Marshall Plan / Cold War Develops Flashcards
Terms of Truman Doctrine (1947)=
The world could choose between communist tyranny and democratic freedom.
US had a responsibility to fight for liberty (=freedom) if it was threatened.
US would send troops and funding to help governments threatened by communists
Communism should not be allowed to grow and gain territory (= containment).
Aims of Truman Doctrine =
Truman’s speech to Congress was aimed to win US support to aid countries from attack from the spread of communism. This speech became known as the Truman Doctrine and enshrine US political commitment to contain communism.
Truman Doctrine: Significance:
Suggested the USA (not the UN) had responsibility to protect the world.
Marked an end to USA’s isolationist policy (where it did not get involved in foreign affairs).
It divided the world according to ideology (communism vs capitalism) and so marked the end of the Grand Alliance.
Signaled USA’s commitment to containment.
Background of Truman doctrine =
After the “Long Telegram”, Truman learned that USSR was not in a position to wage a war
BUT Truman feared that USSR would encourage communist revolutions across Europe and so gain more and more land.
Many European countries were suffering great hardship after WW2.
Communism had a great appeal in those conditions, as it was believed that wealth would be shared with the poor under communism.
Why did the Truman Doctrine come about?
The “war of words”: the “iron curtain” speech (1946) represented the divide between the two sides (East and West).
The Long Telegram: 1946: a secret report from the US ambassador in Moscow (Kennan). Reported:
Stalin had given a speech calling for the destruction of capitalism
there could be no peace with USSR while it opposed capitalism
USSR was building its military power
USA should seek to contain communism.
What caused the Truman Doctrine to develop?
Hint - Greece
The Greek conflict and fears for Turkey highlighted the risk of communism spreading and had wider implications, as outlined in Truman’s speech.
It was a policy of ‘containment’. The USA was not aiming to change countries that were already communist, but instead contain communism and prevent it from spreading.
The USA was agreeing to send money, weapons and advisers to any country, anywhere in the world, that felt threatened by communism.
The USA was not going to return to a policy of isolationism, like it had after World War I.
It outlined the ‘Domino Theory’: if one country was allowed to become communist, then others will follow.
What was the Truman doctrine - and how did it “lay the foundations” for the Marshall Plan?
Truman Doctrine - 1947 -
A speech by Truman delivered to congress explaining his policy of providing military and financial support to countries threatened by armed groups or outside pressures. Although he did not call them communists, this was who he was talking about. This became known as the Truman Doctrine.
Defenitions = Containment, Ideology, Doctrine
Containment = the policy of using U.S. influence and military resources to prevent the spread of communism into non-communist countries (rather than outright war).
Ideology = a set of ideas that guide an individual, group or movement.
Doctrine = a set of ideas or principles (usually that beliefs/actions then follow)
Marshall Plan = Theory, Rationale, Condition
Theory: The Marshall Plan committed US$13billion to
rebuild the shattered economies of Europe.
Rationale: by encouraging prosperity, the attraction of communism would be weakened.
Condition: to receive U.S. money, the countries had to agree to trade freely with the U.S. (This boosted the U.S. economy.)
What aid did the Marshall Plan offer?
Marshall Aid was offered to all European countries, including Russia. It provided money, machinery, food, and technological assistance.
Despite Russia’s and Eastern European weaknesses, Stalin forced all the countries under his control to refuse Marshall aid.
By 1953, $17 billion worth of aid was provided by the USA.
Note - Most aid went to Britain, France and Italy
Concequences of Marshall Plan
Western Europe enjoyed a period of significant prosperity in the 1950s.
Stalin was convinced that USA actions were selfish and aimed to dominate Europe and boost its own economy
Stalin formed Comecon to link satellite states’ economies together to ensure they were run along communist lines.
Western Europe became more closely linked with its distributing of Marshall Aid.
USA became far more involved in European affairs
Marshall Plan discussion (1948 Paris Peace Conference)
Plan: it was discussed at the 1948 Paris Conference.
USSR: walked out of the meeting, claiming U.S. trying to split Europe.
Stalin: insisted the Eastern European countries within the Soviet “sphere of influence” reject the offer of aid.
Acceptance: 16 countries, including Britain and France, accepted aid (to rebuild their economies and to defeat communism in their own countries).
USSR 1947-49
Between 1947-1949, the USSR extended its influence in Eastern Europe, turning Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary, among others, into satellite countries.
How did the USSR gain power in; Albania, East Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Czechslovakia
Albania - 1945
A communist government took power at the end of World War Two.
East Germany - 1945
East Germany was part of the Soviet zone of occupation as agreed at the Yalta Conference and in 1945 the Soviets set up a communist regime there.
Romania - 1945
In the 1945 elections, a communist-led coalition government was elected. The communists gradually removed their coalition partners.
Bulgaria - 1946
In 1946 the Bulgarian monarchy was abolished. Later that year, a communist government was elected.
Poland - 1947
In 1947, Stalin invited 16 non-communist politicians to Moscow, where they were arrested. With their political opponents removed, the Polish communists won the election.
Hungary - 1948
Stalin allowed elections, in which the non-communists won a big majority. However, communist politician, Rakosi, hinted that the Russians would take over if need be. Then he got control of the police, and started to arrest his opponents. He set up a brutal secret police unit, the AVO. By 1947, Rakosi had complete control. The gradual takeover by the communists was completed on 18 August 1949, when Hungary became the People’s Republic of Hungary.
Czechoslovakia - 1948
At elections in 1948, only communists were allowed to stand and a communist government was elected.
What broad stages did the USSR complete to take control over countries in eastern Europe?
eg. Army, political influence
The Red Army remained in occupation over much of eastern Europe after the Second World War.
With the Red Army’s help, the USSR established communist governments that were closely controlled from Moscow in most of eastern Europe.
These countries became known as Soviet satellite states.
The establishment of gaining control followed the same pattern –
Coalition governments were set up in which the communists would share power with other parties.
Backed by Stalin, the communists would take over the civil service, media, security and defence.
Opposition leaders were arrested or forced to flee.
Elections were held but fixed the in communists favour.
‘People’s democracies’ were set up.
What were the consequences of the USSR controlling most of eastern Europe?
- Isolation of Yugoslavia in the east.
- USSR form Comecon to control eastern European economies from Moscow.
- USSR form Cominform to control eastern European governments from Moscow.
- Growing distrust from USA and Britain who wanted elected democratic governments that were friendly not dominated by USSR.
Cominform, Comecon & Link to Marshall Plan
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan angered the Soviet Union. Stalin believed that the USA had deliberately split Europe in two and that it was clear the USA was trying to spread capitalism.
Stalin created two new organisations to maintain greater control over the communist countries of Eastern Europe.
In 1947, Cominform was established to ensure that members retained their communist governments and removed any opposition. Members were also discouraged from communicating with Western countries.
In 1949, Comecon was Stalin’s attempt at deterring countries away from Marshall Aid. Members were encouraged to trade with each other and introduce communist policies like collectivisation of land and nationalisation of industries.
Cominform (in detail)
AIMS =
An organisation to represent Communist Parties across Europe and to bring them under Soviet direction.
Their decisions would drive policies of the Communist Parties (eg. First Cominform Conference rejected the Marshall Plan,refused aid & encouraged Communist Parties in W Europe to strike against it, as happened in France in 1947: 2 million workers striked).
EFFECTS =
Cominform was used to ensure E. European loyalty by investigating gvt ministers/employees and removing those disloyal to Stalin.
Often violence used as a means of control, eg. 5% of Hungarian population imprisoned by 1953.
Overall effect: Consolidated USSR power and ensured E. European loyalty.
Comecon in detail =
AIMS =
Stalin’s answer to the Marshall Plan.
After ordering boycott of the Plan, Comecon was set up to encourage economic development in E. Europe.
Attempted to prevent trade with W. Europe and the U.S.
1949 members: Poland, Hungary, USSR, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania.
1950: Albania and East Germany join.
EFFECTS =
Political: minimised U.S. influence in E. Europe and USSR.
Economic: ensured benefits of E. European economic recovery stayed in the Soviet “sphere of influence”.
Economic & political: E. Europe did not have access to prosperity of West.
How did the USA react to USSR expansion in eastern Europe?
USA wanted to prevent further USSR expansion
Truman thought that USSR was trying to spread communism throughout the world
USA wanted to wield its economic and military supremacy over the USSR
