Superpower Relations - 1.2 The development of the Cold War

Question 1

What was the build-up to the truman doctrine and its reasons?

Answer 1

• After the second world war , much of Europe was devestated with many countries suffering hardships
• As Truman ruled as a Capitalist, he disliked the idea of communism as the conditions of Communism is appealing to those in need.
• As the USSR are an incredibly strong country

Question 2

What was in the truman doctrine speech and what was Truman trying to say?

Answer 2

• Truman announced that that the world had a choice between communist tyranny and democratic freedom
• Communism should not be allowed to grow, instead it should be suppressed. In practice this meant that the US would send troops and economic aid to help countries threatened by
  Communism
• This represented a big change in American policy. Previously the US had been isolationists, which meant they wouldn’t get involved in other peoples affairs, but now the USA with setting it off to fight against communism and isolationism replaced with containment.
• Now the USA was setting itself up as the leader in the fight against communism

Question 3

What was the initial purpose of Trumans speech?

Answer 3

The initial purpose of Truman’s speech has just been to announce that the US were sending an economic aid package to Greece and Turkey providing $100 mil and sent American civilian and military personel to the region

Question 4

What is the definition of containment? (JUST READ)

Answer 4

Containment - limiting the spread of something such as the US suppressing the spread of communism to Europe

Question 5

What is the definition of isolationalism? (JUST READ)

Answer 5

Staying apart or not getting involved in the affairs of others such as USA’s policy of isolationism

Question 6

Why does “the second way of life” annoy Stalin the most?

Answer 6

As Truman is looking down on Stalins way of ruling and beleives Capitalism is the best way to rule a country

Question 7

What was another thing Truman mentioned in his speech?

Answer 7

As Truman saw the oppurtunity to make a statement about his view on democracy and communism, he also didn’t hesitate to Show his hatred on communism.

By announcing :

The Truman Doctrine also announced that America should help countries resist communist takeover with economic resources and troops if necessary. Truman also made it clear that he wanted to CONTAIN communism which becomes central to American foreign policy in the post-war years

Question 8

What are the consequences of the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 8

• Grand Alliance gone, USA now opponents to USSR
• Stalins, suspicions arises, has evidence that USA are against communism
• Europe was divided into communism and capitalism, USA and Russia
• For 50 years, Intense rivalries arises over opponents (pollitically)

Question 9

What was the Marshal plan an outcome of?

Answer 9

The Truman Doctrine

Question 10

What is the Marshal plan?

Answer 10

Where the US provides economic aid to provide war-torn countries in Europe who are struggling

Question 11

What were the aims of the marshal plan?

Answer 11

To stop communism from taking over in Western Europe

Question 12

What was the economic impact of the Marshal Plan?

Answer 12

It was so enormous, although it took until the 1950’s for the full effects to be seen. The British foreign secretary, Ernest Bervin called it a ‘lifeline to sinking men, giving hope to where there was none.’

Question 13

How much money did the US lose and how did this make the USSR feel in the Marshal plan?

Answer 13

Overall, the US gave $12.7 billion of aid to help rebuild Europe and not fall into communism. The USSR became furious at the US attempt to split Europe, Stalin insisted that Eastern European countries should refuse it which makes the division of Europe bigger (West - richer East -poorer)

Question 14

What was Malenkovs view to the Marshal Plan? (Soviet Plan)

Answer 14

• He thinks that America is imitating Hitler with their methods to rule the world
• Enslaving weakened Capitalist countries
• The ruling gang of American imperialists
• Using blackmail
• Hatched war plans against the Soviet Union
• Aggressors

Question 15

What were the consequences of the Marshal plan (and Truman Doctrine) ?

Answer 15

• Grand Allance gone, USA now opponents to USSR
• Europe was now divided into communism and capitalism, USA and Russia
• Stalins suspicions arises, now evidence that USA are against communism
• For next 50 years, Intense rivalries arises over oponents (politically)