Orginis Of The Cold War 1945-1960

Question 1

What were the differences in their economies?

Answer 1

In Russia (communism) farms were owned by the government.

In the USA (capitalism) any businesses were owned privately. Factory owners earned lots of money and were allowed to keep the profits.

Question 2

Differences in people’s rights?

Answer 2

In capitalism the government couldn’t interfere with people’s individuals choices and people could say what they feel.
In communism people were not allowed to keep their profits.

Question 3

The main differences in society?

Answer 3

Communism - newspapers, radio stations and media were censored by the government.

Capitalism - Media can publish what they want as long as it didn’t harm civil rights.

Question 4

Why conflict broke out between the USA or USSR after the end of the Second World War?

Answer 4

• After the war they were the two strongest countries and were both competing to be the strongest superpower.
• their beliefs were the exact opposite of each other (comm&cap) so distrusted each other.
• USSR were bitter that they never got their land returned after the TOV, this caused further tension and hostility.

Question 5

What happened at the Yalta Conference in February 1945?

Answer 5

• Three wartime leaders (Churchill, Stalin, Rossevelt)met at Yalta to discuss post war Europe. It was clear that the allies would win the war so they had to draw up plans of how Europe should be governed.
• Poland was high on the agenda being the largest Eastern European country.
• Stalin seemed to back down and agreed to hold free elections in Poland to allow some London Poles into the Lublin government so there would be a mix of comm & cap.

Question 6

What happened at the Postdam Conference in July 1945?

Answer 6

• It became clear that Atalin had been paying ‘lip service’ at Ayala as he had not let any London Poles into the Lublin govern.
• Roosevelt died and was replaced by Harry Trumen, he was much tougher win the USSR and he was suspicious of Stalin.
• Churchill was replaced by Clement Atlee. Stalin was now the only original member of the wartime alliance and this made him weary.
• The conference took place after the war ended so the three leaders began drawing up plans for post war Europe.
• The USA then announced they had developed and tested the worlds first nuclear Homs.

Question 7

Give 3 reasons why the USA dropped the atom bomb?

Answer 7

1. Japan were carrying on the war so the USA wanted to force Japan to surrender so that the war would be over.
2. They wanted to alarm the USSR and send a clear message that they were a force to be reckoned with.
3. They wanted revenge on Japan for pearl harbour in December 1941 as they had destroyed the USA’s naval bases. They also wanted revenge for the cruel way that Japan treated the U.S. Prisoners of war.

Question 8

What was the effect of the dropping of the atom bomb?

Answer 8

• 80,000’people in Japan died as a result
• Japan surrendered from the Second World war and it was finally over.
• Rapidly increased tension between USA and USSR as Stallin was angry that Truman had not told him about his plans to drop the bomb.
• Showed that the USA had the upper hand in terms of milt are and they had more world power.
• Sent a clear message that the USA had started an arms race, and they were currency winning.
• By summer of 1949, the USSR had developed their own nuclear bomb
• Conflict that developed was called the ‘Cold War’.

Question 9

What were the 4 main methods Stalin used to expand into the East?

Answer 9

1. Rigged elections
2. Communists were put in important government posts
3. He abolished any existing government system
4. He removed any opposition or potential all threats.

Question 10

What were the differences in how the USA and Russia were governed?

Answer 10

Russia was communism - only had one political party and people can not vote.

USA were Capitalism - people could vote for who they wanted in power. There were lots of political parties.