President Truman:Foreign Policy

Question 1

Name 3 facts about the situation in 1945 (USA)…

Answer 1

-They only lost 400,000 soldiers
-They only lost 6 civilians
-They profited off of the war

Question 2

Name 3 facts about the situation in 1945 (Global)…

Answer 2

-The Soviet Union was damaged the most, losing 20,000,000 total
-The British Empire was shrinking as countries gained independence
-The UK economy was largely damaged and therefore relied on America for help( debt)

Question 3

Why was America able to profit from the war/ post-war?

Answer 3

America was not largely economically or societally damaged and, therefore could assist other countries in need e.g. Beginning production on necessary products, loan money etc.

Question 4

How was the US’ profit from the war good?

Answer 4

It meant that their economy was becoming stronger than others as they had nothing to heal from, only profit. It also confirmed their status as a Superpower country making them a threat to others. It also increased the employment rate in marginalized communities such as Black people and Women.

Question 5

Who was President in 1945?

Answer 5

Roosevelt up to April, then followed by Truman.

Question 6

What happened at the Yalta conference?

Answer 6

Germany was divided into 4 ‘zones’ between France, The USA, The UK, and Russia.

Question 7

What happened at the Potsdam conference?

Answer 7

All decisions from Yalta were confirmed. However, Truman did not inform Stalin of the Atomic Bomb plans and therefore broke the trust between the two.

Question 8

Why was there tension between the USA and USSR?

Answer 8

-The secret development of the atomic bomb
-Opposing political ideologies
-Sovietisation of eastern Europe

Question 9

Why/ how did Cold war tensions increase post 1945?

Answer 9

-Truman’s belittling of the USSR(‘I’m tired of babysitting the Soviets’)
-Stalin speech (Communism and Capitalism are incompatable)
-1946 Churchill declared the Soviets created an ‘Iron Curtain’

Question 10

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 10

Truman’s promise to provide economic and financial aid to any country under threat of Communism, however mainly provided military aid- done to prevent further spread of it.

Question 11

What was the Marshall plan?

Answer 11

Marshall plan is the plan to give $17 Billion to any country needing to rebuild its shattered economy.

Question 12

What was the significance of the Marshall plan?

Answer 12

-It defended Western Europe from the threat of Communism that was beginning to get hold of Eastern Europe
-It also helped solidify the USA’s title as a Superpower as they had the economic stability and finance to be able to support multiple other countries.

Question 13

What was the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 13

The areas of Germany owned by France, The UK, and the USA joined together. This broke trust between them and the Soviets. Therefore, Stalin decided to block anyone from entering Berlin in order to starve the people until they joined sides with communism.

Question 14

Why wasn’t this a problem for The USA?

Answer 14

The US army could still fly into Berlin, therefore, they would fly supplies into Berlin daily to keep the people alive and on side with the Allies.

Question 15

How many supplies did they bring to the people of Berlin?

Answer 15

They brought 1.5 Million Tons of supplies in 270,000 flights. This was all within under a year.

Question 16

What is NATO?

Answer 16

NATO is a collective of countries allied against Russia stating that if Russia attacked any of said countries they would have NATO to help. It aimed to stop Communism and to keep peace between nations.

Question 17

Why is 1949 referred to as the ‘year of fear’ for the Americans?

Answer 17

Russia now had an atomic bomb meaning the Americans had a spy leaking their plans to the Soviets.
Also, China fell to communism, showing that the Truman Doctrine was failing.

Question 18

What was the Korean war?

Answer 18

After WW2 the country was split into 2 (North and South), and given to the Soviets and Americans. The Soviets(North) crossed the boarder(38 parallel) breaking agreements and leading to war.

Question 19

Name 2 reasons why the Korean war was a success for the USA…

Answer 19

-South Korea was saved.
-Communism was contained and removed with ease by US military.

Question 20

Name 2 reasons why the Korean was was a failure for the USA…

Answer 20

-14% of the USA’s economy was spent.
-The Americans also crossed the 38 parallel in retaliation.
-138,000 American soldiers died.

Question 21

How is America significant to Israel?

Answer 21

-The USA was the first to recognize Israel as a state.
-However, this jeopardized their relationship with Arab countries and cost their oil access.