superpowers 2 Flashcards
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of the Grand Alliance from 1941 to 1946
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979)
USSR - alarmed: overthrow of Shah in Iran when fundamentalist Muslim gov. took over. USSR wanted buffer zone between Iran & USSR (had large Muslim population).
Pro-Soviet gov. in Afghanistan was toppled Sep 1979 when Amin staged coup. Brezhnev acted to stop Amin getting support from USA. Amin looked like was going to ask USA - fundamentalist Muslim groups might overthrow him.
Dec 24th 1979, Soviet troops invaded, using ‘friendship treaty’ as excuse. Claimed Amin invited them to support against terrorists.
Amin - assassinated (probably by Soviets ) on 27th Dec, replaced by pro-Soviet Babrak Karmal. Soviets remained in Afghanistan for 10ish years, fighting opponents of Kamal (funded by CIA).
Americans: invasion = attempt to spread communism abroad, which they fought hard to resist. Carter: biggest threat to world peace since end of WWII. Withdrew SALT II & increased spending on arms. Issued Carter Doctrine: USA would repel with force, threats to USA interests in Persian Gulf.
1980 Olympic boycott - over 60 countries supported USA by not attending 1980 Moscow Olympics. Embarrassed USSR and increased tension between superpowers.
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of the creation of Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe from 1941 to 1948
Stalin’s Red Army pushed Germany out of USSR and pushed further west towards Germany, ‘liberating’ countries in Eastern Europe from the Nazis.
When war was over, Stalin was reluctant to give up control of these countries - were a useful ‘buffer zone’ between USSR and Germany to protect from any future attacks.
Some countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) were conquered by USSR in 1940 and simply treated as if they were part of USSR.
Other countries were manipulated into communism. e.g, Poland - Red Army allowed rebellion against Nazis to be crushed before moving in to install communist gov. Other countries that were pushed into becoming satellite states included Bulgaria, Romania by 1945, Czechoslovakia by 1948 & Hungary by 1949.
Truman saw creation of buffer zone as evidence: Stalin wanted to spread communism worldwide - this made relations worse.
Truman announced Truman Doctrine while satellite states were being established - drew a clear line between two sides in Cold War - made relationships more tense.
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of the collapse of the Soviet Union from 1989
Arms race = economy inefficient & heavily burdened - severe decline. Perestroika aimed to address issues but worsened situation. Led to shortages, rising inflation, < public frustration. Economic instability & inability to provide basic needs undermined gov’s legitimacy - change demanded.
Glasnost: < freedom of expression and press, exposed public to info & ideas suppressed for decades. Wave of discontent of system led to more openness / criticism.
November 1989, Berlin Wall - physical manifestation of Iron Curtain, was breached and dismantled. Signified end of division of Germany, marked significant turning point in collapse of Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.
Warsaw Pact lost purpose & relevance. Alliance effectively dissolved in 1991, marking end of military alliance of Eastern Bloc countries. Poland, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia - free to pursue own national security policies & establish new international relationships (were eventually invited to NATO)
Collapse of the USSR marked end of Cold War (dominated international relations for decades).Ideological rivalry between the USA & USSR ceased. Had far-reaching consequences for international relations, shift in balance of power, > military tensions. New era of international cooperation & diplomacy.
Transitioning from centrally planned economies to market-oriented. Economic difficulties: hyperinflation, unemployment, need to privatise state-owned industries. Key role in shaping post-Soviet development & relationships with global economy.
Write a narrative account analysing the World War Two Conferences from 1943 to 1945
Grand Alliance met because they were allies against Nazi Germany. Big 3 were in GA to mastermind defeat of Germany & Japan. Alliance formed when Nazis launched Operation Barbarossa - invaded USSR (4m men June 1941).
1943, Soviets were pushing German army out of USSR - German defeat = certain. Big 3 met at Tehran in Nov-Dec 1943 to plan winning strategy: opening ‘second front’ against Germans and Stalin helping USA defeat Japan once war in Europe was over.
Potsdam had damaging effect on GA. 1945, Roosevelt died, replaced by Truman and Churchill lost election to Clement Atlee. Truman was a hawk - adopted ‘get tough’ policy with Stalin (caused early tension between superpowers).
Stalin found out about successful atomic test by USA at conference - was furious he was not informed and that USA had huge military advantage.
After Nazis surrendered May 1945, most agreements made at conferences happened: Germany & Berlin divided into 4 zones. This showed superpowers could work towards common aim as allies.
Breakdown of trust. Stalin disliked the way Truman tried to push him around at Potsdam, Truman didn’t trust Stalin - he lied over promises about Poland in previous two conferences. Britain - economically exhausted by war so became ally of USA against USSR. Set stage for Cold War to proceed.
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of Gorbachev’s impact on the Cold War from 1985 to 1989
Poor living standards in USSR. after brezhnev’s death, many leaders followed & passed = lack of leadership so no long term plans for stability. standards continued to decrease (e.g chernobyl disaster 1986 - death/uncertainty). clear that new policy needed.
USA’s increase in military development: SDI & nuclear submarines. competing & intensifying second arms race was unrealistic & not solution. gorby wanted to adopt new thinking (practise some capitalism - popular)
introduced glasnost (reconstruction) - reform communism (<appealing = <spread). more open to capitalist ideas.
introduced perestroika (openness) - allow people own beliefs and criticisms of gov.
Improved relations: displayed open / accepting form of communism = carter realised cooperation was possible. USSR - no longer threat (gradual end of CW & arms race - malta summit 1989: george bush + gorby promise peace)
Collapse of USSR & communism: gorby didn’t force USSR’s complete loyalty. after getting rid of warsaw pact & brezhnev doctrine, most rebelled against communism due to < free will.
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of the Arms Race between the USA and USSR from 1945 to 1958
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of the USA’s use of financial aid to fight communism in post-war Europe
Ideological conflict between USA & USSR. USA - capitalist democracy, opposed to spread of communism - sought to prevent expansion of Soviet influence. Ideological struggle between superpowers motivated USA to financially aid countries at risk of falling under communist control.
Fear of domino effect: fall of 1 country to communism could trigger chain reaction, was another cause. Aimed to prevent spread of communism by addressing potential spots before could destabilize entire region.
Marshall Plan provided extensive economic assistance to Western European countries for post-war reconstruction. Intended to address economic devastation, > spread of communism. Successful in containing communism.
Greek CW prompted Truman Doctrine. Greece: communists attempted to overthrow Greek gov. USA - concerned that fall of Greece = domino effect. Truman Doctrine: pledged assistance to countries under threat. Financial & military aid to Greece, suppress communism & prevent country falling under Soviet influence.
1947 Cominform, 1949 Comecon established to level playing field - US promised to invest $17b into economy of eastern european countries at risk of succumbing to communism. Stalin dubbed ‘dollar imperialism’ - US using money to win allegiance.
Division between east and west as only western-aligned nations received aid, none going to satellite states. Expressed economic separation of east and west
Write a narrative account analysing the key developments of the ‘Bay of Pigs’ incident (1961)
USA - deeply concerned about spread of communism. Castro’s communist regime = potential threat to USA interests & indication of Soviet influence. Fear of communism’s influence & desire to eliminate it.
Cuba - hotspot for USA business interests (sugar, tourism) Nationalisation of businesses = economic losses for U.S. companies. To protect assets / investments = overthrow Castro and restore American influence / interests in Cuba.
USA provided extensive support, training, equipment to 1400 Cuban exiles, costing $45m. USA denied direct involvement.
Cuba - prepared for invasion. Received intelligence about impending attack - mobilised forces quickly. 200,00 troops killed / captured exiles in 3 days.
President Kennedy - weak and inexperienced in front of the world. Planes were US air force hastily disguised to look normal but easily identified, linking plot to US gov.
Drove Castro into arms of Khrushchev, made certain Castro would let Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba to deter more attacks. Castro requested substantial aid (thought American invasion was imminent). USSR sent 20,000 personnel,140 surface - air missiles.
