Tension within Europe Flashcards
Why were the USA and the USSR conflicting with each other post-1945? (3 examples)
Opposing ideologies
The Atomic Bomb was kept a secret by the US
The occupation of Eastern Europe by the USSR
Why did the USA fear communism as an ideology?
It threatened US national security and could limit trading routes if other countries converted to it
Why did the USSR fear capitalism as an ideology?
The economy within the USA went against everything communism stood for - ‘free-market economy’ was unfair and didn’t give equal benefits to the entire community
Name three countries that were now under Soviet occupation after 1945
Poland
Czechoslovakia
East Germany
Where and why did foreign ministers meet in December 1945? What did Truman famously say during this?
A peace treaty for Germany was attempted between USA, Soviet and British ministers in Moscow
‘I’m tired of babying the Soviets’ - Truman
What two events happened in February 1946 which highlights global viewpoints in the US and USSR?
Stalin’s February 9th Speech
George Kennan’s ‘Long Telegram’
What was Stalin’s February 9th Speech?
Stalin highlighted the incompatibility of communism and capitalism in the same world - inevitability of war as capitalists will fundamentally fight over scarce resources no matter what
Seen by some Americans as the ‘Declaration of WWIII’
What was said in Kennan’s X Article/Long Telegram?
He highlighted how the USSR are expansionist and wanting to spread communism however will back down if challenged
Where, when and what was said during Churchill’s visit to the USA?
March 1946
Churchill delivers his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in Fulton Missouri (Truman’s home state)
States how the USSR had created an iron curtain in Europe between the communist east and the capitalist west
When and what was the Truman Doctrine?
12th March 1947
A military commitment to defend any country threatened by an ‘armed minority’ (Truman never specifies communism exactly)
Seen as the American declaration of the Cold War
How did Greece specifically contribute to Truman’s decision on his doctrine? What does Truman say about Greece?
The Civil War within Greece was between democracy and communism
Truman feared the ‘home of democracy’ falling to communism would have disastrous consequences
‘The United States must supply that assistance’ in relation to supporting Greece through ‘economic and financial aid’
What were some American criticisms of the Truman Doctrine? (3 examples)
‘An ideological crusade [which] has no limits, It cannot be controlled.’ - Walter Lippmann
The simplistic division of the world into two was unrealistic - Senator Robert Taft
It was too sweeping of a statement, what were the criteria for a country to be threatened? - George Kennan
Who had toured a war-torn Europe? And what did he push for Truman to do after this?
Secretary of State, George Marshall
He convinces Truman to offer financial aid to assist the shattered economies of Europe
When and what was the Marshall Plan?
Officially known as the European Recovery Program (ERP) - April, 1948
A plan that, over the course of four years, would provide $17 billion to the countries of Europe (even offered to the communist countries)
Which four countries received the bulk of the Marshall Aid? And which countries rejected the aid entirely?
The UK, France, Germany and Italy
Rejected by the USSR and their soviet states within Eastern Europe - not wanting to allow Americans see their economic devastation
Over the course of the four years Marshall aid was in place, what percentage did industrial production rise?
35% - fastest period of growth in European history
What were the consequences of the Marshall Plan for the US and the USSR?
It established the USA as the protector of Europe
It further alienated Stalin and also infuriated him due to seeing a rebuilt Germany in the works (He pushed for a destroyed Germany due to two invasions by Germany between 1914 - 1941)
What made Stalin suspicious of Berlin in early 1948?
The zones of the US, Britain + France had merged (Trizonia) and implemented a new common currency - the Deutschmark
How did the presence of Trizonia tarnish Stalin’s control on his zone within Berlin?
Due to the divided city, people could cross from East and West easily and the disparity from the communist East Berlin compared to the capitalist West Berlin was so prominent
What and when did Stalin react to this Berlin situation?
24th June 1948
Stalin enacted the ‘Berlin Blockade’ on the basis that they were ‘technical difficulties’ in East Germany to excuse the shutting down of any trade routes within Berlin
How did Truman react to the Berlin Blockade?
With an act of political brinkmanship - enacted the Berlin Airlift
What was the Berlin Airlift? Who led it and how long did it last?
A demonstration of American resistance by supplying the needs of 2.5 million people within Berlin entirely by air
Led by US General William Tunner
Lasted for 324 days
General Tunner implemented what tactic during the airlift? Was this successful?
The ‘Straight-in approach’ which essentially allowed for max efficiency with precise organisation between the planes dropping off supplies in Berlin
Extremely successful
Which air force assisted the Berlin Airlift? and how many flights + tons of supplies did they fly into Berlin?
The RAF (Royal Air Force)
1.5 million tons of supplies over 275,000 flights
When and why did Stalin lift the Berlin Blockade?
12th May 1949
He knew the only way to stop the planes would be to shoot them down - which would cause war
What were the outcomes of the Berlin Blockade + Airlift? (2 examples)
The formation of NATO (1949)
The official development of two German states (East + West Germany)
What were the implications of the formation of NATO?
It completed the division between Western + Eastern Europe (Firstly political and economic, now military)
Stabilised Europe in terms of tension
What were the official names for East + West Germany?
German Democratic Republic (East)
Federal Republic of Germany (West)