Tensions before WW2

Question 1

What is the Grand Alliance

Answer 1

An alliance between Britain, United States and Soviet Union. They fought together against their common enemy: Hitler, in World War II.

Question 2

What are the main reasons for the breakdown of the Grand Alliance?

Answer 2

Different ideologies
USSR’s actions
West’s actions

Question 3

Why were the West and the Soviet Union suspicious of each other before WW2?

Answer 3

Because of their different ideologies.
The West didn’t like Communism and they didn’t want it to be spread to other countries, as it would affect their trade.
The Soviet Union became Communist in 1917 after the Bolshevik Revolution, and the West helped anti-communists during the Russian Civil War. The USSR saw that as an invasion, and became suspicious of them ever since.

Question 4

What are the main differences between Capitalism and Communism?

Answer 4

Politics:
USSR: Single-party rule.
West: Free elections + choice of parties

Economy:
USSR: All property owned by state.
West: Private ownership

Social structure:
USSR: Classless, everyone equal.
West: Some people have more power than others.

Rights:
USSR: Rights of all workers more important than individual rights.
West: Individual freedom valued but limited by majority opinion.

Question 5

What were some actions from the West and the USSR that deteriorated relations in the 1920s and 1930s?

Answer 5

• In 1938, Britain and France allowed Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia, which is very close to the USSR border. Stalin thought they did this because they would be happy if Germany invaded them.
• Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1939. Stalin and Hitler agreed to split Poland between them. Britain and France felt betrayed.

Question 6

What is the definition of ideology?

Answer 6

A set of shared beliefs

Question 7

What do Capitalists believe?

Answer 7

Everyone should be free to own property and business, and to make money.

Question 8

What do Communists believe?

Answer 8

All property should belong to the state, so that everyone has a fair share.

Question 9

Why did the West decide to get involved in the Russian Civil War?

Answer 9

To get Russia back in WW2 and to avoid the spread of Communism.

Question 10

The atomic bomb is sometimes referred to as…

Answer 10

the Big Fourth.