International Relations 1945-1975 Flashcards
Why did the Cold War break out?
Millions of lives were lost on all sides from the Second world war. By 1945, there wre millions of sick, hungry, homeless refugees around Europe and the world. USSR lost millions of its peoples.
However, there was a rise in two superpowers, USA and USSR, who had very different economic systems which strongly opposed each other, and therefore very different ideologies: capitalism and communism.
People were beginning to fear each other, as WWII had only just finished.
How did Cold War tensions develop during 1945?
Yalta conference held 4-11th Feb 1945.
Aim: to decide what would happen after the war.
Agreements:
Stalin would join in war against Japan. Free elections in countries liberated by Germany, and Nazi war criminals would be found and punsihed. Germany would be divided into 4 zones: US, Soviet, Britsh and Fernch. Eastern Europe would become a soviet sphere of influence.
Disagreements:
Stalin wanted border of USSR to move into Poland.
Potsdam conference 17th July - 2nd August 1945
War was almost over, so there was less pressure to put up a united front. Clement Attlee was UK prime minister instead of Churchill, and Truamn instead of Roosevelt. Truman was much more aggressively anti-communist and suspicous of Stalin, and he personally told Stalin at Potsdam that USA had tested out an Atomic Bomb, asserting his dominance.
USSR was devastated after war - 20 million people died. USSR wanted to completely destroy Germany, but HST did not want to repeat the same mistake, and so JS was susipicious of germany. JS wanted to spread communism.
“Fear of invasion was the main reason why Stalin took control of countries in Eastern Europe”. How far do you agree?
Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech (basically USA and Britain are the guardians of peace against dangerous and aggressive communist USSR) and disagreements at Potsdam.
WC especially was wary of USSR.
USSR was a great danger to Europe and the rest of the world.
Disagreements in Potsdam did not discourage Stalin against communism.
Some argue that WC’s iron curtain speech started the Cold War. Stalin may have been scared at this attack on communism and the USSR -potential invasion? this was a threat& direct aggression from the West.
Fear of inavsion
Stalin would be worried as there was increased hosility and provoking from USA and WC. Taking control of Eastern Europe would give him a buffer zone, so JS could protect USSR from invasion.
Though Stalin may have been frightened, fear wasn’t the sole reason for taking control over other coutnries, but the buffer zone certainly offered protection.
Desire formore power and to spread communism to other countries.
Stalin would gain greater power with a buffer zone as well as protection. Able to spread communism through territory. Cominform: controlling communist governments.
One of the aims of communism was to spread it, perhaps Stalin’s plan after all.
Provided power and safety to JS. EAsier to spread communism with/against will
What was the US response to Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe?
Truman doctrine 1947: USA would provide money, equipment and advice to any coutnry he considered as threatened by communism, aka containment to stop the spread of communism. Policy is to support “free people” who are tyring to resist communism. Free peoples look to USA for support, if they fail in their leadership, they endager the peace of the world.
Marshal Aid 1947
$17 billion needed to rebuild Europe - economic crisis. Aims were that any government willing to “recover” will get full cooperation from USA. Governments that try to block recovery will not receive any help. Governments that seek to exploit human misery for own needs will face opposition from USA.
Marshall Aid: George Marshall was sent to asses effect of war in Western Europe in 1947. Communism spread where there was poverty and hardship. approved in april 1948. Gernerous act with an element of self-interest - by providing support for other countries, they may become dependent on USA, and therefore USA is able to trade and boost its own economy.
USSR may have viewed this as a personal attack on USSR even if not direct, and were concerned.
Why did Stalin blockade Berlin?
In 1946, Britain, France and USA combined their zones, becoming West Germany in 1949. Stalin felt threatened as a result, and felt that he needed to show to Western leaders that he could fight back if they encroached his “sphere of influence”.
Despite Berlin being divided into East and West Berlin, it was still within the Soviet region, and linked to western areas by roads, railways and canals.
Stalin one day blocked the supply lines, stopping western powers from entering.
This was a supposedly brilliant idea, since if USA tried to ram their way through, it would be seen as an act of war. JS expected HST to withdraw from Berlin, giving Soviets control of Berlin and a propaganda victory - it would be humiliating for USA.
Outline the events of the Berlin Blockade 1948-1949.
Stalin wanted to show that he would fight back if the Western allies tried to encroach his sphere of influence.
June 948, Stalin blocked supply lines, stopping western powers from reaching their zones in Berlin.
If USA tried ramming through the roadblocks, it would be seen as an act of war and if HST allowed Stalin to contorl Berlin it would be humiliating and potentially disastrous.
Instead, the Americans ordered that aircraft should fly supplies into Berlin (Berlin Airlift). They didn’t want to give into communist USSR.
For eleven months, food and other supplies were flown into Berline by B,F, and USA.
Staling eventually lifted blocked in 1949, May. Propaganda victory for the capitalists.
How did the Berlin Blockade and Airlift affect the tension betwen USA and USSR?
Blockade:
USA couldn’t ram through or USSR would call it an act of war.
If USA withdrew (gave in), it would be humiliating, USSR would have a porpaganda vicotry and it might given them power to expand itno WEst Germany. Btoh coutnries were scared and trying to show their power.
Airlift: powerful symbol of Cold War rivalry
If USSR shot down planes, it would be seen as an act of war - stalemate reached.
Westeners also counter blockaded Stalin. West Germany began to recover.
Although it was costly (around 100 mil dollars), westerners got their way in the end: no war had started, kpet their part of Berlin and Blockade was lifted.
Checkpoint Charlie???
What were the consequences of the Berline Blockade?
Catalyst for cold war
costly for airlift for Americans, but defeat for Russians
Great anxiety among USA, USSR, and Europe
Caused a propaganda war
Stalemate between countries and rivalry
Greater tension between USA and USSR
Western Allies were more united though
Why did Berlin become a Cold War Crisis and what were its impacts?
Tensions between Khrushchev and Kennedy:
JFK was electeed in 1961 nand was keen to show strength against communism.
NK claimed that USA was using Berlin asa base for spies.
People were trapped in East Germany
After many people defected to West Germany in mid 1950s, NK had to do something to stop them forom leaving.
Although NK said that the wall was bieng built to protect EAst Germany and Easter Berlin from US army and spies, this excuse was used to divert attaention away from main reason - stemming flow of people out of East Germany (many people were dfecting because capitalist west seemed better - propaganda gist to USA).
Berlin Wall
Stopped people from leaving communist East and having “freedom”. People were scared.
Dissatisfaction of people in East.
People were divided from their families and sometimes jobs
Stopped peple from leaving - having goodslike Westerners.
Impacts:
potentail for war - stand off
symbol of division
Western powers - prison wall
Easterners - protective sheell
avoided war - JFK thought that a wall is better than a war
made good use of propaganda of the wall
stalemate
propaganda victory for USA
October 1961 USA marched their troops to the Berlin Wall at Checkpoint Charlie as a way of showing threat towards the USSR aas a few of their surveyors went over to the East and were not allowed back in the WEst. This stand-off lasted 16 hours and eventually both USA and USSR withdrew their toops.
Explain why The Cuban Revolution 1959 led to tensions between USA and USSR.
In the 1950s Cuba was considered USA’s “backyard” or “playground” - it was a very popular holiday destination, and USA owned almost all of Cuba’s industry.
Cuba had een ruled by a corrupt and deeply unpopular dictator, General Fulgencio Batista. In 1959, he was overthrown in a revolution led by communist Fidel Castro.
Fidel Castro imprisoned/killed many of Batista’s followers.
USA was concerned: thousands of Fulgenico Batista’s supporters fled to USA, and pressured them to help oust Fidel Castro.
Dwight d. Eisenhower ordered the CIA to investigate ways to overthrow Castro.
USA refused to trade with Cuba and started a propaganda campaign against Castro and the regime.
A communist country was now occupying USA’s backyard - much closer than ever before.
Bay of Pigs invasion 1961
April 1961, JFK authroised a CIA backed plant to help 1,400 Cuban exiles to land in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba and overthrow Castro.
JFK helped send supplies ovder to Cuba but didn’t actually help with the invasion.
JFK, fearing an invasion, stopped help from the air and many Cuban exiles were imprisoned or died as a result of USA’s lack of help.
Failed because USA didn’t help as much as they should have done.
Disaster and humiliating defeat for JFK, not just physically but also a propaganda fail. Strengthened Fidel Castro’s hold over Cuba.
Therefore, Bay of Pigs failure justified Khrushchev’s actions in helpign Cuba with military supplies - Cuba did need protection from possible US invastion.
Castro feared invasion from US - agreed with NK to a $100 mill package of economic aid.
Outline the events leading up to and during the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962.
Bay of Pigs invasion failure - April 1962, justifying Khrushchev’s actions to help Cuba with military supplies and install missiles.
May 1962 - USSR publicly announced that it was supplying Cuba with arms.
September 1962 - Cuba had thousands of missiles and other weaponry and tanks, boats etc.
The USA had nucelar missiles trained on the USSR.
On 11th September Knenedy warned the USSR that he would take serious action if this happened.
Sunday 14th October 1962 - US U2 Spy plane photographed sites on Cuba that hsowed evidence of a potential nuclear missile site, with 20 soviet ships also on their way to Cuba with misiles.
NK wanteed to place nuclear missiles on Cuba, because wanted to defend another communist state, and Cuba was excellent propaganda against USA.
Closed the missile gap - USA had more nuclear weapons.
Strengthen his own position in USSR - Stalin had been more powerful.
To bargain with the USA - remove missiles at a price.
To test how strong the USA were.
20-21st October - Kennedy decides to blockade Cuba, calling on USSR to withdraw missiles. NK told troops in Cuba to resist any invasion. This wasn’t an outright sign of war, but it was also pressuring.
Monday 22nd October - Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba.
Wednesday 24th October - blockade begins.
Thursday 26th October - US government floats idea secrretly of removing missiles in Turkey in exchange for Cuba.
Friday 26th October - Russia still hasn’t backed out, and Kennedy considers an invasion of Cuba. It seems that war is about to break out. AT 6pm, JFK receives telegram from NK offering to dismantle the missile sites if Kennedy lifts the blockade and promises not to invade Cuba. Atm, 120,000 US troops stationed in Florida.
Saturday 27th October - 11am, NK sends second letter, demanding that Knenedy promises not to attack Cuba and also dismantles American missile bases in Trukey. At 12pm, U2 paine is shot down over Cuba. It looks like a war is about to start after all. At 8.05pm, Kennedy sends a letter to NK, offering that if NK dismantles the missile bases in Cuba, America will ift the blockade and promise not to invade Cuba, and also dismantle Turkish missile bases (as long as that’s a secret).
Sunday 28th October - NK agrees. Crisis over.
What was the impact of the crisis?
Cuba was kept communist, which was very important for USSR.
A nuclear war had been prevented, and no longer seemed as threatening.
Missiles gone in Trueky - relations improved slightly.
1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
USA respected USSR - enough of a threat.
Kenedy also looked strong since Turkey was a secret.
Why was the USA involved in Vietnam War after WWII and how did this increase tension?
Geneva Accords 1954 after French defeated:
Country would temporarily split alon 17th parallel. Communism in Norht and capitalism in south, led by Ngo Dinh Diem.
Democratic elcetions in 1956, where Vietnam would be unified, but they never happened as US prevented them due to concers that Communists would win - direct US involvenment.
Diem was backed financially by USA despite being corrupt, leading to further resistance.
Vietcong set up in 1960 - Vietnamese Communist:
Large no. of Communist North Vietnamese, took orders from Hi Chi Minh, S.V who didn’t like Diem and peasants. They used guerilla warfare. Active resistance in S.V, leading to further US involvement as harder to stop communism.
1962, Kennedy sends military advisors to Vietnam:
This was to train South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). 11,500 troops by end of 1962, and 16,000 advisors when Johnson took over. US now sending people to Vietnam, though not to invade.
Diem overthrow in 1963:
Vietcong had grown in strenghth and were attacking South Vietnamese government, and also US air force and supplies. Diem was so unpopular that he was assasinated on 1st November 1963.
Lead to further US involvement as their half of Vietnam was in chaos.
Kennedy assassinated in 1963, Nov 22nd in Texas:
Johnson took over, and was more prepared for full-scale conflict in Vietnam to stop spread of communism. By end of 1964, no. of advisors had increased to 23,000. Johnson took over and increased involvement as a “tribute” to JFK.
Gulf of Tonkin 1964
August 1964, American patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin clamied t have been fired on. This alloed Johsnon to take “all necessary measures to prevent further agression”. On 8th March 1965, 3500 US marines, who were combat troops rather than adivsors, landed at Da Nan signalling start of the war.
This was seen as a justification. Start of war.
What were the Viet Cong’s tactics in the war and what were the consequences?
They used Guerilla warfare - resourceful, worked together, men, women and children all had a job. Using traditional traps. Underground tunnels very cleverly done - much better than USA expected.
This was clever warfare - much better than USA, as they did not rely on high tech equpiment but on the resources they were given.
Viet Cong would use all ages however, meanth that US shot down childrena and women as they didn’t know who the enemy was.
What were USA’s tactics in the Vietnam war and what were its consequences?
Strategic hamlets built to keep out Viet Cong, people moving to these villages.
Physcological impact on soldiers - took fight out of you, all from mines to boobby traps.
Everyone was the enemy.
Made sure there was nothing to come back to.
Thousands of bombs dropped.
USA trying to find tunnels and blasting them - very hard to, and when they did, some guerillas would be waiting to kill them.
Areas would be effectively cleared out, although they kill everyone, they get the job done.
They burned down many villages and landscapes, very aggressive warfare - devastating.
Not used to fighting this type of warfare - led to a lot of bombing.
Relied on high tech gadgets, leading to very destructive warfare.
