Key Question 6: Cold War Relations Flashcards
What was the Iron Curtain?
Stalin and the USSR’s Eastern European countries that would protect from invasion.
What was the 1947 Truman Doctrine?
The promise for the USA ro support any nation that would try to oppose the USSR and communism- angering the USSR and Stalin.
How did the Marshall Plan grow tension between 1945- 1948?
Money was given to West Germany by the USA to prevent the spread of communism annoying Stalin.
Between 1945- 1948 what did the West have which worried the USSR?
Atomic weapons
When was the Berlin Blockade and Airlift?
11 months between June 1948 and May 1949
How many West Germans lived in Berlin in 1948?
2.4 million
What was the Berlin Blockade?
The removal of supplies, electricity and connections into Berlin to trap West Berliners and try to force them out of Berlin.
What was the West’s response to the Berlin Blockade?
An airlift costing $200 million to supply Berlin for 11 months.
Why is the Berlin Blockade and Airlift called off?
Stalin is unable to down airlifting aircraft due to the fear of war and so the blockade is called of with the failure to remove West Germans from Berlin by 1949.
When is NATO founded?
1949
What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation encompassing 11 European nations, USA and Canada in which there was a defensive treaty
What did NATO bring forward?
The Bundeswehr- a new army in West Germany in 1955.
When is the Warsaw Pact founded?
1955
What is the Warsaw Pact?
The pact encompassing the USSR and communist nations of Eastern Europe in a defensive treaty.
What did the Warsaw Pact bring forward?
The development of atomic weapons in the USSR.
Who replaced Stalin, following his death, as leader of the USSR between 1945- 1961?
Kruschev
What does Kruschev attempt as leader of the USSR?
A second Berlin Blockade in 1958- which fails
Under Kruschev what happens to East Germany and Europe?
The East is struggling economically and migrants attempt to go west to find work. A labour shortage ensues; embarrassing the USSR.
What is the Berlin Wall?
A wall built to separate East and West Berlin by the USSR.
When is the Berlin Wall built?
13 August, 1961
Describe the Berlin wall:
A 91 mile, armed, dual wall with guard towers and topped by barbed wire. A death strip occurred between the two walls with checkpoints at intervals.
Name a famous Checkpoint on the Berlin Wall?
Checkpoint Chalie
How many people were killed attempting to cross the Berlin Wall?
Over 100 people
In the first 12 months how many people died attempting to cross the Berlin Wall?
41
How did the USA react to the Berlin Wall?
President JFK gave a speech to West Berliners but could do nothing to remove the wall.
How many years did the Berlin Wall stand for?
28 years
Who was Willy Brandt?
Chancellor of West Germany in the 1960’s.
What did Willy Brandt want to do as chancellor?
Improve foreign relations with Poland.
How did Willy Brandt earn a nobel peace prize?
His work on the policy of Ostpolitik which kept peace between East and West Germany?
What was Willy Brandt’s Ostpolitik?
A policy suggesting that:
- A non-aggression pact was signed between East and West Germany
- Poland was to have German owned land returened
- Polish Jews were to be respected by Brandt
- A basic Treaty to be drawn up in 1972
what was Ostpolitik Basic Treaty?
A treaty signed in 1972 to make it easier for politicians from East and West Germany to come to agreements.
