Red Flashcards
When was Cominform created?
September 1947
What was Cominform?
A coordination of communist parties in Europe.
Why did Stalin create Cominform?
He did it in response to the Marshall Plan as he believed it posed a threat to the USSR and he believed that the US were creating an anti-soviet global alliance. So, he wanted to strengthen the USSR’s infleunce in Eastern Europe under Warsaw’s rule to become a united whole.
Stalin’s belief in 1947 about capitalists
Believed they would all collapse due to competition.
Andrei Zhdahov
Creates a doctrine that discussed how Europe was now in 2 camps - relating to Cominform.
What did Dulles say in July 1945 relating to Europe?
Threatened that the rest of the situation in Europe mirrored the rest of the world so the US needed to do something about it.
Who was Clayton and what did he say in 1947 relating to Europe?
The under-secretary of state - said that if the US did not aid Britain and Europe, they would deteriorate massively on a regional scale.
What was the US’ route into Europe?
US and Britain’s ‘“special relationship”
What was the focus of Us strategic planning in Europe in 1947?
Focused on ensuring economic recovery after WW2 promoting unity within Europe which would lead to a stable bloc of pro-US states
US support of Britain (1945-48)
Contributed to Britain’s security. However, Britain didn’t want to have to depend on the US, they wanted mutual support.
What was the Soviet Zone like in Germany?
- 4 political parties (KPD, SPD, LDPD & CDU) but the Soviet intention was that Communists would be the dominant group but this did not happen.
- Newly formed party - German Socialist Unity Party (SED)
- Stalin was able to dominate politics in Soviet Zone but not the whole of Germany
- policies: land reform, nationalisation of large industrial production and compulsory tuition of Russian in schools
What was the British Zone like in Germany?
- included Ruhr industrial area (France and USSR were trying to control)
- large population (22.5 mill.) meant it was costly to feed - depended on US
What was the US zone like in Germany?
- free elections
- USA regarded it as the basis for a future national structure based on federalism
When was the FRG created?
1949
Who was the first leader of the FRG?
Konrad Adenauer
How did the USSR feel about the division of Germany?
Initially reluctant as they wanted to create a pro-Soviet united Germany but then created their own East German State (GDR) in late 1949 with the one-party state system with SED as the party.
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
When was NATO formed?
1949
What was the purpose of NATO?
- a means of reassuring Western European states in the face of possible Soviet military aggression
- complemented containment
- political defence system rather than military organisation
- ‘to settle any international disputes…by peaceful means.’
- ‘eliminate conflict’
Why did the US decide to form NATO?
Due to:
- the communist government around Eastern Europe
- the Berlin Blockade
- China becoming communist in 1949
What was the Soviet response to NATO?
- believed it was an aggressive organisation designed to pressurise states into complying with the interests of the West
- they emphasised how they did not intend to attack any European state
What was Japan’s ‘reverse course’?
The US were not focused on punishing Japan and instead wanted to develop democratic institutions and practices which would lead to economic construction and therefore political stability
When was Japan’s ‘reverse course’ introduced?
1947
What was the US’ undisguised strategy in Japan (1947)?
Ensuring Japan remained aligned to US and less vulnerable to communist influences as Japan’s recovery was seen as an essential element of the US’ power base in eastern Asia.
How did the US help Japan receive economic stabilisation?
- increased regulation of foreign exchange
- a balanced budget
- stricter lending criteria
- wage controls
- a more efficient tax system
- price controls (stops prices going too high)
- increased regulation of trade
What was Japan’s ‘super balanced budget’?
- created by Detroit banker Joseph Dodge
- a target of of a surplus 157 million yen
- it initially led to increased unemployment due to business closures
What was GATT in Japan?
- Japan wanted to become an active member to Western institutions
- US demanded they join GAAT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - created by UN to maximise international trade)
- strengthened their access to Western trade and prevented trade with China
When was the Sino-Soviet military alliance formed?
1950
When was the San Francisco Peace Treaty signed?
1951
What was the San Francisco Peace Treaty?
A treaty between Japan and the Allied Powers
Signed by 48 different countries.
What did the San Francisco Peace Treaty not do?
- significantly restrict Japan’s economy
- significantly restrict Japan’s future political model
- identify Japan’s responsibility for the war
- restrict Japan’s future rearmament
- impose reparations on previously Japanese-occupied states
What did the San Francisco Peace Treaty do?
- recognise full sovereignty of Japanese people
- force Japan to renounce all claims of wide range of neighbouring countries e.g. Korea and Taiwan
When was the US-Japan Security Treaty introduced?
1951
What were the benefits of the US-Japan Security Treaty for the USA?
- unrestricted use of military bases in Japan
- the right to use military force to intervene in internal disorder in Japan
- the right to veto Japan offering military bases to other states
What did MacArthur order in terms of Japan’s rearmament?
A National Police Reserve of 75,000 men - for defensive purposes - who would be trained by US military advisors
Enlargement of Japanese forces (stats)
1952
110,000 ground troops
7600 men in the navy
Known as the National Safety Agency
Problems with Japan’s rearmament
Created instability due to pro and anti-rearmament issues
Why were Japan so important to the US?
It was US’ entry point into Asia
When did the CCP announce its allegiance to USSR?
1949 - after the communists had won in the Chinese Civil War
Did the US intervene in the Chinese Civil War?
No. They were more interested in Europe than Asia.
When was the Chinese Civil War?
1927-49
USA’s support of Taiwan
A means to an end in order to undermine the CCP
Who introduced the Defensive Perimeter Strategy?
Dean Acheson
When was the Defensive Perimeter Strategy introduced?
1950
What was the Defensive Perimeter Strategy?
A military defence ranging from Japan to the Philippines to the Aleutian Islands to build a ‘wall’ against Communism in Asia.
When and why did the US’ nuclear monopoly end?
1949 - USSR tested their first atomic bomb
Why is the HQ of the UN significant?
It is in New York which allows the US to be dominant in the UN since it was first established.
The USSR within the UN
Since the US insisted that communist mainland China could not take China’s seat in the UN (it would be occupied by Taiwan) and there was only one EE state who joined in 1945 (Poland), the USSR had few allies in the UN.
Therefore, were unable to dominate unlike the US.
Who were the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council?
USA, Britain, France, China and the USSR
Who used 75 vetos in the UN between 1946-55?
The USSR
What was Truman’s national security policy?
The US should keep sufficient influence in Western Europe and create a collective Western defensive strategy
The US must retain influence in Asia
The US must have a strong nuclear arms collection and conventional forces to counteract soviet potential aggression
THESE CARRIED OVER ONTO EISENHOWER
When was SEATO signed?
1954
Who were some of the members of SEATO?
Britain🇬🇧, US🇺🇸, France🇫🇷, Australia🇦🇺, Pakistan🇵🇰
What is SEATO?
South East Asia Collective Defence Treaty
What was the SEATO agreement?
Signatories pledged against violence towards any other signatory
Why was SEATO created?
1953 - USSR pledged to give China defence technology and Khrushchev visited China which strengthened the relationship
When did the FRG joined NATO?
1955
When did the FRG join the Council of Europe?
1949
When was the full sovereignty of West Germany recognised?
1955
When was the Warsaw Pact signed?
1955
Who were the signatories of the Warsaw Pact?
USSR, East Germany 🇩🇪, Albania 🇦🇱, Romania 🇷🇴, Hungary 🇭🇺, Czechoslovakia 🇨🇿
What was the Warsaw Pact agreement?
Non-threatening collective security agreement
Signatories agreed to aid other signatories under attack and put their armed forces under joint control.
Was the Warsaw Pact a direct counter against NATO?
Yes. The USSR believed it was a way to legitimise Soviet influence in Europe as the US had done with Western Europe.
Why was the Warsaw Pact created?
West Germany had joined NATO and so the USSR immediately recognised the full sovereignty of East Germany and decided they had to consolidate power in satellite states
When was NSC-68 introduced?
1950
What did the NSC-68 say?
Stressed the importance of building up the political, economic and military power of the US and that the soviet threat would be increased with the addition of nuclear weapons so the US should combat this by increasing their own nuclear arms production.
Ruled out a return to isolationism and any nuclear attacks on the USSR
Why was NSC-68 created?
After the US nuclear monopoly ended and China was lost to the communists, Acheson ordered a review of the US’ objectives and priorities.
When was the Korean War?
1950-53
How were the USA involved in the Korean War?
They believed that Stalin had encouraged Kim Il Sung to declare war to destabilise Asia and so the USA wanted to contain communism in Asia and make sure South Korea was strong enough.
How were the USSR involved in the Korean War?
1949 - hesitant at first as they wanted to avoid conflict with the USA (refused Kim Il Sung’s plea)
1950 - sent materials but was unwilling to send troops as he knew US were far more superior
- believed it would put pressure on japan to turn communist and promote himself as a leader of communism
How were China involved in the Korean War?
Initially, more interested in consolidating own power in China but then US forces moved closer to the North Korea-China border so they decided to get involved.
He also saw it was a way to enhance his power and reputation as a communist leader (like Stalin)
What were the causes of the Korean War?
- North Korea, China and USSR all wanted Korea to be communist
- ideological differences between the North and the South
- Kim Il Sung & Syngman Rhee wanted reunification but under their own regime
When did North and South Korea create their own states (Democratic Republic of Korea & Republic of Korea)?
1948
What was the impact of the Korean War?
- 2.8 million people died
- long term security for Korea and Taiwan
When was Korea divided into 2 zones?
1945 - Potsdam Conference
What is the line dividing Korea?
The 38th Parallel
When was the Geneva Conference?
1954
What was agreed at the Geneva Conference?
- Nationalist forces would move out of South Vietnam
- French forces would move out of North Vietnam
- Vietnam would be split along the 17th Parallel
What was the purpose of the Geneva Conference?
Acted as a ceasefire (not a long term solution)
By 1954, what percentage of war costs were the US paying in the First Indochina War?
75%
When was JFK elected?
1961
What was Khrushchev’s ‘peaceful coexistence’ policy?
- Germany was prevented from rearming
- tensions were to be diffused with diplomacy rather than aggression
- satellite states must be kept under soviet control
- USSR must remain face of socialist community
- reduced spending on military security
When and why did Khrushchev introduce his ‘peaceful coexistence’ policy?
- 1956: 20th congress of the Communist Party
- Here, Khrushchev abandoned the traditional Marxist-Leninist view that there would be a war between socialism and capitalism and claimed that communism was so powerful that war was not necessary
- wanted to spend more money on domestic development
How did JFK initially place a strain on peaceful coexistence?
- reactivated ships that were to be scrapped
- increased defense budget
- favored expansion of nuclear missiles and to build up NATO forces
- in his inauguration speech, he said he would do anything to support freedom and liberty (reaffirming Truman Doctrine/containment)
When did Stalin die?
1953
When did Khrushchev become leader of the USSR?
1956
When was the Austrian State Treaty introduced?
1955
Why was the Austrian State Treaty introduced?
Austria had been divided into 4 zones of occupation in 1945 which had the potential to be as bad as Germany and the USSR wanted to negotiate on the future of Austria.
What was the impact of the Austrian State Treaty?
- withdrawal of occupying powers
- Austria was now a neutral state and could not join the Soviet sphere of influence
- showed serious intent towards mutual cooperation (removed major potential conflict)
When was the Paris Summit?
1960
Why was the Paris Summit called?
Khrushchev wanted a deal for Berlin and the prohibiting of nuclear weapons (which was unlikely due to China’s arsenal being near completion).
When was Camp David?
1959
What happened at Camp David?
- Discussed several issues including disarmament and the situation in Berlin
- Agreed to use diplomacy when settling international disputes
Impact of Camp David
- Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the USA
- Reaffirmed Khrushchev’s faith in peaceful coexistence
- Caused deterioration in Sino-Soviet relations
Why was the Paris Summit a failure?
It collapsed 13 days before it started with the U2 spy plane incident where an American U2 spy plane was shot down over the USSR.
Eisenhower refused to apologise for this at the summit and so Khrushchev went home.
When was the Geneva Summit?
1955
Who were the members of the Geneva Summit?
Britain, France, USA, USSR
Why did the Geneva Summit happen?
- West Germany became a member of NATO - Soviets weren’t happy
- Khrushchev needed a less confrontational relationship with the US to achieve compliance in Eastern Europe
What was proposed at the Geneva Summit?
- A united Germany
- Open Skies proposal
What was the Open Skies Proposal?
- proposed by Eisenhower
- USA and USSR were to exchange maps indicating the locations of their military installations which would ensure that both states were in line with arms control agreements
- would bring closer to disarmament
When was Sputnik produced?
1957
What was Sputnik?
The first ever satellite to orbit the earth and a victory for the USSR.
Effect of Sputnik on the US
It frightened the US as they believed that the USSR would use this technology for launching nuclear missiles.
Democrats were accusing the Eisenhower administration of allowing the USSR to overtake in space technology.
US response to Sputnik
Tried to create their own space satellite but the US Navy’s Vanguard rocket crashed on its takeoff and was named ‘flopnik’.
By 1958, the government had authorised $1 billion to technological development in space.
What was the space race?
A competition between the USA and the USSR to prove their superiority as the ability to build a satellite would give the country an advantage in the arms race.
Who led the Soviet space program?
Korolev
When and what was Luna 2?
1959
The first space craft to hit the moon (created by the Soviets)]]
When was the first manned satellite to orbit the earth launched?
1961
Who launched the first manned satellite to orbit the earth?
The Soviet space program
Who was in the first manned satellite to orbit the earth?
Yuri Gagarin (Soviet cosmonaut)
What does NASA stand for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Why was NASA created?
All US leaders believed that control of space would lead to better security
When was NASA created?
1958
What was the space race like for the US in 1962?
The US had caught up to the Soviets and had launched 63 successful space missions (USSR had launched 15)
Who was John Glenn?
The first American to orbit the earth in 1962
1967 - US in space race
A rocket caught fire and 3 men died which was a set back for Project Apollo
Apollo 8
1968
First manned space mission to orbit the moon
USA
Apollo 11
1969
First lunar landing attempt, Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon
USA
What were Kennedy’s foreign policies for Indochina?
- US’ non-nuclear capabilities should be expanded (reduce the threat of nuclear war)
- backed counterinsurgency measures
- flexible response (would end constraints of Eisenhower’s massive retaliation approach)
When was the NLF formed?
1960
What does NLF stand for?
National Liberation Front
Who was the leader of the NLF?
Tho
