The Cold War

Question 1

What was the Cold War?

Answer 1

Cold” relations between two Superpowers after WWII

Superpowers = USA and USSR (Russia)

Question 2

Why was there a Cold War?

Answer 2

After WWII USA + USSR world’s Superpowers
Most powerful countries in world (size, weaponry and influence)
Allies during WWII
Relationship deteriorated after defeat of common enemy (Nazis)
Due to IDEOLOGICAL differences,i.e. different beliefs

Question 3

What events led to the ‘cold’ feelings between the Superpowers

Answer 3

The Truman Doctrine
The Marshall Aid
NATO
Warsaw Pact
The Iron Curtain

Question 4

The Truman Doctrine

Answer 4

Policy announced by US President Harry Truman
USA help any country trying to stop spread of Communism
Policy of containment

Question 5

The Marshall Aid

Answer 5

Marshall Aid
US money to help rebuild Europe after WWII
Not repeat mistakes of WWI
Developed by US Secretary of State, George Marshall
$13 billion sent to Europe
Stalin not allow eastern European countries accept this money

Question 6

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Answer 6

Defence pact signed in 1949

Members included USA, Canada and 10 western European countries

Question 7

The Warsaw Pact

Answer 7

Defensive pact signed in 1955
Signed by USSR and its eastern European satellite states
Formed in response to creation of NATO
Europe now divided into armed camps

Question 8

The Berlin Blockade

Answer 8

DIVISION OF GERMANY
After Nazis defeat Germany divided into 4 sectors
Sectors were controlled by USSR, USA, GB and France
Berlin was also divided into four
Supposed to be temporary

Question 9

The Blockade Begins

Answer 9

Marshall Aid money pumped into British, US and French sectors
1948 - new currency (Deutschmark) introduced into these sectors
Stalin not allow this currency in Soviet sector
Wanted to keep Germany weak
24 June, 1948 - Stalin ordered all routes to Berlin from Western sectors be closed
GB, USA and France believed Stalin was trying to take over all of Berlin
Determined not to let it happen

Question 10

The Berlin Airlift

Answer 10

Operation Vittels - huge airlift of supplies into Berlin
Food, clothes etc. flown into western sectors of city
June ’48 - May ’49, 2.3 million tonnes of supplies were flown into city
The operation cost £220 million!!

Question 11

Blockade Lifted

Answer 11

US and allies determination strengthened
Stalin did not want to back down
However, did not want to escalade dispute (US only country with atomic weapons)
May ’49 - Stalin called off blockade

Question 12

Consequences of the Blockade and Airlft

Answer 12

Defeat for Stalin
Determined not to be seen as weak in the future
Permanent division of Germany
British, American and French sectors united to form Federal Republic of Germany (democratic)
Russian sector became German Democratic Republic (communist)
Berlin remained divided into east and west
Bitter feeling intensified

Question 13

Origins of the Korean War

Answer 13

1945 – Korea liberated from Japan by Americans and Russians
Division (along 38th parallel) supposed to be temporary
As Cold War developed this division became permanent
North – Russians installed Communist government under Kim Il Sung
South – USA backed democratic government (very corrupt)
1948 - Kim Il Sung not take part in UN organised elections
He claimed to be rightful leader of all Korea

Question 14

The Korean War Part I

Answer 14

June 1950 - North Korea invaded South Korea
Within 2 months NK occupied most of South, including the capital Seoul
USA sent troops to help South Korea (Truman Doctrine)
Led by General MacArthur
Britain, France and Australia also sent soldiers under the UN

Question 15

The Korean War II

Answer 15

Within weeks: Driven North Koreans out of South
In possession of large parts of North
USSR (Russia) did not get directly involved
However, they did supply North Korea with military equipment
China (Communist and a neighbour) sent 500,000 “volunteers” to help North Koreans
This assistance allowed North Koreans to push UN troops back to Seoul

Question 16

The Korean War Part III

Answer 16

By 1951 - facing one another across original border at 38th parallel
Fighting continued until July 1953 when an armistice was signed
The 38th parallel became a demilitarised zone (DMZ)

Question 17

Results and Consequences of the Korean War

Answer 17

Korea remained divided
Deep hatred and suspicion between North and South Korea
Three million Koreans dead
Deepened rift between the Superpowers (although not fight one another directly)

Question 18

Cuban Missile Crisis:Background

Answer 18

Cuba - a corrupt republic led by Fulgencio Batista
Most Cubans lived in poverty
Wealth controlled by few landowners and US businesses
Tobacco and sugar cane industries the most important
1958 – Batista overthrown by revolution
Led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara

Question 19

Cuban Missile Crisis:Bay of Pigs

Answer 19

US became alarmed when, Castro took over American owned businesses and property
He developed closer links with Russia
Consequences:US Pres. John F Kennedy SECRETLY backed Cuban exiles living in US in planned invasion
US trained/armed Cuban exiles
April ’61 - Invasion force landed at Bay of Pigs in Cuba
Invaders expected local support for invasion
Instead they met with strong resistance

Question 20

Cuban Missioe Crisis:RESULT of Bay of Pigs

Answer 20

Within three days they had been defeated

The episode was very embarrassing for President Kennedy

Question 21

The Cuban Missile Crisis Part I

Answer 21

Cuba and USSR became closer because of:
Bay of Pigs invasion
US ban on all Cuban imports
Russia now bought entire Cuban sugar cane crop
This alarmed Americans
October 1962 US spy planes over Cuba discovered nuclear missile launch sites were being constructed

Question 22

The Cuban Missile Crisis Part II

Answer 22

As Cuba is just 150 kms from Florida this would put US cities within range of Russian missiles
Kennedy sent the US navy to blockade Cuba
He announced US navy would stop any Russian ships carrying missiles
Potential of all out war high
Russian ships carrying missiles had already left Russia

Question 23

The Cuban Missile Crisis Part III

Answer 23

Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader, ordered his ships to return home
In order to allow Khrushchev save face a hasty deal was done
Khrushchev agreed to dismantle the missile sites in Cuba
Six months later Kennedy was to remove US bases in Turkey

Question 24

The Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 24

Victory for Kennedy
Contributed to Khrushchev’s removal from power
Cuba remained a Communist country
Shocked the Superpowers – come close to all out war
Test Ban Treaty signed by Superpowers
Hotline installed between Kremlin in Moscow and White House