Propaganda and 1953 Berlin Uprising Flashcards
What was NSC-68 and who wrote it?
NSC-68 was written in response to USSR testing atom bomb in August 1649. Paul Nitze placed in charge of Policy Planning Staff and was to write NSC-68 to examine US strategy in preparation of producing a hydrogen bomb to ward off advancement of Communism in Vietnam and create peace with Japan in 1649.
What did NSC-68 argue?
Kremlin would use growing power to neutralise the US’s diplomatic initiatives such as creating peace with Japan, integrating FRG into NATO, preserving middle east stability, and preventing communism from spreading to Southeast Asia. US needed military power to contain.W
What was distinctive about NSC-68?
The US needed to have superior arms and aim for rearmament in order to deter the USSR from employing its atomic weapons so the US could accomplish peace.
What was Truman’s approach to NSC-68?
Truman embraced plan in May 1950 but didn’t mention cost as Senator Joseph McCarthy already criticised him for allowing China to fall, but Truman felt China would add little economic material to Soviet strength.
What were key propaganda successes for the US?
Set Amerika Hauser in Germany. Culture was subsidised as warfare. Left wingers and right wing critics condemned use of American culture in Europe. Their American National exhibition in Moscow, 1959, attracted much more visitors.
What were actions of CIA and USIA and what criticisms did they face?
The CIA established Radio Free Europe to reach out to exiles but efforts uncoordinated. Voice of America carried popular music and USIA sponsored jazz tours to reach out to Africa. In East US had to overcome ideas of capitalist greed. Associated Press were opposition to Voice of America.
What were early USSR propaganda methods?
Bolshoi Theatre and tours. USSR boasted cultural superiority. Set International Book Company in 1923 and VOKS to control propaganda, 1925.
What were Khrushchev’s attempts at USSR propaganda?
.In 1961 Novosti extended news across the world. Helped establish Radio Peace and Progress with Soviet writers and composers – independent of government. The USSR used sophisticated films, ballet performances, and literature to create a positive image. Sympathised with nationalist countries in developing world.
What were the 1952 Slansky Trial and Doctor Plot of 1953?
1952 Slansky trial, of 14 defendants, 11 were Jewish. However, 3 remaining Jewish.
Doctor Plot 1953 – Stalin ordered arrest of Zionist terrorist gang, 9 doctors, 6 Jewish, at Kremlin polyclinic. Plot including killing key Soviet leaders such as Zhdanov revealed in news. Trial to round up Jews and send them to Soviet Far East, Stalin’s death ended trial.
How were Soviet leaders idolised?
Matyas Rakosi was idolised as the father of socialism in Hungary with popular images across schools, factories, and military offices and days of celebration such as 4 April Day of Liberation. But Stalin’s cult went above and beyond, deified. Idolisation of Ceausescu in Romania resisted destalination.
What was announced at the Second Party Conference 1952?
Second Party Conference 9-12 July 1952, ‘accelerated construction of socialism.’ – Ulbricht. Farmers and businessmen made to join agricultural cooperatives while increased production of heavy industry – decline in consumer goods.
How were people persecuted in Germany for crime?
New persecution for petty crimes, prison population rose from 45,000 in 1952 to 66,000 by May 1953.
What were reactions to Ulbricht’s reform?
Moscow steered clear of this decision. Changes popular amongst veterans who saw Nazi rise. Artists made to be in lines of socialist realism and Junge Gemeinde, evangelical youth group, banned. Many considered moving West.
What measures were implemented in East Germany 1953?
9 April 1953 – price rises and withdrawal of food subsidies for 2 million. 28 May – work norms rise 10%. Supposed to improve conditions.
What was the New Course 1953?
On 9 June Grotewohl and Ulbricht made to sign New Course at Moscow for it’s promised commitment to GDR. Encouraged return of landowners, end of religious discrimination, ease of transport, reversal of April actions. People feared return of criminals and redistribution of ration cards leading to shortage.
