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 WW3’
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
