International Position of the USSR 1945-1953. Flashcards
Can you define the term ‘superpower’? (used to describe the USA and USSR post WW2).
- an extremely powerful nation in both military and industrial power.
- nuclear element.
- one capable of influencing events and the acts and policies of less powerful nations.
Why did WW2 improve the USSR’s status?
1) role in defeating the Nazis (Yalta and Potsdam conferences)
2) founding member of the UN.
3) heavy involvement in drawing up the post-war settlement.
In the early 1930s, Stalin wanted the USSR to be isolated and concentrated on its own economic development. But from 1945, how did this change?
From 1945, Stalin was determined for the USSR to take an international role - to compete with the West and prove its superiority.
True or false - Stalin had always wanted the USSR to be a ‘superpower’?
False! Before 1941, the USSR had not wanted to be a superpower. Stalin wanted them to be left alone, to allow time for the transformation of the Soviet Economy to be completed.
By May 1945, how many men were there in the USSR’s army?
7.5 million well-equipped troops.
The USSR increased its territory by taking control of several different countries. Which ones?
Eastern Germany and Berlin, Baltic states, Poland, Romania and Hungary.
Why was there deep suspicion between the East and West?
The Soviet Union hesitated to join the United Nations. They feared they would be outnumbered by capitalist powers.
The Soviet Union were reluctant to join the UN because they thought they’d be outnumbered by the capitalists. What did this lead to?
Stalin insisted on a single-member veto in the proposed UN security Council (the body responsible for peacekeeping).
What is a ‘single-member veto’?
It’s the right of an individual member to block the majority of decisions of the others.
When did the USA reveal that they’d developed an atomic bomb?
- It was used to end the war with Japan.
Who did Stalin place in charge of developing the Soviet atomic bomb?
Beria.
Stalin committed huge resources to the atomic bomb project. When was their first successful test?
August 1949.
What was it that finally confirmed the USSR’s superpower status?
Possessing nuclear weapons.
true or false - the USSR was one of seven permanent members of the UN Security Council?
False! It was one of five!
