Origins of the cold war 1941-58: The Cold War Develops Flashcards
Truman’s concerns about Communism in Europe
- Europe devastated after war
- Many countries had a people with no money, jobs, nor hope
- Communism was attractive to these people, especially in France and Italy: It made sure everyone had enough
- Many in Eastern Europe liberated from Nazi rule by Soviets
- Countries like Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria had communist governments forced on them Truman feared this happening elsewhere
- Some governments too poor to combat communist revolutions
- If Greece and Turkey became communist then other countries across Europe and Middle East would follow. Known as the domino theory.
Truman Doctrine
1947
In a speech Truman set out why US should get involved:
* Countries faced choice between capitalism and communism
* Communism bad due to lack of freedom
* USA must contain communism
* USA should provide money and troops to help free governments combat communist takeovers
The Marshall Plan
1947
* About $13 billion from USA to rebuild Europe
* Communism appealed to those with nothing, this gives people a stake in capitalist system
* Countries must trade with USA to get money
* 16 Western European countries took money among Britain, France, and West Germany
* USSR criticised Marshall plan because it threatened communist control of Eastern Europe
Cominform
Set up 1947 stood for Communist Information Bureau. Organised all communist parties putting them under Moscow.
* Got rid of any opposition to Soviet Union’s control in satellite states
* Encouraged communist parties in West to block Marshall Plan Assistance
Comecon
Set up 1949. stood for Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. Soviet alternative to Marshall Plan
* Built up trade links between Comecon countries
* Prevented Comecon countries signing up to Marshall plan
* Comecon included: USSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Albania, and from 1950 German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Consequences of Cominform, Comecon, and Marshall plan
- Western Europe in one camp. Linked to USA through Marshall plan and US policy of containing communism
- Eastern Europe in one camp. Tied to USSR as satellite states and believed socialist revolution would spread worldwide.
- Europe now in two spheres of influence with the line dividing the East and West known as the iron curtain
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
- NATO set up 1949. military alliance of US, UK, Canada, Holland, Belgium, France, Denmark, and Norway. West Germany joined 1955.
- Military alliance based on collective security, one country attacked others had to asssist.
- directed against a possible miltary attack from USSR on Western Europe.
Significance of NATO
- showed that after Berlin blockade and Soviet development of atomic bomb, neither US nor Western Europe accepting Soviet aggression
- USSR turned tp strenghthening control over Eastern Europe resulting in formation of Warsaw pact 1955
- 2 military alliances NATO and Warsaw Pact facing each other over iron curtain.
How US wanted Germany
US wanted a united, capitalist Germany it could trade with to help prevent the spread of communism
How USSR wanted Germany
USSR wanted Germany weak, communist and divided so it couldn’t attack USSR again
Bizonia and Western Germany
- Made sense for UK and US zones to merge to help administration. Area called bizonia and included in Marshall plan. Later French zone joined to create western Germany
- Not popular with USSR, Stalin not consulted, considered against Potsdam agreements. Suspected US aiming to permanently divide richer west Germany from poorer east Germany.
Eastern Germany and the Berlin Blockade
- USSR had 1.5 million troops in its zone, whereas West had sent most home
- East Germany grew almost all food West Germany ate
- Berlin deep in soviet Germany and divided into the same 4 zones
- June 1948 USSR closed all road, rail, and canal links into West Berlinto forec Western troops out
- USSR blocked all supplies into Berlin to show its power
The Berlin airlift
AKA Operation Vittles. West Berlin couldn’t last long without supplies. looked like West would have to return. Would look weak undermining USA image particularly. Western powers responded with airlift, 26 June 1948- 30 September 1949 thousands of tons flown daily into Berlin.
Effect of Berlin airlift on West Germany
- Made USA appear peaceful and generous
- September 1949, West Germnay (FRG) officially formed with US support
- April 1949, Western European countries and USA form NATO to counter Soviet miltary threat
Effect of Berlin Airlift on East Germany
- made USSR appear agressive and threatening
- October 1949, East Germany (GDR) officially formed
- May 1955 USSR fomed Warsaw Pact to counter NATO
