The Cold war Flashcards
(164 cards)
1
Q
What happened at the Yalta conference? (Feb 1945)
A
Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill split Germany into four zones of occupation, and allowed free elections in Eastern European countries, Russia promised to join the united nations, and Russia promised to join the war against Japan when Germany was defeated
2
Q
What happened at the Potsdam conference? (July 1945)
A
Germany was defeated, Roosevelt had died and Churchill had lost the 1945 election, so there were open disagreements. Truman was angry about the size of reparations and the fact that a communist government was being set up in Poland.
3
Q
describe communism
A
- Totalitarian
- Property owned by state
- Classless
- Focus on the community as a whole
4
Q
describe capitalism
A
- Democratic
- Property privately owned
- Wealth distributed unevenly
- class distinction
- focus on the individual
5
Q
Describe the USSR under communism
A
- Russia’s economy was primarily agricultural
- Under leadership of Lenin and then Josef Stalin
- Opposed to religion
- Capitalism immoral as it exploits labour
6
Q
Describe the USA under capitalism
A
- In the West there was a deep mistrust of communism
- catholic dominated political parties played a key role in opposing communism
- liberal democracy
- belief in private ownership of land and businesses
- ultimately God not economic factors determines the fate of human kind
7
Q
What is the iron curtain?
A
The line that divides the communist east from the capitalism West of Europe (used by Winston Churchill in 1946 as there was large Soviet expansion across Eastern Europe)
8
Q
Why did Britain and the USA not intervene in Poland to stop the communists from taking control? (1945) (iron curtain)
A
- Stalin had set up a gov. of national unity in June 1945
- He could not risk free elections as the communist party was unpopular and would inevitably suffer defeat
- The new doctrine of containment being worked by Truman accepted unofficially that Poland was in the USSR’s sphere of influence- the leader of the Polish communist party was dependant on Soviet assistance.
9
Q
How was Romania put under communist domination? (iron curtain) (1946)
A
- after the Potsdam conference (when it was recognised that peace treaties could only be signed when governments recognised by wartime allies had been established, Romania’s King Michael called on Britain and the USA not to recognise the new government as it had been imposed by the Soviet union in 1945
- In November 1946 the communist dominated front went to the polls.
- The front won more than 80% of the vote
- Romania refused Marshall aid under Soviet pressure.
10
Q
How was Bulgaria put under communist domination? (iron curtain (1945)
A
- In December 1945 Stalin forced the communist dominated Bulgarian government to include two members of the opposition
- In October elections took place for a national assembly. The opposition parties won one-third of the total votes
- Increasing US involvement in Greece meant that Bulgaria became a front line state in the defence of communism
- the Bulgarian communist party also took the creation of Cominform as a cue for pressing on with its radical programme for nationalising industry, collecting agriculture and creating a one party state
11
Q
What was Yugoslavia’s position during in 1945 during the iron curtain?
A
- Yugoslavia occupied a unique position among the soviet- dominated states
- The communist party had effectively won power independently of the Soviet forces
- In Southern Europe Tito (yugoslav. leader) had ambitious aims which clashed with the British and US policy.
- Yugoslavia assisted Greek communists in their attempts to seize power in Greece.
- The USSR sympathised with Tito
12
Q
Why was the Truman doctrine introduced?
A
- as events in Greece in 1947 had confirmed their worst fears
- since 1944 there had been a civil war in Greece between the monarchists and the communists
- Stalin kept his agreement with Churchill that Greece was an area of British influence and did nothing to help the Greek communists-the West believed that this was a sign of Soviet expansion
- the second world war started to make an impact- the British government owed £3000 million in debts in the war against Germany
- Britain warned the USA that they could not maintain troops in Greece
- The USA was worried that this would lead to a communist takeover.
13
Q
Why was the Marshall plan introduced?
A
- when George Marshall was shocked when he travelled through Europe and noticed the economic devastation that he witnessed
- it would act as a barrier to the spread of communism and maybe even pull Eastern countries to the Western block
- It would boost the US economy
14
Q
In the Marshall plan how much did Western Europe request?
A
£29 billion, far more than the US was prepared to give
15
Q
When was Cominform set up?
A
September 1947
16
Q
Why did Stalin set up cominform?
A
To coordinate policies of Eastern European states and made it clear that they could no longer cooperate
17
Q
Give the two possibilities?-how did the news of the atomic bomb affect super power relations
A
Possibility 1: The atomic bomb changed Stalins attitude
Possibility 2: the atomic bomb changed Truman’s attitude
18
Q
Describe how the atomic bomb ‘changed Stalins attitude’
A
- Stalin was angry because Truman did not tell him about the Atomic bomb. Truman was deliberately vague when he mentioned the bomb to Stalin on 24th July- he just quickly mentioned that the USA had a ‘weapon of destructive force’. He did not mention he was going to use it against Japan (people say Stalin had not realised the implications)
- It is however, almost certain that this is not true in such a simplistic way (evidence shows that Stalin knew
- Soviet sources suggest HOWEVER that straight after Truman told him about the ‘new weapon’ Stalin gave orders for Soviet scientists to develop their own nuclear weapon- news of the weapon DID provoke a nuclear arms race
- Stalin saw the dropping of the bomb as directed more at Russia than Japan ‘they were killing the Japanese and intimidating us’
19
Q
Describe how the atomic bomb ‘changed Truman’s attitude’
A
‘Encouraged Truman to seek confrontation’
When Truman knew that he had the bomb:
-His attitude at the conference became more aggressive
-He switched from pro soviet advisers (e.g Davies) to anti-communist advisors such as Stimson and Byrnes
-He dropped the Bomb on Hiroshima to get the Japanese to surrender quickly, before Stalin had a chance to enter the war in the Pacific
-He developed an attitude of confrontation . “I’m sick of babying the Soviets”
20
Q
Political/economic- which matches to Cominform and Comecon?
A
Cominform- political support
Comecon-Economic support
21
Q
How was the Grand alliance strained 1941-45?-aims of the USA
A
- access to raw materials and the freedom to trade and export throughout the world
- the creation of a United Nations
- continue into the post-war period with an alliance with the USSR and Britain
- decolonisation of European colonies
22
Q
How was the Grand alliance strained 1941-45?- aims of Britain
A
- preservation of British empire
- remain on friendly terms with the USA and USSR
- Block soviet expansion in central and South Eastern Europe and the Middle East
- Creation of an independant Poland with a democratic government
23
Q
How was the Grand alliance strained 1941-35?-aims of the USSR
A
- security from further attack
- reparations from Germany
- territorial gains from Poland, Finland and Romania
- creation of friendly pro-soviet regimes in Eastern Europe
24
Q
Aims of the big three: Stalin
A
- )To get a second front opened in the West as soon as possible
- )To gain security from future invasion and protect nation from further attack
- )To gain reparations from Germany to pay for the vast physical and human damage done to the country (25 million dead)
- )Insist on Communist governments in Poland and Romania
- )To survive as a great power still in possession of its empire
- )To reintegrate the Baltic states into its empire
25
Aims of the big three: Roosevelt
1. )To promote decolonisation and abolition of empires
2. )To stop countries becoming autarchic economies (self-sufficient)
2. )To gain access to Western European and Asian raw materials and markets
3. )To create a worldwide free trade area where tariffs and economic nationalism would be abolished
26
Aims of the big three: Churchhill
1. )To protect revolution from hostile neighbours
2. )To make sure America did not move back to a policy of isolationism and leave Europe alone
3. )To have a democratic government in Poland
4. )To Soviet spread in the Eastern Mediterranean especially defending the trade route through the Suez Canal to India and oil in the Middle East
27
When did Hitler launch his invasion of the Soviet Union?
On 22nd June 1941 when the second world war was transformed
28
Who were the allies against who in 1941?
Soviet Union, the USA and Britain were allies against Germany, Italy and Japan
29
Roosevelt was a realist... what does this mean?
He wanted to focus on what would happen after-there were disagreements here
30
What were the 4 strains in the grand alliance?
1. )The second front
2. )The issue of Poland
3. )Harry Truman
4. )Breaking point
31
Describe how the second front was a strain in the grand alliance
- the timing of opening a second front up against Germany caused an issue
- Stalin was concerned firstly with the security of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had always been the brunt of fighting against Germany since 1941 so the need to push a second front to receive pressure on the USSR was a pressing necessity.
- Did the British and American want to see Nazi Germany Defeat Russia?
32
Describe how the Issue of Poland was a strain in the Grand alliance
- Britain had officially hone to war against Germany in 1939 to uphold the independence of Poland. Due to its geographical position, Poland was of immense security for the security of the Soviet union
- Poland had been the route of three invasions of Russia in the twentieth century
- The Polish government was not prepared to see an unfriendly government in Poland
- There was unfriendliness between the Poles and the Soviets, this came to the core when in April 1943 when German troops discovered a mass grave in Katyn Forest which contained Graves with over 100,000 Polish officer bodies when captured by the Soviets in 1939
33
Describe how Harry Truman was a strain in the Grand alliance
Truman was anti communist so was uncomfortable with working closer to the Soviet Union. Roosevelt did not share this view but many of the American public did
34
Describe how 'breaking point was a strain in the Grand alliance
The tension that had been evident before the Second world war remained. The alliance was temporary, as the war came to an end the strains came to the fore
35
Who were allied control commissions?
Held real power in defeated countries. They were dominated by which country had liberated that area
36
Who were governments in Exile?
Political leaders who had escaped Nazi's to Britain in the war. They had lost respect from locals during the war.
37
Who were partisan groups?
They had fought guerrilla wars against Nazi's during the wars. Often seen as heroes, not prepared to tae instructions from government's in exile
38
Who were communist parties?
Began to reform in liberated countries and were ordered by Stalin to form popular fronts or alliances with liberals, socialists and peasant parties
39
Describe the liberation of Europe in Poland
- Britain was determined that this country should be democratic but Stalin wanted to reign lost-territories and ensure a pro-soviet government emerged
- The Red army smashed the Home Amy and established the committee of National Liberation (Lublin committee), Stalin wanted the Lublin committee to form the core of a future pro-soviet government
- Stalin did not trust the home army uprising in Warsaw so many were shot or imprisoned
- Britain and the USA were fearful of upsetting wartime alliance and so accepted Stalins actions
40
What were Soviet attitudes in 1945?
- taking advantage of the military situation in Europe to strengthen Soviet influence and prevent another invasion from the West
- establishing pro-soviet governments in as much of Eastern Europe as possible (to the west this was seen as Soviet expansion)
- Ever since the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 Soviet foreign policy was concerned with two aims:
1. ) Protecting the new state from hostile neighbour's and ensuring its survival
2. )Aiming to promote the spread of world communist revolution
- Stalin was preoccupied with safeguarding Soviet security
- Russia had been invaded from the West three times during the twentieth century, each time losses were substantial
- Over 20 million Soviet citizens were killed during the war-on top of the vast economic losses
41
What were US attitudes in 1945?
- Roosevelt was realistic enough to realise that the USA had to seek some sort of working relationship with the USSR
- With the Soviet red army stationed in most of Eastern Europe, and the atmosphere of war weariness, Roosevelt saw compromise and negotiation as the most effective method of safeguarding Western interests
- When Roosevelt died he was replaced by Harry Truman who had kept out of foreign affairs, he was catapulted into a position that he was not prepared for, Truman was catapulted into a position that he was not prepared for
- Trumans hard line approach was to become what was known as the 'iron fist' which was a reaction against the policy of appeasement that had been pursued by the British against Nazi Germany
- the consumer based US economy was concerned to see a revival in Europe to ensure a free market for US goods. Wanted to keep this market closed off by the spread of communism
- US hostility towards the USS was inflated by the failure o understand the Soviet obsession with security
42
What were the four freedoms that the US fought for in 1945?
- Freedom from want
- Freedom from speech
- Freedom of religious belief
- Freedom from fear
43
When did Roosevelt die and who was he replaced with?
- April 1945
| - Harry Truman
44
Why was the USA so hostile to communism after 1945?
- The USSR was seen as a threat to the freedoms of western capitalism
- Truman was an amateur in foreign affairs, he needed to assert his authority by adopting a hard line approach
- The long telegram saw the USSR as aggressive and expansionist
- US industry wanted to protect its markets in Europe
- Failed to understand Soviet obsession with security
- US military wanted to protect their own position in the military and didn't want pressure on arms
45
What were British attitudes in 1945?
- more suspicious of Soviet intentions than the US
- the end of WW2 saw Britain as economically bankrupt
- Britain was a great power but lacked the resources to sustain this role
- Churchhill feared the Americans tired of fighting would return to a policy of isolationism, as they had after the first world war
- In 1946 the foreign policies of Britain and the USSR were similar
46
What did Churchhill and Stalin agree on when they met in Moscow in 1944?
To recognise spheres of influence:
- 50:50- Hungary and Yugoslavia
- Britain 90% influence in Greece, fearful of Soviet expansion
47
In 1945 the attitudes of the three main powers were ....... as they started to focus on ........... =breakdown in relations
- hardening
| - post war issues
48
What was agreed agreed at Yalta?
- the establishment of a united nations
- the division of Germany, Berlin and Austria into temporary zones of occupation
- free elections in Eastern Europe
- The Soviet Union agreed to enter the war against Japan which was still going on, in return for receiving some of Japans islands in the far East
49
When was Yalta?
Feb 1935
50
What disagreements remained at Yalta?
-over Poland
When the Soviet red army liberated Poland from Germany a communist government was set up in despite the fact a a government in exile had to return to Poland whenever it was safe
-the West hoped that free elections would reduce the amount of communists in the government
51
How had the situation changed by the time it came to Potsdam?
- attitudes had hardened
- Stalin now faced Truman and Attlee who replaced Churchill . Faced with two new relative newcomers to foreign affairs Stalin had an advantage
- Truman an the British were annoyed at Soviet actions (Stalin had been allowed to incorporate some Polish territory into the Soviet Union)
- Throughout Eastern Europe communist groups were being placed in important government roles
- Although the USA and Britain finally agreed to move the Western frontier of Poland to the Order Western Neisse line 5 million Germans were expelled from Poland and forcibly moved West into Germany
52
When did the US successfully test the atomic bomb?
By the 16th July
53
What decisions were made about Germany in the Potsdam conference?
- Agreed on the demilitarisation, denazification and the punishment of war criminals
- USSR determined to extract as much as possible from Germany whilst the USA and Britain wanted their economy to stay strong for imported food
54
What was the 'temporary compromise' agreed upon about Germany in the Potsdam conference?
All could take reparations from their zones and the West would give the East 15% of this in exchange for food and raw materials
55
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany?-SED?
- To broaden the appeal of the German communist party, so that it would appeal to Germans in all 4 zones
- Stalin ordered his officials to force through through the merger of the Social democrats with the KPD in the Soviet zone in Eastern Germany
- After 20,000 social democrats were interrogated and imprisoned the central executive of the social democrats agreed to the formation of the new party
56
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany?-How did SED impact on relations?
- The violence in Eastern Germany created fear and suspicion in Western Germany preventing the party success there.
- When Social democrat leaders in the Western Zones of Berlin were asked by social democrat leaders in Berlin to approve the merger of the two parties it was rejected by 82%
- Western Germany was suspicious of Soviet intentions
57
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany?-Reparations
- compromise in reparations by spring 1946 had broke down
- British were taking the majority of majority of refugees
- Britain and the USA were anxious to encourage a modest German recovery so that their zones could at least pay for their own food imports
- Consequently until their zones became self-supporting, they wished to delay delivering to the USSR the quotas from their own zones of machinery and raw materials that had been agreed
58
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany? How did reparations impact on relations?
-In May General Clay in an attempt to bring the French into line and to force the Soviets to agree to treat Germany as an economic unity, he announced that no further reparation deliveries would be made until there was an overall plan for German economy. They feared that a united German capitalist economy would play an important role in a US-dominated global capitalist trading system
59
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany?- Bizonia
- Motlov (soviet foreign minister) insisted that the Germans should pay the USSR the equivalent of $10 billion in reparations
- Byrens (Trumans foreign policy advisor) argued that reparations could only be paid once Germany made a trade surplus
- He offered to unify the US zone economically with the 3 other zones. Only Britain which was finding the zone a major drain on its fragile economy, accepted the British and US which were merged economically in 1947
60
When was Bizonia formed?
1947
61
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany?-How did Bizonia impact on relations?
- In retrospect this was a major step towards the division of the East and West
- It was hoped that Bizonia would become prosperous and then Germany could pay the reparations that were demanded at Potsdam
- It was the first step towards a separate West German state
62
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany?-Moscow conference of foreign ministers
- major turning point
- The Soviets tried to destroy Bizonia by demanding that a new central German administration under 4 power control was to be set up
- there was strong opposition from Britain who feared that this would slow the economic recovery of the British zone
- Bevin (British) managed to manoeuvre the USSR into a corner where he managed to persuade the Americans to agree that "political unity would only come after economic unity"-the Soviets had little option
63
When was the Moscow conference of foreign ministers?
March to April 1947
64
On what issues did the Big powers disagree with about the future of Germany?-what impact did the Moscow conference of foreign ministers have on relations?
- A 'successful failure' as it was described about the British and Americans as it enabled them to build up Bizonia
- Nothing was decided on German reparations
65
What were the causes of the Berlin blockade?
- the so called 'German problem' would not go away because the agreements at Yalta and Potsdam were temporary
- when the Deutsche Mark was introduced in West Berlin on the 20th June 1948, Stalin took action. The Soviets introduced the Ostmark to the Eastern German zone, two separate German states began to take place
- the guiding principle of NATO was that an attack on one of its members would be seen as an attack on all, thus NATO was a defensive organisation to protect the west and its interests. Stalin saw the introduction of Nato as a deliberately provocative action
- Denied access to Marshall aid and low living conditions in the East. By 1948 the difference in living conditions in both states were obvious
- The Western zones of Germany run by Britain, the USA and France befitted from the influx of Marshall aid, the East lacked resources, taken as reparations for damage during the war
66
When was the Deutsche Mark introduced to West Berlin?
20th June 1948
67
How much later after the Deutsche Mark was the Ostmark introduced?
4 days later
68
When was Stalin forced to concede defeat and lift the blockade?
By May 1949
69
How did the west respond to the Berlin blockade?
By organising an airlift of supplies into Berlin
70
How many tons of supplies were flown into Berlin as a result of the blockade?
2 million
71
What were the consequences of the Berlin blockade?
In August 1949 the three western zones of Germany to form the FRG (west Germany)- in response the Soviet zone became the GDR in October
- as capitalism flourished in West Germany, communism was imposed upon East Germany
- In April 1949 the USA opened talks with Canada and the countries of Western Europe with the aim of committing itself to a military alliance - the result of this was NATO. This made it clear to the USSR that there would be no return to isolationism by the USA
72
When was the FRG (west Germany) formed?
August 1949
73
What were the Moscow talks?
- 3 superpower Western powers explored possibility of reaching an agreement on Berlin
- On 2nd August their ambassadors met Stalin in Moscow, he saw their approach as a sign of weakness so he was uncompromising.
- their talks broke down on the 7th September because neither side would give way
- As the Soviets were concerned the airlift to West Berlin could not be sustained during winter they decided to avoid compromise
74
When could it be said that the future shape of Germany was decided by?
1948
75
Why could it be said that Stalin HAD to create a communist east Germany?
-as a counterweight as Stalin could not stop the FRG from forming
76
How was Western Military power strengthened 1948-52?-why did Tito (Yugoslav leader) reject union with Bulgaria?
He felt given Soviet influence the union would be a way for Soviets to take control of the Yugoslav government
77
How was Western Military power strengthened 1948-52?-who did Tito turn to for assistance? who did he abandon support for?
- The west
| - Greek communist rebels
78
What was NATO?
USA's defence of Western Europe- the countries would defend each other
79
What was ECSC's aim?
-To allow the Western the Western allies to exploit Germany's coal and steel resources for their own rearmament without the risk of building a strong and independent West Germany
80
What was the ECSC's impact?
Strengthened the Western block as it regulated the coal and steel industries- economic needs met
81
What was cominform?
Promote idealogical unity amongst the communist parties in Europe
- sovietisation of the soviet satellite states
- combat Titoism
- coordinate the activities of the communist parties
82
What was Comecon?
-integrate the economies of Eastern Europe with the USSR
83
what happened in 1953?
There were new leaders- Krushchev and Eisenhower
84
Describe Eisenhowers aims
- tougher line, free people in Eastern Europe
- Brinkmanship-threatening the use of nuclear weapons
- peaceful containment of USSR
85
Describe Krushchev's aims
- improve living conditions in Eastern Europe
- Destalinisation (dismantle Stalin's police state)
- more international climate
86
Why had Germany become become divided by 1955?-Western actions
- China's fall to communism further convinced the West of a need to defend Western Europe
- FRG's entry into NATO showed that West Germany was now firmly in alliance with other Western countries
- the economic weakness of Britain led to their desire for. a stronger Germany to recover and be involved in European trade and development
- The European steel and coal community helped to strengthen the economy and financial integration into the Western bloc
87
Why had Germany become become divided by 1955?-Soviet actions
- The Prague coup made France believe in the reality of a communist overthrow in a democratic country
- Cominform and Comecon unified eastern states and raised alarm in the West of communist expansionist intentions
- The creation of SED provided Stalin's intention to manipulate and control the political future of Germany.
88
Berlin Wall- what was the crisis in Berlin?
- The USSR, Britain and the USA couldn't agree on a permanent solution to the problem of Germany
- to stem the flow from the East and the West in 1956 Germany had to close the Frontier
89
Why was the Berlin Wall seen as a solution?
- the number of people escaping to West Berlin
- By July 1961, 30,000 East Germans were fleeing fleeing each month
- the survival of the East Germany was threatened and the solution was the Berlin wall
90
By July 1961 how many East Germans were fleeing each month?
30,000
91
What impact did the Berlin Wall have?
- huge concrete structure over 3m high. Known by the west as a 'wall of shame"
- physical symbol of a divided content
92
How many people risked their lives fleeing from east to west Germany over the Berlin Wall?
5000 people
93
What was the impact of Krushchev?
- softer tone than Stalin to the west
- the Soviet Union was not prepared to allow any changes that threatened its hold over the region
- policy of destalinisation led to a more relaxed atmosphere within the Soviet union as the government moved away from heavily repressive measures
- promote better relations with the West
94
How was the Soviet Union challenged in East Germany in 1953?
- Strikes broke out due to wage cuts
- Soviet troops needed to restore order
- Ulbricht remained in power but it was a serious threat to the new country
95
In the challenge to the Soviet Union in East Germany I 1953, how many were executed?
400
96
How was the Soviet Union challenged in Poland
- Demonstrators attacked Polish police protesting about high food prices
- Riots in Poznan killed 53 workers
- Krushchev moved troops to the Polish border
- By October 1956 Poland was becoming more stabilised
- A new leader called Gomulka took charge on the 20th October , he was both a communist and a nationalist
- An agreement was made that communists would stop persecuting the catholic church
- The red army withdrew
97
How was the Soviet Union challenged, in Czechslovakia in 1953?
- Riots broke out in which symbols of Soviet power were attacked
- At Pilsen Soviet flags were burnt and the town hall was sacked
- The riots were quickly put down
98
Challenges to Soviet control- when was the Prague spring?
1968
99
What did the term 'socialism with a human face' mean?
Less censorship, more freedom of speech and less secret police activity.
100
How was the Soviet Union Challenged in Chzechkslovakia/prague spring in 1968?
- a new mood developed which questioned the way that communists had been ruling the country
- Dubcek became new leader (policy-SWAF)
- He told Brezhnev that he would not pull out of the the Warsaw Pact or Comecon
- opposition which grew became known as the Prague spring
- in summer there was a new political party called the social democrat party to rival the communists
- Russia and other Eastern European countries were concerned by the developments in Czechoslovakia
- On the 20th August 1968, Soviet tanks moved into czechslovakia
- there was little violent resistance but Dubcek was removed from power
- Breshnev made it clear that there must be a one party system and everybody remained in the Warsaw Pact
- this was known as the breshnev doctrine
101
Prague spring (1968)- by summer of 1968 there was talk of a new political party called..... to rival the communists
social democrat party
102
Prague spring -when did Soviet tanks move into Czechoslovakia?
20th August 1968
103
Prague Spring - what was the Breshnev doctrine?
Where Breshnev made it Clear that there must be a one party system and everybody remained in the Warsaw Pact
104
How was the Soviet Union challenged in 1980-81 by Solidarity?
- Polish industry performed poorly in the late 1970's
- Workers at the Gdansk shipyard formed a free trade union called solidarity
- they were led by lech Walesa
- the government had to work with them as the industries were vital
- the leader was popular and solidarity had the support of the Catholic Church, solidarity was also popular in the west
- In Feb 1981 the leader of the army took over: Jaruzelski
- Solidarity sent an open letter saying they were campaigning for the rights of Eastern Europeans
- for months Walesa and Jaruzelski formed a government of national understanding but when that broke down martial law was imposed
- walesa and solidarity leaders put in prison
- solidarity suspended
105
Who were solidarity led by?
Lech Walesa
106
By January 1981 what had solidarity's membership grown to?
9.4 million
107
How many members of solidarity were communist?
30%
108
what did solidarity have the support of?
- the leader was popular
- the catholic church
- solidarity was popular in the west
109
What phrase did Solidarity use?
'for your freedom and for ours'
110
How was the Soviet Union challenged by Hungary in 1956?
- Hungary had been led by a hard line communist called Rakoski, In June 1956 a group within the communist party started to oppose Rakoski
- a new leader was brought in called Gero but he was no more popular
- demonstrations became more serious when on the 23rd October the giant statue of Stalin was pulled down
- the USSR allowed a new government to be formed by Imre Nagy
- soviet troops began to withdraw
- In November 1956 thousands of Soviet tanks and troops moved into Budapest, two weeks of bitter fighting followed
- 30,000 Hungarians were killed
- 20,000 fled the border to Austria
- Nagy was executed
- Kedar, the new leader arrested 35 anti communists and crushed all resistance
111
Challenges to Soviet control: Who led Hungary in 1956?
Rakoski
112
Challenges to Soviet control (Hungary, 1956)- what were the aims of Nagy's government?
- Nagy's government planned for reaching reforms, including free elections, impartial courts and restoring farm land to private ownership
- planned to leave the Warsaw Pact and declare Hungary as a neutral country
113
Why did the Western powers not help in the Hungary riots, 1956?
-as they were preoccupied with the Suez crisis
114
Hungary (1956) was the most serious challenge to Soviet Union because...
- the level of fighting was intense
- because symbols of soviet control were directly attacked such as statues of Stalin and flags
- because 20,000 people fled the country to Austria the West)
- because its new leader said they were going to lead the Warsaw Pact and become neutral
- because even young teenagers took part in the fighting against Soviet tanks
- because the army defected and joined the side of the rebels
- because its ideas of re-privatising farm land went against all communist ideals
115
Prague (1968) was the most serious challenge to Soviet Union because...
- because leaders of other Eastern European countries feared its ideas would spread
- because its ideas of Socialism with a human face was a direct attack to communist authority
- because it looked to form a rival political party, the social democrat party
- because it was led by intellectuals who spread ideas
116
Poland (1980-81) was the most serious challenge to Soviet Union because...
- it had the support of the Catholic Church
- because it was immensely popular (up to 9.4 million joined)
- because it was supported covertly by the Americans
- because it had a charismatic leader who even made tv appearances in the West
- because it showed that organisations could be set up which would challenge the government
117
Hungary (1956) was the least serious challenge to the Soviet Union because...
-the west was less likely to intervene as they were preoccupied by the Suez crisis
118
Poland (1980-81)was the least serious challenge to Soviet Union because...
- because it was more focused on wages and working conditions than politics
- the army remained loyal and in fact took over control of the country
119
Prague was the least serious challenge to Soviet Union because..
- it was easily defeated with little resistance
- it was not necessary to execute the leader, just remove him from politics
- because its leader said he would remain in the Warsaw Pact
- because the leader said the west would remain in the Warsaw pact
- because the West was unlikely to intervene as they were distracted with the Vietnam war
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Describe how the arms race had stabilising effects
1-the deterrent of nuclear weapons prevented direct US-Soviet confrontation
2-the presence of nuclear weapons meant that superpowers respected each others spheres of influence and did not intervene
3-the super powers had to co operate to regulate the nuclear threat such as the removal of nuclear missiles from Cuba and Turkey and the nuclear test ban treaty
4-The US and Soviet leaders were aware of living in the nuclear age and acting responsibly e.g Krushchev withdrew the offer of help in the nuclear programme from Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong
121
Describe how the arms race had destabilising effects
1-Soviets acquisition of the atomic bomb (1949) worsened the arms race. Both sides competed to make better weapons such as the hydrogen bomb, ICBM's and SLBM's
2-Culture of secrecy surrounding the development of nuclear weapons led to superpower fears that the other side had military superiority e.g Gaither report, US report leaked to press and suggested that the USSR held a missile lead
3-The cost of nuclear weapons imposed huge financial strains on both sides on both sides. Krushchev compensated for the USSR's weaknesses' by being hostile towards negotiations in the west, his decision to to station Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba was due to the fact that basing short term missiles in Cuba was cheaper was cheaper than basing long-range missiles in the USSR
4-Nucleae weapons encourages superpower brinkmanship which could have resulted in total devastation, for example the Cuban missile crisis.
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Describe the internal factors that caused the arms race
- In the USA the arms race provided large sums of money to manufacturers (employment of 30m US civilians)
- groups benefited from armaments, to cut spending would threaten the power of the military
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Describe the external factors that caused the arms race
- safeguarding
- development of the atomic bomb
- 1980's, Gov announced Star Wars
- Soviet secrecy (boasting about their nuclear capacity, UK thought they needed to keep up)
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Arms race/space race-how did each side compete to develop new and more powerful weapons =?
- they got their scientists to work as quickly as possible
| - US increased efforts on making the hydrogen bomb which both sides possessed by 1955
125
What was massive retaliation?
- developed by the USA
- based on the threat of using large numbers of nuclear bombs against communist aggression, US had greater nuclear superiority (deterrents)
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What was brinkmanship?
-being prepared to go to the 'brink' of nuclear war
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What was MAD?
Mutual assured destruction. In the 1960's the superpowers reached this stage
128
What was Detente?
A relaxing of tensions, especially between nations, as by negotiations or agreements
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What were the political causes of Detente?
- Urban riots broke out across America in 1968 due to social conditions
- USSR was committed to spreading communism in the third world. Detente could placate the USA whilst they extended influence
- Fears of a USA-China alliance following deteriorating relations between the USSR and china, known as the Sino-Soviet split
- Plans for social reforms e.g Kennedy's new frontier had been undermined due to a lack of finance
- Kissinger believed that negotiation would normalise the USA and USSR relationship thus preventing erratic behaviour from the USSR
- national security interests were a priority for the new leader Breshnev
- Detente allowed the USA to adapt to a world where they would not have as much power as previously held
- Both sides realised that a change of tactics was needed. cooperation would gain more than confrontation
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What were the economic causes of Detente?
- needed access to developing Western technology, they hoped to develop deals made with companies such as Renault and Clio
- America had economic concerns. Inflation had reached 6% and a huge deficit, it was hoped Detente would increase trade with the USSR
- USSR's economy was 1/6th of USA. Detente would allow defence spending to reduce and encourage loans and trade with the West
- detente would result in a reduction of defence spending
131
What were the military causes of Detente?
- USSR perceived the USA as being in a weaker position due to the USA's involvement in Vietnam
- the development of nuclear weapons had created a situation known as mutually assured destruction
- Nixon wanted to withdraw troops from Vietnam. In 1969 the war had cost £30 billion. It had also weakened the moral authority of the US as a leader of the free world
- events such as the cuban missile crisis feared both sides and made them realise the need to compromise and control in Eastern Europe. The Czech crisis of 1968 had threatened this
- Nixons government was committed to Kissinger's policy of Realpolitik. This was a focus on practical solutions such as arms reduction
132
Describe how the needs of the USSR was a cause of Detente
- The humiliation suffered by the Soviet armed forces due to Krushchev's back down during the Cuban missile crisis was a significant factor in his dismissal
- The Soviet politburo faced mounting economic problems and needed to divert resources away from military sector of the economy to deal with these
- Improved relations would allow the USSR much Western technology and grain supplies
- The USSR helped gain recognition from the West from their influence and control over the Eastern bloc
133
Describe how the fear of war was a cause of Detente
- Cuban missile crisis of 1962 had highlighted the danger of superpower confrontation resulting in nuclear war
- by 1969 the USSR had matched the capability of the USA for mutually assured destruction
- acted as a deterrent but also a balance of power
- the pressure to forge ahed in the arms race threatened this delicate balance
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Features of Detente: what was SALT 1?
Following some movements in the 1960's that had been delayed, talks began to discuss limiting the amount of weapons both sides had. It was difficult to agree how arms should be limited and weapons to include. The talks focuses on existing arms and not new technology
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When was Salt 1?
May 1972
136
Evaluate Salt 1
- an important statement: limiting weapons, but was easily broken or altered such as replacing old weapons with new ones within the limits set
- the USA still held the edge in terms of technology, short term agreement only
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When was the basic principles agreement?
May 1972
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What was the basic principles agreement?
Made important agreements on how nuclear war might be conducted. Both sides made important pledges that tried to reduce the likelihood of nuclear war. They also encouraged trade
139
Evaluate the basic principles agreement
This marked a very important statement and change in attitudes towards warfare. However the statements were made only on paper and so could were only on paper and could be seen as lacking real concentrate measures
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When was Ostpolitik and basic treaty
1971-1972
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What was Ostpolitik and basic treaty
- Saw the end of old policy and improved relations between the east and West Europe. Poland's borders agreed, travel routes to west West Berlin confirmed
- Most significant was FRG's acceptance of the FRG as a state
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Evaluate Ostpolitik and basic treaty
Played a huge role in improving atmosphere in Europe but the agreements made actually reinforced the division of Europe rather than seeking to end the split. The agreements did not mark the end of the Wests desire to reunite Germany
143
When were the Helsinki agreements?
1975
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What were the Helsinki agreements
Focused on European security. Agreements made to secure borders as of the end of WW2. Borders describes as 'inviolable'. Deals made on trade and technology across the iron curtain. Agreements on human rights, which would be made over the forthcoming years
145
Evaluate the Helsinki agreements
Accepted the existence of the Soviet bloc, including the GDR and was criticised by many in the USA. New links between East and West opened up greater contact and ideas. Deals on human rights could undermine Soviet regimes and were easily ignored by Brezhnev. Follow up talks got nowhere.
146
Describe how Detente was a success
- a welcome trend to those who wished to reduce the sources of tension
- superpower relations had been stabilised and risks minimised
- events in Iran, Angolia and Afghanistan showed that the USSR had extended its influence during detente
147
Describe the weakness of Detente
- on substantial matters little was achieved, armaments had increased during this period and many of the achievements suggested were ignored (like the Helsinki agreements)
- Detente did not reduce tensions in all areas of international relations
- Europe was more stable, but tension between the USSR and China remained high
- the collapse of Detente showed it's fragility
148
How was the development of nuclear weapons controlled?
- test ban treaty
- non-proliferiation treaty
- salt II and I
149
How did the test ban treaty control the development of nuclear weapons?
- signed by Britain, the USSR and the USA, banning nuclear tests in the atmosphere, under water and in outer space on the assumption that the only two superpowers that counted were the USA and the USSR
- it was however rejected by both France and China who's leaders went on to develop their own nuclear weapons
150
How did the non proliferation treaty control the development of nuclear weapons?
- signed by Britain, the USSR and the USA, they pledged themselves not to transfer nuclear weapons to other countries or to assist other states to manufacture them
- In November 1969 they were joined by West Germany
151
How did SALT I control the development of nuclear weapons?
Consisted of two parts:
1. ) 5 year freeze on the construction of missile launchers and long range bombers. President Nixon accepted the Soviets should have a greater number of missiles than the USA had superiority in targetable re-entry vehicles which could hit more than one target at a time
2. ) Defence against missiles. Both sides were allowed two anti-ballistic missiles (missile defence)
152
How did SALT II control the development of nuclear weapons?
Permanent limitations on nuclear weapons
- MIRV rocket warheads on both sides were further limited
- "Europeans should liberate themselves from the block mentality of the Cold War"
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What is block mentality?
A state of mind brought about by being a member of the two sides of the Cold War
154
What was Ostpolitik?
West Germany's policy towards Eastern Europe, which involved a recognition of the GDR and the post-war boundaries in Eastern Europe
155
What was the impact of the invasion of Czechoslovakia on Detente?
described as "a traffic accident on the road to detente", meaning it blocked/delayed relaxations occurring
156
What was the Moscow treaty in August 1970?
- no progress could be made until the FRG and the USSR had improved (FRGs signing of the non-proliferation treaty, readiness to inc. economic links with USSR etc. all paved way for a treaty with Moscow
- 'foundation of Ostpolitik signed', USSR and FRG declared that they had no territorial gains against any other state
- in the second part of the treaty the FRG committed itself to negotiating treaties with Poland, the GDR and Czechoslovakia.
- FRG accepted that both Germanys would become part of the United Nations
- West Germans presented Brezhnev with a 'letter of German unity', FRG's right to work towards a state of peace in Europe
157
What was the Warsaw treaty in December 1970?
- negotiations with Poland ran parallel with Moscow talks
- both states recognised that they had no territorial demands on each other and that the older-neisse line was inviolable (not to be attacked or violated)
- trade and financial assistance from the FRG were to be increased, while the ethnic Germans still within Poland were allowed to emigrate to West Germany
158
What was the impact on Reagan on the Cold War in the 1980s?
- wanted a new generation of nuclear missiles called trident
- later he would call for the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, openly confronting the East
- described the soviet bloc as an 'evil empire'
- believed communism was a moral evil that the west had a duty to oppose
- wanted to move away from detente from Carter and Nixon's presidencies, heavily disliked SALT II talks and urged them to be ratified
- wanted to restrict trade with the USSR and deny them access to superior Western technology
- publicly discussed the possibility of a 'limited nuclear war' in Europe
- supported the Mujahideen against the soviets in Afghanistan, especially with light-weight ground to air missiles that ended the Soviet air-superiority in the conflict
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When was Reagan elected
| -what was his history?
- 1980
| - a republican with a long history of anti-communism
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How much did Reagan increase defence spending by?
-he doubled it, to over 30% of national spending
161
How did Reagan deny the USSR access to superior Western technology?
-Dec 1981 restricts access to energy exploration technology, June 1982 no oil and gas technical data
162
What was Reagan's massive defence project called?
Strategic defence initiative
163
What was Star Wars and what was it's impact ?
It was a plan to build a space-based nuclear shield with lasers on satellites to destroy incoming missiles. It would end the parity and stability caused by MAD
-Star Wars implied that Reagan was contemplating a winnable nuclear war. The missile shield could in theory counter a Soviet attack, allowing the USA to survive a nuclear war unscathed
164
What was the Reagan doctrine?
where Reagan increased support for anti-soviet regimes and organisations 'freedom fighters' in the third world
