Origins of the cold war 1941-58: Early Tension

Question 1

The Grand Alliance

Answer 1

A ‘marraige of convenience’ where the three countries worked to destroy Nazi Germany
* Britain- democracy led by Churchill, been at war with Germany since 1939
* USA- democracy led by Roosevelt, been at war with Geramny and Japan since December 1941
* Soviet Union- communist one party state led by Stalin, been at war with Germany since 1941

Question 2

The Tehran Conference

Answer 2

November-December 1943 between Roosevelt, Churchill, & Stalin
* USA & UK agree to open second front invading Nazi occupied Europe
* USSR to declare war on Japan after Germany defeated
* Boundaries of Poland moved westward; Poland gains territory from Germany and lose from USSR
* Agreed intenational body to be set up to settle future disputes, sets scene for United Nations

Question 3

The Yalta Conference

Answer 3

February 1945 between Roosevelt, Churchill, & Stalin
Once Germany was defeated:
* Germany to be reduced in size, divided, demilitarised, and foreced to pay reperations
* Europe to be rebuilt along lines of Atlantic charter. Countries to be democratic
* UN to be set up
* USSR to declare war on Japan
* Poland to be in soviet sphere of influence but to be democratic

Question 4

The Potsdam Conference

Answer 4

July-August 1945 (After WWII) Between Truman, Churchill then Attlee, & Stalin
* Council of Foreign Ministers set up organsing rebuilding of Europe
* Nazi party banned and war criminals to be prosecuted
* Germany reduced in size and split into 4 zones run by UK, France, USA, and USSR.
* Berlin divided into similar zones
* USSR to receive 25% output from other zones (They got worst region)

Question 5

Outcomes of the three conferences

Answer 5

While the big three were able to work together to defeat Germany (surrendered May 1945) tension was growing between them. Differences emerging over future of Germany & Eastern Europe. Roosevelt was replaced with Truman distrustful of USSR.

Question 6

The End of the Grand Alliance

Answer 6

Events increased tension between Superpowers and start of cold war:
* USA dropped atomic bombs on Japan August 1945 giving US huge military advantage
* Roosevelt prepared to work with USSR but died April 1945, replaced with Truman who distrusted USSR after breaking promises about Poland. Alos felt he could push Stalin around due to atomic bomb at potsdam conference
* Stalin disliked attempt at pushing him around
* Britain economically exhausted after war so couldn’t stand against USSR, just ally of USA. Cold War therefore only between USA & USSR

Question 7

Ideology

Answer 7

Set of political ideas about how society should be run- key to cold war. USA & USSR had oppsoing ideologies

Question 8

USA, UK and other capitalist countries’ ideologies

Answer 8

Said communism enslaved people to state. Capitalism based on freedom and democracy:
* Everyone free to make money for themselves
* Individuals better at deciding what to make/sell than state
* Trade between countries makes everyonr richer

Question 9

USSR and other soviet countries’ Ideologies

Answer 9

Said capitalism exploited worker to make rich richer. Communism based on fairness:
* Capitalism only makes some rich through exploitation of everyone else
* Individuals not as strong as everyone working together for same aim
* State should run economy to benefit everyone

Question 10

The Long Telegram

Answer 10

1946
Secret report from US ambassador Kennan in Moscow to Truman said:
* USSR saw capitalism as a threat to communism and wished it destroyed
* USSR building military power
* peace was impossible

Question 11

Novikov’s Telegram

Answer 11

1946
Report from Novikov, Soviet ambassador to USA, told Stalin:
* USA wanted world domination and building miltary
* USSR only country left that could stand against USA
* USA preparing for war with USSR

Question 12

Communism and ‘Free elections’ in Satellite states

Answer 12

1947-1949, Soviet union expanded sphere of influence to neighbouring countries.
* At Yalta and Potsdam conferences USSR agreed to free elections in countries in sphere of influence
* However, Elections were fixed amking sure communist party won, non-communists removed from government
* Once in control, communists shut down opposition parties and each country became single-party state.
* Fixing elections and then shutting down opposition parties known as ‘salami tactics’

Question 13

Bulgaria -becoming communist

Answer 13

Communist government elected in 1945, all elected non-communists executed

Question 14

Romania -becoming communist

Answer 14

Communist-led coalition took power. However 1947 communists took over and Romania became a one-party state

Question 15

Poland -becoming communist

Answer 15

At Yalta Stalin promised a joint communist/non-communist government. He invited 16 non-communist leaders to Moscow and arrested them. Thousands of non-communists arrested. Communists ‘won’ 1947 election

Question 16

Hungary -becoming communist

Answer 16

Communists lost 1945 election but communist leader Rakosi took control of secret poluce, executed and imprisoned opponents turning Hungary into a communist state.

Question 17

Czechoslovakia -becoming communist

Answer 17

Edward Benes set up coalition government. However communists retained control of army, radio and secret police. 1948 seized power turning country into communist state.

Question 18

East Germany -becoming communist

Answer 18

Original soviet zone of occupation in Germany, became a communist state October 1949.

Question 19

Impact of soviet occupation of Eastern Europe on superpower relations

Answer 19

• USA saw Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe as a betrayal of Yalta agreement (Stalin promised democracy in Eastern Europe)
• Seen as evidence of soviet expansion: Eastern Europe simply a stepping stone
• USA determined to contain communism through military and economic assistance: Truman doctrine and Marshall plan
• Soviet union argued Eastern Europe is a buffer zone from attack from West. US response seen as unreasonable.