Origins of cold war,The Teheran and Yalta conference Pg 1 to 11

Question 1

What two nations became global superpowers after WWII and entered a period of competition known as the Cold War?

Answer 1

The United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Question 2

Despite their later rivalry, what event led to a temporary alliance between the USA and the USSR during WWII?

Answer 2

Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 and Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, which brought the USA into the war.

Question 2

What term describes the state of hostility, economic struggle, and ideological conflict between the USA and USSR after WWII, without direct military fighting?

Answer 2

The Cold War.

Question 2

Who is credited with coining the term “Cold War,” and what type of theorist was he?

Answer 2

Walter Lippmann, a political theorist.

Question 2

Approximately how long did the Cold War last, and what event is generally considered to mark its end?

Answer 2

It lasted for about four decades, ending around 1991 with the decline and disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Question 2

Name at least four methods, besides direct armed conflict, that the USA and USSR used to exert influence and pressure during the Cold War.

Answer 2

Diplomatic maneuvering, economic pressure, intimidation, propaganda, espionage, assassination, arms race, space race, aid to allies, intervention in proxy wars.

Question 3

In what year did the Soviet Union detonate its first hydrogen bomb and begin developing long-range missiles?

Answer 3

1953.

Question 4

In what year did the USA detonate its first hydrogen bomb and start building long-range bomber aircraft?

Answer 4

1952.

Question 5

What was Sputnik, and what year was it launched, signifying the start of the Space Race?

Answer 5

The world’s first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.

Question 6

What significant achievement did the USA accomplish in the Space Race in 1969?

Answer 6

An American astronaut became the first person to walk on the moon.

Question 7

How did the Soviet Union use Progress Publishers as a method of propaganda during the Cold War?

Answer 7

They printed books supporting Soviet ideas in other languages and distributed them in Western countries.

Question 8

What action did the Soviet Union take in 1960 regarding Cuba that heightened tensions with the USA?

Answer 8

They began providing financial and military aid to the new communist government of Cuba, which was opposed to the USA.

Question 8

What was the CIA, and what were its main objectives?

Answer 8

The Central Intelligence Agency, established by the USA for intelligence gathering, espionage, and covert actions to weaken adversaries.

Question 8

What was the KGB, and what were its primary functions?

Answer 8

The Committee for State Security, the Soviet Union’s secret police, responsible for spying, covert operations, and intelligence gathering.

Question 8

What was the Marshall Plan, when was it implemented, and what were its two main goals?

Answer 8

A US initiative in 1948 that provided $16 billion in aid to European countries to help their post-WWII recovery and to prevent the spread of communism in Western Europe.

Question 9

How did the USA and USSR engage in conflict indirectly through proxy wars?

Answer 9

By supporting opposing sides in conflicts in other countries, such as the Vietnam War (USA vs. North Vietnam supported by USSR).

Question 10

Provide examples of how the USA and USSR supported opposing sides in regional conflicts.

Answer 10

The USA supported Israel, while the USSR supported Egypt in Middle East wars; they also backed different factions in the Congo civil war.

Question 11

What actions did the USA take in countries near it that were friendly to the Soviet Union, and what is an example?

Answer 11

The USA used armed force to remove governments, such as in Cuba (Bay of Pigs invasion attempt).

Question 12

What actions did the Soviet Union take in nearby countries to maintain control over supported governments, and what is an example?

Answer 12

The USSR used armed force to suppress rebellions, such as in Hungary (1956).

Question 13

Describe the key characteristics of the USA’s ideological system during the Cold War regarding government and economy.

Answer 13

Democratic government (people vote for leaders) and capitalist economy (private ownership of businesses).

Question 13

Define communism as it was understood during the Cold War.

Answer 13

A belief in a classless society with public ownership of production, often involving a single ruling party and government control over the economy and individual freedoms.

Question 13

Define capitalism as it was understood during the Cold War.

Answer 13

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, free markets, competition, and the pursuit of profit.

Question 13

Describe the key characteristics of the USSR’s ideological system during the Cold War regarding government and economy.

Answer 13

Communist government (often one-party rule) and communist economy (government control of most businesses and farming).

Question 14

Define democracy as it was understood during the Cold War in the context of the Western powers.

Answer 14

A system of government where power derives from the people, who elect their representatives and have a say in political decisions.

Question 15

What was a significant difference in the political systems of the democratic West and the communist East?

Answer 15

The West had multi-party states with open elections, while the East was largely characterized by one-party rule by the Communist Party.

Question 16

How did human rights generally differ between the democratic West and the communist East?

Answer 16

The West generally had more protected individual freedoms (speech, press, religion, travel), though inequalities existed. The East had more restrictions on these freedoms, with government control and suppression of dissent.

Question 17

Describe a key social difference in terms of living standards and wealth distribution between the democratic West and the communist East.

Answer 17

The West generally had a higher average standard of living but greater income inequality. The East had a lower average standard but more equal distribution of resources.

Question 18

Explain the difference in economic ownership between the free market economies of the West and the government-controlled economies of the East.

Answer 18

In the West, private individuals and companies owned most businesses. In the East, the government controlled most major industries and resources.

Question 19

How did the control of media and culture differ between the democratic West and the communist East?

Answer 19

In the West, media was largely privately owned with less government control. In the East, the government owned and strictly censored media and cultural expression.

Question 20

What fundamental aspect of the American economic system caused concern about communism?

Answer 20

Capitalism's emphasis on private wealth and ownership was directly opposed to communism's aim to eliminate these.

Question 21

What historical event during World War I contributed to the Western powers' distrust of the Bolshevik government in Russia?

Answer 21

The Bolsheviks' withdrawal from the war and signing a separate peace treaty with Germany.

Question 22

What agreement in August 1939 between the USSR and Nazi Germany shocked and alarmed the Western powers?

Answer 22

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.

Question 22

What actions by Joseph Stalin in the 1930s fueled Western distrust of the USSR?

Answer 22

His totalitarian control, forced labor, unfair trials, widespread deaths (purges), and elimination of political opponents.

Question 23

What was a core criticism of capitalism from the communist perspective that fueled Soviet distrust of the West?

Answer 23

The belief that capitalism was inherently unfair, allowing the wealthy to exploit the poor.

Question 24

What action did Western powers take after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 that contributed to Soviet distrust?

Answer 24

They supported the "White" army that opposed the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War.

Question 25

What was "appeasement" in the 1930s, and why did Stalin distrust this policy of Britain and France?

Answer 25

Appeasement was the policy of trying to maintain peace with aggressive powers like Nazi Germany. Stalin suspected the West saw the USSR as the greater threat and hoped Germany would attack them.

Question 25

What territorial decision made by the Allied powers after WWI in 1919 angered the Soviets?

Answer 25

The transfer of former Russian land to other countries, such as Poland, at the Paris Peace Conference.

Question 26

What significant wartime conference in Iran in 1943 involved the "Big Three" (Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin)?

Answer 26

The Teheran Conference.

Question 27

What key decision was made at the Teheran Conference regarding the invasion of Germany?

Answer 27

There would be no Anglo-American invasion of Germany through the Balkans, leaving the Soviet Union and Balkan nations to clear Eastern Europe.

Question 28

How did the Teheran Conference influence Stalin's perception of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe?

Answer 28

It reinforced his belief that the West recognized Soviet supremacy and would accept Soviet control there.

Question 29

What wartime conference in Ukraine in February 1945 brought together the "Big Three" to plan the post-war settlement?

Answer 29

The Yalta Conference.

Question 30

Despite outward cordiality, what characterized the atmosphere at the Yalta Conference?

Answer 30

Great tension and underlying disagreements.

Question 31

What key decision was made at Yalta regarding the division of Germany and its capital, Berlin?

Answer 31

Germany was to be divided into four zones of occupation (American, British, French, Soviet), and Berlin, located in the Soviet zone, would also be divided into four zones.

Question 32

What agreement was made at Yalta concerning Poland and future elections?

Answer 32

Stalin promised that free democratic elections would be held in Poland, which was under Soviet occupation with a pro-Soviet government.

Question 32

What was the main point of disagreement regarding Poland at the Yalta Conference?

Answer 32

Stalin wanted the USSR's border to move westward into Poland, which Roosevelt initially opposed but eventually conceded to under pressure from Churchill.

Question 33

What significant change in US leadership occurred between the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, and how did this impact relations with Stalin?

Answer 33

Roosevelt died and was replaced by Harry Truman, who was more anti-Communist and deeply suspicious of Stalin, leading to increased rivalry at Potsdam.