Superpower Relations + The Cold War Flashcards
When was the Tehran conference + what was agreed?
1943, USSR can keep land in Eastern Europe, An International Organisation set up, USA + Britain launch another attack on Germany so German army reduced troops in the East.
What were the consequences of the Tehran conference?
Very good+ beneficial for the USSR as they gained alot of land.
When was the Yalta conference + what was agreed?
February 1945, Germany + Berlin would be divided into 4 zones, 20 million in reparations with 1/2 going to the soviets
What were the consequences of the Yalta conference?
Showed a lack of agreement over the reparation process + that Stalin wanted a lot of land
When was the Potsdam conference + what was agreed?
July 1945, Germany would be demilitarised + become democracy, Soviets would gain 1/4 of good made in western Europe in trade for food + coal.
What were the consequences of the Potsdam conference?
Lots of disagreements, highlighted the difference between Communism + Capitalism.
When was the atomic bomb dropped, where and how many people died?
6th August 1945
Truman dropped it over Hiroshima and nagasaki
Over 120,000
What were the consequences of the atomic bomb dropping?
The USSR saw the USA as a great danger to the world
Stalin took more land between USSR and Germany as a ‘buffer zone’
Describe the first telegram sent out and when?
1946
Long telegram - Kennan sent a detailed telegram about the USSR’s attitude towards the USA (that Stalin wanted to destroy capitalism)
What were the consequences of the long telegram?
USA started ‘containment’ which meant to keep communism in the USSR only
Describe the second telegram and when was it?
1946
Novikov telegram sent by a soviet diplomat, shows USA didn’t trust USSR
Showed that America wasn’t afraid of war
What were the consequences of the Novikov telegram?
USSR felt the need to occupy more land for safety
What was the iron curtain speech?
Winston Churchill’s speech when he said that Europe was divided by an “Iron curtain” in 1946, behind it were the USSR controlled countries
What were the consequences of the iron curtain speech?
Increased tension
Both sides strengthened their forces
Why were satellite states made?
As a barrier between USSR and Germany
Showed power and strength
Increase of communist influence
Name 5 satellite states and how/when
East Germany
Poland- 1947 as a communist government
Czechoslovakia- 1948 a communist government
Hungary- 1949
Romania- voted communist after intimidation from the USSR
What was the Truman doctrine?
12th March
Truman announced he would provid economic help to countries being threatened by communism
Promised 400 million dollars, sent US soldiers to Turkey and Greece
What followed the Truman doctrine?
The marshall plan - gave 12.7 billion dollars between 1948-52
Economic aid to countries hit by war
Offered money to satellite states but Stalin refused it
What did Stalin call the Marshall plan?
Dollar imperialism
He thought it was the USA trying to be more powerful and create American Empire in Europe
What were the consequences of the Truman doctrine and Marshall plan?
Friendly grand alliance now gone
USA in direct opposition to USSR
What was cominform and when?
1947- every Eastern Europe country was to follow Stalin’s orders, every country would have a cominform office
What was Comecon and when?
1949, No Eastern Europe country could take money from the USA, there would be trade only between communist countries, communist party took over all industries
What were the consequences of comecon and cominform?
Increased tensions
Made divide greater
What was the Berlin crisis and when?
March 1948
USA, Britain and France united their zones in Trizonia
the created a currency called Deutshmark
What was the Berlin bockade?
USSR blocked off any land route in or out of Berlin
This stopped food and essentials reaching Trizonia
When was the Berlin airlift?
June 1948 to May 1949
America flew in food and resources instead
There was a risk the planes may have been shot but it didn’t happen
Over 1000 tonnes of food flown in
After a year, Stalin removed the blockade
What were the consequences of the Berlin airlift?
Made Stalin look weak
West proved they could succeed peacefully
3 days after, USA, Britain and France officially united (Trizonia)
When and what was NATO?
1949
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Western powers (US, Britain and France) and 9 other countries formed a millitary alliance
When and what was the Warsaw pact?
1955
All of Satellite States led by Soviet Union
Promised support
Describe the 6 stages of the arms race
Atomic bomb 1945
1949 Soviets made their own bomb
1950 American hydrogen bomb
1957 Soviet hydrgen bomb
USA ballistic missiles
2 months later, Soviets also had ballistic missiles
What occured under Khrushchev’s leadership?
He openly critisised Stalin (wanted peace)
War ended in Korea
Both countries broke from arms race
Austria 1955 meeting had calmed tensions
How did the Hungarian uprising start?
Hungary didn’t like soviet control
They couldn’t vote, food shortages