Rising Tensions in the Cold War - Actions of the USSR in Eastern Europe Flashcards
What was the Cold War?
The Cold War was a state of hostility that existed between the USSR and the USA in the second half of the 20th century.
What is the definition of a cold war?
A cold war is a conflict in which there is no direct fighting between the two sides. It is fought through economic and political actions.
When was the Cold War?
The Cold War lasted from 1945 to 1991.
Who was involved in the Cold War?
The Cold War was between the USA and its allies, and the Soviet Union, its satellite states and its allies.
What created tension between the Soviet Union and the USA at the beginning of the Cold War?
The ideological differences between the superpowers created tension between them. The Soviet Union supported communism, whereas the USA and Britain were capitalist countries.
What were the different ideologies in the Cold War?
- The USSR was communist. Communism is a system where there is no private ownership of land, property or business. The aim is to achieve economic equality for the benefit of the people through central control of the state economy.
- The USA was capitalist. Capitalism is a system where individuals are free to own land, property and businesses to create wealth and accept there will be economic inequality as a result.
Why was Stalin distrustful of Truman at the beginning at the Cold War?
- Truman was anti-communist.
- He tried to control the Potsdam meeting.
- He successfully tested the atomic bomb without consulting Stalin and used it in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in the days after Potsdam.
Why did Britain ally closely with the USA at the beginning of the Cold War?
Britain was concerned about communism spreading. The nation’s economy was severely impacted after the Second World War so it couldn’t act against the Soviet Union alone.
What were the Soviet satellite states?
The Soviet satellite states were countries in eastern Europe under the political, economic and military influence of the USSR.
Who were the Soviet satellite states?
They were Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and East Germany.
When were the Soviet satellite states created?
The satellite states were created between 1946 and 1949.
How were the Soviet satellite states created?
- The Red Army supported communists and intimidated the opposition. They acted as an occupying force.
- Elections were held and as a result the communists were part of coalition governments.
- The communists worked in coalitions to undermine the government and held key positions, such as head of the police, so they could arrest and murder opponents.
- Propaganda was used to label any opposition party or leader as a fascist to boost support for communist parties or to demonise democratic politicians.
- Once in government, communist parties, aided by the security forces, rigged elections to ensure they remained in power.
What was the importance of the Soviet satellite states?
- It meant the USSR had gained a large territory with which it could trade.
- They enhanced its power.
- In theory, they strengthened communism.
- They acted as a buffer zone to protect the USSR from invasion.
What were the different points of view about the Soviet satellite states?
- Stalin viewed the satellite states as a necessary buffer against future invasion, in particular from Germany.
- However, Britain and the USA saw them as a threat to the West.
What was the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech?
Winston Churchill, although no longer the prime minister of Britain, gave a significant speech where he described how Europe had been divided by an ‘iron curtain’. This analogy described the USSR’s actions in eastern Europe that had divided Europe in two.
