Origins Of The Cold War 1945-55 Flashcards
What was discussed in the Potsdam Conference?
Discussed how zones would be governed. The USSR who received the most damage from the war, was allowed to take reparations in the form of equipments and materials. Reparations were to be extracted from the zone and that the Allies were going to contribute an additional 10% to the USSR.
What were the consequences of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Increased tension between the USSR and the USA. It was a betrayal of trust for the USSR. More global power for the USA. By 1949, the USSR developed its own atom bomb, began Cold War due to MAD.
Describe the iron curtain
Stalin’s takeover in Albania, Bulgaria and Poland 1945 and Hungary and Romania 1947. Aim was to takeover whole of Europe. Politicians takeover of the control of the police, army and radio stations. Arrested and murdered oppositions, held rigged elections and used Soviet force. Curtain not only represented the physical division but also the political and economic division
What was decided in the Yalta conference?
Germany was to be divided into 4 war zones. Britain, France, the USA and the USSR would each occupy a zone.
Since Berlin, the capital city lay into the Soviet zone, it was also divided into 4 allied sectors
Although Stalin had influence over Eastern Europe, countries would be given free elections.
Germany should pay reparations
Describe Stalin’s takeover of 3 other European countries
Bulgaria - a left wing coalition gained power in 1945. Communists executed leaders of all other parties.
Romania - a left wing coalition that was elected in 1945. By 1947 communists had taken full control
Hungary - a communist government elected in 1945. Leader, Rakosi used secret police to remove opposition in 1947.
What are the ideological differences between capitalism and communism?
Capitalism - democratic, governments came to power through free elections. Industry and agriculture were in private ownership and was run for profit.
Communism - a one party communist state. No free elections, state owned and controlled of the country’s industry and agriculture.
Describe Truman’s doctrine and it’s purpose as well as the situation in Greece and Turkey
Truman doctrine - USA assistance to any nation threatened by communism. Duty to protect democratic countries under threat as countries of Eastern Europe were forced into communism
Greece and Turkey - Britain was no longer able to offer the Greek government military support against communist rebels. USA donate $400 million of aid to both countries. Money helped the Greek government defeat the communists.
Describe the effect of the Marshall Plan and it’s response.
Marshall plan was used to help Europe’s economy recover as quick as possible. Strong economy could resist communist oppression. Set up a fund of $15 billion, nations asked USA for help including wartime alliances such as Britain and former enemies g.g. West Germany. Aid arrived in form of goods, machinery and fertilisers. Between 1948, 1950 Europe’s industrial production rose by 25%
Communist response - further increase of divisions in Europe, Stalin denounced aid as ‘dollar imperialism’. Lead to creation of Cominform ( spread communist, and to protect communist states from US aggression) and Comecon (linked communist countries)
Describe the situation in Yugoslavia with general Tito
Cominform was ordered to expel Tito in 1948 because Tito would not give in to Stalin’s wishes. Action suggested to the West that Stalin wanted complete control of the communist worked and would allow no opposition at all.
Describe the situations that triggered the Berlin blockade and airlift 1948-49
1947 Bizonia, USA and Britain had joined their zones together to further aid recovery. A few months later, the French zone joined them to form Trizonia.
Stalin viewed these as a betrayal of the Potsdam conference, became increasingly suspicious of Western motives.
On 23 June the USA and Britain introduced a new currency, the Deutschmark, into Bizonia. Greatly improved west Germany’s economy causing an economic crisis in the Eastern zone. Stalin decided to close all roads, canals and railways that led from the West into West Berlin
Describe the Berlin airlift
1945 allies were allowed an air corridor, corridors lead from Allied zones in West Germany into West Berlin 600 tonnes of fuel, food and other supplies were reaching West Berlin every day. However they needed 4000 tonnes every day. By September supplies has increased to 8000 tonnes a day. USSR dared not to shoot down the planes because it would trigger a war, Russia was unprepared to go to war.
Describe the results of the Berlin crisis
79 British and American pilots were killed in accidents. Ended resentment between the USA and its former enemy, Germany. Dashed all hopes for a united Germany, western zones were named Federal Public of Germany.
