Reasons For The Cold War Flashcards
What was the Cold War?
A period of political tension and military rivalry between the USA (capitalist) and USSR (communist) from 1945 to 1991, without direct war between them.
What were the ideological differences between the USA and USSR?
USA was capitalist and democratic; USSR was communist and a one-party state.
What was agreed at the Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)?
Germany to be divided; USSR to join war against Japan; free elections in Eastern Europe; UN to be set up.
What changed by the Potsdam Conference (July 1945)?
Truman replaced Roosevelt (more anti-communist); USA had tested the atomic bomb; disagreement over Poland.
How did the atomic bomb increase tension?
USA’s use of the bomb in 1945 created fear and an arms race with the USSR, which developed its own bomb by 1949.
What was the Iron Curtain speech?
Winston Churchill’s 1946 speech claiming an ‘Iron Curtain’ had descended across Europe, dividing East and West.
What was the Long Telegram (1946)?
A message from US diplomat Kennan saying USSR was expansionist and must be contained.
What was the Novikov Telegram (1946)?
A Soviet response accusing the USA of trying to dominate the world and preparing for war.
What was the Truman Doctrine (1947)?
USA’s policy to support countries resisting communism; marked the start of containment.
What was the Marshall Plan (1947)?
USA gave $13 billion in aid to rebuild Europe and stop spread of communism.
What was Cominform (1947)?
A Soviet organisation to control Eastern European governments and spread communism.
What was Comecon (1949)?
Soviet economic aid organisation set up to rival Marshall Aid and control Eastern Europe.
Why did the USSR create satellite states?
To create a buffer zone against invasion and spread communism in Eastern Europe.
