Paper 2A: Superpower Relations and the Cold War Flashcards
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the key differences between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin (3) - 8 points
Roosevelt:
- he compromised for Stalin since he needed protetion from Japan after bombing at Pearl Harbor
- believed in democracy and capitalism which conflicted Stalin
- had negative views on colonisation which conflicted Churchill
Churchill:
- wanted to hinder communist expansion
- valued capitalism
- valued colonisation
Stalin:
- concinced that West wanted to destory communism
- suspicious that USA UK had formed separate alliance
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
State the agreements of the Tehran Conference 1943 and who they benefitted and did not (4)
- USSR would wage war w/Japan - benefitted USA as this was protection
- USSR would acquire East Poland into Sphere of Influence - did not appease UK as they wanted to hinder communist expansion
- USA UK would open 2nd front in invading France but USA delayed this
- To set up UN
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the tensions at the Tehran Conference 1943 (3)
- Since USA delayed 2nd front of France, USSR was suspicious that USA wanted to weaken USSR
- UK was suspicious that USSR troops wouldnt leave after war
- UK was suspicious of USSR since they did nothing to stop Warsaw Uprising
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
State the agreements of the Yalta Conference and who they benefitted and did not (6)
- East Europe = USSR sphere - benefitted USSR since influence and power increased but con to UK as communism was spreading
- Germany to be divided into 4 zones
- Berlin to be divided into 4 zones
- To try Nazis in int courts
- For German colonies to have free elections
- To join the UN
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the tensions at the Yalta Conference (2)
- Stalin wanted extremely high reparations which would cripple Germany but USA UK wanted lower reps to recover Germany
- Stalin wanted Polish border to increase west and a friendly govt but USA UK were suspicious that he’d try to control Poland - tried to persuade for free elections
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
State the agreements of the Potsdam Conference and who they benefitted and did not (4)
- To demilitarise Germany
- To make Germany democratic
- confimed - to trial nazis in int court
- German reparations
- UN set up - vetoe: USA,USSR
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the tensions at the Potsdam Conference (2)
- Stalin still advocated for high reparations but UK USA still refused so USSR thought USA was interfering w/his Sphere
- USA wanted free elections in Eastern Europe but Stalin refused as they were soviet colonies
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the political impacts of the Atomic Bomb of Hiroshima (3)
- USA had stronger bargaining position against USSR
- Western Europe negotiated w/USA instead of USSR
- USSR established buffer states as a result
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the Militial impact of the Atomic Bomb of Hiroshima (1)
USSR drained resources from Sphere countries instead of maintaining the economy becoz of an Arms Race against USA
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Describe the Long Telegram and how it affected relations between the Grand Alliance (3)
- USSR was threat to capitalism but was determined to expand - should be eliminated
- Peace between USA USSR was not possible
- Realtionship deteriorated - suspicion increased
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Describe the Novikov Telegram and how it affected relations between the Grand Alliance (2)
- USA wanted to dominate the world and that they were preparing for war
- suspicion grew
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Describe the Impacts of Chruchills Iron Curtain speech (3)
- emphaised importance of USA UK relations
- implied West Europen opposition towards communism
- worsening relationship
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the factors that led to the Soviet Communist expansion (4)
- Communist stratagem
- Security
- Poland
- % deal
- communist politicians worked with security at elections to rig them and ensure communism stays in power
- they worked in places of authority: police, doctors, lawyers - to arrest and kill opposition w/o suspicion
- prop was used to demonise democacy as fascism
- they worked in coalition govt to purposely undermine govt authority
- created friendly + buffer states to ensure security
- red army intimidated opp
- polish frontier increased in the East (Potsdam deal) which increased sphere of influence
- agreement to split Berlin - USSR would get East Berlin - sphere of influence expansion
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the Truman Doctrine (5)
Policy of Containment:
- Belief that Communism was oppressive and relied on terror
- plan for all wealthy European countries to give aid to shattered economies to increase support for communism
- Britain unable to cope w/aiding Greece in civil war
- USA stepped in w/troops and aid to help countries resisting communist oppression
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the Marshall Plan (4)
$13 billion to help communsit resisting nations
- to qualify, nation had to trade w/USA
- Stalin thought USA was trying to extend influence to Europe and undermine the UNs role to seem like saviour
- Stalin argued it created economic divide by establishing American Empire in Europe ($Imperialism)
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the Impacts of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall plan (3)
- USSR retailiated w/ Cominform & Comecon
- Grand alliance now fully terminated since USA now directly opposed USSR in econ regime battle, increased suspicion
- Europe divided into 2 economic territories
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain Cominform (4)
For Political control: Stalin could ensure direct orders were taken from Moscow & that members were following communism
- He discouraged Trade w/ non-cominform members
- Prop conveyed USA was no different to Nazi Germany
- REJECTED MARHSALL PLAN
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain Comecon (5)
Rtaliation of Marshall Plan:
- Aimed to support member states by arranging trade and agreements between members
- Oraganised 5yr plan to nationalise agriculture and industry
- Organised industrial planning accross all sattelite states
- prompted formation of NATO
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Which key term refers to UK/USA/France joining their Berlin Zones? (1)
Trizonia
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Describe the threats that Trizonia posed on the USSR (3)
- Deutschmark
- Defects
- USSR authority undermined since Trizonia was thriving
- Strenghthened capitalist liberty
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the USSR response to Trizonia (5)
- Berlin Blockade
- Federal Republic VS Democratic Republic
- Warsaw VS NATO
- Stalin blocked all routes to Berlin
- West renamed west germany as Federal Republic, USSR responded by creating Democratic Republic yet it was no recognised as a nation by non-comm nations
- USA responded to Berlin Blockade and threat of Csech becoming a sattelite state by forming NATO (if one nation attacked, all members would aid), USSR responded by creating Warsaw Pact - members only comm states
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the USA response to the Berlin Blockade and its effects on Super Power Relations (2)
- Berlin Airlift
Berlin airlift: 8000 tonnes of supplies per day sent to west berlin
- becoz USA responded peacefully, USSR had no choice but to life blockade so he looked aggressive and authority undermined
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
How _______ become a sattelite state for the USSR?
- Poland
- Czechslovakia
- Hungary
- after Warsaw uprising which Red Army lied about helping, USSR put in place a friendly comm govt
- communists staged a coup at the threat of democracy in Czech and pro-comm govt was set up in their place
- election voters intimidated by communists, so it became a totalitarian state
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Who was Truman’s and Stalin’s successors and what were their beliefs? (2)
Eisenhower - believed in co-op w/USSR
Kruschev - believed in peaceful co-ex
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
How was peaceful co-existence achieved by USSR and what did USA think about this new policy? (3)
- De stalinisation
- Political prisoners set free and Stalins chief of secret police executed
- arms race meant deterring war not preparing
- USA thought de-stal would end cold war but USSR belived it was peaceful comp to gain power
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain 3 causes and events of the Hungarian uprising (6)
- USA funded radio (Radio Free Europe) who dropped leaflets of anti comm propaganda in Hungary
- Rakosi (Hungary president) used terror to control e.g.2000 political opps killed
- Comecon controlled Hugary econ. preventing trade w/west and Marshall aid
- Nagy(USSR appointed president AFTER riots against Rakosi) executed as example for sattelite states
- USSR sent 200,00 troops and 1000 tanks to crush uprising
- Nagy propsed his reforms
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain USSRs response to the Hungarian Uprising and its effects (3)
As 200,000 USSR troops sent in, 80,000 died
Pro comm govt set up w/Kadar as president
- Kruschevs influence increased in Warsaw pact and now was confident to negotiate w/USA as theyd be intimidated
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain Nagy’s reforms following the Hungarian uprising (4)
- re-org of govt to include non-comm parties
- proposal to withdraw from Warsaw pact
- allow free elections
- authored release of political prisoners
Origins of the Cold War 1941-1958:
Explain the USAs response to the Hungarian uprising and its effects
Radio Free Europe used propaganda to influence Hingary riots
USA took in 50,000 refugees but could not provide military aid to mitigate nucleur war
- USA undermined as they could not give military support
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Who was the successor of Eisenhower and what were his beliefs? (2)
Kennedy - hardline capitalist, would not tolerate USSR
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Describe the conditions of divided Germany (2)
- East VS West
- Defects
- West was high income due to aid from the Marshall plan
- East had poor living standards because of Stalin’s 5 year plan to collectivize industrial and agricultural growth in sattelite states so ALL funds from comecon were drained - communism = unpopular
- 3.5 million defects from east
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
What was Kruschev’s Berlin Ultimatum and what were the effects on international relations? (3)
- Berlin should be demilitarised and troops should be withdrawn
- Berlin should be a free city
- USA outraged - they saw this as an attempt to spread sphere of influence
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Outline the events and outcomes of each summit: (4)
- Geneva
- Camp David
- Paris
- Vienna
Geneva: USA, USSR - no outcome
Camp David: Eisenhower, Kruschev - USSR withdrew Berlin Ultimatum, better relations - no outcome
Paris: USSR shot down U2 (USA) spy plane beforehand, USA refuted accusations, USA refused to apologise, Kruschev walked out - worsened relations, no outcome
Vienna: Berlin Ultimatum renewed, Kennedy refused to make negotaitions becoz of this - Kennedy increasd military spending 2bill - no outcome, worsened relations
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Explain the effects of the Berlin wall on Germany (3)
wall physically cut through everything
family separated
west berlin tried to help defects
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Explain the effects of the Berlin wall on USSR (3)
- Kruschev abandoned plan to unite germany
- wall symbolised how communism had to lock people into regime - tainted comm reputation
- Communism seen as threatening, undefeatable
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Explain the effects of the Berlin wall on USA (2) and international relations (3)
- proved that Kruschev was forced to come to terms w/ the extent of capitalist influence
- west became symbol of liberty
- reminded world of iron curtain
- wall represented divide of west/east
- reduced tension of war
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Outline the causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis: (5)
- Cuban Revolution 1959
- USA’s refusal to aid
- Seizing of Cuban land
- USSR deal
- Bay of Pigs
Rev: Pro-USA govt overthrown by Castro - USA concerned about losing connections e.g. trading
Aid: USA refused to aid cuba unless it followed international monetary fund guidelines so Cuba felt they shouldnt co-op
Land: Cuban govt. seized land owned by foreigners, direct lack of co-op w/USA
USSR Deal: Kruschev agreed to buy sugar + give aid so Castro appointed communists to his govt - also secret clause to receive arms
Bay of Pigs: all of the above prompted USA to poorly train 1400 Cuban exiles to stage a coup VS 20,000 soldiers - it failed since USA could not send US forces otherwise people would know it was staged
- failed since many happy w/communist cuba
- outnumbered 1400<20,000
- weak w/o US forces intervention
- USA public humiliation, cut ties w/Cuba BUT USSR communist relations strengthened w/Cuba
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Outline the Cuban Missile Crisis: (2)
- The 13 Days, naval blockade
- USSRs telegram
- Kennedy set up ex-comm (committee of 12 political advisors) where they decided on a naval blockade: ships cannot cross w/o USA permission, USSR ships turned around
- Kruschev sent telegram that he will remove Cuban missiles IF USA promise not to invade and Turkey missiles removed: USA agreed not to invade (compromise)
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Outline the consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis: (3)
- Hotline
- Treaties
- USA vs USSR
- Hotline set up w/direct communication w/ Moscow+Washington
- Test Ban Treaty: banned testing nukes
- Outer Space Treaty: banned nukes in space
- Nucleur non-proliferation Treaty: banned sharing nuke tech
- USA looked diplomatic, popular w/UN
- USSR popularity decreased due to humiliation of Cuba
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Who was the successor of Kruschev and what did he believe (2)
Breznehv: very harsh
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Describe the conditions of Czechslovakia under Soviet rule (4)
- secret police to control
- censored media
- intermediate purges of politicians/miniroties
- econ ran in USSR self interest
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Outline the Prague spring reforms by Dubcek (4)
- free speech allowed
- Czech could travel abroad
- censorship relaxed
- increased trade with the west
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Explain the response from the USSR following the Prague Spring reforms (3)
- 500,000 USSR troops invaded prague
- Breznehv ordered czech army to remain unprovoked
- Dubcek arrested to reverse reforms
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Outline the Brezhnev doctrine (2)
If one communist country was under threat, all other communist countries should intervene to prevent liberlaisation (increased USSRs communist control)
Cold War Crisis 1958-1963:
Describe impact on communist and international relations after USSRs response to the Prague Spring Reforms (4)
- USSRs intervention increased communist control
- French/italian comm parties cut links with Moscow
- East germany supports USSR
- Romania allies w/communist China, dividing communism
- USA keen to critiscise but not take action - undermined - they even called it the ‘rape of czechslovakia’
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Explain USA and USSRs reasons for wanting detente (5)
- USA wanted to end Vietnam war
- USA wanted to address rioting becoz of war
- USSR wanted to increase standard of living
- Both wanted to prevent MAD
- Both wanted less money going to nukes
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Outline the agreements of SALT 1 and its weaknesses (4)
- Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty limited to 100 missiles on 2 sites
- Interim Treaty limited ICBMs + SLBMs
- Basic Principles Agreement set out plan to prevent nucleur war
- did not cover new tech e.g. MIRVS
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe the impacts of SALT 1 on international relations (1)
USA/USSR keen to display good relations
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Outline the Helsinki Accords and its weaknesses (5)
Basket 1: European borders cannot be altered by force
Basket 2: International co-op including trade agreements, joint space mission
Basket 3: Respect for human rights
- USSR wanted recognition of borders, they also did not follow Basket 3
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe the impact of the Helsinki Accords on international relations (1)
partial tension - conflicting interests of East/West
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Outline the agreements that failed at SALT 2 and its weaknesses (4)
- USA/USSR would have equal limit on ICBMS/SLBMs (2400)
- banned testing/deployment of ICBMs
- diplomatic relations broken due to USSR afghan invasion
- arms race escalated when USA developed more nukes
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe the impact of SALT 2 on international relations (1)
increased tension - worsening relations
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Explain why USSR invaded Afghanistan (2)
location near USSR - conevenient increase of sphere
2nd religious minority - threat to communism in USSR
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe USSRs invasion of Afghanistan (4)
- USSR concerned w/ Islamic fundamentalism so they assasinated Amin, replace by Soviet puppet Kamal (USSR justified this since Amin believed to conspire w/USA about terrorists)
- USSR spent 8bill on war
- 1.3bill causalties
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe USAs response to USSRs Afghan invasion
- Carter Doctrine (3)
- Moscow Olympics Boycott & economic sanction (1)
Doctrine: USA prepared to use military should USSR control middle east
-USA withdrew SALT2 - end of detente
-USA imposed economic sanctions on USSR, gave aid to Mujahideen
- 60 nations supported boycott - USSRs communist principles undermined which led to LA Olympics Boycott - only 15 supporters
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Who was Carter’s successor and what were his beliefs (2)
Reagan: believed communism was a form of moral evil
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe the Reagan Doctrine (2)
Policy to support anti-comm governments and also to overthrow comm governments e.g support given to El Salvador - called this ‘a rollback in communist influence’
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe USA’s SDI policy under Reagan and its impacts (2)
- from space, USA could shoot down nukes - crossed terms of Outer Space Treaty
- Triggered an arms race where USSR struggled with funding
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Who was the successor of Breznehv and what did he believe (2)
Gorbachev: perestroika(reconstruction of USSR) and glasnost(openness)
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Describe conditions of USSR during the Breznehv era (3)
- secret police used to maintain control, positioned at sattelite borders to stop uprisings
- no industrial output, depleating economy and low standard of living
- martial law declared polands trade union banned due to the unrest of the public
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Explain Gorbachevs’s new thinking and USAs reponse: (3)
- Perestroika
- Glasnost
Perestroika: reconstruction of USSR
Glasnost: openness
USA response: Reagan relaxed terms of Reagan Doctrine since Gorbachev wanted to co-op w/USA and reform USSR, not increase its sphere
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Explain the summits leading to the end of the arms race: (2)
- Geneva
- Reykjavik
Geneva: good working relations - no outcome
Reykjavik: USA concerned w/ nuclear war after Chernobyl - proposition to phase out nukes if SDI was phased too - no outcome BUT better relations
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Explain the summits leading to the end of the arms race: (3)
- Washington
- Moscow
- Malta
Washington: USSR wanted to decrease arms funding- Intermediate Range Nucleur Force Treaty (INF): abolished all land missiles up to 5000km range
Moscow: USSR announced a decrease in Warsaw pact troops & that troops will be removed from Afghan at UN conference
Malta: marked end of cold war
End of Cold war 1970-1991:
Explain the events that led to the collapse of USSR (4):
- Fall of Berlin Wall (2)
- End of Warsaw Pact (1)
- Sattelite independance (1)
- Gorbachev’s fall from power (4)
- family re-united
- triggered uprisings all over East Europe, USSR did not intervene; symbolic of glasnost
- formally dissolved in 1991
- no longer had to follow orders from Moscow, all sattelites abandoned communism
- Hard line communists blamed Gorbachev for losing control of east europe - they staged a coup against him with the president of the Soviet Republic - undermined authority
- 1990 Baltic states declared independance from USSR
- perestroika and glasnost did not improve econ, w/food shortages and mass poverty
- Gorbachev resigned after leaders of soviet republics joined the commonwealth of independant states
