Ideological Differences Pre-Conferences Flashcards
What was the Russian revolution? How did this worsen relations?
This happened in October 1917 as workers developed class-consciousness, and professional groups of revolutionaries fought for a communist government. The West disliked this as they feared the same class-consciousness would develop in the West.
What was the Russian Civil War?
This consisted of fighting between 1918-21 between the Hun, (supported by the US and UK), and the Red Army, Communists. Relations were strained as Churchill supported the Hun, creating division between the East and the West.
What was the Zinoviev telegram, and how did this encourage the 1926 General Strike?
A Bolshevik named Zinoviev sent a telegram to the Daily Mail encouraging a revolution, leading to the General Strike which seemed to act as evidence for the start of a Communist Revolution.
When was Comintern founded? What concerns did this raise?
In 1919 Communist International was founded with an aim to achieve world revolution. Due to Western fears of the ideology spreading to Western Europe, this was shut down in 1943 by Stalin.
Describe anti-communism in the 20s, America?
After the War, the US began to enjoy some prosperity again, wanting to see improved living conditions for workers. This led to the 1929 Wall Street Crash, which saw America become increasingly left wing as the capitalist stock markets collapsed.
When was the Spanish Civil War and what tensions did it created?
In 1936, General Franco, supported by Hitler, took over the left wing democratic party of Spain, and the UK and US did nothing to support the USSR, causing the USSR to suspect the West did not want a left wing party in power.
Describe Stalin’s policies of terror, collectivisation, and trials?
Terror - Stalin enforced terror through his blood purges of peasants.
Collectivisation - Stalin collectivised agriculture, causing the murder of thousands of peasants, and people were made to keep quiet.
Trials - Stalin held trials for Lenin’s comrades, accusing them of not being faithful to the USSR, showing the USSR to be a police state!
Describe Western appeasement to Hitler?
In 1938, the UK and France, fearful of Hitler, agreed that Hitler could take the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, against the USSR’s wishes, leaving them to fight alone.
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?
This was a non-aggression pact signed in 1939, creating Western fears of the two sides uniting.
Describe Russian actions between 1939-41?
In 1939, Russians seized part of Poland, alongside the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, proving to the West that the USSR was expansionist..
Describe the 1943 Katyn Forest discovery?
In 1943, near Smolensk, 40,000 bodies were dug up as the German officers discovered how USSR officials had murdered Polish officers in order to keep them weak so the Russians could take over.
What was Operation Barbarossa?
June 2nd, 1941 - Hitler and the Germans invaded the USSR with the intention of either killing or enslaving the Russians, leading to 27 million deaths. This worsened relations as this led to the USSR wanting to have satellite states to act as a bufferzone. However, the Great Powers did have to team up.
Why did the Allies refuse to open a Second Front until June 1944?
In 1944, a second front was opened in Normandy by the Allies. The USSR were suspicious they left it so late so the Germans could weaken the Russians in the East.
Describe the Warsaw Uprising of August 1944…
In 1944, the Polish wanted to achieve independence so they went to fight the Germans in Warsaw. The USSR reorganised their troops, leaving the Poles to fight alone, seriously weakening them, as the West suspected they would so they could establish Communist government.
What was the behaviour of the Russian Army in liberated countries?
They raped and murdered millions in Germany.
They also established Communist governments in Hungary, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, confirming to the West that they wanted expansion.
Stalin was fighting against the West as despite agreements for free elections in Poland he advocated for a USSR-controlled government.
