR would influence Poland, Czechoslovakia, the Baltic states, Hungary and Romania. This created a line of buffer states between the USSR and the West.
Who attended the Yalta Conference?
The ‘Big Three’ again: Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill.
How was the Cold War similar to the previous World War One and World War Two?
There was an arms race, both sides formed military alliances and both sides used propaganda to persuade their citizens that the military build-up was necessary.
What was the Grand Alliance?
It was a marriage of convenience between the communist USSR and capitalist USA to defeat the Nazis, created in 1941. Once Hitler had been defeated, the Alliance became increasingly uneasy.
What stage was the war at when the leaders met at Yalta?
By early 1945, Allied armies were closing in on Berlin, and Germany was close to defeat.
How did the Big Three get on with each other at Yalta?
They were in general agreement about most issues but Stalin and Roosevelt enjoyed a warm relationship and Churchill felt isolated.
Did they repeat any agreements from the Tehran Conference?
Yes, the agreements that the USSR would join the war against Japan and about the United Nations being set up.
What was decided in Yalta about Germany?
Germany was to be divided into four zones: US, British, French and Soviet. Berlin was to be divided in the same way. Nazi war criminals were to be hunted down and prosecuted.
How did Churchill try to prevent Stalin dominating Europe after the war?
The Big Three agreed at Yalta that countries liberated from German occupation were to have free elections to choose the government they wanted.
How did Stalin try to create a ‘buffer zone’ at Yalta?
It was agreed that eastern Europe would be a Soviet ‘sphere of influence’.
What disagreements were there at the Yalta Conference?
They disagreed on how much Germany was to pay in reparations. Stalin wanted a much higher figure than Churchill or Roosevelt. The decision was delayed until the next conference. They also disagreed about Poland - Stalin wanted more of it and to have a ‘friendly’ Polish government. Roosevelt and Churchill persuaded him to allow free elections in Poland.
What changed between the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences?
Stalin’s armies occupied Eastern Europe and he set up a Communist government in Poland. Roosevelt died in April 1945, so America had a new President: Truman. The Americans had tested an atomic bomb on the 16th July 1945 – Truman told Stalin about this at the start of the conference and Stalin was furious. Halfway through the Potsdam Conference, Churchill was defeated in a general election and replaced by Clement Atlee.
What disagreements were there at the Potsdam Conference July-Aug 1945?
Stalin wanted to punish Germany but Truman did not want to be too harsh Stalin wanted ‘reparations’ (fines) against Germany to pay for the war – Truman didn’t. Stalin set up pro-Soviet governments in Eastern Europe – Atlee and Truman weren’t happy.
What was the key difference between Roosevelt and Truman?
Roosevelt was a ‘dove’ who enjoyed a warmer relationship with Stalin. Truman was a ‘hawk’ who began a ‘get tough’ policy against the Soviet Union after Stalin failed to hold free elections in liberated countries such as Poland.
