How did the USA react to Soviet expansionism?

Question 1

Things that were expected (2)

Answer 1

• Stalin’s take over of Eastern Europe
• bc West agreed that Eastern Europe will be in the Soviet’s ‘Sphere of influence’

Question 2

Things that were NOT expected (2)

Answer 2

• the COMPLETE COMMUNIST DOMINATION
• didn’t expect Eastern Europe to be that heavily influenced

Question 3

What did Truman & Stalin say abt the complete communist domination?

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

Which other countries were vulnerable to communist take-over?

Answer 4

Turkey, Greece, Italy, France etc

Question 5

What did USA do to the fact that Turkey had a chance of getting taken over by the USSR?

Answer 5

sent AID !!
- Money distributions
–> economic aid
–> humanitarian aid
–> military aid (supplies, weapons etc)

Question 6

What were the 2 main contributions?

Answer 6

• The ‘Long Telegram’
• The ‘Iron Curtain’ speech

Question 7

Who & When: ‘Long Telegram’?

Answer 7

• Feb 1946
• by George Kennan
  –> US Ambassador in the Soviet Union

Question 8

What is the ‘Long Telegram’?

Answer 8

a secret telegram report

Question 9

Where was the ‘Long Telegram’ sent to?

Answer 9

to Washington to President Truman

Question 10

What did the ‘Long Telegram’ say? (4)

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Who, when & where: ‘Iron Curtain’ speech?

Answer 11

• March 1946
• Winston Churchill
• at Fulton, Missouri, USA

Question 12

What was the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech? (2)

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

What was the important argument made in the ‘Iron Curtain’? (2)
(wh)

Answer 13

• Strong American & British relations were essential
  –> to stop spread of Communism & maintain peace
• USA must play an active role in world affaires

Question 14

Why was the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech so important? (2)

Answer 14

• it helped strengthen America & Western Europe opposition
  (Communism & the Soviet Union)
• it worsened relations between West & USSR

Question 15

How did Stalin respond to the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech? (2)

Answer 15

• 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