International Relations - Cold War Flashcards
USSR ideology
- Communist
- The good of the state is more important than upholding the rights of the people
USA ideology
- Capitalist
- Free of control is more important than equality - extreme poverty was not rare
- Their policies are the right policies; other countries should follow their example
- Communism must not spread
1945 timeline
Feb - Yalta Conference: Chuchill, Stalin and Roosevelt met to discuss the postwar reorganisation of Germany and Europe. Key points: 1. agreement to the priority of the unconditional surrender of Germany 2. Stalin agreed that France would have a fourth occupation zone in Germany if it came out of the British and American zones 3. Germany would undergo demilitarisation and renazification.
8 May - Allied troops reach Berlin, end of war in Europe, VE day.
July - USA tests an atomic bomb
17 July-2 August - Potsdam Conference: Attlee, Truman and Stalin met to negotiate terms for the end of WWII and put all the things agreed at Yalta into action. Arguments over where boundaries for zones would be drawn in Germany, no sign of Stalin allowing free elections in his sphere of influence, arguments over how much the USSR could take from Germany in reparations.
6 and 9 August - Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs dropped, war between USA and Japan over.
How was Germany organised after the war?
Divided between Britain, France, USA and USSR so that they could each help Germany get back on its feet. Berlin is also split between the 4, but is inside of USSR territory.
Berlin blockade
June 1948 Stalin decided he had to show the other leaders he would fight back if they encroached on his sphere of influence. He blockaded any access into Berlin, cutting off the other 3’s zones from their main areas. If the other countries rammed the blockades, Stalin could call it an act of war. Because of the various things that could go wrong in attempting to reach the capital, Stalin expected Truman to call a full withdrawal from Berlin. He could then announce a propaganda victory - the USA had withdrawn, so it was the weaker nation.
Instead, Truman took a risk and decided to fly resources into the city. This worked because if the USSR shot the planes down, they would be the aggressor.
In May 1949, Stalin withdrew the blockade.
How did the Berlin blockade affect tensions between the USA and the USSR?
Tensions rose as the two nations came a misstep away from war, and both realised the other would not back down from conflict.
Truman’s character
Truman was often criticised for his aggressive policies towards Communism, and by extension the Soviet Union.
Stalin was aware of these reservations and this heightened tensions between the two nations.
The Truman Doctrine
Truman declared that all states judged to be in danger from internal or external authoritarian forces would be provided with resources and support from the USA.
This heightened tensions as Stalin saw this as an attack on his influence over countries surrounding the USSR. A way to prevent him spreading communism to other nations.
Marshall Aid
Aimed to support countries in rebuilding themselves after WWII. $17 billion was put into the project. There was an element of self interest, as the USA wanted to create more markets to prevent another crash.
This plan was put into place by Truman because he thought communism gained footholds in poor nations. George Marshall claimed the plan would not be directed against any nation or doctrine, but in reality it was an attempt to stop the spread of communism.
The USSR found this plan highly suspicious, as he thought the USA was attempting to make poor countries’ economies dependent on the USA.
Main problems in 1950s Berlin
- Lack of freedom the Germans in the East (USSR side)
- Fear of the Stasi (secret police)
- Governmental corruption (bribery, favoritism)
- Low standard of living compared with West Germany (particularly in Berlin)
- Thousands of East Germans defecting to the west (particularly in Berlin)
Why did Berlin become a Cold War Crisis?
a) Khrushchev used Kennedy’s mistake with the Bay of Pigs invasion to demand a withdrawal from Berlin. Instead Kennedy increased the military funding.
b) Soviets had seen Kennedy’s animosity towards communism.
c) West Berlin was a capitalist city in the middle of a communist state.
d) People defecting to West Berlin was a propaganda gift for the USA. This had to be stopped by the Soviets.
e) Berlin Wall cut off livelihoods and families, completely severing USA and USSR comms. and relationships.
Next steps after the Berlin Wall
- Kennedy sent 1,500 more troops after a demonstration was held in West Berlin asking him to not withdraw troops.
- The Wall continued to expand.
- Because of some of the terms after WWII, US soldiers could still cross between the two areas of Berlin via Checkpoint Charlie.
- On the 27 Oct 1961, there was a standoff between USA and USSR forces at Checkpoint Charlie. Eventually tanks pulled away one by one with no conflict.
Background to the Cuban Missile Crisis (Bay of Pigs and Communist revolution)
Until 1959, Cuba was treated as an extension of the USA, as most of its businesses were owned by Americans. The leader was Batista - a dictatorial leader who had the support of the USA because he was very anti-communist.
In 1959 the communist Fidel Castro led a revolution and overthrew Batista. Batista’s followers were either killed or fled to the USA to ask for help in ousting the communist leader.
Castro was worried about the US response, so turned to Khrushchev for support, and a $100 million economic aid package was agreed. The Soviet Union also began to send military supplies and advisers. This strengthened the US’ perception that their relationship with the USSR was not friendly.
In April 1961 1,400 Cuban exiles arrived in Cuba to overthrow Castro. This is the Bay of Pigs invasion. It was supported by the USA, who provided supplies, weapons, training, and extra men to help the exiles.
However, Kennedy was misled and hesitant, and continuously pulled forces from the mission, meaning that the Cubans still had an airforce when the exiles arrived, and their invasion was defeated.
Kennedy’s options after the discovery of nuclear weapons on Cuba
- Do nothing - show the Soviets weakness and encourage them to attack
- Surgical air attack - act of war
- Invasion - act of war
- Diplomatic pressures - brings in other countries which are wary of communism, give the USA support.
- Blockade - not an act of war, but a power move: make it the soviet’s choice to go to war.
October 1962 timeline
14 - US spy plane photographs missile sites and nuclear-carrying craft on their way to Cuba
16 - Panel of military and political advisors formed (Ex Comm.). Divisions: Hawks advise violent tactics such as bombing missile sites and invading. Doves advise diplomatic methods.
20-21 - Kennedy decides to blockade Cuba and calls USSR to withdraw missiles. Khrushchev tells troops to resist any US invasion.
22 - Announcement of naval blockade of Cuba.
23 - Khrushchev claims missile sites are solely to defend Cuba, and Kennedy receives a letter from Khrushchev saying that his ships will not observe the blockade.
24 - Blockade begins
25 - First ship reaches blockade (oil ship, is allowed through), rest of ships turn back. Idea is secretly floated by the US government to remove missiles in Turkey in exchange for those in Cuba.
26 - It appears war is about to begin: Khrushchev is still building missile bases, and Kennedy considers an invasion. 6pm letter received from Khrushchev that missile sites will be dismantled if blockade is lifted and Kennedy promises not to invade.
27 - Second letter from Khrushchev: demanding no invasion and dismantlement of US missile bases in Turkey. A US U2 plane is shot down over Cuba; tensions rise, war about to begin. Kennedy decides to ignore second letter and sends Khrushchev a letter saying if Khrushchev dismantles the bases in Cuba, America will not invade Cuba, lift the blockade, and dismantle missile sites in Turkey.
28 - Khrushchev agrees, crisis is over
Timeline of control in Vietnam from WWII to 1964
- During WWII Viet Minh formed to fight Japanese occupation, Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh (nationalist communist) and financially supported by communist china. Declare Vietnam independent.
- 1945 French return, financially supported by the US, who don’t want to see the Viet Minh in power. The funding is $500 million a year. The French take control of South Vietnam, while the communists take the North.
- 1954 French withdraw from Vietnam, Geneva Accords signed: democratic elections to join North and South, no military alliances with foreign power allowed.
- 1955 Diem becomes leader of the South, he is highly corrupt.
- 1960 Vietcong set up: communist group who have the support of the Viet Minh.
- 1962 Kennedy sends military advisers to Vietnam.
-1963 Kennedy and Diem assassinated, Johnson takes over as president.
-1964 Gulf of Tonkin, Operation Rolling Thunder - bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
Gulf of Tonkin
American patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin claimed to have been fired upon. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed, which allowed Johnson to take all necessary action to prevent further aggression and achieve peace and security. 3,500 US combat troops arrive in Vietnam, signalling the start of the war.
What tactics did the Americans use?
Bombing, artillery, search and destroy.
Chemical weapons.
What tactics did the Viet Cong use?
Guerrilla tactics - minimised losses as the Americans were unused to fighting an unseen enemy.
Why was 1968 a turning point in the war?
- Johnson decides not to run for president, due to the failures of the Vietnam war, and the opposition he was facing.
- Uncensored images released in the newspapers, public opinion turns against the war (Reporters had no blocks on what they could or could not photograph and release.
- The Tet Offensive: 100 cities and villages attacked during the Tet New Year, surprising US forces, using masses of artillery, destroying homes and lives.
- Peace movement in the USA: changing public opinions led US citizens to protest and question issues such as: money (how it could be used better), racism (more african-americans were drafted into the war). Protests were held, and injured protesters sparked questions about US ethics and crowd control in the military.
Nixon Doctrine
1969
‘Vietnamisation’ (strengthening of south vietnamese troops, in order to bring home US troops)
‘Peace with honor’
Cambodia
1970
Bombing raids in Cambodia were frowned upon, as up until now Cambodia had been neutral. Congress began to reduce its support for the war. They withdrew the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, and forces withdrew in July.
Invasion of Laos
1971
Invasion of Laos by the ARVN (army of the republic of vietnam) in an attempt to cut off the Ho Minh Chi trail. The forces fled after they met resistance, but ran out of fuel and had to abandon their vehicles. They attempted to get into American helicopters, but half the forces were either captured or killed. Additionally, abandoned equipment had to be destroyed to stop enemy forces getting them.
This demonstrated the ARVN could not operate on its own.
Paris Peace Talks
Nixon explored a more diplomatic route, and entered into peace talks with the north vietnamese. The talks began in 1972, and a ceasefire was agreed in 1973. The main points were:
- Immediate ceasefire
- Release of all prisoners of war
- Withdrawal of all US forces and bases
- Self-determination for south vietnam
