How did the USA react to Soviet expansionism? Flashcards
Things that were expected (2)
- Stalin’s take over of Eastern Europe
- bc West agreed that Eastern Europe will be in the Soviet’s ‘Sphere of influence’
Things that were NOT expected (2)
- the COMPLETE COMMUNIST DOMINATION
- didn’t expect Eastern Europe to be that heavily influenced
What did Truman & Stalin say abt the complete communist domination?
Stalin: “Chill, it’s just to protect / secure myself”
Truman: “Nuh uh, you’re just trying to spread communism. That’s a no no”
(this isn’t what they actually said but you get the idea)
Which other countries were vulnerable to communist take-over?
Turkey, Greece, Italy, France etc
What did USA do to the fact that Turkey had a chance of getting taken over by the USSR?
sent AID !!
- Money distributions
–> economic aid
–> humanitarian aid
–> military aid (supplies, weapons etc)
What were the 2 main contributions?
- The ‘Long Telegram’
- The ‘Iron Curtain’ speech
Who & When: ‘Long Telegram’?
- Feb 1946
- by George Kennan
–> US Ambassador in the Soviet Union
What is the ‘Long Telegram’?
a secret telegram report
Where was the ‘Long Telegram’ sent to?
to Washington to President Truman
What did the ‘Long Telegram’ say? (4)
- that the USSR was a THREAT to capitalism & should be eliminated
- that USSR was building a strong military force / power
- that peace between the USA & USSR is IMPOSSIBLE
- that the USSR are determined to EXPAND
Who, when & where: ‘Iron Curtain’ speech?
- March 1946
- Winston Churchill
- at Fulton, Missouri, USA
What was the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech? (2)
- Churchill was describing how Europe had been divided by an ‘Iron Curtain’
- this analogy describes the USSR’s actions in Eastern Europe
= divided into 2
What was the important argument made in the ‘Iron Curtain’? (2)
(wh)
- Strong American & British relations were essential
–> to stop spread of Communism & maintain peace - USA must play an active role in world affaires
Why was the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech so important? (2)
- it helped strengthen America & Western Europe opposition
(Communism & the Soviet Union) - it worsened relations between West & USSR
How did Stalin respond to the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech? (2)
- compared Churchill to Hitler
–> claiming Churchill was attempting to draw RACIAL BOUNDARIES - Calling Churchill a “warmonger” = someone who encourages or seek war
= he have NOT very happy