Superpower Relations Flashcards
The Truman Doctrine
Principle committing the US to the containment of communism.
The Marshall Plan
Practical manifestation of the Truman Doctrine; the US gave $13.7b of aid to Western European nations - helping them to rebuild and grow their economies.
Dollar Imperialism
Soviet term for the Marshall Plan, likened US aid to the creation of a ‘economic empire’ which brought Western European nations under US control.
Cominform
Created in 1947, allowed the USSR more control over its satellite states in Eastern Europe.
Comecon
Created in 1949, aid package given to Eastern Europe to counter the Marshall Plan.
Berlin Airlift
Mid 1948 - Mid 1949. The West flew 1000 tonnes per day to West Berlin (Trizonia) after the Soviet blockaded it.
The Korean War
1950-1953. NK invades SK. US + UN join in. China joins in. Ceasefire along the 38th parallel.
Consequences of the Korean War:
- US commits to the domino theory/effect. 2. US triples military budget. USSR doubles army between 1950-55. 3. SEATO formed.
US developments the A-bomb
1945
Soviets develop the A-bomb
1949
US development the H-bomb
1952
Soviets develop the H-bomb
1953
US developments ICBMs
1957
Soviets develop the ICMBs
1957
KGB
Russian spy agency
Outcome of the arms race
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) doctrine
When was the Yalta conference
February 1945
What was agreed at Yalta
Germany to be divided. Germany to pay 20b in reparations. Nazi party would be banned. UN to be formed. Stalin agreed to join in the war against Japan (after Germany was defeated). Free elections for European states.
When was the Potsdam conference
Mid 1945
What agreed at Potsdam
Germany actually dividied up (areas decided). Each administering country could demand reparations only from their portion of Germany. Truman objected to the Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe.
How were the Satellite states created
As the USSR took back territory from the Nazi’s, they set up communist regimes in the countries they liberated.
Which countries became Satellite states of the USSR
Lithuania, Lativa and Estonia (the baltic states), Yugoslavia and Albania among others
Which nation was the only democracy in Eastern from 1919
Czechoslovakia
What was the long telegram
Telegram sent by a US diplomat/spy detailing Soviet attitudes towards the west
What was contained in the long telegram
The following Soviet attitudes: They wanted to destroy the west, world outside the USSR was unfriendly, the USSR was not self destructive and so, if faced with outside resistance would soften its position.
When was the long telegram
1946
What did the Soviet’s think the Americans thought (as conveyed by the diplomat/spy Novikov)
Wanted to use military power to dominate the world, no longer interested in cooperating with the USSR and population of the US would support a war.
What was the outcome of Nivikov’s intelligence
Stalin would take greater control of Eastern Europe –> tried to create a buffer between the USSR and the West
