The Cold War

Question 1

when was the Yalta Conference?

Answer 1

1945 4-11 February- Yalta Conference

Question 2

when was VE Day after Germany surrenders?

Answer 2

1945 8 May- VE Day after Germany surrenders

Question 3

when was the Potsdam conference?

Answer 3

1945 17 July-2 August- Potsdam

Question 4

when were atomic bombs dropped on Japan?

Answer 4

1945 August- Atomic bombs dropped on Japan

Question 5

when was Chruchill’s Cold War speech?

Answer 5

1946 5 March- Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech

Question 6

when was the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 6

1947 12 March- Truman Doctrine

Question 7

when was the Marshall plan?

Answer 7

1947 5 June- Marshall Plan

Question 8

what was atomic diplomacy?

Answer 8

US foreign policy after Potsdam conference.
Only country with such weapons.
Thought could use it to pressure countries to align with US diplomatic goals.
Used to help persuade Soviets to have diplomatic elections.
Made Stalin nervous and create a buffer zone and up security.

Question 9

when did Truman and Churchhill demand Japan Surrender at Potsdam?

Answer 9

26 July 1945- Truman and Churchill demand surrender of Japan at Potsdam.

Question 10

when did Japan’s Supreme War Council decide to get clarification of terms from Soviets and release a censored version to the public?

Answer 10

27 July 1945- Japan’s Supreme War Council decides to get clarification of terms from Soviets and release a censored version to public.

Question 11

when did Japan reject terms?

Answer 11

28 July 1945- Japanese newspaper publishes censored version under ‘Laughable matter’. Reject the terms and continue to fight.

Question 12

when does Japan surrender?

Answer 12

14 August 1945- Japan unconditionally surrenders.

Question 13

what was the Japanese occupation? when did it end?

Answer 13

Occupied by USA.
Most major cities were destroyed.
War crime trials took place.
1947 a new constitution was created, removing power from Emperor.
Article 9 outlined the abandonment of war as a way to settle disputes.
1947-48 Japan was suffering- America supported, feared communism would take control.
Occupation ended in 1951 and Japan was a sovereign nation.

Question 14

what was the iron curtain? and speech?

Answer 14

Metaphorical divide between East and West Europe.
Public still regarded Soviets as an ally and disapproved of this speech.
Media showed Churchill as paranoid.

Question 15

who did Stalin blame for WWII

Answer 15

capitalism which promoted unequal development

Question 16

what did salami tactics refer to and which countries were affected?

Answer 16

Head of the Hungarian Communist Party (Rákosi): “Cutting [countries] off like slices of salami.”

Salami tactics explained Stalin’s expansionist tactics (1945-1947).
Russia was increasing its sphere of influence to protect.
Took countries between Germany and themselves to created a buffer zone of satellite states. (Eastern Bloc).
Went against Potsdam- free elections
Some also had to pay reparations.

Question 17

what was the Truman doctrine?

Answer 17

Combat spread of communism.
Pour money into poor countries to make them less vulnerable.
Policy of containment was important once communist began to reach Greece and Turkey to prevent the spread.
Wanted to aid them to prevent communism.
1947 Truman asked congress for $400 million- military and economic aid.
Promoted using the importance of free societies and ‘us v them’ and ‘good v evil’ tactics.
Media promoted.
Marked the involvement of US in Europe.
In France and Italy, communists were very powerful but after Truman’s speech, they were expelled (1947).

Question 18

what was the marshal Plan? who was involved? who refused? what happened with communism? who benefited?

Answer 18

Europe was nearing famine- production disrupted by war.
Some support from UN.
1947 USA decided to extent support from Truman Doctrine to Western Europe.
George Marshall (secretary of state) developed plan in 1947.- Europe Recovery Plan.
Aimed to rebuilt economies and ensure political stability.
By supporting economically and promoting capitalism communist would die.
Invited Soviets to take part- didn’t want to exclude, thought cooperation was key.
Soviets rejected.
The majority of Eastern Europe rejected.
Poland and Czechoslovakia agreed but were stopped by Soviets.
16 countries agreed- $13 billion in aid, less than $22 billion planned.
Food, fuel and staples and machinery were provided.
Shipments were marked “for European Recovery”
An organisation was set up to prevent corruption.
Due to taxes increasing, 51% of Americans were not told of the plan.
Resources were supplied by US businesses- saw this as aiding competition.
Many people in US got jobs, economy flourished.
Technical assistance programs- 3000 went to US to learn new techniques of agriculture and industry.
Ford Motor Company, British Factories, French Airways, West German textiles and leather, hospitals in Portugal, railways and wharfs in British and French colonies, medications were improved.
Damaged cities were rebuilt.
Funding ended in 1951.
Production increased by 35% and hunger and poverty were eradicated.
Encouraged democratic governments.
Contained communism, as only cooperating countries could trade.

Question 19

what were the causes of the Berlin Blockade? CABAN

Answer 19

Causes (CABAN)
Cold War:
Getting started

Aims:
Stalin wanted to destroy Germany—Britain and the USA wanted to rebuild Germany.

Bizonia:
The Russians were taking German machinery back to USSR.
In Jan 1947, Britain and USA joined their zones together to get German industry going.

American aid:
Congress voted for Marshall aid in 1948.
Russians immediately started searching all roaches and rail traffic into Berlin.

New currency:
1 June, America and France announced they wanted the new country of West Germany.
23 June, new currency was introduced into Bizonia and Western Berlin.
Russians stopped all road and rail traffic into Berlin the next day.
Saw 1948 Berlin crisis as an attempt to undermine their influence.
Stalin said they were protecting East Germany’s economy from the currency.
Western Powers felt forced out of Berlin.
Britain and US tried to restore prosperity but were looted by Russians.

Question 20

what were the results of the Berlin blockade? CENA

Answer 20

Results (CENA)
Cold War got worse:
Almost started a war.

East and West Germany:
Germany split up.
May 1949, America, Britain and France united their zones- Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany.
October 1949, Stalin set up the German Democratic republic or East Germany.

NATO and Warsaw Pact:
1949 western Allies but up North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as a defensive alliance against Russia.
They surrounded Russia.
In 1955, the SU set up the Warsaw Pact- an alliance of communist states.

Arms Race:
After Berlin, the USA and USSR realised they were in a competition for world domination.
Began to build up armies and weapons.

Question 21

when did the blockade end?

Answer 21

12 May 1949, the Soviets ended the Blockade.

Question 22

what was the chocolate flier?

Answer 22

Brought lollies to children.
‘Uncle Wiggly Wings’
US children sent lollies over to help.

Question 23

what was NATO?

Answer 23

NATO
12 members
Deter Soviet expansion
Prevent revival of national militarism
Encourage political cooperation (ending US isolation).
Agree on a mutual system of defence called Article 5- an attack on any of them, is an attack on all and will fight.
In 1955, West Germany joined.

Question 24

what was WarsawPact?

Answer 24

Warsaw Pact
In 1950s Soviets tried to unite Germany, set up security treaties for all of Europe and join NATO.
All were rejected except Austrian State Treaty that allowed counties to become neutral.
Set up Warsaw Pact for mutual defence amongst SU, East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania.
Yugoslavia was the only communist not to join- had own defence and remained independent.
Made iron curtain more defined.

Question 25

how was Germany divided?

Answer 25

Trizonia- France, Britain and US joined zones in 1949.
Did so as thought it unlikely Germany would reunite.
Soviets did the same and handed power to East German officials.

Question 26

what happened with the death of Stalin? Doctor’s plot?

Answer 26

Death of Stalin
Arrested Jewish doctors in 1953- ‘Doctor’s Plot’
Soon after he had a stroke.
People were too scared to enter his room.
Struggled to find a doctor because of the purge.
Died on 5 March 1953.
Doctors were then released.

Question 27

what did Eisenhower want?

Answer 27

Wanted to build domestic and economic strength rather than expand military.
New Look policy- relied on relatively cheap nuclear weapons for security- pressured SU.
Hoped to reduce budget by cutting navy and troops.
‘Chance for Peace’ speech- highlighted costs of rivalry for humanity.
‘Atoms for Peace’ speech- propaganda to quell fear of nuclear reactors.
‘Open Skies’ speech (1955)- swap US and USSR maps to make sure both were obeying army agreements.
Khrushchev rejected the plan- espionage.
1950s- time of economic prosperity.
US goods exported.
IBM, General electric, Holiday Inn, Hush Puppies, Tupperware and Pizza Hut.
Consumerism grew.
5 million TVs sold each year.
Domestic life became propaganda to promote a high standard of living.

Question 28

what did Krushchev want?

Answer 28

People hoped he would thaw the cold war.
‘On the Cult of Personality’ speech (1956)- didn’t want to anti-communist but believed Stalin ‘showed in a whole series of cases his intolerance, his brutality and his abuse of power.’
‘de-Stalinisation’- improve standard of living.
Was son of a peasant- understood.
1958- “If after forty years of communism, a person cannot have a glass of milk or a pair of shoes, he will not believe communism is a good thing, whatever you tell him.”
Decentralised the economy- didn’t have effect wanted, wages stagnated and expectations grew.
Secret police power was reduced, death penalty abolished and greater freedom of speech.
More literary freedom.
Release of political prisoners from Gulags.
Removed Stalin’s body from Red Square to Kremlin- all status was removed.
Showed international coexistence by traveling and going to summits.
1956- “You do not like communism. We do not like capitalism. There is only one way out—peaceful coexistence.”

Question 29

what was the red scare? when was it? who was involved? What did J Edgar Hoover do?

Answer 29

Cold War lead to anti-communism in US (40s and 50s)
Communists: people who cared for unprivileged or wanted civil liberties
Senators (McCarthy) found votes in fear
Media heightened fear
Campaign ‘red scare’ lead to legal issues
Literary, films, artists accused of ‘red’
Fear of spies.
‘reds under the bed’- close and everywhere
Sightings of UFOs.
J. Edgar Hoover was first director of FBI (1935-1972).
Abused power- collecting illegal documents, harassing, spied- scared presidents so allowed to stay.
1947 Truman signed Order 9835 to establish Federal Employee Loyalty to find ‘reds’
300 from 3 million found
No right of appeal.
‘pinkies’ or ‘fellow travellers’
Loyalty spread to schools and organisations.
1948 80 organisations were suspicious and many migrants deported.
Era known as ‘the purges’.
People who confessed had to turn in others.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed in 1951 for passing secrets about atomic bombs and having a spy ring.
Eisenhower: ‘by immeasurably increasing the chances of atomic war, the Rosenbergs may have condemned the death of tens of millions of innocent people.”
Cats were bugged but ended when one was run over

Question 30

what were un-american Activities?

Answer 30

The House of Un-American Activities Committee
Est. 1938.
Investigated people.
Had power to subpoena citizens and take them to congress.
Refusal to answer lead to prison or blacklisting.
Blacklisting- lost jobs and couldn’t get new ones.
Some writers had to write under a false name.
‘Hollywood Ten’ witch hunt in 1947- actors, writers etc suspected of being communist.
In prison for a year and forced to pay $1000 fine.
Many blacklisters.
Ended in 1960s.
Created greater mistrust.

Question 31

what was McCarthyism?

Answer 31

Joseph McCarthy
Took advantage of red scare.
Elected to senate in 1946.
Came to attention in 1950: ‘card carrying communists’ had entered the government.
Supposedly supported by Hoover.
Attacked Roosevelt and Truman for being too soft.
Led a smear campaign against Marshall plan guy.
1953: chairman of Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
Usually dealt with corruption but focused on communism.
Supported HUAC.
Bullied and terrified.
Removed thousands of books, fired 100 uni lectures and blacklisted 324 Hollywood people.
Claims about disloyalty in military lead to demise in 1954.
Army-McCarthy hearings: televised hearings that used the same trial techniques that McCarthy used.
McCarthyism: accusing someone of being subversive or disloyal without substantial evidence.
Died no longer popular.

Question 32

some points on the arms race. what spurred it and who competed?

Answer 32

Japan- became apparent atomic bombs would change warfare.
US was no longer alone in 1949.
1950s- arms race, competition for better bombs.
Hydrogen bomb- 1000 times more powerful than atomic bomb.
1954: US Secretary of State announced policy of ‘massive retaliation’
Billions of dollars spent by both sides.
‘mutual assured destruction’ (MAD)- both would be destroyed, prevented nuclear war.
Late 1950s- no military value and needed better delivery. Not planes, shot down.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
Needed satellites to direct path.
By 1960- both had nuclear fleets worldwide.
Missile bases everywhere.
Brinkmanship (Dulles)- pushing a competitor to the brink of war.
USA had short range missiles in Europe and Turkey that could hit USSR in minutes.
US long range were in US and could hit in 30.
1960s- international peace movement challenged.
Began to negotiate disarmament.
1963- Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty banned detonation of bombs in air and ocean. Must be underground. But France and China have gone against this.
1968- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty limited spread of nuclear weapons- signed by UK, US and SU. 47 countries agreed 2 years later.
1969- Strategic Arms Limitation (SALT 1)- cut back development.

Question 33

when does the arms race begin?

Answer 33

1949
29 August: Soviet Union tests first atomic bomb ‘First Lightening’- 22 kilotons of TNT.
23 September: President Truman announces explosion of first Soviet AB.
October: US gov approves expansion of uranium and plutonium production.

Question 34

arms race in 1961?

Answer 34

1961
30 October: SU detonates most powerful nuclear bomb exploded (Tsar Bomba), could yield 100 megatons but was reduced to 50. Heat produced could give third degree burns in 100km radius.

Question 35

how did the US government deal with fears of atomic war? how did media promote this?

Answer 35

Anxiety in America.
Gov assured them they could survive an explosion.
A pamphlet “fact about fallout” downplayed radioactivity fears.
Radioactivity would be gone in a few days.
Underground shelters were built.
200 000 by 1965.
Cost $100-$5000.
Some fancy ones.
Government ones catered for 36 000 people.
Teachers preformed air raid drills- hid under desks.
Duck and Cover film to show this.
A convey toured in 1952 to spread news and pamphlets.
Nuclear doomsday films from Hollywood- The last man on earth.

Question 36

what was the space race? who won? what was symbolic of the end?

Answer 36

John F. Kennedy: ‘We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy but because they are hard.’
A showcase of power.
SU first satellite surprised US- had to fight.
Created NASA to speed up things.
Fear of SU’s ability to collect info, caused Eisenhower to use satellites to spy- National Reconnaissance Office.
In 1961 tensions built with Kennedy stating a man would walk on the moon.
Suggested joint work between USA and USSR to speed up but rejected by Khrushchev- US trying to steal.
1961-1964, NASA budget increased 500%, 400 000 employees needed.
Spacecraft did not need a person but it was cooler to the world.
Soviet launched tourism champagne on people going to space.
Media maintained hype.
1969 Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, broadcast to 600 mill.
US had won.
Next three years they sent other Appolos to the moon, ended because of funding cuts.
1975 it was over with joint mission, Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
Handshake between them was symbolic of the end.

Question 37

when did Apollo 11 reach the moon?

Answer 37

July 1969

Question 38

which side of the wall did people want to be on?

Answer 38

west

Question 39

how effective was the wall?

Answer 39

Matter of perspective.
Did job it was built to do- stopped people moving around.
“wall of shame”- created a division between views, growing hatred of Communism.
2000 a day to 30 a day.
Increase in people going from West to East- maybe family.
Made America inadvertently support.
Barbed Wire Saturday (1961) closed border with barbed wire.

Question 40

why was the wall made?

Answer 40

People were defecting.
East couldn’t keep up with economic growth.
Loosing skilled workers.

Question 41

why did people defect across the wall?

Answer 41

Farmers and people with businesses wanted to have their own companies.
families.

Question 42

who were the Stasi?

Answer 42

State security force used by German Democratic Party to maintain control of people.
Could arrest with no warrants or evidence.
Looked like you might be an enemy, get rid of you.

Question 43

how did the Stasi operate?

Answer 43

Through fear- violence, killings, threats, intelligence
Propaganda.
Youth control, they get on your side and you can control the country.
111 shelf km of documents.
47 shelf km of film documents.
39 million file cards
1.8 million photos

Question 44

causes of defection?

Answer 44

People wanted to go to family.
People wanted freedom.
People wanted to have their own businesses and farms.
People wanted economic prosperity.
Food. 
Disagreed with communism.
More money.
Better jobs.

Question 45

effects of defection

Answer 45

The East built a wall to stop their workers leaving.
Economy slowed so they had to keep them in.
Families were split.
More people were killed.
Less people escaped as refugees.

Question 46

three countries that were invaded by communism

Answer 46

Poland, czechoslovakia and hungery

Question 47

why did America have control in Cuba?

Answer 47

Plait Agreement- end of war, America was able to intervene in Cuba, had a foothold in Cuba

Question 48

who became president of Cuba?

Answer 48

Batista was not happy with how Cuba was being run. He overthrew the government and became president. Head of army. He consolidated power in 1952. It was before an election because he thought he would lose.
He maintained power with censorship, secret police, gets rid of opposition, suspended civil liberties, favoured wealthy, allowed wealthy companies to dominate (American companies), allows him to get money from wealthy

Question 49

who took over from Batista and what happened to him?

Answer 49

Cuban’s felt unhappy with corruption with America and Cuban leadership.
Fidel Castro: middle class law student, angry about what was happening.
26 July 1953 he attacked and was put in prison for two years.
He fled to Mexico where he plotted ideas to seise Cuba
In 1956 he came back to Cuba and stayed in the Siera Mountains where he accumulated power and support.
Troops were sent to Castro and they joined him.
In late 1958 he tried to take power.
1959 he took power.
Castro had not set out an agenda- no one knew what he was going to do.
He was concerned about US involvement so he put Cuba in control of phone network from America.
Imprisoned or arrested Batista supporters- they fled to America with Batista

Question 50

how did America punish Cuba after presidency was seized again?

Answer 50

America felt uncomfortable- they lost money.
President Eisenhower stopped shipments or arms and threatened to stop buying sugar- Cuba’s main exports.
Cuba seized oil refinements from US- US stopped sugar

Question 51

how did the USSR get involved with Cuba?

Answer 51

USSR said they would buy sugar and supply oil.

Question 52

when did Kennedy get elected

Answer 52

1961

Question 53

how did America try to get rid of Castro?

Answer 53

CIA wanted to get rid of Castro.
Inherited the Bay Of Pigs Plan from CIA and predecessor (April)
Plan to invade Cuba and over through Castro.
It failed.
Used Cuban exiles to invade and America was to offer air support but they pulled out, not wanting to show too much support.
Made JFK look weak and young and foolish.
Tried to make it look like a Cuban uprising.

Question 54

what did USSR do with missiles?

Answer 54

based them in Cuba and thought America did not know but they did

Question 55

what did America do about the crisis?

Answer 55

They blockaded them but called it guarantied because blockading was an act of war.

Question 56

how was the missile crisi solved?

Answer 56

Kruhschev was worried that he pushed America too far.
He said he would remove them if he didn’t have Cuba was invaded.
America had to remove missiles on Turkey but it was allowed to be a secret.