Superpower relations by late 1945

Question 1

How did Britain cause tension between the USA and USSR?

Answer 1

By 1945, Britain feared losing world influence to the USSR and created an Anglo-US Pact. This pulled together the capitalist powers, in opposition to communist Russia

Question 2

How did Harry Truman (became president in April 1945, due to FDR’s death) cause tension between the USA and USSR?

Answer 2

Under great pressure to stand up to Stalin. US Congress was outraged that there had been no democratic elections in EE, and some congressmen accused Truman of appeasing Stalin

Question 3

What other causes of tension were there? 2

Answer 3

Relationship between the occupying powers in Germany and Japan created conflict
Vagueness of earlier agreements

Question 4

What did the Western powers have to accept? 2

Answer 4

They couldn’t force the USSR to establish democratic regimes in EE
Not in their interests to go to war with the USSR

Question 5

Why was the Moscow Council significant? 2

Answer 5

Created the shared understanding the each power should have a sphere of influence
Last occasion on which the Grand Alliance worked effectively